A Commitment to Holiness
Jesus and Discipleship • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Where did Jesus begin in His ministry of making disciples?
Right after the accounts of Jesus’ birth, the Gospels begin with the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for the coming Messiah.
The message of John the Baptist
The message of John the Baptist
John the Baptist preached repentance - Matthew 3:1-2
John the Baptist preached repentance - Matthew 3:1-2
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
John prepared the way for Jesus - Matthew 3:3
John prepared the way for Jesus - Matthew 3:3
3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
John attracted many who confessed their sins - Matthew 3:5-6
John attracted many who confessed their sins - Matthew 3:5-6
5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John always pointed to the coming Messiah - Matthew 3:11
John always pointed to the coming Messiah - Matthew 3:11
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John preached confession (vs. 6) and repentance (vs. 2)
Understanding confession and repentance
Understanding confession and repentance
Confession is the admission of our guilt - 1 John 1:9
Confession is the admission of our guilt - 1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Confession results in forgiveness
Repentance goes further in turning from our sinful ways - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Repentance goes further in turning from our sinful ways - 2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Repentance produces change
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God
Jesus also came preaching the same message of repentance as He also introduced the Kingdom of God - Matthew 4:17
Jesus also came preaching the same message of repentance as He also introduced the Kingdom of God - Matthew 4:17
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The kingdom would radically transform everything and would require changing our beliefs - Mark 1:15
The kingdom would radically transform everything and would require changing our beliefs - Mark 1:15
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
The kingdom demands righteousness - Matthew 6:33
The kingdom demands righteousness - Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
After His baptism, Jesus was tested by Satan - Matthew 4:1-11
After His baptism, Jesus was tested by Satan - Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus was tempted, but did not sin - Hebrews 4:15
Jesus was tempted, but did not sin - Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
As disciples, our highest priority is holiness
As disciples, our highest priority is holiness
We are instructed to be holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16
We are instructed to be holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
God asks us for sacrifice - Romans 12:1-2
God asks us for sacrifice - Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We can do this through spiritual disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are practices found in Scripture that further growth in a believer
Practices not intentions
Found in Scripture
They are a means to an end
What are some of these disciplines?
Reading Scripture
Prayer
Obedience
