Isaiah 64:8: But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
A CHRISTIAN IS UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION FROM THE MINUTE THEY ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST.
- The transformation is voluntary
- Change our relationships, words, thoughts, and actions
- To reflect Jesus Christ in our lives
- Then we are on a journey to bring others in
1 Peter 1:22: Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned (genuine, honest, heartfelt) love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
- This love comes during a part of the holy change that God
- Works in the heart of a believer
- Our hearts have to be circumcised
- Jewish circumcision was an outward sign of being set apart by God
- But our circumcision is a spiritual thing that God
- It begins when we truly become Born Again
- And our cooperation with God
Deut 30:6: And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
- God wants to cut away the selfish ways of our heart
- We know that people are generally selfish (self-seeking)
- Especially before the Lord
- But God will change that
- If we allow Him
THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD
Heb 12:14: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- Holiness is not artificial or outward
- But a practical Holiness available to every believer
- An inward holiness
- Holiness unto the Lord along with human kindness
PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Luke 10:25-37
This is not a sermon solely about doing good works for other people.
There are many in the world today that do great acts of human kindness or Humane acts
But they still don’t have Jesus in their lives
Just because we do great acts of kindness does not necessarily mean we are living a life that is pleasing to God
- It is honorable, and God is looking at the heart
WHAT IS TRUE HOLINESS
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan
- The Lord sets forth two kinds of Holiness
- One is outward
- And other is deeply rooted in the heart
- One is head knowledge and the right things to say
- The other is saturated with grace and love
- One is a false holiness
- The other is genuine
- It wants to pass by on the other side of duty and service
- The Levite and the priest (who were holy ministers of the Jewish temple, fell into this category)
- They were to be Holy vessels unto God (Ex 28:1-3)
- Stand between God and the people
- In the old testament
- One is outward
THE NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS LIKE A LEVITE AND PRIEST, ARE CALLED OF GOD AND EXPECTED TO EXHIBIT CHRISTLIKE LOVE AND COMPASSION
2 Cor 4:6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Eph 5:8: For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Col 1:12-13: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- We are His hands and feet
- Living in the Holiness of God
- He did it for us so that He could use us in the lives of others
- And not just for the sake of doing humane services
- Which is still honorable and good
Scripture leads God’s people to love one another even our enemies. This is when we know we truly have the love of God in our hearts.
Why should we love on another?
The Lord commands it.
Ga 5:14
Also see: Le 19:18
The Lord commands love for foreign people.
Le 19:34; Dt 10:19
The disciples of Jesus are to love one another ; Ro 13:10; 1 Th 4:9; Heb 13:1; Jas 2:8; 1 Pe 1:22; 1 Pe 2:17; 1 Jn 3:23; 1 Jn 4:21; 2 Jn 5
God has demonstrated His love for us.
1 Jn 4:11
Also see: Mal 2:10; 1 Co 8:11–13; 1 Jn 3:16
The people of God are known by their love.
Jn 13:35.
Also see: 1 Jn 2:10; 1 Jn 3:14; 1 Jn 4:7; 1 Jn 4:16; 1 Jn 4:20
Fellowship is upheld with love
1 Pe 4:8
Also see: Pr 10:12; Pr 17:9; Eph 4:2
Sacrificial Sacrifice is given through love
1 Th 2:8
Also see: Pr 17:17; 2 Co 12:15; Ga 5:13; Php 2:30; Php 4:10; 1 Th 1:3
We can express love by caring or the sick
Mt 25:36
Also see: Job 2:11; Ga 4:14
Love is expressed in meeting material needs
Mt 25:35
Also see: Dt 15:7–8; 1 Jn 3:17
Love is expressed in greeting affectionately
2 Co 13:12
Also see: Ge 33:4; Ge 45:14–15; Ac 20:37; Ro 16:16; 1 Co 16:20; 1 Pe 5:14
Some examples of the demonstration of love for one another
Ge 14:14–16 Abraham for Lot; Ex 32:31–32 Moses for Israel; 1 Sa 18:3 Jonathan; Lk 7:2–6 the Roman centurion for his servant; Lk 10:29–37 the good Samaritan; Ac 4:32; Ac 16:33 the Philippian jailer; Ac 20:38; Ro 16:4; 2 Co 2:4; Eph 1:15; Php 1:8; Php 4:1; 2 Ti 1:16–17 Onesiphorus; Phm 12; 3 Jn 6
Paul’s love for the church of
Corinth:
2 Co 1:3–6; 2 Co 2:4
Paul’s love for the church of Philippi:
Php 1:3; Php 1:7; Php 4:1
Paul’s love for the church of Thessalonica:
1 Th 2:7–8; 1 Th 3:7–10; 1 Th 3:12
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.