“Because it is written, Be ye holy ; for I am holy.” 1 Pet. 1:16 [Lev.11:44-45] William Longstaff words George Stebbins music

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Col. 4:5 “…be holy and without blame…” Eph. 1:4 “…to present you holy…” Col. 1:22 = “sacred, pure, blameless”

“The World Rushes” “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14 NKJV

“Be still, and know that I am God:” Ps. 46:10 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14 “…you have your fruit unto holiness…” Rm.6:22

“Abide in Him Always” “Spend much time in secret…” “Speak Oft with thy Lord” “Feed on His Word”

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes.5:17 Continue in prayer - Acts 2:42 “Desire the sincere milk of the word” 1 Pet.2:2 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Pet.3:18 Joshua 1:8 “meditate” = ponder Psalms 119:97 “my meditation” = reflection Psalms 63:6 “meditate on thee in the night”

“Make friends of God’s children” “Help those who are weak”

Fellowship with other Christians We all need friends - choose wisely 1 Cor. 15:33 NKJV - “evil company corrupts good habits.” Prov.13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Serve our Fellow Man 1 Thes. 5: warn, comfort, uphold, patient, pursue what is good Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Gal. 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

“Be Calm in thy soul” “Each thought and each motive beneath His control” “Led by His Spirit to fountains of love”

Inner Peace and Happiness John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Phil. 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Renewed Strength Pure thinking - Prov. 23:7 Phil. 4:8 “think on these things.” Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Realization of God’s Love Concentrate on spiritual things - Rom. 8: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Realization of God’s Love Kill the Flesh - Gal. 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

“Like Him thou shalt be” “Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see” “Thou soon shall be fitted for service above.”

Goal of Discipleship 1 Pet. 2:21 “…leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” 1 John 2:6 - walk as He walked 1 John 3:3 - Purify self as He is pure

Transformation noticed by others Matt. 5: see your good works and glorify the Father Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

Prepared for Greater Service Serving here that we might go to heaven and serve. Rev. 7:15 “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night…” Rev. 22:3 “…and his servants shall serve Him.”

Earth is testing ground Our time is short Are you making time to be Holy ?

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening Oct. 10, 2010