ASSIGNMENTS 1. Once a day read over this material and read or sing the songs. 2. Keep the scripture where you will see it often each day. 3. Think of ways you can become more holy in your personal life. 4. Pray for a change in heart that results in a true abhorrence for sin and evil. 5. At the end of day write down some sins that you hate. 6. Plan to tell the class about your successes and failures in your efforts to become holy. N Saints N Saints N Saints N The saints never suffer as the sinners do. - Ezra Taft Benson N Saints N Saints N Saints N DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS MONDAY - VERSES: ‘Saints' is used about 100 times in the Bible. - Matthew 27:52; Acts 9:13,32; Romans 1:7 PRAYER THOUGHT: Holy Father, help me to be holy like you and your holy child, Jesus. TUESDAY - VERSES: The same Greek word is translated ‘saints' and ‘holy'. - Romans 15:25-32; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 8:4 PRAYER THOUGHT: Holy Master, help me to serve you in holiness as a servant dedicated to you and sanctified by you to be wholly holy. WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 3:17-19; 5:2- 5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Holy Creator, Create in me a pure and holy heart uncorrupted by the worldliness around me. THURSDAY - VERSES: Psalm 89:7; Acts 26:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 PRAYER THOUGHT: Holy God, may I never do anything to dishonor your holy name or bring shame to you by sinfulness, but rather let me bring you honor and glory that you so richly deserve. FRIDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 149:5-9; 1 Corinthians 6:1-5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Holy Judge, help me to recognize how offensive all sin is to you and help me to find it offensive to as well. SATURDAY - VERSES: Psalm 31:23; 34:9; 37:28; 97:10 PRAYER THOUGHT: Preserver of All Saints, help me to always live under your protection and preserving power, and never to wander away from the holy, saintly life you desire for me to live. SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 91 HOLINESS - 5-4-14 TO 5-10-14 SCRIPTURE - 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. COMMENT – Sometimes in the quest for purity in worship, and in our emphasis on the proper teaching about the church; we may be guilty of overlooking the sinfulness in our personal lives. God calls us to be a holy priesthood not just a priesthood that follows the proper religious rituals. SONG - MORE HOLINESS GIVE ME 1) More holiness give me, More strivings within, More patience in suffering, More sorrow for sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of His care, More joy in His service, More purpose in prayer. 2) More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord, More pride in His glory, More hope in His word, More tears for His sorrows, More pain at His grief, More meekness in trial, More praise for relief. 3) More purity give me, More strength to o'ercome, More freedom from earth-stains, More longings for home; More fit for the kingdom, More useful I'd be, More blessed and holy, More, Savior, like Thee. N Saints N Saints N Saints N THOUGHTS While journeying through the Canadian Rockies, we noticed that there were trees growing on the edges of the steep embankments and that in many cases half their roots were uncovered and were vainly grasping the air around. Some trees had loosened their hold altogether and had plunged down the steep slopes of the banks. They had been growing too near the edge. N Saints N Saints N Saints N "Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference between us now," said a recently converted young woman to an unsaved friend, who could not understand the great change that had come over her. "You love the world," she explained, "and I love the word." N Saints N Saints N Saints N A preacher was taken to New York City by some friends and shown all that it had to offer. That night he prayed, "Lord, thank you for letting me see all these sights, but I thank you more that I didn't see anything I wanted." N Saints N Saints N Saints N Fill Us! This the secret of the holy, Not our holiness, but HIM: Jesus! Empty us and fill us With Thy fulness to the brim N Saints N Saints N Saints N I fear God, and next to God I chiefly fear him who fears HIM not. Saadi, Persian Poet N Saints N Saints N Saints N Billy Graham was asked about revival and described it in two ways. "...First, a new sense of the holiness of God on the part of Christians; and second, a new sense of the sinfulness of sin on the part of Christians." While he is wrong about many things, he is right that those two things are necessary for the Christian and the Church to be pleasing to God. N Saints N Saints N Saints N CREATE HIM! J. A. CLARKS According to a Jewish legend God took counsel of the angels around His throne before He created man. "Create him not," said the angel of Justice, "for if Thou dost he will commit all kinds of wickedness against his fellow men; he will be hard and cruel and dishonest and unrighteous." "Create him not," said the angel of Truth, "for he will be false and deceitful to his brother-man. and even to Thee." "Create him not," said the angel of Holiness, "he will follow that which is impure in Thy sight, and dishonor Thee to thy face." Then stepped forward the angel of Mercy and said, "Create him, our Heavenly Father, for when he sins and turns from the path of right and truth and holiness I will take him tenderly by the hand, and speak loving words to him, and then lead him back to Thee." N Saints N Saints N Saints N WATER IN OR OUT All the water in the world However hard it tried, Could never, never sink a ship Unless it gets inside. All the hardships of this world, Might wear you pretty thin, But they won't hurt you, one least bit unless you let them in. Though sinfulness fills the earth And Satan roams about Souls that experience rebirth Fear not if sin's kept out N Saints N Saints N Saints N The Scriptures were written, not to make us astronomers, but to make us saints. - Matthew Henry N Saints N Saints N Saints N CHRISTIANS ARE ___________! INTRODUCTION - 1 PETER 1:13-16 I. CHRISTIANS ARE ______________ - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:2; 6:1-4; 6:9-11; COLOSSIANS 1:2; EPHESIANS 5:25-26; JUDE 1:1 II. WE ARE SANCTIFIED _________ . . . A. THE __________ - JOHN 17:17 B. FAITH IN _________ - ACTS 26:18 C. THE HOLY SPIRIT - __________ 15:16 D. WASHING of WATER by the ______ - EPHESIANS 5:26 E. CHRIST'S OFFERING - HEBREWS ___:___ III. WE ARE SANCTIFIED ________ . . . A. OBEDIENCE - 1 ____________ 1:2 B. ____________ - 2 TIMOTHY 2:19 C. ____________ - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 D. THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS - _________ 17:19; 1 CORINTHIANS 7:14 E. ________________ - HEBREWS 10:14 F. SALVATION - 2 THESSALONIANS 2:13 CONCLUSION CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS! INTRODUCTION - 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. A. ARE YOU A SAINT? B. CONFUSION OVER WHAT CONSTITUTES A SAINT. From http://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu221.htm Q. 1. How does one become a Saint? A. 1. Contrary to the common belief that there are 3 steps to becoming a Saint, the Catholic Church teaches that there are 4 steps the becoming a Saint. Many teachers of this matter omit the first step. Before a person can be considered for sainthood, he/she must have been dead for at least 5 years. (Pope John Paul II waived this requirement in Mother Teresa's case.) First Step: When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop is placed in charge of the initial investigation of the person's life. If it is determined that the candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican grants a "Nihil Obstat." This is a Latin phrase that means "nothing hinders." Henceforth, the candidate is called a "Servant of God." Second Step: The Church Official, a Postulator, who coordinates the process and serves as an advocate, must prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues. This is achieved through the collection of documents and testimonies that are collected and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. When a candidate is approved, he/she earns the title of "Venerable." Third Step: To be beatified and recognized as a "Blessed," one miracle acquired through the candidate's intercession is required in addition to recognition of heroic virtue (or martyrdom in the case of a martyr). Fourth Step: Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification, though a Pope may waive these requirements. (A miracle is not required prior to a martyr's beatification, but one is required before his/her canonization.) Once this second miracle has been received through the candidate's intercession, the Pope declares the person a "Saint." C. ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS (even those still living) ARE SAINTS. I. CHRISTIANS ARE SAINTS = SEPARATED AND SET APART FOR GOD'S USE = HOLY A. 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: B. 1 Corinthians 6:1-4 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? [2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? [4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. C. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. D. Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. E. Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, F. Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: II. WE ARE SANCTIFIED BY . . . A. THE TRUTH - John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. B. FAITH IN JESUS - Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. C. THE HOLY SPIRIT - Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. D. WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD - Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, E. CHRIST'S OFFERING - Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. III. WE ARE SANCTIFIED FOR . . . A. OBEDIENCE - 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. B. SERVICE - 2 Timothy 2:19-21 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. C. PURITY - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. D. THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS 1. John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 2. 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. E. PERFECTION - Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. F. SALVATION - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: CONCLUSION A. Are you a saint, a Christian? B. Have you been sanctified by the right things? C. Have you been separated from sinful things? D. Are you doing the things you have been sanctified for? 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.