Keith starts out his sermon asking what people think is the foremost proof of holiness.So before getting in a discution about the sermon, I would like to ask everyone what they think is the foremost proof of holoness?
not to sound over simplistic but: the holy spirit.
sermonindex wrote:not to sound over simplistic but: the holy spirit.Yes, holiness is only found through the Holy Spirit. But the question is more geared to the proof that you are yeilded or full of the Holy Spirit. What is the proof of a life of holiness. The foremost proof?being a great preacher?reading the bible every day?praying alot?the way a person dresses?giving tithes faithfuly?What is your concept of the foremost proof of holiness?
having the presence of Christ in you and the sure witness of His abiding so that you don't need to prove anything to anyone.jimp not having a critical spirit. have you ever met a bad driver'you have seen thousands of them' but no one ever admits to being one.same thing in the body of Christ, its someone else that wrong or unholy or hs bad doctrines. let us humble ourselves.
What is your concept of the foremost proof of holiness?Answer: not having one.Being like Moses who didn't know his face was shining when he came down from the mountain.Holiness has to do with the life of Jesus Christ in us. It (should express) expresses itself in every area and detail of life. There's no foremost proof, for everything to God is of major importance. To give a "foremost proof of holiness" is not in agreement with the heart of God who said:"Behold, God is mighty but does not consider anything to be of little value" (Job 36:5 - Dutch Translation)Holiness has much to do with humility and foremost (to use this word), with the heart. You cannot put "holiness" in a little box or formula. "Christ in you, the hope of glory". In Him,Paul
On one hand, I agree but on another I thought, Proof of holiness is the degree God can use you in His work. It is also the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. By focusing on Jesus Christ, we should loose ourselves in total surrender and the question becomes unimportant. I believe in the beginning we need to consider and strive for holiness, but once on the path, it should become less important as we mature. If it does not we can get obsessed with religion, tradition, ceremonies, rulings, decrees, history, arguments, everything BUT Jesus Christ and the enemy of our soul neutralizes our effectiveness and stealing our joy, and other fruits of the Spirit. What do you think?
Holiness is the fruit of a righteous life. Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we are dead with Christ and "our old man is crucified with Him (that the body of sin might be destroyed)," that we should no longer serve sin, but become servants of God and of righteousness, and have our fruit unto holiness and in the end have everlasting life.The foremost PROOF therefore of holiness is that I am righteous in all things, righteous "even as He is righteous." RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND DEALING in ALL THINGS is the foremost proof of holiness. The Apostle John also makes much of this in his First Epistle. He puts the necessity of walking in the Light before he mentions love. For we cannot love [in truth] except it is out of a "pure heart." A pure heart is a righteous heart - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9. Therefore, "righteousness" is the foremost proof of holiness.
Here is a link to the sermon.The Foremost Proof of Holiness
The proof of holiness is a changed nature.
Holiness and perfection are not the same. Perfection is maturity, whereas holiness is the fruit of righteousness. A babe in Christ can be holy (first fruits), but not perfect in the sense it is meant here. James is speaking of maturity, not holiness.
Here is some of the sermon."There is a staggering passage in the bible. I wonder if you have ever allowed God the Holy Gost to speak to you as if it was God sitting with you looking you in the eyes and speaking to you. I know you read these word I know you heard them, but tonight I dare you no matter who you are to just let it be God and you.Listen probably one of the most fearful passages in the whole bible certainly one feared books in the bible. And I have quoted this book across hundreds and hundreds of towns and cities over the years the book of James. But the third chapter I want you to listen carefully now. Where God says through this Godly James who staggered the world no one was more reveared not peter not John but then James amongst the early church it was James he was so godly. And he said these words in chapter 3 verse 2. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”The foremost proof of holiness, the foremost proof of vital reality with God is what? What do you say sir? The way your wife dresses, your child? Giving tithes, never missing a meeting not going to the world, separation from the world? No, Oh no you could dress like a nun and stay in a monastery and you could be wicked. What is your concept of the foremost proof of holiness? Listen to the man through God speaking. “The foremost proof of holiness is a man ability to refrain from entering into any conversation whereby he becomes defiled in the sight of God and man.Listen again “If any man or woman or child or preacher or missionary. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man in the light he’s been given that is. He is living it, and able also to bridle the whole body. He is in control of whatever the devil aims to try to get at any weak spots in your past or life where he can make you fail morally. You are in total victory over everything God says if you have victory here."Cont...
James 3:2-8 “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”Cont....
"God says. Do you think God exaggerates? Do you know a snake is the only thing you ever find you can compare whose tongue is full of deadly poison? It is an unruly evil if it is not controlled by God the Holy Gost. If it is not controlled by God the Holy Gost nothing in your life is controlled by God the Holy Gost. Nothing, nothing. It is the tip of the iceberg, if there no control here there is no control anywhere God says."Cont....
Has it ever occurred to you brother, sister, young boy, has it ever occurred to you that the sins you weep over, worry over and groan over you don’t need to come to God about that sin, you need to get victory by grace here. And when you by grace seeking God find victory here daily. You will find the victory over all those things you so desperately want God to deal with. This (The lips) when you have no control here sets the whole fire of your whole sensual emotions going God says. Has it ever occurred to you that you need to seek God desperately? Set a watch of O God upon my mouth. If you don’t pray that daily for your home let alone out there brother sister. I doubt you have any discernment at all about what God wants for your life. If you don’t realize that this makes or breaks my testimony.Cont....
This opens the door for all unimaginable sins taking over if I lose control here God says. Multitude of words wanteth not sin. You got control here brother sister? Set a watch of O God upon my lips or I lose everything today beginning with my family concerning a testimony of honor according to James. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison God says. If it is not controlled what it can do.After Keith say this he goes into some illistrations that bring out what he is saying in the above.But this is whare I am going to leave the transcript.
Dose anyone have any comments about how Keith says that the word we speak are the foremost proof of holiness?
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