CELLEXTRA
October 2013: Ambassadors of Holiness (Part 1)
PURE WATER - An opportunity to consider holiness; what does it mean for a 21st century young person in The Salvation Army and how can we recapture and refresh holiness in our generation in a way that makes our world a better place? Can you remember back to March and April, in the ‘Deep Water’ stream, when we began to dive deeper into our theology to be sure we understand the basis of our faith and doctrines? We covered most of the Salvation Army doctrines, but we missed out doctrines 9 and 10. Now the time has come, and over the next couple of months we are going to take the opportunity to consider these two doctrines… the doctrines of holiness… in more detail. This is ‘Pure Water’. These doctrines emphasise the importance of living life in the way that is pleasing to God, with values such as honesty, kindness, generosity, faith, love and hope top of our agenda. They encourage us to stay strong in our faith, obedient to God’s call and open to allow the Holy Spirit to continue to change us into the people of God we are created to be! This is holy living! If we are honest most of us probably do understand, even just a little, what holiness is; and that as Christians we are called to live holy lives; and we are aware of the changes that we should make in our lives to become more holy. But perhaps it sometimes seems as if making those small changes won’t make a great deal of difference in the grand scheme of things, perhaps in the jumble of our everyday lives we forget we should be doing things differently, or perhaps we are just too ashamed to own up, too scared of the consequences. But by not pursuing holiness we are truly missing out. ‘Holiness is joyful, dynamic and powerfully magnetic... Holiness is about being truly alive, truly human...’ (Pete Greig1) Some people think holiness is living a life that is disconnected and separate from the world, trying our best not to break the rules. But real holiness is about living in the world whilst staying in time and in tune with God’s heartbeat. Holiness is about living every day by choosing to make good and godly choices, through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. We are called to reflect the holiness of God in our lives and to the world around us.
‘An ambassador of holiness is one who claims God’s love, along with his power to forgive, cleanse and restore. Once claimed for ourselves, we can bring hope and freedom to others through his saving grace. 2 Are you up for the challenge?’ Read on through this month’s Cell Extra and find out!!
1 2
Pete Greig. The Awakening Cry. 1998 Major Beverly Ivany, http://salvationist.ca/
1. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Doctrines 9 and 10
Doctrine Nine We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ. Doctrine Ten We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Doctrines in simplified form To stay saved we must trust in Jesus to help us, and we must go on doing as he wants us to do. Saved people are given the chance to be used by God to help him. When they have given themselves to him fully, they can be given power to serve him, and be kept from sinning. Doctrines 9 and 10 are significant elements of Salvation Army Doctrine and place us firmly within the Holiness stream of Christian life and faith. The Salvation Army is a Holiness Movement. Our roots are with John Wesley and we believe that holiness is not an option for the Christian way of living. Our Founders, William and Catherine Booth, along with other early Army leaders, wrote books on holiness and the necessity of Salvationists adopting this way of life. It is part of our heritage.
Have a go at writing these doctrines in your own words.
Read this quote about William Booth’s approach to holiness. Do you understand it? If not, ask an older Christian to help you! Booth’s vision for the believer is summarised simply by the word holiness. William Booth was thoroughly biblical and Wesleyan in his understanding that by the grace of God the man or woman before God is not only saved from the guilt of sin at the moment of justification by faith, but saved also from the power of sin through sanctification by faith. This, he believed, was the fullness of the good news of the Scripture. (Dr Roger J. Green, William Booth’s Vision For The Future, www.salvationist.org)
‘Dear God, thank you for the heritage of holiness that I have within The Salvation Army. Please help me not to settle for anything less in my life. Amen.’
2. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - YAHWEH-M’KADDESH
‘The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy’ ‘Set yourselves apart for a holy life. Live a holy life, because I am God, your God. Do what I tell you; live the way I tell you. I am the God who makes you holy.’ (Leviticus 20:7–8 MSG) As you read through the Bible you notice that God uses many different names for himself. The names and titles that God uses for himself in the Bible reveal his characteristics – who he is, what he is, what he does, what he can do and who or what he wants to be in our lives. One of those names is Yahweh M’Kaddesh, (pronounced M-ka’dash) which means the God who sanctifies you, the God who makes you holy.
Watch the following fun YouTube clip unpacking the word ‘Sanctification’. Search ‘Sanctification Phil Vischer’ or follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp_TRnXLet0 (You should see a clip made by Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer featuring some of his puppet friends!)
Thank God that he doesn’t leave us struggling in our own strength, trying to make ourselves holy! He is Yahweh M’Kaddesh, The God who makes holy. What we can’t do on our own, he is willing to do in us!
3. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Holy Scriptures!
‘Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That’s why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too.”’
‘For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.’
(1 Peter 1:15–16 CEV)
(Hebrews 10:10 NCV)
‘Be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy.’ (1 Peter 1:15 NCV)
‘Dear friends, we have these promises from God, so we should make ourselves pure—free from anything that makes body or soul unclean. We should try to become holy in the way we live, because we respect God.’ (2 Corinthians 7:1 NCV)
So, friends, we can now – without hesitation – walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place”. Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. So let’s do it – full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word’ (Hebrews 10:19–22 MSG).
‘Live holy lives before me because I, God, am holy. I have distinguished you from the nations to be my very own.’ Leviticus 20:26 MSG)
‘Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.’ (Philippians 4:8–9 CEV)
‘God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful – as beautiful on the inside as the outside.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:7 MSG)
• Read these Scriptures carefully. • Grab a highlighter and highlight and words or phrases that stand out to you. • Which Scripture leaps out at you the most right now? Why do you think that is? • Choose one Scripture and design into a poster, picture, bookmark, graphic… or simply write out on a Post-it note! • What one action or change you could make to live in a way that more closely resembles the lifestyle that these Scriptures are describing?
Choose one of these Scriptures and turn it into a prayer, saying whatever you want to God about holiness.
4. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Call To Holiness
Call To Holiness By the Salvation Army International Spiritual Life Commission 1998 We call Salvationists worldwide to re-state and live out the Doctrine of holiness in all its dimensions – personal, relational, social and political – in context of our cultures and in the idioms* of our day while allowing for, and indeed prizing, such diversity of experience and expression as in accord with the Scriptures. We affirm that God continues to desire and to command that his people be holy. For this Christ died, for this Christ rose again, for this the Spirit was given. We therefore determine to claim as God’s gracious gift that holiness which is ours in Christ. We confess that at times we have failed to realise the practical consequences of the call to holiness within our communities and within our Movement. We resolve to make every effort to embrace holiness of life, knowing that this is only possible by means of the power of the Holy Spirit producing fruit in us.
* idiom - types of expression particular to the culture • Highlight the sentence or phrase that most inspires you. • Circle a word or phrase you would most like to experience in your own life. • Underline a word you’re not sure you understand (then ask someone what it means).
Write your own ‘Holiness Pledge’ (eg, your commitment to holy living). Use your pledge to pray and make your commitment before God.
5. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Breathe in me, Holy Spirit
‘The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.’ John 14:26 (GNT)
Holiness is about living every day by choosing to make good and godly choices, through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, and it’s about reflecting the holiness of God to the world around us. The Holy Spirit is our power source – we can do what pleases God because his Spirit gives us the power! He is our life and strength. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! God asks us to rely on him to produce these qualities in our lives. The Holy Spirit inside us is how we can be truly Wholly Holy!
Breathe in me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
(add your own lines to this prayer) Amen. (www.catholic.org)
6. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Fire
‘He will be like a purifying fire…’ (Malachi 3:2 NCV) The Bible describes God as ‘a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29), so it is not surprising that fire often appears as a symbol of God’s presence. Fire is used often as a symbol of holiness and of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit is like a fire in at least three ways: He brings God’s presence, God’s passion, and God’s purity. • Fire is the symbol of God’s holy power, as he displayed to Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-5) • God is described as a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 5:22-26; 9:3-10; 10:4; Judges 6:20-21 2 Samuel 22:7-16) • God is compared to fire, not only to illustrate his holiness, but also to illustrate his anger against sin (Isaiah 10:17; Hebrews 12:29). • Fire from God is used to burn away sin in our hearts as he purifies us and makes us holy. (Malachi 3:1-3) •
The fire on the altar of the burnt offering was to be kept burning continuously as the priests offered the sacrifices for the nation. The altar itself was considered holy and the fire consuming the offering consecrated the people. (Exodus 29:38-43; Lev 6:12-13) (The only way an ancient Jew knew his offering was accepted, when the priest offered it, was by the fire of God coming upon the sacrifice and consuming it.)
• The appearance of Christ in John’s vision (Revelation 1:14; Revelation 2:18), was with eyes ‘as a flame of fire.’ • The descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost looked like tongues of fire. (Acts 2:3) If possible take some time to watch a real fire burning, eg, a bonfire (it is nearly bonfire night!), an open log fire, wood burner… If this is not possible then you can light several candles instead! Take some time to watch the fire… the flames, the colour, the heat, the noise, the brightness, the burning. How does this speak to you about the holiness of God? The power of God? The way that God hates sin? Jot down your thoughts/ meditations and pray!
Search on YouTube or iTunes for the worship song called ‘Refiners Fire’, by Brian Doerksen. (See lyrics below.) Use this track to ask God to come and ‘purify your heart… and make you holy’.
Purify my heart Let me be as gold and precious silver Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner’s fire My heart’s one desire Is to be holy Set apart for you, Lord I choose to be holy Set apart for you, my master Ready to do your will
Purify my heart Cleanse me from within And make me holy (If you can’t get a real fire or candles going due to safety restrictions you could watch this virtual fire on YouTube instead! Search ‘The Fireplace
Purify my heart Cleanse me from my sin Deep within
7. AMBASSADORS OF HOLINESS (PART 1) - Ambassadors of Holiness
‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.’ 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. ‘An ambassador of holiness is one who claims God’s love, along with his power to forgive, cleanse and restore. Once claimed for ourselves, we can bring hope and freedom to others through his saving grace.’ 3As Christians, we are Jesus’ ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world! What an honour, what a privilege... what a responsibility!
Imagine: ‘If you were made holy, how would this influence your family, your best friends, and your acquaintances? How do you think they would be affected?’4
Imagine: ‘What would your community, and your corps, look like if all of the Christian youth in your neighbourhood were holy? What if all of the adults were holy too?’5
‘Dear God, thank you that you have chosen me to be your ambassador to the world. Help me to reflect your light and life to those around me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and continue to change me to become more like Jesus. Amen.
3 Major
Beverly Ivany, http://salvationist.ca/ Munn & Stephen Court, The Uprising: A Holy Revolution 5 Olivia Munn & Stephen Court, The Uprising: A Holy Revolution 4 Olivia