Me and My House: Be Holy

Are you building your house on temporary trends or eternal truths? This past Sunday, Pastor Ricky Johnson delivered a powerful message titled "Be Holy."

We explored the idea that holiness isn't a list of boring rules; it’s about embracing God’s "Otherness." Pastor Ricky reminded us that while the world is "making it up as they go," we are called to be a set apart people. By looking into the eternal principles of God's Word, we can stop living in "former ignorance" and start reflecting the unique character of our Creator.

When our individual and family houses are built on holiness, we provide the world with a testimony that cannot be faked. Let's quit making up the rules and start pressing toward the high calling of God!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOkjRLz9wg

"Be Holy"

Continuing the focus on the Individual, Family, and Church, Pastor Ricky addressed the common misconception that holiness is an "unrealistic expectation." He grounded the message in 1 Peter 1:13-16, where Peter calls believers to be holy because God is holy.

1. "Making It Up as We Go"

Pastor Ricky began with a humorous but sobering reality: humans are often "ignorant" of true spiritual principles, frequently making up the rules of life as they go. He compared this to the ever-changing rules of sports (like basketball) versus the unchanging nature of God.

• The "Idiot" Factor: He defined ignorance as lacking knowledge, noting that we create unintended consequences when we build our "houses" based on worldly trends rather than eternal truths.

2. Defining Holiness: The "Otherness" of God

Drawing from A.W. Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy, Pastor Ricky explained that holiness is God’s "Otherness."

• The Infinite vs. Finite: God is not just a better version of us; He is an entirely different category of being. He is self-existent and self-sufficient.

• Kodesh: The Hebrew word for holiness means to be set apart. To be holy is to be dedicated to a specific, divine purpose that is separate from common use.

3. Pursuing the Eternal over the Temporal

The core of his message was about alignment. Pastor Ricky argued that the "House" (Individual/Family/Church) must be dictated by eternal principles, not temporal ones.

• The Glimpse into the Eternal: He defined Prophecy as a glimpse into the eternal knowledge of God. While the world makes it up as they go, those operating in the Spirit are accessing God's unchanging truth.

• The High Calling: Pursuing holiness is not about faking a "cheat sheet of do’s and don’ts." It is a "press toward the mark" to live according to principles the world doesn’t understand.

Practical Application for Royse City Families

Pastor Ricky challenged the congregation to allow God’s Word and the Spirit to open up these eternal principles:

• Stop conforming: Don't be shaped by "former ignorance" or the passions of the past (the "Egypt" in the heart).

• Be sober-minded: Prepare your mind for action. Holiness is an active pursuit, not a passive state.

• The Greatest Testimony: The way we live—our conduct in our homes and community—is the greatest proof of God's truth to the world.

Discussion Questions

1. Pastor Ricky defined holiness as God’s "Otherness" (Kodesh). What does that mean to you?

2. 1 Peter 1:13 tells us to "prepare our minds for action." What are some practical ways to stay focused on holiness during a busy week?

3. Pastor Ricky spoke about not being conformed to the "passions of your former ignorance." What are some common worldly passions today that try to pull our "houses" back into old, unholy patterns?

4. The sermon defined prophecy as "a glimpse into the eternal." How can seeking the "prophetic" (God’s perspective) help a family make decisions that differ from the culture around them?

5. Why is it dangerous to "fake" holiness through legalism rather than pursuing it through a relationship with the Holy Spirit?

6. How does our Pentecostal heritage—specifically the empowerment of the Holy Spirit—enhance our ability to live holy lives?

7. The sermon concluded by stating that our conduct is the greatest testimony of God's truth. How would it impact our Royse City community if our church were known more for its Christ-likeness than for its religious activities?

Join us next Sunday at Highpoint AG Church as we continue to grow together in Royse City.