Review
• John is straightening out what has become confused
• The true Jesus and the message – God wants fellowship with us
• A believer in Jesus does not walk in the darkness – in sin – we obey

He is saying here that Believers are Holy
• Two parts to holiness – an absolute characteristic of God two components
• Two sides –leaving and adding – set apart from sin –set apart for God’s work
• Repentance is stopping something and going towards something else

Holiness has two components:
1. Not just that we don’t sin – declared righteous and being sanctified –cleansed from

1 John 3:4–9 (NIV) — 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

2. We are called to be set apart for something

1 John 3:10 (NIV) 1 John 3: 16-18 (NIV)
1 Peter 1:13–16 (NIV) — 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) — 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Ephesians 4:20–24 (NIV) — 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

James 4:17 (NIV) — 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Both righteousness and holiness are a part of Gods plan.

This week – evaluate yourself – reflect on what needs to be ________________________from your life?
• What is unrighteous?
• What is making you too busy to be a part of Gods plan?

2 Timothy 2:20–22 (NIV) — 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

This week, reflect on how you are using what you have for the Lords __________ and others’ good.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (NIV) — 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NIV) — 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

As Holy people, we are disciples with a _________________.
John 17:13–18 (NIV) — 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What is something you are really good at?

Main Point: When we have the right belief, and love the right way it leads to holiness and a changed life.
Read/Tell the Story: 1 John 3:4-10 and 1 John 1:8-10

Questions:
1. What is holiness? How does it differ from perfection?
2. How do you become holy?
3. What’s the difference between the practice of sin and stumbling in sin?
4. How have you grown in holiness since the time you were first saved?
5. What hope can you find in this week’s passage of scripture?
6. How do you determine where someone is with God? Do your actions represent where you are with God?
7. How do you determine whether someone’s actions are a “stumbling in sin” or a “practice of sin”?
8. Is there an area of your life that God is prompting you to grow in holiness or obedience?

Supporting Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 7:15-20, 1 John 2:1, Psalm 32:1-2
For more resources for this series go to: https://bit.ly/RLcurrentseries