1. In pursuit of holiness The holiness of God Holiness: an impossible dream? Dead to sin; alive in Christ Holy living with the Holy Spirit

2. Matthew 5: 38-48 (NIV) 38 ‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.”

3. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

4. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

5. Lev 11:44: I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Lev 11:45: I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Lev 19:2: Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy Lev 20:7: Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God Lev 20:26: You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy Matt 5:48: Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect 1 Peter 1:15: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.

7. Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matt 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible

8. 2 Cor 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

9. Next week… The holiness of God Holiness – an impossible dream? Dead to sin; alive in Christ Holy living with the Holy Spirit