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Nazahuh??? "We Are Holiness People"

At times when I have instructed my kids to do their chores, their reaction would lead me to think that they thought that I was just kidding. I have had to say things like, “yeah I am serious we have to do it now”. At other times they would get started right away but only to accomplish very little. It was then that I would have to say, “hold on a second we are not done yet there is still more to do."

Sometimes we are like this when it comes to God speaking to us about His call to holiness. We read the passages and understand them well, but our reaction to them leads me to believe that some think that God is just kidding. Still others of us may get off to a quick start only to be in need of God to tell us that we are not finished yet. As we continue with our series Naza-huh???, we turn our attention to the second core value of the church of the Nazarene, “We are holiness people.” The major point that i would like to make here is that God is serious about holiness.

Because this is a series in the core values of the Church of the Nazarene, here is a key statement from the Nazarene manual:

"God, who is holy, calls us to a life of holiness. We believe that the Holy Spirit seeks to do in us a second work of grace, called by various terms including 'entire sanctification' and 'baptism with the Holy Spirit'-cleansing us from all sin, renewing us in the image of God, empowering us to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves, and producing in us the character of Christ. Holiness in the life of believers is most clearly understood as Christlikeness."

With this thought in mind take a look at the following key points of this message.

1. The foundational statement for holiness is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5


2. The basis for God’s command for holiness is that He is Holy. Lev. 11:44


3. Jesus Summarizes Holiness in Mark 12:28-31.

4. Passages that explain what the Holy Spirit is working in us are Ephesians
4:21-24/2 Corinthians 3:17-18

With an understanding of the above, I would challenge you to live out holiness in the ways that Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7. Take some time now and prayerfully read these words of Jesus. Perhaps He will speak to your heart and call you to deeper holiness or remind you of some things that have slipped your mind.

To finish this up I would like to suggest that we stop giving up, watering down, or placing emphasis on the wrong things. These three issues have caused much misunderstanding and bad examples of what God is really calling us to. Believe that through God's Spirit He can will bring freedom to your life.

Go to the next post to view the video of this message.

Blessings be yours,

Pastor Paul

Nazahuh??? wk 2 "We Are Holiness People"

Naza-huh??? Church of the Nazarene Core Value #1 "We Are Christian People"

I have had some wonderful opportunities to work alongside Christians of various backgrounds and persuasions. I worked for Focus on the Family for five years where I had numerous discussions with people from many different churches and denominations. I teach at a school that is sponsored by an Assemblies of God congregation. I have spent time at a public college. I have a degree from a Nazarene college as well as a degree from a Baptist university. I have been a pastor of a Nazarene church as well as a non-denominational church. Through all of this I have come to appreciate and understand that what brings us together is far greater than those things that have a tendency to divide.
You, no doubt have had experiences that are diverse and most likely know people that believe things differently than you do. We also live in a time when many do not even know or care very much about the denomination of which they happen to be a part. In fact we live in a church culture that seems to frown upon denominationalism as a whole. Most today do not consider the theological distinctions of the church of their choosing, but pay much more to style then substance.
However when it comes down to the core values of any church, one thing seems to stand out. And that is the truth that Jesus is Lord. Without this belief the institution ceases to be Christian. Being Christian is living out the belief that Jesus is Lord. A key phrase from the Church of the Nazarene Manuel states, “As members of the Church Universal, we join with all true believers in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in affirming the historic Trinitarian creeds and beliefs of the Christian faith.”

The creeds mentioned here are:
o The Apostle’s Creed - 215 A.D. – 542 A.D.
o The Nicene Creed – org. 325 A.D


To summarize, the key ways of understanding the Lordship of Jesus Christ is...
• Jesus Christ is the holy Lord.
• Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Church
• Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Scriptures

The biblical support for the unity of the Christian Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and how is applies to our daily life can be seen in and through the following biblical text (Ephesians 4:1-6 and 1 Cor 1:10-13). In order to apply this to our lives within the context of a local church and the church universal is believe that we are to appreciate our place and the place of others. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and ask God to speak to your heart.

To hear the message that was based on these notes just scroll down to the next post.

Blessings,

Pastor Paul

Nazahuh??? wk 1 - "We Are Christian People"