Our Holy GodOur Holy God

Our holiness doctrine is rooted in our belief in a

holy God.

Our holiness doctrine is rooted in our belief in a

holy God.

Holy HumansHoly Humans

Leviticus 19:2“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

Leviticus 19:2“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

Holy HumansHoly Humans

“God’s appearance on Mount Sinai “is described as both frightening and attractive, daunting and fascinating … This is not a danger to be escaped from, but to be approached as nearly as possible … this is a good place, infinitely better than ordinary places.”

Donald E. GowanTheology in Exodus

“God’s appearance on Mount Sinai “is described as both frightening and attractive, daunting and fascinating … This is not a danger to be escaped from, but to be approached as nearly as possible … this is a good place, infinitely better than ordinary places.”

Donald E. GowanTheology in Exodus

HolinessHoliness

• Hebrew “Qadosh”• Means “separation” or

“elevation”• Applied to God – he is separated

and elevated above all deities.• Applied to other than God –

someone or something separated from common or profane use to God’s use.

• Hebrew “Qadosh”• Means “separation” or

“elevation”• Applied to God – he is separated

and elevated above all deities.• Applied to other than God –

someone or something separated from common or profane use to God’s use.

Encountering a Holy GodEncountering a Holy God

Isaiah 6:1-4IsaiahLORDThroneHoly, holy, holyDoorposts and thresholds shook

… the Temple was filled with smoke

Isaiah 6:1-4IsaiahLORDThroneHoly, holy, holyDoorposts and thresholds shook

… the Temple was filled with smoke

DiscussionDiscussion

Compare/contrast your experience with God to Isaiah’s experience with God.

Would you describe your experience as “dramatic,” as Isaiah’s experience, or would you describe your God encounter in more tame language?

Compare/contrast your experience with God to Isaiah’s experience with God.

Would you describe your experience as “dramatic,” as Isaiah’s experience, or would you describe your God encounter in more tame language?

Encountering a Holy GodEncountering a Holy God

JESUS

“The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is

like.”Hebrews 1:3 (NCV)

JESUS

“The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is

like.”Hebrews 1:3 (NCV)

God expects us to be Holy

God expects us to be Holy

Leviticus 20:7-8“Consecrate yourselves and be

holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and

follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

Leviticus 20:7-8“Consecrate yourselves and be

holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and

follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

God expects us to be Holy

God expects us to be Holy

We are made in God’s image.We differ from animals - we can:

1.Love;2.Reason;3.Hold authority over creation;4.Exercise moral volition (the

ability to make conscious decisions related to issues of right and wrong).

We are made in God’s image.We differ from animals - we can:

1.Love;2.Reason;3.Hold authority over creation;4.Exercise moral volition (the

ability to make conscious decisions related to issues of right and wrong).

Holiness of God

Transcendence Moral Excellence

Love Moral Volition

Authority

Omnipotence

Omnipresence

Omniscience

Eternality

Aseity

Reason

Characteristics of GodCharacteristics of God

DiscussionDiscussion

1. When you think of how we exercise authority (Genesis 1:26) – how does this affect the way you approach environmental issues?

2. Why is the quality of volition (the freedom to choose) the highest of all qualities?

1. When you think of how we exercise authority (Genesis 1:26) – how does this affect the way you approach environmental issues?

2. Why is the quality of volition (the freedom to choose) the highest of all qualities?

Made In God’s ImageMade In God’s Image

IMAGE

MAN

MIRROR

Made In God’s ImageMade In God’s Image

MAN

MIRROR = Soul

IMAGE = Man in right relation to

God

DiscussionDiscussion

• Describe two personal strengths in which you are most like God.

• Describe two personal weaknesses in which you are most unlike God.

• Write out what you can do to enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

• Describe two personal strengths in which you are most like God.

• Describe two personal weaknesses in which you are most unlike God.

• Write out what you can do to enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.