The Church - Holiness: June 22, 2025
Unpacking "Holiness": A Journey of Awe, Intimacy, and Freedom
Wow. If you were with us for Angel's sermon, you know it was a powerful and deeply moving experience. From the very beginning, with heartfelt prayer and a raw, honest appeal to God, Angel set a tone of humble dependence that resonated throughout his message. It was a beautiful reminder that even when we feel weakest, it's an opportunity for God's power to shine through.
What Does "Holiness" Really Mean?
Angel kicked off by diving into a question many of us might not have even considered: Why do we call God holy? It's not just a religious term; it comes from a place of awe. When we encounter God, His beauty and wonder are so immense, so inexplicable, that we're left in complete awe.
But here's where it gets truly amazing: Angel shared how the Greek word for "holy" (hagias), used for the Holy Spirit, is also used by Paul to describe saints – "little holies," as Angel put it. This isn't about us being "like God" in some prideful way, but rather about the incredible truth that when we carry the Holy Spirit, we become something truly beautiful, vibrant, and alive in the eyes of the world.
Breaking Free from the Lies
So often, we get stuck in a box, believing lies that we're not special, that our past defines us. Angel powerfully challenged this: "We're not sinners saved by grace anymore. That's what you used to be." When we're in Christ, we are a new creation. Our old sinful nature may try to creep back in, but God has called us to something separate – to holiness. This holiness isn't about being perfect; it's about being distinct, set apart for His purposes.
Angel reminded us that God wants to use us, the "separated" ones, for His glory and for our satisfaction. He wants us to experience life in abundance, not just a "leaky faucet" drip.
You Are a Promise!
This was a profound point: Have you ever considered yourself a promise? Just as Jesus is the promised Messiah, Angel explained that we, as believers, are the "beautiful children" promised to Abraham – part of that "royal priesthood" and "holy nation." Satan, the accuser, wants us to believe we're trapped by our struggles and addictions. But that's a thin lie, easily broken by the blood of Jesus. We are set aside for His purpose.
The Intimacy of "Knowing" God
Angel delved into the deep meaning of "knowing" God, drawing a powerful parallel to the intimate knowledge shared between a husband and wife. This isn't about perversion, but about a profound, exclusive, and deeply intimate love that God desires with us. The Holy Spirit is our guide in this journey, helping us to depend completely on Him and truly know Him more and more.
Humility and Dependence: Angel's Honest Confession
One of the most impactful moments was Angel's incredibly vulnerable and humble confession about being removed from leadership due to his own struggles with sin and a hardened heart. It was a raw and honest admission, and a powerful illustration of the very message he was preaching: "Please don't let yourself be trapped by sin." His experience highlighted that God's grace is real, and His leading is always for our good, even when it involves painful consequences. The weight lifting after his removal from leadership was a tangible sign of God's hand at work.
Facing Our Idols and Finding Freedom
Angel reminded us that while Old Testament idols were often physical statues, today's idols are more subtle – our phones, bitterness, unforgiveness, gluttony, lust. These things, though seemingly small, can become masters over us, making us ineffective and stealing our joy.
He beautifully illustrated God's relentless love through the story of Hosea and the prostitute, emphasizing that even when we stray and act like spiritual "prostitutes" in our devotion to other things, God chases after us. He doesn't force holiness, but He pleads with us to come back, to surrender, to repent. Repentance isn't just "doing the right thing"; it's about leaning on God more, focusing on Him, and spending time in His Word.
Resting in His Power
The sermon concluded with powerful calls to action: to believe in Jesus, to lean on Him, and to recognize that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Angel's humorous yet profound example of Jesus taking naps, even with the most important mission on earth, was a brilliant reminder that resting in God's hands is crucial. We don't need to please anyone else; we only need to please Him.
The altar call was a testament to the power of the message, with many coming forward to surrender their hurts, fears, doubts, and worries. It was a beautiful picture of a church seeking revival, hungry for God's transformative touch.
Angel's sermon was a powerful, honest, and deeply moving reminder that God loves us immensely, calls us to holiness, and is faithful even when we fail. We are dearly loved, sealed by His power, and called to rely on Him completely.
