I. God’s Identity & Command
44 “For I am the LORD your God,
1. of Divine Identity and Sovereignty:
Leviticus 18:2, 4, 21:12, 23:22, 25:38, Exodus 20:2, Isaiah 43:3, 11, 15, Psalm 46:10
Isaiah 43:3 CSB
3 “For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place.
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2. of the Covenant Relationship:
Exodus 6:7
“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yokes of the Egyptians.”
Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Deuteronomy 26:17-19
“You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees and commands and laws—his statutes and regulations—and that you will listen to him. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.”
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3. Basis for and
Leviticus 19:2:
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'”
Deuteronomy 10:12
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
1 Peter 1:15-16
“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.'”
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4. of Blessing and Judgment:
BLESSINGS
Genesis 12:2-3: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
JUDGEMENT
Deuteronomy 28:15: “However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you.”
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II. The – 44b
44b – “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”
- “Consecrate Yourselves”
Joshua 3:5 CSB
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the LORD will do wonders among you tomorrow.”
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- “Be Holy”
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- “For I am holy.”
Matthew 5:14-16 CSB
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Conclusion
Galatians 6:1-2 CSB
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 CSB
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
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Community life Group Questions
- What stands out to you most about this declaration of God’s identity?
- How does knowing who God is (His identity) connect to how we are called to live?
- We talked about thoughts, words, actions, and relationships. Which of these do you find most challenging to live out in holiness? Why?
- How does knowing that the Holy Spirit empowers you to live a holy life change your approach to holiness compared to if you had to do it in your own strength?
- What does it mean to you to be “useful to the Master”?
How can we pray for you.