Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg
Holiness as Wholeness, Part 1
Locations & Times
Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg
1871 Boyers Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Holiness as Wholeness
The idea behind this new teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness.
The idea behind this new teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness.
When you decided to attend Church of the Nazarene this morning, you decided to attend a church born of what's referred to as the Wesleyan or Holiness tradition. "Wesleyan" because of the influence of the great church father John Wesley, and "Holiness" because the pursuit of a real, deep genuine (not generic) relationship with Christ is at the heart of our purpose together.
"Holiness is a word that can make us feel uneasy. It seems lofty, threatening, alien. We instinctively sense that God’s holiness has dangerous overtones. His purity calls our sinful attachments into question, demanding that we forsake them in order to enjoy the greatest of all goods—belonging to a God of infinite love and power. To come casually with our hearts grasping tightly to the sins we cherish or to come lightly as though they are no big deal, might be like throwing ourselves onto a roaring fire with the expectation we will not perish. How, then, can we—sinful and broken human beings—hope to come into the presence of a holy God and survive the experience?" Ann Spangler
Why do some struggle with the concept of Holiness?
"I believe most think it's impossible to be holy so they are intimidated by the word. But we need to understand that any holiness we have is not from us, but God working in and through us. Impossible for us? Yes. For God working in us? No."
"I attend a holiness believing denomination because I was tired of being frustrated trying to live a holy life without understanding full surrender, trying to live in my own strength and hearing 'you can try, you can try really hard, but you can't do it' by other denominational teachings. It is scary when one tries to live a holy life in their own strength, and then it truly becomes frustrating, trying but just not able to do it."
"I believe that the concept of holiness often feels distant because it's mistakenly equated with perfection. However, true holiness isn't about flawlessness but about aligning ourselves with God's purpose. Similarly, many misconstrue sin as mere error, when in reality, it's a conscious choice. While perfection remains unattainable in our earthly journey, perfection in Christ entails fulfilling our intended purpose without succumbing to sin. It's not about flawlessness, but about living without the stain of sin."
"I believe most think it's impossible to be holy so they are intimidated by the word. But we need to understand that any holiness we have is not from us, but God working in and through us. Impossible for us? Yes. For God working in us? No."
"I attend a holiness believing denomination because I was tired of being frustrated trying to live a holy life without understanding full surrender, trying to live in my own strength and hearing 'you can try, you can try really hard, but you can't do it' by other denominational teachings. It is scary when one tries to live a holy life in their own strength, and then it truly becomes frustrating, trying but just not able to do it."
"I believe that the concept of holiness often feels distant because it's mistakenly equated with perfection. However, true holiness isn't about flawlessness but about aligning ourselves with God's purpose. Similarly, many misconstrue sin as mere error, when in reality, it's a conscious choice. While perfection remains unattainable in our earthly journey, perfection in Christ entails fulfilling our intended purpose without succumbing to sin. It's not about flawlessness, but about living without the stain of sin."
"And here in Holiness is the remedy for all our disease, all the corruption of our nature." John Wesley
"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible." C.S. Lewis
"Fear of God is the blush upon the face of holiness enhancing its beauty." C.H. Spurgeon
Holiness as wholeness means that the sanctifying work of God in the pursuit of holiness in our lives doesn’t just allow us to be in relationship with Him, but cleanses, refreshes and heals our body and our mind.
"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible." C.S. Lewis
"Fear of God is the blush upon the face of holiness enhancing its beauty." C.H. Spurgeon
Holiness as wholeness means that the sanctifying work of God in the pursuit of holiness in our lives doesn’t just allow us to be in relationship with Him, but cleanses, refreshes and heals our body and our mind.
Holiness and the Church of the Nazarene
Former Nazarene General Superintendent Dr. J.K. Warrick discusses the distinctiveness of the Nazarene Church with a focus on Holiness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO_0nYQrMhA&t=122sUpdates on the new Waynesboro campus
God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.
https://www.cotnaz.org/waynesboro/Giving at COTN
If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!
https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/Establish COTN as Your Church on the App
In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!
https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch