Jul. 13, 2025

Pastor Dave's sermon begins at 23:18 min into the video. The music "Forever", "My Jesus", "Before The Throne Of God (Before The Throne)", "What a Beautiful Name", and "Holy, Holy, Holy!" are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

Journey to Holiness: Becoming God's Obedient Child

Have you ever wondered what it means to live as if Heaven is your true home, even while facing everyday challenges here on earth? Pastor Dave’s sermon invites you to embark on a personal spiritual journey, where God's call to holiness transforms you from the inside out, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for deeper faith. Step into this adventure of growth, where obedience to God isn't just a rule, but a loving response that brings safety, purpose, and joy to your life. 

Imagine waking up each day knowing you're not just surviving in a tough world, but thriving as a cherished child of God— that's the heart of this message. You'll discover how embracing holiness changes your daily routines, helping you break free from old habits that once held you back, and instead, live with purpose and peace. As you imitate your heavenly Father, you'll find strength to face pressures and temptations, turning your life into a reflection of His love that inspires those around you.

Pastor Dave’s Key Teachings:

Obedience as Loving Submission - As God's children, we obey Him out of relationship, not fear, just like kids learn to follow parents for safety and growth (1 Peter 1:14). In practice, this means choosing God's ways even when you don't fully understand, building character and protecting you from harm. "God desires for us obedience, and He desires obedience to come from a heart of love, in response to His amazing grace," as Pastor Dave reminds us. In everyday life, think about those moments at work or home when you're tempted to cut corners—obeying God instead could mean speaking kindly during stress, fostering trust and deeper connections with others.

Imitating God as His Children - Scripture calls us to be imitators of God, patterning our lives after Him like a child copying a parent (Ephesians 5:1). Practically, this involves adopting His kindness, honesty, and purity in your words and actions. As Pastor Dave shares, "To be an imitator means to use as a model or to copy words and mannerisms... how much more does our Heavenly Father relish the idea that we begin to imitate and pattern our life after Him." Connect this to daily experiences, like when you see a child mimicking your habits—let it remind you to model God's love in parenting, friendships, or even social media posts, creating a ripple of positive influence.

Living Set Apart in Holiness - The principle is clear: "Be holy, for I am holy," meaning we're to live differently, dedicated to God (1 Peter 1:15-16, quoting Leviticus). Apply this by setting boundaries against things that pull you from God, like negative influences or selfish desires. "Holiness is an inner transformation in my life... birth in that relationship with Christ. Through that, He begins to produce... fruit of holiness." In real life, this might look like choosing uplifting entertainment over gossip-filled shows, helping you feel more at peace and aligned with God's purpose during busy weeks.

Conducting Life in Reverence - We're to live our time on earth with fear (reverence) for God, who judges impartially (1 Peter 1:17). This means actively aligning your behavior with God's standards out of respect. Pastor Dave teaches, "Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear or reverence, out of respect not dread, out of a desire to please the Father." Everyday, this could mean pausing before decisions, like how you handle money or conflicts, to honor God—turning potential regrets into moments of growth and blessing.

Scriptural Foundation:

• 1 Peter 1:14-17: This core passage supports the sermon's call to obedience and holiness by reminding us we're pilgrims in a foreign land, not conforming to old ways but living set apart. It guides practical application by urging sober-minded hope in grace and reverent conduct, helping you navigate daily trials like persecution or stress with eternal perspective. In your walk with God, it connects by encouraging imitation of His holiness, making routine choices—like forgiving a friend—acts of worship that draw you closer to Him.
• Leviticus 11, 19, 20: These verses, quoted as "Be holy, for I am holy," reinforce the message by showing how God instructed freed Israelites to live differently, mirroring our escape from sin's bondage. They apply practically by promoting moral and ceremonial purity, like avoiding impurity in thoughts or actions. Daily, they connect to your faith journey by inspiring freedom from past habits, such as breaking cycles of anger, leading to a liberated life reflecting God's light.
• Ephesians 5:1: "Be imitators of God as His children" bolsters the theme of relational obedience, showing holiness flows from love. It directs application through modeling God's forgiveness and compassion in relationships. In everyday walk, it ties in by turning family interactions or work ethics into opportunities to please God, building intimacy with Him.
• Luke 4 (Jesus' Temptations): Jesus responds with "It is written," emphasizing Scripture's power against temptation. This supports relying on God's Word for holy living and applies by using Bible truths to resist daily lures like greed. It connects to your spiritual path by empowering confident decisions, strengthening your bond with God through obedience.

Your Journey Forward:

Ready to step into this transformative path? Start small: Each morning, spend 5 minutes reading a verse on holiness, like 1 Peter 1:15-16, and ask God how to apply it that day. Next, identify one old habit—maybe mindless scrolling or quick-tempered responses—and replace it with a holy alternative, such as praying or listening actively. Share your progress weekly with a faith friend for support, and journal how these changes bring peace. Finally, serve others once a week, like helping a neighbor, to reflect God's love outwardly. These steps will gradually mold you into God's image, turning challenges into growth and filling your life with His joy.

Closing Prayer and Reflection:

"Father, thank You for reminding us again that You are holy, that You call us. Not only of a salvation, but You call us into living our lives differently in this dark, sinful world. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live Your way and enlighten us, Lord, to Your path, Your truth, Your will. Cause us, Lord, to be children who are conformed into Your image, that we would reflect Your glory into this world. Lord, You hear all the prayers across this group this morning, the whispers, the prayers that are just being whispered now. We hear them, give us strength, Lord. Jesus, Amen."

As you whisper this prayer, let it stir your heart to embrace holiness not as a duty, but as a beautiful journey homeward. What if today marks the moment you live fully as God's obedient child, transforming every step into a testament of His grace? Go forward with hope—He's walking with you, making the ordinary sacred.