Sermon Date: 05/24/2026
Bible Verses:
-
Romans 6:12–14
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
When many people hear the word holiness, they immediately think of restrictions.
Rules.
Things they cannot do.
Things they must avoid.
A life that sounds boring, joyless, or impossible.
But biblical holiness is not about misery.
It is about freedom.
It is not about becoming less human.
It is about becoming the person God created you to be.
The world often sees holiness as punishment.
God sees holiness as transformation.
The truth is that holiness is not just for pastors, missionaries, or exceptionally spiritual people.
Holiness is for every believer.
It is God's desire for every person who follows Christ.
And Romans 6 teaches us why.
- Holiness Begins with a New Master
Romans 6:12–13 says:
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as [d]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Paul speaks of sin as a ruler.
A king.
A master.
Before Christ, sin ruled us.
Our desires ruled us.
Our flesh ruled us.
Our passions dictated our decisions.
We often hear people say:
"I'm free to do whatever I want."
But Scripture teaches that before Christ we are actually slaves to sin.
Sin promises freedom.
But it delivers bondage.
It promises pleasure.
But eventually produces destruction.
Paul says:
Do not let sin reign.
Why?
Because Christ has already defeated that ruler.
The believer has a new King.
A new Lord.
A new Master.
Jesus Christ.
- God Has Always Called His People to Holiness
Holiness is not a New Testament idea.
It has always been God's desire for His people.
Leviticus 11:44 says:
“Be holy, for I am holy.”
Notice God does not merely say:
"Act holy."
He says:
"Be holy."
This is about identity before behavior.
God's people are called to reflect His character.
The word "holy" means:
Set apart.
Different.
Dedicated to God.
The goal has never been to look like the world.
The goal has always been to reflect God.
Just as children often resemble their parents, God's children should increasingly resemble Him.
- Holiness Stands Against the Culture of Sin
Our world constantly pulls us toward impurity.
Toward compromise.
Toward self-centered living.
But Scripture repeatedly calls believers to live differently.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–7
Paul writes:
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Many Christians wonder about God's will.
This passage gives a direct answer.
God's will is your holiness.
Specifically, Paul contrasts holiness with sexual immorality and impurity.
The world says:
Follow your desires.
God says:
Follow Christ.
The world says:
If it feels right, do it.
God says:
If it honors Me, do it.
Holiness requires swimming against the current.
But God's people have always been called to be different.
- Holiness Means Leaving the Old Life Behind
1 Peter 1:14–16 says:
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter reminds believers that there was an old life.
An old way of thinking.
An old pattern of living.
But now they belong to Christ.
The Christian life is not simply adding Jesus to your existing lifestyle.
It is transformation.
Ephesians 4:22–24 explains it beautifully.
Paul says:
Put off the old self.
Be renewed in your mind.
Put on the new self.
Holiness is not merely avoiding sin.
It is becoming like Christ.
It is learning to think differently.
Love differently.
Speak differently.
Live differently.
Not because we are trying to earn salvation.
But because salvation changes us.
- Holiness Is Living by Faith
Some people hear sermons on holiness and immediately feel discouraged.
They think:
"I can't do this."
And they are right.
Not alone.
Galatians 2:20 says:
“ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
The Christian life is not self-improvement.
It is Christ living through us.
Holiness is not achieved by trying harder.
It is produced by surrendering more fully.
The same grace that saves us also empowers us.
We live holy lives not by our own strength.
But by faith in Jesus Christ.
Every day we choose:
Will I trust my flesh?
Or will I trust Christ?
- The Future Makes Holiness Urgent
Revelation 22:11 says:
11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [a]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
The Bible teaches that a day is coming when Christ will return.
A day when every life will be revealed.
A day when eternity becomes reality.
And that reality should motivate us toward holiness now.
Not out of fear.
But out of love.
Because the One who saved us is worthy of our obedience.
Application
What does holiness look like practically?
It means:
- Choosing purity when the world celebrates impurity.
- Speaking truth when lying would be easier.
- Forgiving when bitterness feels justified.
- Loving when hatred seems natural.
- Living for God's glory rather than self-gratification.
Holiness is not perfection.
It is direction.
It is daily surrender.
It is continually becoming more like Jesus.
Ask yourself:
- What area of my life is God calling me to surrender?
- Where am I conforming to the world instead of Christ?
- Am I pursuing holiness or merely avoiding consequences?
Conclusion
Romans 6:14 gives us a promise:
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Notice Paul does not say sin might not rule over you.
He says it will not rule over you.
Why?
Because grace is greater than sin.
Christ is greater than sin.
The Holy Spirit is greater than sin.
Holiness is not reserved for a spiritual elite.
It is God's calling for every believer.
Not because God wants to take joy from you.
But because He wants to give you something greater.
Freedom.
Transformation.
Christlikeness.
Life.
Because holiness is not merely what God demands.
Holiness is what God desires for you, what Christ died for, and what the Spirit is producing in you.
So pursue holiness.
Not to earn God's love.
But because you already have it.
Amen.
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