HOLINESS

Sermon Notes, July 20, 2014

Salvation Army Major Will Cundiff

            Major Will’s text was Luke 4:18-19: “¹⁸ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,¹⁹ To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”  He read it to remind us of who we are and what we are called to do.

 

            Is there a place for the doctrine of holiness today?  It’s old-fashioned, like sunbonnets and bib overalls.  But the Bible says “without holiness no one can see God.” (Hebrews 12:14)  Someone has said, “Preach the gospel.  If you have to, use words.”  Why don’t we?  Are we too busy? or does it make us uncomfortable?  But we can live the lifestyle, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

            Jesus said “Take up your cross and follow me.”  Maybe your cross is having feelings of inferiority.  You can still pray—for those you meet on the streets, for those involved when you hear an ambulance or see flashing lights.  We’re here to help others.

           

Remember the Crusades?  People thought they were doing God’s will by raising armies to go to the Holy Land and fight wars to take back Jerusalem.  God didn’t call us to fight wars, but he did call us to pick up our crosses and follow Him, where we live and where we work.  Holiness is a state of mind—and heart—for the opportunity to tell someone about Jesus and what He’s done for you.

            If God calls you, you just show up and He’ll provide.  He will be with you.  He’s not just calling preachers; He’s calling laymen too.  Pray for healing, and not just healing of physical sickness.  No trouble that anyone has is bigger than God.  Ministry is not just for preachers.  We all need to be willing to go anywhere He wants us to go. 

Give Him your time, your pocketbook, your all, and He will use it—and you—for His Kingdom.  When you give yourself to God, you have family all over the world.  In a dark world, the light from one candle can be seen for ten miles, according to a recent TV commercial.  In the spiritual world, the light of God from one life devoted to Him can also be seen from afar.  It’s time to hit the streets, praying for those we meet and their health and healing.