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Sermon: Holiness in an Unholy World

Sermon: Holiness in an Unholy World

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Sermon Date: 06/14/2026 Bible Verses: John 17:9-19 Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new Introduction One of the greatest challenges Christians face is not simply pursuing holiness. It is pursuing holiness in an unholy world. Every day we live in a culture that often celebrates what God condemns. We are surrounded by temptation. Surrounded by compromise. Surrounded by messages that constantly push us away from God. And yet Jesus never prayed for His followers to be removed from the world. In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus said: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15) Notice the balance. We are not called to escape the world. Neither are we called to become like the world. We are called to live as holy people in the midst of an unholy culture. That is not easy. But it is exactly what Christ prayed for. We Are In the World, But Not of the World Jesus says in John 17:16: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Christians live in the world. We work here. Raise families here. Attend school here. Build friendships here. But our identity is no longer rooted here. Our citizenship is ultimately in heaven. The problem arises when believers begin to blend into the culture around them. When there is no visible difference. When the world can no longer tell where culture ends and Christianity begins. Paul wrote: “Come out from them and be separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) This does not mean isolation. It means distinction. God's people should look different. Speak differently. Think differently. Live differently. Not because we are better than others. But because we belong to Christ. Holiness Is Not Isolation When Christians hear about separation from the world, some misunderstand it. They think holiness means avoiding all contact with unbelievers. But Jesus never lived that way. Luke 5:30–32 tells us that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. In fact, the religious leaders criticized Him for it. Jesus replied: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Jesus was among sinners constantly. Yet He never became like them. This is the balance Christians must learn. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 5:9–10. He explains that believers are not expected to withdraw completely from unbelievers. Otherwise: “you would need to go out of the world.” We are called to engage the world. To love people. To share the gospel. To serve others. But we must do so without adopting the world's values. Holiness is not isolation. It is influence without compromise. The Word of God Sanctifies Us Jesus prays: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The word "sanctify" means to set apart for God. How does God make His people holy? Through His truth. Through His Word. Psalm 119:9 asks: “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The answer: “By guarding it according to your word.” We cannot live holy lives apart from Scripture. The world constantly shapes our thinking. Advertisements shape us. Entertainment shapes us. Social media shapes us. Culture shapes us. If we are not being shaped by God's Word, we will inevitably be shaped by something else. Holiness grows when God's truth becomes the standard by which we live. We Are Called to Shine Jesus called believers: “The salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13–14) Salt preserves. Light illuminates. Both are most effective when surrounded by darkness and decay. God never intended His people to hide. Philippians 2:14–15 says: “shine as lights in the world.” In a culture filled with confusion, Christians should display clarity. In a culture filled with hatred, Christians should display love. In a culture filled with impurity, Christians should display holiness. People should see something different. Not perfection. But Christlikeness. Holiness Will Often Bring Opposition Jesus warned His disciples: “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.” (John 15:19) The more faithfully we follow Christ, the more noticeable the difference becomes. Paul says: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Not everyone will appreciate holiness. Some will mock it. Some will reject it. Some will see it as judgment. Peter writes: “They are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery.” (1 Peter 4:4) The world expects Christians to compromise. But holiness means standing firm even when it costs us something. Lot: A Warning and a Lesson One of the clearest examples of living in a wicked culture is Lot. In Genesis 19, Lot lived in Sodom. A city marked by extreme wickedness. Peter tells us: “Righteous Lot was greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked.” (2 Peter 2:7–8) Lot remained troubled by the sin around him. That is good. His ...
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