HOLINESS - THE SIN OF BLASPHEMY

. and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. The subject of holiness is on our radar today, and this is outlined on our church's very beautiful web site, behind on our calendar and should catch up next week Sunday, if all goes well. Next week's lesson will be on faith. However, holiness is our focus for the moment and is one of many lessons we are reviewing from our series last year. In our series last year, I described holiness in the simplest of terms to help us understand the power of its nature. In technical, theological and Biblical terms, holiness means - sacred, hallowed, consecrated, dedicated and is synonymous with saint and /or sanctuary. All of these words mean "set apart." When applied in a practical way, we would say that our best crystal wear is set apart for special occasions. We might say that a tuxedo is set apart for a wedding ceremony. We might say that certain night wear is set apart for a honeymoon. In brief, we identify the sacred, the saint, the sanctuary, the hallowed, the consecrated, the dedicated and the holy as being special and as such, they are set apart from everyday, normal, average and common use and reserved for special, unusual and restricted duty. In brief then, a holy place is a special place; a holy saint is a special person and a holy God is a special God. This place is holy because of the people who gather here, the purpose for which we gather and the God who has called us together. This is not a community gymnasium at this time. This is a church house and in it is assmebled the church of the firstborn. Permeating the atmosphere is the presence of the Holy One of Israel and his name is Jesus. You are in a special place. You are among special

people. You are honoring an awesome God. This is holiness unto the Lord. You have thought of holiness as a drag but it is actually our reason to brag, for Jesus has brought us out of darkness and placed us in his marvellous light. The Bible says:
Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV) 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,http://wix.com/grantceo/bibleway. I am now only two weeks

1 Corinthians 6:11 kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. You and I, we are special people and as such should behave that way. The way we walk should be special. The way we think should be special. The way we work should be special. The way we pray should be special. The way we sing should be special. The way we play shousd be special and last but not least, the way we speak should be special. In the list of things we used to be that we just read in 1 Conrinthians 6:11, is the word revilers. It's Greek equivalent is the word "loidoros." It is used twice in the New Testament and is translated railer on one of those occasions and reviler here. It implies mischief, abusive, blackguard and all this amounts to a low, contemptible person or a scoundrel, someone for whom we would not respect very much at all and one for whom we would not reserve the distinction of being special. This is important. The word loidoros is a noun therefore, this word speaks to the character of the person and not an event in that person's life. Even good people lose

control sometimes. Even good people have momnets of failure - absolute failure, and as unfortunate as it may seem, those events are used by those around them to define their character. That is a mistake. A person's life must be judged as a whole unit and not based on a small fraction of time in their life. Here is an example of what I mean:
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the

Numbers 12:1-3 which In this instance, Moses' brother and sister spoke against him by picking on the ethnicity of his wife. I guess the family did not approve of the outsider that he married and chose to voice their displeasure in a disparaging way. They were intent of persuading others that Moses was not fit to lead because he had a mixed marriage to an Ethiopian. In the big scheme of things, this amounted to making a mountain out of a molehill, but God heard it (verse 2). Yeah, God heard it and that was not good nor unavoidable. However, the Bible describes Moses as being meeker than any man alive on the planet. This is a description of his character. However, it is this event which seemes to define Moses:
3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the menwere upon the face of the earth.)

Numbers 20:1-11 before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts Moses, in his utter frustration with the proud, stiffnecked Hebrews, angrily smote the rock twice, disobeyed God and was disinherited from entering the promised land. One moment of anger has defined this hero yet it was his character of meekenss that

endeared him to God and which caused him to speak to God face to face. On which side of the character scale are you and I today? Are we meek and prayerful or are we blackguards, scoundrels, low, contemptuous persons who attack other people's character in order to get what we want? Do we speak to God about our problems and issues in life, or do we speak to others about people, casting aspursions, degrading, disparaging and cursing them in our speech while hoping they will meet our need? Contemptible indeed! Evil speaking according to Strong's Concordance is translated from the Greek word "blasphemia" and it is synonymous with these words: blasphemy, vilification, railing, profanity, cursing, swearing, sacrilege, impiety, reviling and scorn.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation togetheralso.

. sanctuary); an act of cursing or reviling God; the crime of assuming to one's self the rights or qualities of God
blasphemy - impious utterance or action against God or anything sacred (saints or

.
vilification - depreciate, disparage, malign, abuse, blacken

.
railing - bitter complaint

.
profanity - vulgar or irreverent action or speech

.
cursing - to wish or invoke evil, calamity, injury or destruction upon; to swear at

.
swearing - to use profane oaths or language

Holiness_-_The_Sin_of_Blasphemy.pdf.

holy; the act or instance of stealing of anything consecrated to the service of God and putting it to secular use
sacrilege - the violation or profaning (misuse or desecration) of anything sacred or

. including God
impiety - any lack of proper respect for any reason and toward any person,

. incurred, condemnation, contempt

reproach - blame or censure conveyed in disapproval, disgrace, discredit or blame

.
reviling - to speak abusively, to berate, to disparage

. down; disrespect or disregard.

scorn - open or unqualified contempt, disdain, rejection, mocking, ridicule or put

Search results for: "murmured against moses" Bo ok Description Context KJV Ex 15:24 The people want water, but the waters at Marah are bitter 24 saying, What shall we drink? KJV
And the people murmured against Moses,Ex 16:2

The Israelites come to Sin

2 Israel wilderness: KJV

And the whole congregation of the children ofmurmured against Moses and Aaron in the

Ex 17:3 The people murmur for water at Rephidim 3 people Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? KJV
And the people thirsted there for water; and themurmured against Moses, and said,

Nu 14:2 The people murmur at the news 2

And all the children of Israel murmured against

Moses congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! KJV

and against Aaron: and the whole

Nu 16:41 Fourteen thousand and seven hundred are slain by a plague for murmuring against Moses and Aaron 41 children of Israel against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
But on the morrow all the congregation of themurmured against Moses and

Search results for: complained Bo ok Description Context KJ V Nu 11:1 Moses' prayer stops the burning at Taberah 1 the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and

Search results for: "evil speaking" Book Description Context KJV Eph 4:31 He pleads for unity of the Spirit 31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and

evil speaking
, be put away from you, with all malice:

Search results for: railing B oo k Description Context KJ V 1Pe 3:9 He exhorts all men to unity and brotherly love 9 contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. KJ

V
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but

2Pe 2:11 The godly shall be spared this punishment, as Lot was delivered out of Sodom 11 might, bring not the Lord. KJ V
Whereas angels, which are greater in power andrailing accusation against them before

Jude 1:9 Jude exhorts his readers to be contenders for the faith 9 devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a Lord rebuke thee.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with therailing accusation, but said, The

Search results for: blasphemy Bo ok

Description Context KJ V 2Ki 19:3 Hezekiah, in deep mourning, asks Isaiah to pray for them 3 day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and
And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This

blasphemy and there is not strength to bring forth. KJ V

: for the children are come to the birth,

Isa 37:3 Hezekiah, mourning, bids Isaiah to pray for them 3 day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of
And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This

blasphemy and there is not strength to bring forth. KJ V

: for the children are come to the birth,

Mt 12:31 He heals the blind and dumb demoniac 31

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and

blasphemy
shall be forgiven unto men: but the

blasphemy forgiven unto men. KJ V

against the Holy Ghost shall not be

Mt 26:65 He is carried to Caiaphas 65 hath spoken of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, Heblasphemy; what further need have we

blasphemy KJ V
.

Mk 7:22 The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with

unwashed hands 22 lasciviousness, an evil eye, foolishness: KJ V

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,blasphemy, pride,

Mk 14:64 and falsely accused and condemned by the Jewish council 64 And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. KJ V
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye?

Jn 10:33 Christ is the door and the good shepherd 33 we stone thee not; but for that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. KJ V
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good workblasphemy; and because

Col 3:8 He exhorts them to subdue their own desires 8 malice, mouth. KJ V
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath,blasphemy, filthy communication out of your

Rev 2:9 to the angel of the church in Smyrna 9 thou art rich) and I know the which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. KJ V
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (butblasphemy of them

Rev 13:1 A beast arises out of the sea, and the dragon gives it his power 1 beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and

ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of KJ V
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw ablasphemy.

Rev 13:6 A beast arises out of the sea, and the dragon gives it his power 6 God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. KJ V
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against

Rev 17:3 A woman arrayed in purple and scarlet, with a golden cup in her hand, sits on a scarlet beast 3 wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of seven heads and ten horns. Have said all this, I now say, that to speak evil one of another is to commit the sin of

blasphemy. Committing the sin of blasphemy is in no uncertain terms, behaving like the devil. Seeing he cannot beat or defeat God, he just rails against God. He said to Eve, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? He drew God's character into question. He caused Eve to doubt God's love and provision for her and her husband. This led to rebellion or sin. Nothing good comes of evil speaking. The phrase put away comes from a Greek expression translated elsewhere as divorce. Men put away their wives as an act of divorce. Well, Christians need to put away evil speaking as an act of divorce. We need to cease from doing it and cease from entertaining those who do. This divorce is also necessary and immediate. Your church won't survive this cursing and backbiting, and war mongering, and rumoring for it tends to lead to the devouring of each other. It serves no healthy, helpful prupose. It is the spiritual equivalent of a flesh eating disease. Put it away! Put away the malice! Put it away! Put away the cursing! Put it away! God is hearing you. God is hearing me. Put it away! Don't put it in the recycle bin. Put it in the fireplace. Put it away. Let the Holy Ghost burn out that sin, that unrighteousness. Let evil speaking, blasphemy, disrepsect and dishonor be put far away. But be united in forgiveness and brotherly kindness. Love one another even as Jesus Christ has loved and forgiven you. Do not let an event be the basis on which someone's moral chracter is judged. Believe in people. Give them a chance. Pray for them. Help them. Stop judging them. Shall you also be judged even as you judge others? Did God hear your thoughts and your speech that guided your decision making processes? Did he hear your conversations that have made your heart hard and critical? It's not too late to confess your faults and pray for one another that you may be healed. 4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass

the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for bread, neither the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Jesus is still the answer for what ails us. The cross is till the remedy for the poison in our sysytem. Only Jesus has the antidote to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Come and be washed. Come and be healed. Remember, all forms of blasphemy may be forgiven except blasphemy or evil speech against the Holy Ghost. That and that alone is the only sin God will not forgive. So, if you have balsphemed your neighbor, you can be forgiven. If you have blasphemed your firend, you can be forgiven. If you have blasphemed your pastor, you can be forgiven. If you have blasphemed your church, your school, your teachers, your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, the grocery store clerk, your coach, your prime minister or president, you can be forgiven. Come today, ask and receive. Repent and put evil speaking away from you. Put it far away.

So he carried me away in the spirit into theblasphemy, havingGen 3:1 (KJV)there is nois there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 AndNum 21:4-9 (KJV)