God calls His disciples to be holy—but holiness does not require hiding our sin. Through confession, we bring what is hidden into the light, receive forgiveness and allow Jesus to heal what shame has kept buried.
Message Summary
In this sermon, Pastor Ben continues a series on discipleship, focusing on the call to holiness found in 1 Peter 1:13-16. Using the vivid image of a neglected home and the Old Testament account of the Ark of the Covenant, he challenges the congregation to take God’s holiness seriously rather than treating it as commonplace. He emphasizes that the Church of Jesus Christ is now the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that a church without holiness will not experience the presence of God.
A central theme of the sermon is the danger of hidden sin and the healing power of confession. Pastor Ben draws on James 5 and 1 John 1:9 to call believers to confess their sins both to God and to one another, explaining that shame loses its power when sin is brought into the light. As members of the royal priesthood, Christians have been given the authority through the Holy Spirit to both confess and receive forgiveness, making honest community essential to the pursuit of holiness. The sermon closes with a call to repentance, reverence, and a renewed commitment to perfecting holiness out of love for God.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you today as your people, grateful for the gift of your Son and the presence of your Holy Spirit. As we open your Word together, we ask that you soften our hearts and quiet our minds. Remove any distraction or pride that would keep us from hearing what you want to say to us today. May this time together not simply be a discussion about holiness, but a genuine encounter with the Holy One. Speak to each of us in the way we most need to hear, and give us the courage to respond. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one household chore or home project you have put off far longer than you should have, and what finally motivated you to take care of it?
Key Scriptures
– 1 Peter 1:13-16
– Hebrews 12:14
– 1 John 1:9
– James 5:16
– 2 Corinthians 7:1
Questions
– Pastor Ben described the Church as the temple of the Holy Spirit, using the image of a neglected home to illustrate what happens when we stop caring for that temple. In what ways do you think the modern church has allowed its ‘temple’ to fall into disrepair?
– Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) says, ‘Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.’ How does that verse challenge or encourage you personally in your walk with God?
– Pastor Ben made a distinction between being a ‘Christian’ as a label and being a ‘disciple’ who actively pursues holiness. What do you think is the difference in practice, and where do you see yourself on that spectrum?
– The sermon emphasized that it is not our sin itself that is the greatest problem, but our hiding of it. Do you agree with that idea? Why or why not, and what has been your experience with the difference between hidden sin and confessed sin?
– 1 John 1:9 (ESV) promises, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ What makes it difficult for people to actually take this step, even when they believe the promise is true?
– James 5:16 (ESV) calls us to ‘confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.’ What would it look like practically for your small group or close friendships to become a safe place for this kind of confession?
– Pastor Ben described two dangers that come from unaddressed shame: feeling ‘not good enough’ to belong, and becoming self-righteous by refusing to acknowledge sin at all. Which of these two tendencies do you think is more common in church culture today, and which do you find yourself more prone to?
– The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant illustrated how familiarity with the holy can lead to treating it as commonplace. In what areas of your faith life do you sense you may have grown too comfortable or taken God’s presence for granted?
Life Application
This week, identify one person in your life whom you genuinely trust, someone who knows your quirks and loves you anyway. Reach out to that person and ask if they would be willing to meet with you for the purpose of honest, prayerful conversation. When you meet, practice what Pastor Ben described: name a specific sin or struggle you have been carrying, receive their prayer and forgiveness in Jesus’ name, and then offer to do the same for them. Let this be the beginning of a regular rhythm of confession and accountability in your life, rooted in the truth that God cannot heal what we hide.
Key Takeaways
– The Church is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and a church that does not pursue holiness will not experience the manifest presence of God.
– Hidden sin produces shame, and shame either drives people away from God with feelings of unworthiness or puffs them up with self-righteousness. Both outcomes are spiritually dangerous.
– Confession of sin, both to God and to one another, is the God-given path to healing and freedom from shame, as promised in 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16.
– As members of the royal priesthood, every believer has been given the authority through the Holy Spirit to both confess sin and to offer forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
– Familiarity with the holy can lead to treating God’s presence as commonplace. The call to ‘be holy, for I am holy’ requires ongoing reverence, repentance, and a pursuit of Christlikeness.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you for this time together and for the truth of your Word that does not leave us where it finds us. We confess that we have not always taken your holiness seriously, and we ask for your forgiveness. Give us the courage to stop hiding and to walk in the light with you and with one another. Remind us this week that you are not a God who is far off, but one who dwells within us and longs to make us whole. May we leave this place with a renewed reverence for who you are and a genuine desire to pursue holiness in every part of our lives. We spread scriptural holiness across the land, not in our own strength, but by the power of your Spirit at work in us. In the holy name of Jesus, amen.
5-Day Devotional Guide
Day 1: Called to Be Holy
Devotional
There is a word that does not get nearly enough attention in most conversations about faith: holiness. It sounds formal, maybe even intimidating. But at its heart, holiness is simply about closeness to God. It is about becoming more like Him and living in a way that reflects who He is. God does not call us to holiness to burden us. He calls us to holiness because He is holy, and He wants us near. Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe, in all His greatness, wants you close to Him. Holiness is the path that leads there. When we begin to treat our faith as routine or ordinary, something quietly shifts. The awe fades. The gratitude dims. And slowly, without even realizing it, we can drift from the very presence we were made to enjoy. The good news is that God is always calling us back. He has not moved. He is simply waiting for us to take holiness seriously again. This week, we are going to explore what it means to pursue holiness together. Not as a checklist, but as a journey toward God. You are not alone in this. He is with you every step of the way.
Bible Verse
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:13-16 (English Standard Version (ESV))
Reflection Question
In what areas of your daily life have you started treating your relationship with God as ordinary rather than sacred?
Quote
“Be holy because I am holy.”
Prayer
Lord, awaken in me a fresh reverence for who You are. Help me to pursue holiness not out of obligation, but out of love for You. Amen.
Day 2: Stop Hiding, Start Healing
Devotional
Most of us are carrying something we have not told anyone. A habit we are ashamed of. A thought pattern we cannot shake. A failure we keep replaying. And so we hide it, hoping that if we just manage it well enough, it will eventually go away on its own. But hiding does not heal. It hardens. What we keep in the dark does not shrink. It grows. And over time, that hidden thing begins to shape us in ways we never intended. This is not a new struggle. Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden after they sinned. And God came looking for them anyway. He is still doing that today. He is not waiting for you to have it all together before He draws near. He is already near, gently asking you to stop hiding. Here is the encouraging truth: healing does not require perfection. It requires honesty. When you bring what is hidden into the light, before God and before a trusted person in your life, something powerful happens. The grip of shame begins to loosen. You are not defined by what you have done. You are defined by whose you are. God can handle what you are carrying. He already knows. He is simply waiting for you to trust Him with it.
Bible Verse
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (English Standard Version (ESV))
Reflection Question
What is one thing you have been hiding from God or others that, if brought into the light, might begin to lose its power over you?
Quote
“God cannot heal what you hide. But healing begins when honesty replaces hiding.”
Prayer
Father, give me the courage to stop hiding and start being honest with You. I trust that Your grace is bigger than anything I could confess. Amen.
Day 3: The Power of Naming It
Devotional
There is a difference between saying “I have been struggling” and saying “I have been struggling with this specific thing.” The first keeps the door cracked. The second opens it all the way. Confession is most powerful when it is specific. Not because God needs the details, but because we do. When we name our sin precisely, we stop being vague about it. We stop minimizing it. We bring it fully into the light, and that is exactly where healing happens. Shame thrives in the shadows. It feeds on secrecy and silence. But when something is spoken aloud, honestly and specifically, shame loses its grip. What once felt overwhelming becomes something that can actually be addressed, forgiven, and healed. This kind of honesty takes courage. It is not easy to say the specific thing out loud. But you do not have to do it alone. God is with you in that moment, and He is not shocked by what you bring to Him. He already sees it, and He already loves you. Today, consider what you need to name. Not in a general way, but specifically. Bring it to God first. Let His grace meet you there. You may find that the very act of naming it begins to set you free.
Bible Verse
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16 (English Standard Version (ESV))
Reflection Question
Is there a sin or struggle you have only described in vague terms, even to yourself, that might need to be named more honestly before God?
Quote
“You need to name your sin and you be specific. See, it’s what we name specifically that can be healed.”
Prayer
Jesus, give me the courage to be specific and honest before You today. I believe that what I name before You can be healed by You. Amen.
Day 4: You Are Not Alone in This
Devotional
One of the most isolating lies shame tells us is that we are the only one. That if people really knew what we were carrying, they would pull away. That confession would cost us the relationships we value most. But Scripture tells a different story. James 5:16 calls believers to confess to one another and pray for one another. This is not a suggestion for the spiritually advanced. It is a practice meant for every follower of Jesus. We were never meant to carry our burdens alone. In the Methodist tradition, we have always believed that community is central to the life of faith. John Wesley himself organized believers into small groups where they would ask each other honest questions and hold one another accountable. This was not about judgment. It was about grace in community. You and the people around you in your church are priests for one another. That is a remarkable thing. When a trusted friend hears your confession and speaks forgiveness over you in Jesus’ name, something real happens. The isolation breaks. The shame loses its hold. And you are reminded that you belong to a community of people who are all on the same journey. You do not have to carry this alone. Reach out to someone you trust. Let them walk with you.
Bible Verse
“John 20:22” – “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” – John 20:22 (English Standard Version (ESV))
Reflection Question
Is there someone in your life you trust enough to be fully honest with, and what is holding you back from taking that step?
Quote
“You and I are priests for each other. We can receive and give forgiveness to each other.”
Prayer
Lord, lead me to the right person who can walk alongside me in honesty and grace. Help me to be that kind of friend to others as well. Amen.
Day 5: Holiness Is a Pursuit, Not a Destination
Devotional
After a week of reflecting on holiness, confession, and community, it is worth stepping back and asking: what is all of this for? The answer is simple and profound. It is for God. It is to know Him more fully, to reflect Him more clearly, and to become people through whom He can move in the world. Holiness is not a finish line you cross once and then relax. It is a daily pursuit, a continual turning toward God and away from what pulls you from Him. Paul describes it as perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. That word “perfecting” suggests an ongoing process, something you grow into over time. The encouraging truth is that God is not waiting for you to be perfect before He uses you. He is at work in you right now, through every honest prayer, every courageous confession, and every moment of genuine community. Each small step of faithfulness matters. As you move forward from this week, carry this with you: holiness is not a burden. It is an invitation. An invitation to live close to God, to experience His presence, and to be someone through whom others catch a glimpse of Him. That is a calling worth pursuing every single day.
Bible Verse
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and Spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1 (English Standard Version (ESV))
Reflection Question
Looking back at this week, what is one concrete step you can take to pursue holiness more intentionally in the days ahead?
Quote
“Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Prayer
Father, thank You for the invitation to live close to You. Help me to pursue holiness not out of fear, but out of deep love and reverence for who You are. Amen.
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