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Living Pure | Pastor Kevin Hardy

kevin hardyKevin Hardy is the energetic lead pastor of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene in Ellicott City, Maryland.

We are grateful for his offering to let us use “Living Pure” as one example of holiness preaching by a contemporary preacher.

 

SERMON AUDIO:

Download the sermon here.

Here are some things we think you will find to be true of Kevin’s preaching in this message:

1. The sermon begins with one passage but explores the theme throughout scripture

Though pastor Hardy begins with and focuses on one primary text, he also supports his conclusions from the broad sweep of scripture. Wesley suggested this kind of preaching by suggestion preachers “preach the whole counsel of God.” By this he didn’t simply mean preaching multiple passages, but rounding out the picture of theological insights of scripture by moving beyond a narrow view of one passage alone.

2. The sermon doesn’t just make declarations, it asks questions

One of the key tasks of a preacher, especially on topics like holiness, is to direct attention to and give space for the spirit. Questions can be a powerful way of pointing us to the voice of the spirit and giving psychological space for the listener to be impacted by the Holy Spirit. Any theology of preaching that pays attention the Spirit’s role has to recognize the importance of making space for the spirit.

3. The sermon gives an understandable theology of human response to divine grace

The relationship between divine and human agency in salvation and sanctification is a place of a lot of contention and debate. Rather than get mired in the debate, pastor Hardy focuses on the agreement every thoughtful Christian affirms. God’s gracious Spirit has to do something or we are lost. If the Spirit does anything, it gives us the ability to repent. Therefore, there is something we must do for our holiness even though our holiness is only accomplished by God’s grace.

4. The sermon attempts to address the whole person

Pastor Hardy focuses on a spiritual examination of our lives that focuses both on internal examination and external examination. The spirit, the mind, and the body are addressed in an effort to focus holiness on wholeness not just a few compartments. Language, thoughts, motives, attitudes, desires, relationships, and behavior are all addressed at one point or another.