Introduction
Holiness does not belong only to God the Father. In this final lesson of The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul turns to the holiness of Christ in His earthly ministry—and to the fear it produced in both followers and opponents. Ligonier’s aim is to confront us with Christ’s holiness so that we might find peace with God through His righteousness. About half an hour, freely available on Ligonier’s official YouTube channel. The lesson page does not name one primary passage, so read the Gospels with that theme in view rather than forcing a single text.
Preacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017), founder of Ligonier Ministries. Presbyterian Reformed teacher; we differ with him on baptism, while gladly learning from his God-centred teaching.
Embedded Video
If the video doesn’t load, watch it on YouTube. Source: Ligonier – The Holiness of Christ.
Key Lessons
- Holiness is seen in the Son as well as in the Father and the Spirit; Christ is not a softer, less holy version of God.
- In Jesus’ earthly ministry, both those who followed Him and those who opposed Him reacted with fear when confronted by His holiness.
- The right response is not to run from holy Christ, but to find peace with God through His righteousness.
Learn · Grow · Do
- Learn: The holiness of God is revealed in Christ Himself; encountering Him exposes us and points us to His righteousness.
- Grow: Do not invent a tame Jesus. Let His purity unsettle sin and deepen your gratitude for the cross.
- Do: After watching, thank God specifically for the righteousness of Christ, then confess one sin His holiness has exposed.
Related Scripture
- No primary passage is named on Ligonier’s lesson page for this message.
- Supporting reading for the theme: Gospel scenes of people’s response to Jesus’ authority and purity; 2 Corinthians 5:21 on Christ’s righteousness given to believers.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NASB 1995)
