Mar. 03, 2024

Sermon: Encouragement From an Apostle - Our Sanctification

The Sermon begins at 28:20 min in video.  The music "Blessed Be Your Name", "Give Me Jesus", "Jesus Your Name", "Way Maker", "You Are My King (Amazing Love)", "A Thousand Hallelujahs", "Thank You Lord", and "I Give You My Heart"  are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 Licenses.

Summary:

Pastor Dave concludes the “Encouragement from an Apostle” series from 1 Thessalonians with a focus on verses 23 and 24 by emphasizing the concept of sanctification. He addresses the communal experience of struggling with sin and the process of growth in the Christian life. He reflects on sanctification from three aspects: positionally (already set apart through Christ's sacrifice), practically (the ongoing transformation and struggle in the believer's life), and perfectly (the complete sanctification that will occur at Jesus' return). While God initiates and sustains the process of sanctification, Pastor Dave stresses that believers have a role to play in aligning their actions with God's will. The process of sanctification in a Christian's life involves both divine intervention and human responsibility. Accordingly, sanctification is an ongoing journey that includes both God’s work in us and our active participation.

Key Points:

1. Sanctification involves God’s part and our part – God sanctifies us, but we must actively seek to live out that sanctification.

2. Despite positional sanctification in Christ, believers continue to face challenges and growth in their spiritual journey.

3. Pastor Dave uses metaphoric language (spirit as the driver, soul as the determiner, body as the vehicle) to explain the complexity of a believer's sanctification.

4. Sanctification is not only a present reality but also a future hope, culminating in the return of Christ.

5. Faithfulness comes not only in trusting God's work in us but also in making daily choices that align with God's will.

Action Items:

1. Embrace the truth that while we are already positionally sanctified in Christ, there is an ongoing process of spiritual growth.

2. Recognize and resist the patterns of sin that hinder our practical sanctification.

3. Commit to the daily practice of aligning thoughts, emotions, and actions with God's guidance.

4. Engage with the word of God and the community of believers to aid the sanctification journey.

5. Find encouragement in the assurance that God will complete the work of sanctification He has started in us.

Sermon Notes:

The God of Peace:

Sanctify Your:

     Positional Sanctification

     Practical Sanctification

     Perfect Sanctification

Your Whole:

     Spirit

     Soul

     Body

Kept Blameless: