Work in Progress

Introduction

We are in-between series right now, but I’m excited about a series that we’re going to start in October. We are going to be looking at the Holy Spirit and what living the Holy Spirit empowered life looks like.

I’ve been thinking about this picture over the past couple of weeks

[FIXER UPPERS]

As a Christian you have not arrived. As The Church, we have made it a bad habit that once someone gets saved that our job is done.

As the body, once someone gives their life to Christ that is when our job starts. We’re called to walk alongside them and aid in them becoming like-Christ.

Not an overnight or instantaneous transformation.

Body

Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV)

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

When you read scripture you, if verse starts with ‘therefore’ always read a few verses back.

‘Therefore’ means: for this reason…

Philippians 2:5–11 (NIV)

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Paul is writing to the church of Philippi in this paragraph about a fancy “church” word called sanctification.

Sanctification — daily process of growing/becoming the very image of Christ:

Salvation is not a work that happens when we’re saved, but it’s a continual process [sanctification] until we are made into the full image of Christ.

When you got filled with the Holy Spirit, saved, your life started; it didn’t end.

Can I free you up tonight?

God doesn’t want your perfection, He wants you to commit to the process. God is calling The Church to be patient in the process.

Philippians 2:12 (NIV)

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

“Work out” is a process, “work for” is perfection.

[GOING TO GYM]

Ephesians 2:7–9 (NIV)

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

So many Christians live with a spirit of perfectionism in their walk with Christ.

I feel like so many people live with the spirit of perfectionism, because we think that since we’re saved there’s not going to be anymore sin or hardship.

Let me burst your bubble… you will sin after you get saved.

Good news is now that you’re saved, God gives us the desire to grow in Christ and He works in us to do it.

Salvation starts your process of becoming Christ-like. Be okay with not being okay after you get saved.

Stop working for God and start working with God.

Working with God in this process of sanctification looks like: responding to conviction, allowing Him to empower us.

Conviction is uncomfortable. Responding to conviction means being transparent with God to the point of repentance.

You can bring your baggage unto God, because He wants to take it from you. Stop carrying things that you were never meant to carry.

John 15 says that He is the vinedresser. He is the one that prunes, waters, works in us so that we may bear fruit. We can’t even bear fruit; it’s Him working in us that allows us to bear fruit.

Stop playing God’s part. Trying to work for your salvation excludes your reliance on God.

Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ and His death, resurrection on the cross. So your sanctification can only come from Him as well.

When Jesus died and was resurrected, He went to heaven because His work was done.

The Holy Spirit is the one that dwells within us on Earth. God’s Spirit serves and functions as our helper on this side of heaven.

Closing

I’m about to close…

I want to read you a song by Elevation Rhythm called, “Growing Pains”:

Everything gon’ be okay; it won’t always be this way

At my worst, when it hurts, won’t be afraid

Sometimes faith has growing pains; everything gon’ be okay

This will all make sense one day

At my worst, when it hurts, won’t be afraid

Sometimes faith has growing pains

Sometimes faith has growing pains

There’s no gain without pain

Learning to trust you

Sometimes faith has growing pains

Don’t let the enemy tell you that since you’ve sinned as a Christian that you’re disqualified as a child of God.

Be encouraged that God through His Spirit is working with you to make you more like Christ.

The beauty lies within the process.

Prayer