Sainthood
Notes
Transcript
ILLUST: How-to become…PD, Chef, Pro BB, etc.
Or. When I grow up, I want to be…
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
READ - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 for full context
Distinguishing between lost sinner and saved saint - before and after
Sinner - characterized by sin
Saint - characterized by spiritual fruit
Saint
Saint
RCC idea, incorrect. Totally, incorrect. The Pope, other humans, decide to declare someone a saint posthumously. Based on works criteria
Bible idea (truth) - believers are saints
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
Believers are saints
RCC - saints are in heaven, called ‘saints’ due to their own merit, “voted on”
Bible - saints are on earth, called ‘saints’ based on the work of Christ
- I believe the Bible
“Saint,” “Holy,” “Set apart” = Sanctified/Sanctification
Recipe for Sainthood
Recipe for Sainthood
How to become…
1) Start with Salvation
1) Start with Salvation
Begin with Justification
Be pronounced “not guilty” - salvation
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
“Positionally” sanctified - you are by definition holy, set apart
Start out like an infant - feeding on milk, basic nourishment - the very basics of Jesus/Word
Justified is just the start of the spiritual life
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
How? Infants need to grow, so do believers
The justified now live with Christ as their Lord (master)
Progressive sanctification (leading to eventual glorification)
Growing from milk to meat; from basic knowledge to wisdom
Next…
2) Strengthened by Scripture
2) Strengthened by Scripture
Obedience to the Word
Holy Spirit prompts, urges, “convicts”
Takes a desire to obey
Takes desire to learn
Resisting temptation, desiring to please God
Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments, John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
ILLUST: Kids who obey parents stand out from most
Believers who obey the LORD stand out from most so-called Christians
Obedience to the Word - nourishment
The nourished body grows healthy
The nourished soul grows spiritually healthy
And…the “unhealthy” can change and grow
POINT: This is the work of the Holy Spirit - it is HIS work in you
…the willing, obedient believer
Standing out, set apart, sanctified
THE RESULT: Growth - Visible, this is Sanctification
Oxymoron - saved and not growing…
Unthinkable to be saved and not growing
(some here, maybe saved, NEVER open their Bibles at home, e.g.)
How can that be???
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
AND REMEMBER
The goal is glory pointed to Yahweh (the first ‘basic’ we discussed)
The sanctified, set-apart , “be different from the world”
We live in a world where people want to be so different and be noticed…
to be noticed by being different - attention
(Clothes, hair, lifestyle…)
HOW ABOUT GROWING IN THE LORD AND LETTING PEOPLE SEE THAT??
Far too many Christians, maybe been to church for decades, struggle to know the basics, let alone grow beyond…
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
This is why we teach, learn, grow together! - any age, any time
Believers - It’s time to grow up!
Then…
3) Stay Close to the Son
3) Stay Close to the Son
Process of sanctification, attachment to the Vine
Exposed to the Son - guided by the Son
Like plants need sun, Believers need the Son - simple, basic
Let growth occur!
REM - Don’t quench, or grieve the Holy Spirit
The growing believer, guided by hope
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
The believer, sanctified, starts with sanctifying Christ
You “make Him Lord” - meaning, decide that He is your Lord - “sanctify Him”
Then He will sanctify you, begin the process
Deciding to “set apart” Christ - making Him holy - acknowledge Him as Lord
Hope, true hope, powerful motivation for the believer in the process of sanctification
And….like you see and identify the fruit on a healthy, growing tree
So, too, do others see and identify the fruit from a healthy, growing, SANCTIFIED believer
1 Peter 3:15 - let them see that hope in you, and wonder…
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Sanctification - the means by which the Holy Spirit points glory to Yahweh
Your growth - a sinner, saved, being used by God - He calls that GLORIOUS
Stay in the Son - connected to the Vine
If you do, you WILL grow
It makes no sense to say that a saint stops growing
If you’re not growing, you’re not trying
B/C you have all the Holy Spirit you need
Our church - Spirit-filled? Yes!
Christ-focused? Absolutely!
There is a great deal of Son-shine here
Trying to grow in isolation, by yourself, apart from a good local church is like growing a plant in the dark that requires full sun
Believers, saints NEED FULL SON! (pun intended)
So. where could you go to get help growing
Maybe try to find a Bible-teaching, bible-preaching church, where:
Sunday School - study Bible and its characters
Morning worship service - Bible teaching, preaching, clearly exposing the Word and what it means
Children are taught firm Bible truths
Ministry like Awana - where kids learn and adults learn by teaching
Mid-week - Bible study and fellowship
At least four opportunities EVERY week to open yourself to growth
Big question - Do you want to grow?
Be saved (justified) - first heart issue
Now, that makes you a saint
Second heart issue - Deciding to actually obey Jesus
You will literally feel the growth
Third heart issue - Stand firm there
Stand out - OWN your sanctification
