God's Finished Work In His People

God’s Finished Work In His People 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 November 29, 2020 The Big Idea: Paul closes his letter with a prayer for their complete transformation into Christlikeness, assuring them (and us) that the only one who can change the human heart is the God who made it. The final verses remind us that it is in the relationships the Lord gives us in His Church that we will most fully experience the changes God wants to make in us. 1 Thessalonians 5 (ESV) 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1. The Only One Who Can Change You: The God of Peace Romans 5:1 § Peace within myself can only be experienced when “the God of Peace” ceases to fight against me. § There is no peace without justification. o Romans 3:23-25 o Justification is a legal status that can be declared only by the Judge (God). It is instantaneous and external and complete. 2. The End Result of God’s Work in You: Complete Sanctification “sanctify you completely,” § § § We must first be justified by God before we can be sanctified. Sanctification is the internal work of God. It is a lifelong process. Sanctification is both a gift and a goal. Something which God does through Grace and a commitment of our lives that we must choose. § John Owen: “It is the universal renovation of our natures by the Holy Spirit.” 3. The Scope of God’s Work: Nothing is Untouched by His Hand “your whole spirit and soul and body” § § Sanctification is God’s work to make me become what He already declared me to be! Nothing is to be held back – nothing reserved from being touched by Christ’s transforming grace. 4. The End of God’s Work: Christ Presenting You “Blameless” to the Father “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 2:13 “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” Jude 23-24 5. The Promise That Will Never Be Broken: The Father Will Complete His Work in You 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Philippians 1:6 2 Timothy 2:13 6. The Setting Where The Father Does His Best Work: His Church 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ü We live as a spiritual family, with our brothers and sisters. [v. 25] ü We pray for one another [v. 25] ü We nurture Christ-centered relationships that are a priority in our lives [v. 26]. ü The Word of God is central to our lives [v. 27] ü And the work of God’s Grace is always expected, seen, and celebrated. [v. 28]