Progressive Sanctification

Intro:

It is great to see these families dedicating themselves to the very topic we are going to be looking at today!

So what does this mean anyways? We need a definition

Is this even a Biblical thought (Theological drift)

So, with theological drift in mind, where would you take someone in God’s Word to show them the idea that they should become more like Jesus?

Today is going to be a little different, we will be moving a little faster and going “concept by concept” not necessarily “verse by verse”. Aha, you are doing the theological drift thing! Well hold on, what we will be looking at will be found in the verses.

Outline:

Walking Like Jesus: “Walk in the same way” (1 John 2:6)

Practice and Immerse Yourself: “So that all may see your progress” (1 Tim. 4:15)

Beholding the Glory of God: “Transformed into the same image” (2 Cor. 3:18)

Progressive Sanctification: “Put off your old self and put on the new self” (Eph. 4:17-24)

Summary: (Definition) Which we will come to at the end of the sermon

Prayer:

Walking Like Jesus: “Walk in the same way” (1 John 2:1-6)- Bibles in the air...

Dealing with Sin (vs. 1-2)

My little children

I am writing these things to you

So that you may not sin- John’s desire is that his christian brothers and sisters would no longer live a lifestyle of sin

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

He is the propitiation for our sins

not for ours only

but also for the sins of the whole world.

Be careful of Theological drift

Come to Know Him (vs. 3-5)

By this we know that we have come to know him

if we keep his commandments

Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar

and the truth is not in him

Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected

By this we may know that we are in him

Walk in the Same Way (v. 6)

Whoever says

he abides in him

ought to walk in the same way

in which he walked

Application/Implications:

Are you walking like Jesus today? Well what do you mean by that?

How are you dealing with your sin? If you don’t belong to God you will never become more like Jesus!

Step one in progressive sanctfication, is being sanctified “set apart” from your sin that separates you from relationship with God and others. are you here this morning, or are you still finding that your life is marked by conflict with God and others because ultimately you are worshipping yourself.

Just like a baby needs to be born before it can walk so you and I need to be born again into God’s family before we can walk like Jesus.

Transitional phrase: Okay, I get it. If I belong to God than I ought to walk in the same way that Jesus walked. Well, can’t I do that on the inside? Who said anything about whether or not this should affect my outward actions, after all, it is between me and Jesus.

Practice and Immerse Yourself: “So that all may see your progress” …Bibles in the air (1 Tim. 4:15)

Practice (vs. -)

Practice these things- this is an imperative, a command, to learn by repetition and stenuous effort

Setting the example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity

Devoting yourself to

the public reading of Scripture (College and Career Growth group)

Exhortation

Teaching

Do not neglect the gift you have- Let me ask you, how are you planning on practicing and immersing yourslef in using your spiritual gift to serve this Fall? You could start by finding out what your spiritual gift is… (Go to our website and show how to get there)

Practice these things

Immerse yourself in them (vs. -)

Immerse yourself- command, to be, this is not a dip your toe in the pool kind of approach, it is the full on cannon ball!

Command and teach these things

Be around people that talk about the things of God

Be trained in the words of the faith and of good doctrine

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths

Rather train yourself for godliness which is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and also the life to come

This is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance

Toil and strive to this end

because our hope is set on the living God

All may see your progress (vs. - )

All- not just the people you like, or want to impress

See

Your progress- gradual improvement, incremental growth.

Application/Implications:

If you see Jesus giving His time to it, you should do the same.

If we are going to practice these things and immerse ourselves into what holds promise for this life and the next we will have to say no to other areas of life that vie for our attention, practice, and commitment.

Transitional phrase: Okay, I see it in the text. God’s desire for me is that I would grow in a way that is evident on the outside as much as it is on the inside. But what keeps me on track? Is christianity all about self-reflection and improvement? Where should I fix my eyes?

Beholding the Glory of God: “Transformed into the same image” (2 Cor. 3:18)

We All (vs. -)

and We all

with unveiled face

Beholding the glory of the Lord- The early christians were tempted to gaze upon the glory of the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone

Not the glory of man and their recommendations

Not the glory of Moses that brought a ministry of death written on tablets of stone

But the glory that surpasses all others, the freedom of the unveiled glory of Jesus

Are Being Transformed (vs. -)

Are being transformed- passive, metamorphow

into the same image- eikon

From one degree of glory to another- Progressive, one degree

Degrees are small incriments or measurements

This Comes from The Lord (vs. - )

This comes from the Lord

Who is the Spirit

Application/Implications:

What you behold will play a part in transforming you

The whole “Smoked Brisket” idea from BBQ shows

Beholding the glory of bikes, cornhole, BBQ, and Phil 1:25 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,”

What is it for you? What shows, books, objects, or relationships have you been putting before your eyes and in your ears? They are transforming you.

Transitional phrase: Okay Pastor Jeremy, you have compelled us to walk like Jesus, practice and immerse ourselves so that others can see our progress, and that this is more than christian self-help were I just better myself through positive thinking and meeting goals. Can you wrap this up for me?

Progressive Sanctificiation: “Put off the old self, put on the new self” (Eph. 4:17-24)

Life before Christ (vs. 17-19)

Futility of their minds

Hardness of heart

Greedy to practice every kind of impurity

Becoming a Believer (vs. 20-21)

Learned Christ! aor, act, ind, 2nd, pl, to learn

Heard about Him- aor, act, ind, 2nd, pl, to hear

Were taught in Him- aor, pass, ind, 2nd, pl, to be instructed

Life with Christ (vs. 22-24 )

Put/take off your old self

Which belongs to your former manner of life

is corrupt through deceitful desires

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds

Put/be clothed on the new self

created after the likenss of God in true

Righteounseness (external)

Holiness (internal)

Application/Implications:

Transitional phrase:

Summary: walking like Jesus, becoming more like Jesus today than I was yesterday, 2 weeks ago, 5 months, 3 years, etc.

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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