Embracing Purity: The Journey of Sanctification
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to live a life of purity and sanctification as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. This passage emphasizes God's desire for us to avoid sexual immorality and to control our bodies in a way that is holy and honorable. The essence of this teaching is not to burden us but to liberate us from the heavy load of sin, guilt, and shame. God calls us to a life of sanctification, a process that gradually transforms us into His likeness, freeing us from the bondage of sin and leading us to a life of joy and fulfillment.
We are reminded that sexual immorality is a process that begins in the mind and can lead to destructive behaviors. However, God offers us a path of sanctification, a journey that purifies our hearts and minds. This path is not just about avoiding sin but about embracing a life filled with God's presence, which overflows into our relationships, making them healthy and life-giving.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to live in a way that honors God. Unlike those who do not know God, we have the Holy Spirit within us, enabling us to exercise self-control and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Furthermore, we discussed the spiritual nature of our longings for affection and intimacy, which only God can truly fulfill. When we seek fulfillment in Him, our lives overflow with joy, impacting our relationships positively. This overflow of God's love and joy in our lives is what enables us to engage in meaningful and fruitful relationships with others.
Finally, we reflected on the story of the woman caught in adultery, illustrating Jesus' non-condemnation and His offer of a fresh start. This story reminds us that no matter our past, God offers us a new direction and empowers us to live a life of purity and joy.
Key Takeaways:
- Sanctification as a Process: God's call to sanctification is a gradual transformation that frees us from the burden of sin. It is a journey of becoming more like Christ, where we are purified and empowered to live holy lives. This process is not about instant change but about daily walking with God and allowing Him to shape us. [01:13:06]
- The Power of Self-Control: Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in a way that honors God. It is not about our strength but about the Holy Spirit working within us, giving us the ability to resist temptation and live a life of purity. [01:29:23]
- Fulfillment in God: Our deepest longings for affection and intimacy are spiritual in nature and can only be truly fulfilled by God. When we seek fulfillment in Him, our lives overflow with joy, impacting our relationships positively and allowing us to engage in meaningful connections with others. [01:25:06]
- Non-Condemnation and New Beginnings: Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery shows His grace and the opportunity for a fresh start. No matter our past, God offers us a new direction and empowers us to live a life of purity and joy, free from condemnation. [01:34:05]
- Living a Life of Overflowing Joy: When we experience God's love and joy, it overflows into our relationships, making them healthy and life-giving. This overflow is a testament to God's work in our lives and a witness to the world of His transformative power. [01:19:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:40] - Opening Prayer
- [38:07] - God's Unconditional Love
- [39:30] - Expression of Worship
- [45:52] - Announcements
- [51:52] - Testimonies
- [01:04:35] - Prayer for Children
- [01:06:30] - Introduction to Living in Purity
- [01:10:23] - Addressing Sexual Impurity
- [01:12:13] - God's Desire for Sanctification
- [01:15:26] - The Burden of Sin
- [01:17:12] - Our Bodies as Temples
- [01:19:01] - The Process of Falling Out of Love
- [01:21:32] - Engaging in Holy Relationships
- [01:23:49] - The Root of Temptation
- [01:25:06] - Fulfillment in God
- [01:27:38] - The Role of Self-Control
- [01:29:23] - The Holy Spirit's Empowerment
- [01:31:31] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
- [01:34:05] - Jesus' Non-Condemnation
- [01:36:42] - A New Vision for Life
- [01:38:12] - A Life of Pure Joy
- [01:40:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- John 8:1-11
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, what specific behaviors does Paul instruct believers to avoid, and why? [01:06:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of sanctification, and what role does it play in a believer's life? [01:13:06]
3. In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), how does Jesus respond to her accusers, and what does this reveal about His character? [01:34:05]
4. What is the significance of self-control as described in the sermon, and how is it related to the Holy Spirit? [01:29:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of sanctification as a gradual process challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual growth? [01:13:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and how does this differ from self-discipline? [01:29:23]
3. Reflecting on the story of the woman caught in adultery, what does Jesus' non-condemnation teach us about grace and new beginnings? [01:34:05]
4. How does the sermon explain the spiritual nature of our longings for affection and intimacy, and why is it important to seek fulfillment in God? [01:25:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt burdened by guilt or shame. How can the process of sanctification help you find freedom and joy in your life? [01:15:26]
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with self-control. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area? [01:29:23]
3. Consider your current relationships. How can you ensure they are healthy and life-giving, reflecting God's love and joy? [01:19:48]
4. How can you apply the lesson of non-condemnation from the story of the woman caught in adultery to someone in your life who needs grace and a fresh start? [01:34:05]
5. Think about your deepest longings for affection and intimacy. How can you seek fulfillment in God rather than in people or things? [01:25:06]
6. What practical steps can you take this week to live a life of purity and sanctification, as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8? [01:06:30]
7. How can you cultivate a life of overflowing joy that impacts your relationships positively, as described in the sermon? [01:19:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is a transformative journey that God calls each believer to embark upon. It is not an instantaneous change but a gradual process of becoming more like Christ. This journey involves being freed from the burden of sin and being empowered to live a holy life. As believers walk daily with God, they allow Him to shape and mold them into His likeness. This process is liberating, as it releases individuals from the chains of guilt and shame, leading them to a life filled with joy and fulfillment. [01:13:06]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to grow in holiness? How can you take a step today to align more closely with His will in that area?
Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Self-control is a vital aspect of living a life that honors God, and it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not about relying on one's own strength but about allowing the Holy Spirit to work within, providing the ability to resist temptation and live a life of purity. Unlike those who do not know God, believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, enabling them to exercise self-control and live in a way that pleases God. [01:29:23]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: In what situations do you find it most challenging to exercise self-control? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you in those moments today?
Day 3: Fulfillment in God's Presence
The deepest longings for affection and intimacy are spiritual in nature and can only be truly fulfilled by God. When individuals seek fulfillment in Him, their lives overflow with joy, positively impacting their relationships. This overflow of God's love and joy allows believers to engage in meaningful and fruitful connections with others, as they are no longer seeking to fill a void that only God can satisfy. [01:25:06]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally seek God's presence today to find fulfillment and joy? How might this impact your interactions with others?
Day 4: Grace and New Beginnings
The story of the woman caught in adultery illustrates Jesus' grace and the opportunity for a fresh start. No matter one's past, God offers a new direction and empowers individuals to live a life of purity and joy, free from condemnation. This story serves as a reminder that God's grace is available to all, offering a path to redemption and a new beginning. [01:34:05]
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel burdened by past mistakes? How can you embrace God's grace and start anew today?
Day 5: Living a Life of Overflowing Joy
Experiencing God's love and joy leads to an overflow that impacts relationships, making them healthy and life-giving. This overflow is a testament to God's transformative work in believers' lives and serves as a witness to the world of His power. When individuals live in this overflow, they become conduits of God's love, bringing joy and life to those around them. [01:19:48]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: How can you allow God's love and joy to overflow in your life today? What is one practical way you can share this joy with someone else?
Quotes
It is God's will that you should be sanctified, that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in a passionate lust like the pagans who do not know God, and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of you. [00:06:55]
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live holy life, a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being, but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. Praise God. Thank you, Lord, for the reading of his word. [01:07:41]
God's will for us is to live, to develop healthy relationships, to grow in our Christian faith, in our Christian life by building each other and avoiding the temptation of sexual impurity and sexual immorality. Okay? So... Today I outlined this into three parts. [01:11:03]
God wants us to engage in holy relationships. And thirdly, God wants us to exercise self-control through the Holy Spirit. So let us go through it one by one. So the first one is, it is God's desire not to burden us. And... Such thing as... Sexual impurity is a heavy burden to carry. [01:12:43]
In the same way, sexual immorality is also a process. You don't happen to engage in sexual immorality instantly. It is a process. It starts with our thoughts. That's why verse 7 says, for God did not call us to be impure. What does that mean? It starts in the last full motives in our mind. [01:13:49]
The joy of living life and relationships free from the bondage and entanglement which is a heavy load to carry. God does not mean for us to carry this guilt, this shame, this emotional distortions, this moral distortions, and even leads to hopelessness. God doesn't want for us to walk into that path of life. [01:15:50]
If you have pure joy, it overflows. It's like a spring of, a well spring of water that overflows. Which is enjoying God in our life. In our daily life. Amen? And if we have the Lord and we enjoy Him in our daily life, it affects our relationship. We enjoy relationship because we enjoy having the Lord in our life. [01:19:48]
If it is spiritual in nature, only God has the exclusive ability to fill up the longing of our souls. We always have longing. We long for affection. We long for intimacy. We long for belongingness. We long for affection. We long to be filled up and nurtured. And only God can do it for us. Amen? [01:25:06]
To control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we live our lives with the kind of self-control that is holy and honorable, of course, it is the Holy Spirit at work at work to enable us empower us for self-control. It is the Holy Spirit. [01:28:05]
And with that statement, Jesus said, neither do I condemn you. From now on, live your life of sin. And that statement of non-condemnation, you know, Jesus is telling her, Satan, the world, you know, even yourself, meant to condemn you, right? The world meant to condemn you. Satan meant to condemn you. [01:33:01]
You thought it is your end, people will stone you to death? No, this is a vision for a new start in life. Everything is gone and you are giving a fresh start. I do not take it against you that you engage in this dirty lifestyle. No, because I'm giving you a new vision. Go! [01:36:42]
Instead of us being an instrument of the enemy to destroy other people's lives, including ours, God's plan is to use us to build up people and just like you, with hope, with direction, through your life, there is the opportunity available for people. [01:38:12]
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