Embracing the Journey of Progressive Sanctification
Summary
The sanctified life is a call to be set apart from the world and wholly dedicated to God. This means not only being saved, but actively pursuing a life that reflects the character and holiness of Christ. Sanctification is not a one-time event, but a continual process with three aspects: positional (our standing before God when we trust Christ), progressive (our daily growth in Christlikeness), and ultimate (our final perfection when Christ returns). The focus for us now is on progressive sanctification—striving each day to make our lives match the reality of who God already says we are in Christ.
This journey requires more than just good intentions; it demands proper biblical instruction and a willingness to live counterculturally. The Word of God is our revelation of who Christ is, and it is only by continually receiving, understanding, and applying this Word that we can accurately reflect Christ in our lives. We cannot rely on our own ideas or cultural norms to define what holiness looks like. Instead, we must let the Scriptures shape us, even when it challenges our comfort or exposes areas where we fall short.
Sanctification is not about occasional acts of obedience, but about a consistent, daily dedication to God. Complacency is a real danger; we must not settle for past growth or small victories, but keep pressing forward, allowing the Spirit to prune us so we bear more fruit. This process is not meant to be walked alone. We need the church, discipleship, and accountability—other believers who will lovingly challenge us, help us see Christ more clearly, and push us to keep growing.
Living a sanctified life also means living counter to both the world and our own flesh. The culture may normalize certain behaviors, but we are called to a higher standard, whether in our sexuality, our relationships, or how we treat others. The Spirit empowers us to resist the desires of the flesh and to crucify them, but we must choose to submit rather than resist His work. When we fall short, God’s discipline is not condemnation, but a loving correction meant to draw us back to purity and growth.
Ultimately, the will of God for every believer is sanctification—being conformed to the image of His Son. This is a lifelong pursuit, requiring humility, perseverance, and a heart that welcomes the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. May we never stop striving, never grow complacent, and always seek to look more like Christ, for His glory and our good.
Key Takeaways
- Sanctification is a Lifelong, Progressive Journey
Sanctification is not a one-time event but a continual process that begins with our position in Christ and moves toward daily growth in Christlikeness. We are called to press on, not resting in past victories or positional status, but striving to make our behavior match our identity in Christ. This journey is marked by daily repentance, perseverance, and a refusal to become complacent in our spiritual walk. [07:39]
- Biblical Instruction is Essential for True Growth
We cannot become like Christ by relying on our own ideas or cultural standards. The Word of God is our revelation of who Christ is, and it is only through receiving, understanding, and applying Scripture that we can accurately reflect Him. To reject biblical instruction is not merely to ignore human advice, but to resist God Himself, who has given us His Spirit and His Word for our sanctification. [12:08]
- Complacency is the Enemy of Spiritual Maturity
It is easy to settle for small victories or past growth, but the call of God is to continually excel and bear more fruit. Jesus Himself prunes those who are already bearing fruit so that they may bear even more. Standing still in the Christian life is actually moving backward; we must keep pressing forward, refusing to let comfort or self-satisfaction stunt our growth. [30:20]
- Sanctification Requires Countercultural Living—Against the World and the Flesh
To live a sanctified life is to live differently from the world and even from our own natural desires. Whether it’s sexual ethics, how we treat others, or how we handle our thoughts and emotions, God calls us to a standard that often runs contrary to what is normal around us. The Spirit empowers us to resist the flesh, but we must actively choose to crucify our desires and submit to God’s instructions, not just in outward actions but in our hearts and minds. [43:01]
- Community and Accountability are Non-Negotiable for Growth
We cannot walk the path of sanctification alone. God uses the church, discipleship, and even difficult people to sanctify us and reveal areas where we need to grow. True Christian community is not always comfortable, but it is necessary; it forces us to confront our immaturity, practice forgiveness, and keep striving together toward Christlikeness. To reject community or accountability is to hinder the work of the Spirit in our lives. [40:12]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to the Sanctified Life
[03:47] - Three Aspects of Sanctification
[07:39] - Ultimate Sanctification and Our Hope
[12:08] - The Role of Biblical Instruction
[17:00] - Knowledge that Transforms, Not Just Informs
[20:30] - The Importance of Accurate Revelation
[24:20] - Drawing the True Image of Christ
[27:40] - Dangers of Self-Deception and Avoiding the Word
[30:20] - The Peril of Complacency
[35:00] - Discipleship and the Need for Community
[40:12] - Why We Need the Church for Growth
[43:01] - God’s Will: Our Sanctification
[47:00] - Countercultural Living: World and Flesh
[51:48] - Treating Others with Honor and Purity
[56:44] - Resisting or Submitting to the Holy Spirit
[58:19] - Prayer and Final Exhortation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Sanctified Life
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### Bible Reading
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NASB)
1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more.
2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification.
8 Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, what specific instructions does Paul give regarding how believers should live in order to please God?
2. What does Paul say is the will of God for every believer, and how does he describe it in practical terms? ([43:01])
3. In the sermon, what are the three aspects of sanctification that were described, and which one is the main focus for believers right now? ([03:47])
4. What warning does Paul give about rejecting biblical instruction, and who does he say we are actually rejecting if we do this? ([12:08])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to “excel even more” in living to please God, even when the Thessalonians are already doing well? What does this reveal about spiritual growth? ([30:20])
2. The sermon describes sanctification as a continual process, not a one-time event. How does this understanding affect the way a believer approaches daily life and struggles with sin? ([07:39])
3. What does it mean to live “counterculturally” according to the sermon, and why is this necessary for sanctification? ([43:01])
4. How does the role of community and accountability help believers avoid complacency and continue growing in Christlikeness? ([40:12])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon warns against spiritual complacency and settling for past growth. Are there areas in your life where you have become complacent or satisfied with “small victories”? What would it look like to “excel even more” in those areas? ([30:20])
2. Paul says that rejecting biblical instruction is actually rejecting God, not just a person’s advice. Have you ever found yourself resisting a hard teaching from Scripture or from a spiritual leader? What was your response, and what could you do differently next time? ([12:08])
3. The call to sanctification means living differently from both the world and our own natural desires. Can you identify a specific area where your values or actions are being shaped more by culture or your own preferences than by God’s Word? What step could you take this week to realign with God’s standard? ([43:01])
4. The sermon highlights the importance of community and accountability for growth. Do you have people in your life who lovingly challenge you and help you see Christ more clearly? If not, what is one step you could take to seek out that kind of relationship? ([40:12])
5. When you experience God’s discipline or consequences for sin, do you tend to see it as condemnation or as loving correction? How might your perspective change if you viewed discipline as God’s way of drawing you back to purity and growth? ([51:48])
6. The Spirit empowers us to resist the desires of the flesh, but we must choose to submit rather than resist His work. Is there a specific desire or habit you need to “crucify” this week? What would it look like to submit to the Spirit in that area? ([56:44])
7. The sermon uses the illustration of drawing Christ more accurately as we receive more revelation from God’s Word. What is one practical way you can increase your intake and application of Scripture this month to help you “redraw” your life to look more like Christ? ([24:20])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for humility, perseverance, and a heart that welcomes the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the courage to live counterculturally, the willingness to receive correction, and the desire to keep pressing forward in sanctification for His glory and your good.
Devotional
Day 1: The Call to a Sanctified Life
To live a sanctified life means to be set apart from the world and dedicated wholly to God. This is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process where believers are called to continually grow in holiness, striving to align their lives with the character of Christ. Sanctification involves positional, progressive, and ultimate aspects—beginning with our initial faith in Christ, continuing as we strive daily to become more like Him, and culminating when we are finally perfected in His presence. The journey of sanctification is marked by a daily commitment to leave behind complacency and press forward, allowing God’s Spirit to shape us into the image of His Son. [07:39]
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NASB)
"Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification. Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to deeper dedication and separation from the world today, and what is one step you can take to respond?
Day 2: Never Settle—Keep Pressing Forward
Complacency is the enemy of spiritual growth. Even when we see fruit in our lives, God calls us to keep pressing forward, never settling for past victories or small gains. The Christian walk is a continual journey of becoming more like Christ, where standing still is actually moving backward. God prunes and challenges us not to demean our progress, but to invite us into greater maturity and fruitfulness. The call is to excel even more, to resist the temptation to rest in yesterday’s growth, and to keep striving for the fullness of Christ’s likeness in every area of our lives. [30:20]
Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB)
"Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Where have you become complacent in your spiritual walk, and what is one practical way you can press forward in that area this week?
Day 3: The Power and Necessity of Biblical Instruction
True transformation comes from receiving and obeying proper biblical instruction, not just acquiring head knowledge. The Word of God is the revelation of Christ, and it is only by continually exposing ourselves to this revelation that we can accurately reflect His image. To reject the instruction of Scripture is to reject God Himself, for His Word is the foundation and authority for our sanctification. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more we are able to erase the distorted lines of our old selves and redraw our lives to look more like Christ, allowing the Spirit to bring about real change. [24:20]
Colossians 1:9-10 (NASB)
"For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek out and apply biblical instruction this week to reshape an area of your life that needs to look more like Christ?
Day 4: Living Countercultural—Resisting the World and the Flesh
Sanctification requires living in a way that is countercultural—not only to the world’s standards but also to the desires of our own flesh. The world may normalize behaviors that God calls us to reject, and our own desires may pull us toward impurity, but the Spirit empowers us to resist and live differently. This means taking control of our bodies, thoughts, and desires, refusing to be mastered by them, and instead crucifying the flesh daily. The call is to honor God in every sphere of life, even when it means standing against what is popular or comfortable, and to treat others with purity and respect, reflecting the justice and love of God. [43:01]
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area where you feel pressure to conform to the world or your own desires, and how can you choose to live counterculturally for Christ today?
Day 5: The Role of the Holy Spirit and Community in Growth
Growth in sanctification is not a solo endeavor; it requires the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the accountability of a godly community. The Spirit is constantly working to convict, prune, and lead us into greater holiness, but we must choose to submit rather than resist. Likewise, we need the church and other believers to challenge us, encourage us, and help us see where we need to grow. Rejecting the Spirit’s work or isolating ourselves from community leads to stagnation and habitual sin, but embracing both leads to transformation and maturity in Christ. [56:44]
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NASB)
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite to walk alongside you for accountability and encouragement, and how can you intentionally submit to the Spirit’s leading in a specific area this week?
Quotes
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