Embracing the Journey of Sanctification in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the profound concept of sanctification, exploring its significance in our spiritual journey. We began by reflecting on Romans 11:33-36, acknowledging the depth of God's wisdom and the unsearchable nature of His judgments. Our worship is not a repayment but a heartfelt offering to the One from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things. We then transitioned into a time of prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to work within us, setting our hearts and minds on Jesus.
We shared a touching story from our recent "Welcome to Church" lunch, where a question about what Paul might challenge our church on led to a discussion about moving beyond being mere consumers of church services. Instead, we are called to live daily in surrender to Christ, actively participating in His work throughout the week. This theme of active participation and growth was echoed in our celebration of new volunteers and the importance of community and service.
The highlight of our gathering was the child dedication ceremony for Brixton and Wesley Bullock. We emphasized that dedication is about parents committing to disciple their children and the church community supporting them in this journey. Drawing from Luke 2:40, we prayed for the children to grow in wisdom and favor with God.
We then introduced our new series, "Lord of It All," focusing on 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Sanctification, though not a common word in daily conversation, is crucial for those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. It means being set apart, made holy, and purified. We used the metaphor of a coffee pitcher rinser to illustrate the process of being filled, poured out, and cleansed repeatedly.
Sanctification is both an instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit and an ongoing process. While we are made spiritually whole at the moment of salvation, our soul and body continue to be transformed daily. This journey involves living surrendered to Christ's lordship over every part of our lives, allowing Him to make us whole and holy.
We concluded with a powerful prayer, asking God to sanctify us completely and make all things new. We were reminded that God is faithful and will surely do it. As we move forward in this series, we will explore what it means to be sanctified in our spirit, soul, and body, living fully surrendered to Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sanctification as a Continuous Journey: Sanctification is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of being made holy and whole. It involves daily surrender to Christ's lordship, allowing Him to transform every part of our lives. This journey requires active participation and a commitment to spiritual growth. [05:49]
2. Living Beyond Sunday: Our faith should extend beyond Sunday services. We are called to be active participants in Christ's work throughout the week, in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This means living out our faith daily, not just consuming church services but being the church in action. [35:04]
3. The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth: True spiritual growth and support are often found in smaller, more intimate settings like home groups. While Sunday services are important, deeper connections and discipleship happen in community. We are encouraged to invest in these relationships for mutual growth and support. [36:30]
4. Child Dedication and Community Support: Child dedication is a commitment by parents to disciple their children and by the church community to support them. It is a collective effort to raise children in the knowledge and love of Christ, emphasizing the importance of spiritual family and generational blessings. [42:36]
5. The Power of Being Made New: Through Christ's sacrifice, we are made new, justified, and sanctified. This transformation is both an instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit and a daily process. We are called to live in this newness, continually being purified and set apart for God's purposes. [01:02:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:49] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[35:04] - Living Beyond Sunday
[36:30] - Importance of Community
[37:55] - Celebrating Volunteers
[40:05] - Upcoming Events
[41:52] - Child Dedication Introduction
[42:36] - Child Dedication Ceremony
[45:00] - Parenting and Discipleship
[46:44] - Prayer for the Bullock Family
[50:36] - Prayer for Gateway Alliance Church
[51:26] - Introduction to New Series
[52:35] - Understanding Sanctification
[57:29] - The Process of Being Made Whole
[01:00:38] - Living Surrendered to Christ
[01:02:07] - The Journey of Sanctification
[01:05:00] - Encouragement to Live Holy Lives
[01:14:33] - The Good News of Justification
[01:20:29] - Daily Surrender and Transformation
[01:25:19] - Trusting in God's Faithfulness
[01:27:19] - Final Prayer and Worship
[01:30:15] - Invitation to Surrender to Christ
[01:32:10] - Closing Remarks and Prayer Team Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 11:33-36
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
3. Luke 2:40
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 11:33-36, what attributes of God are highlighted, and how do they relate to our worship? ([05:49])
2. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 say about the process of sanctification and God's role in it? ([52:35])
3. In Luke 2:40, what aspects of Jesus' growth are mentioned, and how do they serve as a model for child dedication? ([43:25])
4. What was the metaphor used in the sermon to describe the process of sanctification, and how does it illustrate the concept? ([59:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the depth of God's wisdom and the unsearchable nature of His judgments in Romans 11:33-36 inspire our daily worship and surrender to Him? ([05:49])
2. What does it mean for sanctification to be both an instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit and an ongoing process, as described in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24? ([52:35])
3. How does the story of Jesus' dedication in Luke 2:40 inform our understanding of the importance of community support in child dedication? ([43:25])
4. Reflecting on the metaphor of the coffee pitcher rinser, how can we apply the concept of being filled, poured out, and cleansed in our spiritual lives? ([59:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Sanctification is described as a continuous journey. What are some practical steps you can take this week to surrender more fully to Christ's lordship in your daily life? ([01:00:38])
2. The sermon emphasized living beyond Sunday services. How can you actively participate in Christ's work in your home, workplace, or community this week? ([35:04])
3. Community plays a crucial role in spiritual growth. How can you invest more deeply in your small group or church community to foster mutual growth and support? ([36:30])
4. Child dedication involves a commitment from both parents and the church community. How can you support families in your church who are raising their children in the knowledge and love of Christ? ([42:36])
5. The sermon highlighted the power of being made new through Christ's sacrifice. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to experience this renewal? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area? ([01:02:07])
6. Reflect on the metaphor of the coffee pitcher rinser. What are some ways you can allow God to cleanse and purify you regularly, ensuring you are set apart for His purposes? ([59:00])
7. The sermon concluded with a prayer for complete sanctification. How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's faithfulness and your ongoing transformation? ([01:06:28])
Devotional
Day 1: The Continuous Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of being made holy and whole. It involves daily surrender to Christ's lordship, allowing Him to transform every part of our lives. This journey requires active participation and a commitment to spiritual growth. As we surrender to Christ, we are continually being filled, poured out, and cleansed, much like a coffee pitcher rinser. This metaphor illustrates the repetitive nature of sanctification, where we are constantly being renewed and purified by the Holy Spirit. [05:49]
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV): "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. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Living Beyond Sunday
Our faith should extend beyond Sunday services. We are called to be active participants in Christ's work throughout the week, in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This means living out our faith daily, not just consuming church services but being the church in action. By moving beyond being mere consumers, we embrace a lifestyle of surrender to Christ, actively participating in His work and allowing our faith to permeate every aspect of our lives. [35:04]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: How can you actively live out your faith in your workplace or community this week? Identify one specific action you can take to be the church in action.
Day 3: The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth
True spiritual growth and support are often found in smaller, more intimate settings like home groups. While Sunday services are important, deeper connections and discipleship happen in community. We are encouraged to invest in these relationships for mutual growth and support. In these smaller settings, we can share our struggles, celebrate our victories, and hold each other accountable, fostering an environment where spiritual growth can flourish. [36:30]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think about your current involvement in your church community. How can you deepen your connections and invest more in these relationships for mutual spiritual growth?
Day 4: Child Dedication and Community Support
Child dedication is a commitment by parents to disciple their children and by the church community to support them. It is a collective effort to raise children in the knowledge and love of Christ, emphasizing the importance of spiritual family and generational blessings. This ceremony is a beautiful reminder of the role the entire church community plays in nurturing the faith of the next generation, standing alongside parents in this important task. [42:36]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you support the families in your church community in their journey of discipling their children? Identify one practical way you can offer your support this week.
Day 5: The Power of Being Made New
Through Christ's sacrifice, we are made new, justified, and sanctified. This transformation is both an instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit and a daily process. We are called to live in this newness, continually being purified and set apart for God's purposes. Embracing this new identity means allowing Christ to make all things new in our lives, living fully surrendered to His will and purpose. [01:02:07]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you still hold onto the old self. How can you embrace the new identity in Christ and allow Him to make all things new in you today?
Quotes
1. "If Paul were to write a letter to the New Testament church in Edmonton at Evolve, what would he challenge you on? And my answer, my response to his question was, I feel like he would challenge us to continue to grow and refuse to be consumers of Jesus's church. Wow. But challenge our hearts to live daily in the surrender to Christ, that we would be active participants in the work that Jesus is doing Monday through Saturday, where we live, where we work, where we study, where we serve, where we volunteer, where we work out, where we play. And that when we gather on Sundays, it would be to equip us to do the work of Jesus." [36:30] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his son, holy, Christ-like, empowered to do good works. And here's the good news. Don't be frustrated when you're not. Don't be frustrated when something rears its head in this season of your life. Just say, wait, I'm still being sanctified. God's still working on me. Just be aware of it. Lay it at the foot of the cross and say, come Lord Jesus, come Holy Spirit, the truth of scripture, the faith that I find in a community with other people. Challenge me. Help me level up. Help me grow. Hold me accountable. Ask me great questions because I want to be set apart, because I want to be purified, because I want to be made holy, because I want to live under the surrender of what it means for Jesus to be Lord of it all in every season." [01:11:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How are we living surrendered to Christ's lordship over every part of our lives and daily saying yes to him making us whole and holy in every way? This is a great question for the church of Jesus in Edmonton in 2024. Do we have a desire and an awareness and a quickening and a fire in our hearts to be sanctified? Do we have a desire and an awareness and a fire in our belly to wake up tomorrow and say, today I'm living surrendered to Christ. Today I want you to be lord over every part of me. Today I'm saying yes that you would continue to make me whole and holy in every way." [01:00:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Sanctification refers broadly to the concept of being set apart as sacred. This idea that Christians have been made holy, holy before God through their faith in Christ is related to, here it is, justification. In Christian theology, a distinction is sometimes made between justification and sanctification, where justification refers to having saving faith, and sanctification refers to the process, everybody say process, the process of gradual purification from sin and progressive spiritual growth that should mark the life of the believer. Not as a guilt statement, but as an invitation. Progressive spiritual growth and progressively being set free from the power of sin should mark your life as a follower of Christ. There should be evidence of this in us." [01:08:11] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you make the decision to surrender your life to Jesus, what you're saying is, the old me is dead. I want to live a new life. I want to have new thinking. I want to have new desires. I want to have new practices. I want to have new habits. I want to live a new life. And Jesus has made that possible for us. Jesus did it. We have been raised into a new life through Christ. Will we choose, though? This is the active role we play. Will we choose to learn about that new life? Will we be challenged by other people and by the Bible and by the Holy Spirit to actually live in that new life? Will we be ultimately identified by that new life and not identified by who we used to be before Jesus?" [01:18:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Some of you here in this room, you made that decision last week, Sunday. Four people that we know. Last week, Sunday, said, I want to follow Jesus with every part of my life. You might be here in the room or watching from home today, and there's an ache in you that you're done. It's futile for you to continue to try and do it on your own. And today might be a day of transformation for you. Today might be a day, if I can use it, of justification for you, where you say, Jesus, the price you paid, I want to identify with that more than anything else. Would you be lord of my life? Would you be lord of it all?" [01:20:29] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Sanctification is both God's will for us and his calling for us. We must take an active role in pursuing a set-apart and holy life. We have an active role to play, but not in and of ourselves. Isaiah 1, 18. Come now, let's settle this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they're red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. And here's Isaiah prophesying about the finished work of Jesus, the Messiah. A one-day work. A work that you and I are living in right here and now. Our God of peace has already done the making your sin as white as snow work through Jesus. It's settled. God did all the heavy lifting by sending his son. And we have to actively receive the work that he's accomplished through Jesus. We have to say yes to that. We have to acknowledge that. We have to invite that. And we have to choose to live in that each and every day." [01:14:33] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his son, holy, Christ-like, empowered to do good works. And here's the good news. Don't be frustrated when you're not. Don't be frustrated when something rears its head in this season of your life. Just say, wait, I'm still being sanctified. God's still working on me. Just be aware of it. Lay it at the foot of the cross and say, come Lord Jesus, come Holy Spirit, the truth of scripture, the faith that I find in a community with other people. Challenge me. Help me level up. Help me grow. Hold me accountable. Ask me great questions because I want to be set apart, because I want to be purified, because I want to be made holy, because I want to live under the surrender of what it means for Jesus to be Lord of it all in every season." [01:11:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his son, holy, Christ-like, empowered to do good works. And here's the good news. Don't be frustrated when you're not. Don't be frustrated when something rears its head in this season of your life. Just say, wait, I'm still being sanctified. God's still working on me. Just be aware of it. Lay it at the foot of the cross and say, come Lord Jesus, come Holy Spirit, the truth of scripture, the faith that I find in a community with other people. Challenge me. Help me level up. Help me grow. Hold me accountable. Ask me great questions because I want to be set apart, because I want to be purified, because I want to be made holy, because I want to live under the surrender of what it means for Jesus to be Lord of it all in every season." [01:11:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his son, holy, Christ-like, empowered to do good works. And here's the good news. Don't be frustrated when you're not. Don't be frustrated when something rears its head in this season of your life. Just say, wait, I'm still being sanctified. God's still working on me. Just be aware of it. Lay it at the foot of the cross and say, come Lord Jesus, come Holy Spirit, the truth of scripture, the faith that I find in a community with other people. Challenge me. Help me level up. Help me grow. Hold me accountable. Ask me great questions because I want to be set apart, because I want to be purified, because I want to be made holy, because I want to live under the surrender of what it means for Jesus to be Lord of it all in every season." [01:11:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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