Sanctification: A Lifelong Journey of Transformation
Summary
On this Pentecost Sunday, we gather to remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—the birthday of the Church and the fulfillment of God’s promise to be present with us. As we celebrate, adorned in white, we are reminded that the Spirit is not just a symbol, but an active presence, guiding, comforting, and empowering us for worship and service. Today, we also honor milestones in our community: the faithfulness of married couples, the achievements of our graduates, and the ongoing generosity that sustains our scholarship ministry. All of these are signs of God’s faithfulness and the fruit of lives being shaped by His Spirit.
The heart of our reflection centers on the doctrine of sanctification—what it means to be “set apart” and made holy by God. Drawing inspiration from Michelle Obama’s idea of “becoming,” we recognize that the Christian life is not a static arrival, but a continual journey of transformation. Just as justification declares us righteous through faith in Christ, sanctification is the ongoing process by which the Holy Spirit works in us, shaping our character and conduct to reflect the image of Jesus. This is not an instant change, but a lifelong process—good things truly take time.
We are reminded that sanctification is both a position and a process. By faith, we are given a new spiritual status—declared saints, even while we still struggle with sin. God’s grace holds us in this position, daring us to “grow tall enough to wear the crown” He has placed over our heads. Yet, the process is often messy, marked by setbacks and imperfections. Like a construction site, our lives may not always look presentable, but God is at work, and the final product will be glorious.
Sanctification is not a solo endeavor. God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower change, the Scriptures to guide us, and the call to present our lives as living sacrifices. We are all “under construction,” and so we must extend patience and grace to ourselves and others. One day, when Christ returns, the process will be complete—we will be made perfect, free from sin, and fully like Him. Until then, we trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Good things take time, but in God’s time, we will become all He has purposed us to be.
Key Takeaways
- Sanctification Is a Lifelong Journey, Not a Momentary Event
The work of sanctification begins at salvation but unfolds over a lifetime. We are always in the process of “becoming”—never fully arrived, always growing, learning, and being transformed by the Spirit. This journey requires patience with ourselves and others, as God’s grace steadily shapes us into Christ’s likeness. [01:46:35]
- Our Spiritual Position Precedes Our Spiritual Performance
Through faith in Jesus, we are given a new status—declared righteous and called saints—even though our behavior may not yet reflect this reality. God’s grace holds us in this position, inviting us to grow into what He already sees in us. The gap between who we are and who we are called to be is bridged by God’s patient, persistent love. [01:54:09]
- The Holy Spirit and the Scriptures Are Essential for Transformation
True sanctification is not achieved by human effort alone. The Holy Spirit works daily to refine our attitudes, speech, relationships, and habits, while the Scriptures reveal God’s standards and guide our growth. If our spiritual experiences do not lead to real change in how we live and love, we must ask whether we are truly yielding to the Spirit’s work. [02:07:17]
- Extend Grace: Everyone Is “Under Construction”
It is easy to judge others for their shortcomings, but sanctification is a process for all believers. No one is an overnight success; we all have areas in need of repair. Rather than condemning or discarding those who stumble, we are called to patience, restoration, and humility, remembering that God is not finished with any of us yet. [02:21:45]
- God Will Perfect What He Has Begun
Though the process of sanctification is slow and sometimes messy, God promises to complete the work He started. One day, we will be made perfect—free from sin and fully conformed to Christ. Until then, we live in hope, trusting that every struggle and every step forward is part of God’s faithful, transforming work in us. [02:14:29]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[43:51] - Fellowship and Pentecost Greeting
[56:59] - Announcements and VBS Excitement
[59:18] - Celebrating Graduates and Scholarship Giving
[01:01:38] - Honoring June Wedding Anniversaries
[01:04:28] - Offering and Spirit of Giving
[01:28:45] - Understanding Pentecost
[01:42:01] - The Journey of Sanctification
[01:44:58] - Augustine’s Story: “Make Me Holy, But Not Yet”
[01:46:35] - Sanctification as a Lifelong Process
[01:49:01] - The Position of Sanctification
[01:54:09] - Grace Holds Us While We Grow
[02:03:02] - The Process and Progress of Sanctification
[02:07:17] - The Role of the Spirit and Scripture
[02:14:29] - The Promise of Perfection
[02:21:45] - Under Construction: Extending Grace
[02:23:09] - Invitation and Prayer
[02:30:54] - Benediction and Sending Forth
[02:32:14] - Closing Blessing and Farewell
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Good Things Take Time (Sanctification & Pentecost)
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### Bible Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NRSV)
> May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, who is responsible for sanctifying us, and what does Paul pray will be kept “sound and blameless”?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between justification and sanctification? [01:42:01]
3. What illustration does the pastor use to describe the process of sanctification in our lives? [02:14:29]
4. What are some of the “signs of God’s faithfulness” that the church celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, according to the sermon? [01:01:38]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that God himself will sanctify us “entirely”—spirit, soul, and body? What does this suggest about the scope of God’s work in our lives?
2. The pastor says, “Sanctification is a process that requires a lifetime to be completed.” Why is it important to understand sanctification as a journey rather than a one-time event? [01:46:35]
3. The sermon mentions that we are given a “spiritual position” (declared saints) even while we still struggle with sin. How does this tension affect the way we view ourselves and others in the church? [01:54:09]
4. The pastor describes everyone as “under construction.” How does this perspective shape the way we respond to the failures or shortcomings of others? [02:21:45]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor shared Augustine’s prayer, “God, make me holy, but not yet.” Have you ever found yourself wanting to change, but not wanting to let go of certain habits or attitudes? What is one area where you feel God is calling you to grow, even if it’s uncomfortable? [01:44:58]
2. The sermon says, “Your faith puts you in a holy position and the blood of Jesus along with the Holy Spirit holds you in that position until your behavior patterns in your life catch up with your position.” Is there a gap between who God says you are and how you live? How do you deal with that gap? [01:54:09]
3. The pastor emphasized that the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures are essential for real transformation. What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit to work on your attitude, speech, or relationships this week? [02:07:17]
4. The message says, “If you can dance in your pew, but can’t speak to me on the parking lot, you may not have the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit.” Are there areas where your spiritual experiences don’t match your daily behavior? How can you bring those into alignment? [02:09:19]
5. The pastor used the image of a construction site: “Please excuse my appearance, God is still working on me.” Is there an area of your life that feels “under construction” right now? How can you extend grace to yourself in that area? [02:14:29]
6. The sermon calls us to extend patience and grace to others, since “no one is an overnight success.” Think of someone in your life who is struggling or has made mistakes. What is one way you can show them patience or encouragement this week? [02:21:45]
7. The pastor said, “Good things take time, but in God’s time, we will become all He has purposed us to be.” How can you remind yourself to trust God’s timing in your own journey of becoming? [02:32:14]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for patience with themselves and others, for a deeper openness to the Holy Spirit’s work, and for trust in God’s faithfulness to complete what He has started.
Devotional
Day 1: Sanctification Is a Lifelong Process of Becoming
Sanctification is not a one-time event but a continuous journey in which God, by His Spirit, is shaping and transforming believers to become more like Christ. Even after being saved and declared righteous through faith in Jesus, every Christian remains under construction, growing and evolving through seasons of struggle, learning, and spiritual development. This process is marked by God’s patience, grace, and faithfulness, reminding us that good things truly take time and that we are all in different phases of becoming who God has called us to be. [01:49:01]
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NRSV)
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God is still “under construction,” and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you grow in that area today?
Day 2: Your Position in Christ Is Secure, Even When Your Practice Isn’t
Through faith in Jesus, believers are given a new spiritual position—they are called saints and declared righteous, even though their daily lives may not always reflect this reality. God’s grace allows us to hold onto this identity while His Spirit works in us to align our behavior with our new status. We may still struggle with old habits and shortcomings, but God’s love and mercy sustain us as we grow into the people He already sees us to be. [01:56:42]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Where do you feel a gap between who God says you are and how you see yourself? How can you rest in your secure position in Christ while you continue to grow?
Day 3: The Holy Spirit and God’s Word Empower Real Change
God has not left us to grow alone; He has given us the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to guide, empower, and transform us. The Spirit works daily to refine our attitudes, words, and relationships, while the Word of God reveals what pleases Him and instructs us in holy living. True spiritual growth is not just about emotional experiences but about allowing the Spirit and the Word to shape our habits, character, and daily choices. [02:10:29]
John 17:17 (ESV)
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can invite the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to shape your actions or attitudes today?
Day 4: God’s Grace Covers Our Imperfections—We Are All Under Construction
Every believer is a work in progress, and the journey of sanctification can be messy, marked by setbacks and struggles. Yet, God’s grace is sufficient, and He calls us to be patient with ourselves and others, recognizing that everyone is “under construction.” Instead of condemning or giving up on ourselves or others, we are invited to trust that God is faithfully working in each of us, and that the process is just as important as the destination. [02:21:45]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life needs your patience and encouragement as they grow? How can you show them grace today, remembering that God is not finished with any of us?
Day 5: One Day, God Will Perfect Us Completely
Though we struggle and strive in this life, there is a promise that one day, when Christ returns, God will complete the work He began in us. All that is broken, flawed, or incomplete will be made new, and we will be presented blameless and whole, just like Jesus. This hope encourages us to persevere, trusting that our present struggles are not the end of the story, and that God’s faithfulness will see us through to glory. [02:14:29]
1 John 3:2 (ESV)
"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
Reflection: How does the promise of your future perfection in Christ give you hope for today’s challenges? What would it look like to live with that hope in mind?
Quotes
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