Understanding Sanctification: A Journey of Faith and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: Endurance Through Faith

Looking to Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith is crucial for enduring the race set before us. Hebrews 12:1-2 emphasizes the importance of focusing on the joy promised to us, which acts as a foretaste of the joy to come. This focus on Jesus inspires us to persevere, just as He did, and motivates our obedience and sanctification. By keeping our eyes on Him, we find the strength to endure the challenges of life, knowing that our faith is not in vain. [04:14]

Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are facing today where you need to focus on Jesus for endurance? How can you practically keep your eyes on Him in this situation?

Day 2: Liberation from Law-Keeping

Romans 7:4-6 highlights our death to the law through Christ, freeing us from legalism. This liberation allows us to serve in the new way of the Spirit, aligning with the life of faith described in Hebrews. By dying to the law, we are no longer bound by legalistic righteousness but are free to pursue holiness through the Spirit's guidance. This freedom empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God, not out of obligation, but out of love and faith. [08:08]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on legalistic practices rather than the Spirit's guidance? How can you embrace the freedom Christ offers today?

Day 3: Transformation Through Glory

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us into His image. This transformation is a natural process empowered by the Spirit, as we take on the traits of those we admire. The freedom found in this transformation is a testament to the power of faith and the Spirit's work in our lives. By focusing on the glory of the Lord, we are gradually changed to reflect His character and love. [10:23]

Colossians 3:10 (ESV): "And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: Who or what are you currently admiring and focusing on in your life? How is this shaping your character, and how can you shift your focus to the glory of the Lord for transformation?

Day 4: Volitional Sanctification

2 Thessalonians 1:11 emphasizes the role of our resolves and works of faith in sanctification. These actions are empowered by God's Spirit, demonstrating that our efforts are not in vain but are part of a larger divine work. This passage encourages us to trust in God's power as we pursue holiness, knowing that our resolves and actions are supported by His strength. [12:25]

Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: What is one specific resolve or work of faith you feel called to pursue? How can you rely on God's power to support you in this endeavor today?

Day 5: Unified Scriptural Realities

The diverse teachings on sanctification across these passages are deeply unified and mutually illuminating. By meditating on these realities, we see how beautifully they cohere, offering a comprehensive understanding of the sanctification process. This unity reflects the intricate and harmonious nature of God's Word, encouraging us to embrace the full spectrum of biblical teachings on becoming more Christ-like. [13:06]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you integrate the various aspects of sanctification into your daily walk with Christ? What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of sanctification is holistic and balanced?

Sermon Summary

In this episode, we celebrate a significant milestone—episode 1800—thanks to the unwavering support and engagement of our listeners. Today, we delve into a profound question posed by Jason, a listener, about the interconnectedness of various biblical teachings on sanctification. Jason seeks to understand whether personal sanctification is primarily about looking to Jesus, being united with Him, beholding His glory, or obeying through faith. The answer, as anticipated, is multifaceted, encompassing all these aspects.

The journey of sanctification is a tapestry woven from different scriptural threads, each contributing to a unified understanding of becoming more Christ-like. Hebrews 12:1-2 emphasizes looking to Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith, inspiring us to endure by focusing on the joy set before us. This passage highlights the importance of faith as a foretaste of future joy, motivating our obedience and perseverance.

Romans 7:4-6 introduces the concept of dying to the law through Christ, liberating us from law-keeping as a means of righteousness. Instead, we serve in the new way of the Spirit, aligning with the life of faith described in Hebrews. This passage underscores the complementary nature of these texts, addressing sanctification from different angles—endurance through suffering and liberation from legalism.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul combines the realities of the Holy Spirit and looking to Jesus, adding the dimensions of glory and freedom. Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us, as we naturally take on the traits of those we admire. This transformation is a work of the Spirit, bearing fruit for God and illustrating the freedom found in faith.

Finally, 2 Thessalonians 1:11 speaks to the volitional aspect of sanctification, where our resolves and works of faith are empowered by God. This passage reinforces the idea that our efforts are undergirded by faith in God's promises, unifying the diverse scriptural teachings on sanctification.

Key Takeaways

1. Endurance Through Faith: Hebrews 12:1-2 teaches us that looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, is crucial for enduring the race set before us. By focusing on the joy promised to us, we find the strength to persevere, just as Jesus did. This faith acts as a foretaste of the joy to come, motivating our obedience and sanctification. [04:14]
2. Liberation from Law-Keeping: Romans 7:4-6 highlights our death to the law through Christ, freeing us from legalism. Instead, we serve in the new way of the Spirit, which aligns with the life of faith described in Hebrews. This liberation allows us to pursue holiness without relying on law-keeping as the foundation of our relationship with God. [08:08]
3. Transformation Through Glory: In 2 Corinthians 3:18, beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us into His image. This transformation is a natural process empowered by the Spirit, as we take on the traits of those we admire. The freedom found in this transformation is a testament to the power of faith and the Spirit's work in our lives. [10:23]
4. Volitional Sanctification: 2 Thessalonians 1:11 emphasizes the role of our resolves and works of faith in sanctification. These actions are empowered by God's Spirit, demonstrating that our efforts are not in vain but are part of a larger divine work. This passage encourages us to trust in God's power as we pursue holiness. [12:25]
5. Unified Scriptural Realities: The diverse teachings on sanctification across these passages are deeply unified and mutually illuminating. By meditating on these realities, we see how beautifully they cohere, offering a comprehensive understanding of the sanctification process. This unity reflects the intricate and harmonious nature of God's Word. [13:06]
** [13:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Celebrating Episode 1800
[00:38] - Introduction to Jason's Question
[01:43] - Weaving Scriptural Strands
[03:59] - Hebrews 12:1-2: Looking to Jesus
[05:01] - The Founder and Perfecter of Faith
[06:12] - Faith as a Foretaste of Joy
[07:11] - Romans 7:4-6: Dying to the Law
[08:50] - The New Way of the Spirit
[09:40] - 2 Corinthians 3:18: Beholding Glory
[10:49] - Transformation and Freedom
[12:11] - 2 Thessalonians 1:11: Works of Faith
[13:06] - Unified Scriptural Realities
[13:30] - Closing Remarks and Future Topics

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 12:1-2
- Romans 7:4-6
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11

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Observation Questions:

According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are we encouraged to do in order to run the race with endurance? How does looking to Jesus help us in this process? [04:14]
In Romans 7:4-6, what does it mean to have "died to the law through the body of Christ"? How does this passage describe our new way of serving? [07:11]
How does 2 Corinthians 3:18 describe the process of transformation? What role does beholding the glory of the Lord play in this transformation? [10:23]
What does 2 Thessalonians 1:11 say about the role of our resolves and works of faith in sanctification? How are these actions empowered? [12:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of "looking to Jesus" in Hebrews 12:1-2 relate to the idea of enduring through suffering? What might this suggest about the nature of faith and perseverance? [04:14]
Romans 7:4-6 speaks of liberation from law-keeping. How does this liberation impact our understanding of holiness and our relationship with God? [08:08]
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the transformation is described as a natural process empowered by the Spirit. What does this imply about the role of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual growth? [10:23]
2 Thessalonians 1:11 emphasizes the empowerment of our resolves and works of faith by God. How does this perspective influence our understanding of personal effort in the sanctification process? [12:25]

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Application Questions:

Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to look to Jesus for endurance. Is there a specific challenge in your life where you need to focus more on Jesus to find strength? How can you practically do this in the coming week? [04:14]
Reflecting on Romans 7:4-6, are there areas in your life where you still rely on "law-keeping" rather than living in the freedom of the Spirit? How can you shift your mindset to embrace this new way of serving? [08:08]
2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about being transformed by beholding the glory of the Lord. What are some practical ways you can spend more time beholding Jesus' glory in your daily life? [10:23]
Considering 2 Thessalonians 1:11, think about a specific resolve or work of faith you have. How can you rely more on God's power to fulfill it, and what steps can you take to act on this resolve this week? [12:25]
The sermon highlights the interconnectedness of various biblical teachings on sanctification. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily spiritual practices to foster a more holistic growth in Christ-likeness? [13:06]
Identify a person or situation in your life where you can apply the principle of endurance through faith. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this endurance? [06:12]
The sermon discusses the freedom found in transformation through the Spirit. Is there a particular area in your life where you feel bound or restricted? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and transformation in that area? [10:23]

Sermon Clips

The journey of sanctification is a tapestry woven from different scriptural threads, each contributing to a unified understanding of becoming more Christ-like. Hebrews 12:1-2 emphasizes looking to Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith, inspiring us to endure by focusing on the joy set before us. [00:03:59]

In this text, looking to Jesus is given as the means by which we run our race with endurance. That race, of course, includes becoming holy, staying on the narrow race track to the end. And when we look to Jesus, we see three things that affect our running. [00:04:31]

First, he's called the founder and perfecter of our faith, which means he has done the decisive work in dying and rising and sitting down at the right hand of God. Because of Christ, our faith is well-founded and well-finished. It's as good as done. [00:04:52]

Second, we look to Christ as inspiring our endurance because of his endurance and during the cross. He ran his race successfully through suffering. This emboldens us to run our race through suffering. [00:05:29]

Third, when we look to Jesus, he shows us how he ran his race. He says he ran for the joy that was set before him. Therefore, the key to our endurance is to stand on that finished work of Christ and be confident that all satisfying joy is just over the horizon. [00:05:47]

Romans 7:4-6 highlights our death to the law through Christ, freeing us from legalism. Instead, we serve in the new way of the Spirit, which aligns with the life of faith described in Hebrews. This liberation allows us to pursue holiness without relying on law-keeping as the foundation of our relationship with God. [00:08:08]

The new reality that Paul introduces here is the fact that when Christ died, we died. Specifically, we died to the law. We were released from law-keeping as the way of getting right with God, as the way of ongoing fellowship with God. [00:08:50]

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul combines the realities of the Holy Spirit and looking to Jesus, adding the dimensions of glory and freedom. Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us, as we naturally take on the traits of those we admire. This transformation is a work of the Spirit, bearing fruit for God. [00:10:23]

What this text adds to the new way of the Spirit described in Hebrews 12 and Romans 7 is that looking to Jesus in Hebrews 12 means not only seeing him as enduring the cross but seeing him as glorious in all that he's done. [00:10:49]

In the process of sanctification, we do make resolves. Yes, we do. We intend things, we will things, we exercise our will. But Paul says that all of these volitional actions are "works of faith" by God's power. [00:12:11]

We are back in the realm of God's empowering spirit. We work by trusting God's promise that he is at work in us. [00:12:25]

If you bore into the actual reality of these four descriptions of sanctification, you will find they are deeply unified and mutually illuminating. It's a thrilling thing to meditate on the realities of scripture until we see how beautifully they cohere. [00:13:06]

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Understanding Sanctification: A Journey of Faith and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: Endurance Through Faith

Day 2: Liberation from Law-Keeping

Day 3: Transformation Through Glory

Day 4: Volitional Sanctification

Day 5: Unified Scriptural Realities

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding Sanctification: A Journey of Faith and Transformation

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