Unexpected Roles and Ongoing Sanctification in Faith

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound lessons that can be drawn from lesser-known biblical characters, such as Simon of Cyrene and Rahab. These individuals, though briefly mentioned in Scripture, played pivotal roles in God's redemptive plan, reminding us that God often uses unexpected people in unexpected ways to advance His kingdom. This serves as a powerful reminder that our lives, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can have a profound impact when aligned with God's purposes.

We also delved into the nature of forgiveness and sanctification. While our sins are forgiven through Christ's atonement, the process of sanctification is ongoing. It involves daily repentance and the mortification of sin, as well as the vivification of the fruits of the Spirit. This dual process highlights the tension between our justified state and our ongoing struggle with sin, urging us to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and transformation.

The discussion on the nature of the church and the concept of nominal Christianity was particularly enlightening. The church, composed of both true believers and mere professing Christians, challenges us to examine our faith and ensure it is genuine. This reality shapes our preaching and ministry, reminding us to always present the gospel clearly and evangelistically.

We also addressed the challenges of living out our faith in a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth. The call to remain faithful, even in the face of persecution, echoes the experiences of the early church and serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship. Yet, it is in this faithfulness that we find our true identity and purpose, as we are reminded that we are saints, set apart for God's glory.

Finally, we touched on the importance of understanding Scripture in its literary context, recognizing the diversity of genres within the Bible. This approach helps us discern the intended meaning of the text and apply it faithfully to our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Unexpected Roles in God's Plan: Simon of Cyrene and Rahab illustrate how God uses unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes. Their stories remind us that our seemingly small actions can have significant impacts in God's kingdom. We should remain open to God's leading, trusting that He can use us in ways we might not anticipate. [01:11]

- The Ongoing Journey of Sanctification: While we are justified through Christ, sanctification is a continuous process involving daily repentance and growth in holiness. This journey requires us to actively mortify sin and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. [06:40]

- The Nature of the Church: The church is a mixed assembly of true believers and nominal Christians. This reality challenges us to ensure our faith is genuine and shapes our approach to ministry, emphasizing the need for clear and evangelistic preaching. [12:17]

- Faithfulness Amidst Persecution: As societal hostility towards biblical truth increases, we are called to remain faithful to God's Word. This faithfulness may come at a cost, but it is essential for maintaining our identity and purpose as followers of Christ. [23:58]

- Understanding Scripture's Literary Context: Recognizing the diverse genres within the Bible helps us interpret and apply its teachings accurately. This approach enriches our understanding and enables us to live out our faith more faithfully. [33:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Introduction to Lesser-Known Biblical Characters
- [01:11] - Simon of Cyrene's Role
- [02:13] - Ethical Dilemmas in Scripture
- [03:42] - Observing Lent: A Personal Choice
- [05:05] - Praying for Forgiveness
- [07:22] - Assurance of Forgiveness
- [08:51] - Glory Belongs to God
- [10:19] - Unfruitful Branches and the True Vine
- [12:17] - Preaching to a Mixed Congregation
- [14:22] - Sabbath: From Saturday to Sunday
- [16:40] - Lessons from the Life of Peter
- [22:09] - Faithfulness in Hostile Environments
- [24:49] - Struggling with Sin and Weariness
- [28:01] - Encouragement from Romans 8
- [31:13] - The Battle of Romans 7
- [33:10] - Interpreting the Bible: Literal vs. Metaphorical
- [34:44] - The Exclusivity of Christ
- [37:45] - Peter: The Rock of the Church
- [39:08] - Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism
- [42:48] - Understanding Systematic Theology
- [45:41] - Influential Books in Christian Life
- [50:51] - Views on the End Times
- [53:52] - The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles
- [55:40] - The Dual Nature of Sanctification
- [58:51] - Addressing Anxiety and Identity in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 15:21 - "A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross."
2. Hebrews 11:31 - "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

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Observation Questions:

1. What role did Simon of Cyrene play in the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, and how is he described in the Gospels? [01:11]

2. How is Rahab's faith and actions portrayed in the book of Hebrews, and what does this tell us about her significance in biblical history? [01:11]

3. According to Romans 8:28, what assurance do believers have about the events in their lives, and how does this relate to the concept of God's redemptive plan? [30:17]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the church and the presence of both true believers and nominal Christians within it? [12:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How do the stories of Simon of Cyrene and Rahab illustrate the idea that God uses unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes? What does this suggest about the potential impact of our own seemingly small actions? [01:11]

2. In what ways does the ongoing process of sanctification challenge believers to rely on the Holy Spirit, and how does this process differ from justification? [06:40]

3. How does the sermon address the challenges of living out one's faith in a world that is increasingly hostile to biblical truth, and what examples from the early church are used to illustrate this point? [23:58]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of understanding Scripture in its literary context, and how can this approach enrich our application of biblical teachings? [33:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an unexpected participant in God's plan. How did that experience shape your understanding of your role in God's kingdom? [01:11]

2. Identify a specific sin you struggle with regularly. What steps can you take this week to actively mortify this sin and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in its place? [06:40]

3. Consider your current church community. How can you contribute to ensuring that the gospel is presented clearly and evangelistically, especially to those who may be nominal Christians? [12:17]

4. In what ways have you experienced societal hostility towards your faith? How can you prepare yourself to remain faithful in the face of such challenges? [23:58]

5. Choose a passage of Scripture that you find challenging to understand. How can you apply the principles of literary context to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and application? [33:10]

6. Think of a person in your life who might feel insignificant in their faith journey. How can you encourage them to see their potential impact in God's kingdom?

7. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt anxious or uncertain. How can Romans 8:28 provide comfort and assurance in similar situations in the future? [30:17]

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses the Unexpected
In the Bible, Simon of Cyrene and Rahab are examples of how God uses unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes. Simon, who helped carry the cross of Jesus, and Rahab, who protected Israelite spies, both played crucial roles in God's redemptive plan. Their stories remind us that our seemingly small actions can have significant impacts in God's kingdom. We should remain open to God's leading, trusting that He can use us in ways we might not anticipate. [01:11]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt insignificant. How might God be using you in that situation to impact His kingdom?


Day 2: The Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is an ongoing process that involves daily repentance and growth in holiness. While we are justified through Christ, we are called to actively mortify sin and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit. This journey requires reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. The tension between our justified state and our ongoing struggle with sin urges us to seek transformation through the Spirit. [06:40]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one sin you struggle with daily. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's help to overcome it today?


Day 3: Genuine Faith in the Church
The church is a mixed assembly of true believers and nominal Christians. This reality challenges us to ensure our faith is genuine and shapes our approach to ministry. It emphasizes the need for clear and evangelistic preaching, urging us to examine our faith and ensure it is authentic. This understanding of the church's nature calls us to be vigilant in our spiritual walk. [12:17]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your faith journey. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is genuine and not just a profession?


Day 4: Faithfulness in Persecution
As societal hostility towards biblical truth increases, we are called to remain faithful to God's Word. This faithfulness may come at a cost, but it is essential for maintaining our identity and purpose as followers of Christ. The experiences of the early church serve as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship, yet it is in this faithfulness that we find our true identity and purpose. [23:58]

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation where you might face opposition for your faith. How can you prepare to remain faithful in that situation?


Day 5: Understanding Scripture's Context
Recognizing the diverse genres within the Bible helps us interpret and apply its teachings accurately. This approach enriches our understanding and enables us to live out our faith more faithfully. By understanding Scripture in its literary context, we can discern the intended meaning of the text and apply it faithfully to our lives. [33:10]

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: Choose a Bible passage you find challenging. How can understanding its literary context help you apply it to your life today?

Quotes

"Well, let me just pick Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross on the Via Dolorosa, and he's only mentioned in one verse. He's mentioned in all three Synoptic Gospels. We're told he was the father of Rufus and Alexander. And a Rufus appears in Romans 16 in Rome, and we think that's probably the same Rufus, but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was he in the right place at the right time, that sometimes God picks someone to do one thing to advance the kingdom of God." [00:33:38]

"Well, Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer as a template of prayer for every day, 'Forgive us our debts' or 'Forgive us our trespasses.' I've been in a tradition where it has been 'debts' and others will say 'trespasses.' So, I think that we should be conscious every day that we continue to sin and we have an obligation to mortify those sins, to put them to death." [00:34:50]

"I think Jesus is speaking about the nature of the church. And the church on this side of glory is composed of professing believers, with the emphasis on professing. And some of those professions, like Judas, like perhaps Demas, who Paul says in 2 Timothy forsook him having denied the faith, perhaps having fallen in love with this world. So, there are wolves and sheep among the church." [00:32:34]

"Yes, legislation was passed this very week in Scotland making it a crime not to allude to certain genders and so on. And I think that the church is back where it was in the late first and early mid-second century. Preaching the gospel faithfully in that period could have you arrested by the Roman authorities. And I think that's probably what the future holds, but we have to be faithful." [00:48:48]

"Yes, that's a great question. And I think that that experience of weariness should help us see how serious a thing sin is and how difficult the Christian life can be. For many, the Christian life is a battle, a warfare, and you just have to live one day at a time and live by faith and live by faith that God is a gracious God, He hasn't changed, He loves sinners, and pray for the Holy Spirit, pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to empower us and give us seasons when the Christian life is filled with joy." [00:48:36]

"Well, the word 'literally' is a wax nose because you can make it mean whatever you ... I mean one answer is 'Yes.' You read the Bible as literature. And so, there is history, there is parable, there is poetry, there is prophecy, there is apocalyptic, there is something, a genre, called 'Gospel,' there are letters. So, yes, you read the Bible as literature, but it's too big a question to say, 'Should we read the Bible literally?' You don't read parables literally." [00:57:04]

"Well, it’s both. 'Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that works in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.' So, in sanctification we are 100% involved. All our energy, all our mindset, all our desire, all of our affection, all of our will is involved. And I am responsible if I am not sanctifying, but I can't do one thing without God's help, without the Holy Spirit." [00:55:40]

"Well, I wrote a book for Ligonier and called it The Best Chapter In The Bible. Actually, the title of the book is How The Gospel Brings Us All The Way Home. I preached a series of sermons on Romans 8 when the minister of the church was on sabbatical, and I had twelve Sundays, Sunday mornings, to preach something. And I thought, 'Yeah, Romans 8 will divide nicely into twelve chapters.'" [00:56:06]

"Well, I have a desire to be perfect, but I don't do it. I have a desire never to lose my temper, but I don't do it. I have a desire never to be moody, but I fail. So, Romans 7, the second half of Romans 7, if you take it in the Augustinian sense that there is a battle that 'the good that I would I do not, and the evil that I would not that I find I do. O, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?'" [00:58:51]

"Well, when you read the Bible, there is an absolute requirement that the only way to God, the only God there is, is through Jesus Christ. Now, you can read it through another lens and say, 'Well, Jesus is the way to the Christian God, but somebody else might be the way to the Buddhist god or the Islamic god' or whatever. There is no place in the New Testament. 'There is one name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.'" [00:58:51]

"Well, I have to have three books then. I read Pilgrim's Progress. Somebody gave me a copy, a leather-bound copy of it for my twenty-first birthday. This was Part I, the story of Christian, not the second part of Christiana and the four boys. And I have read it; I don't know how many times I've read it, but it's just a wonderful book. If you like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, why wouldn't you like Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress?" [00:55:40]

"I mean the gospel is always the answer, no matter what season we're in and no matter what influences abound. What I perceive as a man in his seventies who grew up in the sixties when I was a teenager and it's a totally different universe in so many ways, so many people today, and then you mentioned Gen Z, don't know who they are. They don't have a sense of identity because society has confused identity. You choose your own identity. And that's a recipe for ruin and despair." [00:58:51]

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Transcript
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