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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

 

 

 

 

SANCTIFICATION: THE DIVINE PLAN FOR ALL BELIEVERS

1Th 4:1-3a (6/5/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.        SANCTIFICATION IS A WORK OF GOD AND THE BELIEVER (1Th 4:3, 4, 7; Phi 2:12-13)

 

A.      Paul mentions the concept of “sanctification” several times in this epistle (1Th 4:3, 4, 7; 5:23).

B.      Sanctification is a major theme in Pauline theology (Rom 6:19, 22; 15:16; 1Co 1:2, 30; 6:11; Eph 5:26; 1Ti 4:5; 2Ti 2:21).

1.       It comes from the Greek root hagiázō which means to make holy or set apart.

2.       The divine plan for all believers is that they are separated and made holy by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God in this life.

3.       Sanctification has four aspects:

a)       It began before the foundation of the world (2Th 2:13*; 1Pe 1:2; Eph 1:4, Preparatory Sanctification).

b)       It was settled at the moment of faith in Christ (1Co 1:2*; 6:11, Positional Sanctification).

c)       It is an ongoing process in the believer’s present life (Joh 17:17*; Eph 5:26; 2Co 3:18, Progressive Sanctification).

d)       It will permanently take place the moment we enter heaven (Phi 3:21; 1Jo 3:2*, Perfect (Ultimate) Sanctification).

C.      Sanctification is God’s work. It was begun by God and will be finished by God (Phi 2: 13*).

D.      However, concerning our present sanctification (Progressive Sanctification), it is also the believer’s work. The believer must work out what God has worked in (Phi 2:12*, present middle imperative of katergázomai, i.e the believer must do it and must do it for himself).

1.       The believer must work out living a holy Christian life. So in this sense sanctification becomes very practical.

2.       We must understand however, that this is speaking of sanctification, not salvation. No one can work for salvation (Rom 3:28; Eph 2:8-9).

 

II.      SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES OUR WALK AND PRACTICE (1Th 4:1)

 

A.       [1Th 4:1] - This chapter begins in the context of sanctification but the very practical side of sanctification. It is Paul’s “final” (loipos - the rest or remaining) and practical section. He admonishes the Thessalonians to continue to walk and please God.

1.       Chapter 3 finished up with Paul’s benediction/prayer which asked God to establish their hearts and make them holy and blameless. “Therefore” (oun - logical result or inference), the Thessalonians were to do their part in the sanctification process.

2.       Paul exhorted (parakaléō - called alongside to encourage and exhort) them to make sure they were applying what they had already been instructed.

B.      They were to keep on walking (present infinitive - peripatéō) in fellowship with the Lord.

1.       “Walking” of course literally is the exercise of getting from one place to another.

2.       Spiritually it is the spiritual exercise of getting from immaturity to full maturity.

3.       What does the NT have to say about the believer’s walk?

a)       Our walk is our manner or way of life (Eph 4:17).

b)       Our walk has been prepared beforehand (Eph 2:10).

c)       Our walk is the Christian’s new calling (Eph 4:1).

d)       Our walk is to be in newness of life (Rom 6:4).

e)       Our walk is to emulate Christ’s walk (1Jo 2:6).

f)        Our walk is empowered by the Holy Spirit (Gal 6:15, 25)

C.      They were to keep on pleasing” (aresko - having favor or acceptability, present inifinitve) the Lord.

1.       Believers are already accepted by God through Christ’s finished work on the cross (Eph 1:6). Therefore, they ought to please God with their walk and behavior (Col 1:10).

2.       Numerous applications are outlined in the NT as to how to please the Lord.

a)       Pleasing the Lord can only be done by believers (Ro 8:8-9).

b)       Pleasing the Lord is having faith in God’s promises (Heb 11:6).

c)       Pleasing the Lord is serving God not men (Gal 1:10).

d)       Pleasing the Lord is having our mind set on spiritual things (2Ti 2:4).

e)       Pleasing the Lord is praising and thanking Him (Heb 13:15-16).

f)        Pleasing the Lord is sharing with those in need (Heb 13:16).

g)       Pleasing the Lord is being equipped to do His will (Heb 13:21).

D.      Paul notes that the Thessalonians were walking in a pleasing manner, but like every obedient Christian, they were to “excel still more” (present subjunctive of perisseúō - cause to increase or abundance). Literally Paul said, “that you might keep on increasing more

 

III.   SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES OBEYING HIS WORD (1Th 4:2-3a)

 

A.      [1Th 4:2] - Paul states that Thessalonians have known the commandments (paraggelía - lit. “a message alongside”; to give instructions, commandments, or principles to live by) with which Paul had instructed them.

B.      These commandments could have been from Christ’s own teachings or the Scriptures (Christ’s Words cp, Rom 10:17). However, they were especially “through” (through the agency - dia with the genitive) the authority of Christ.

1.       Walking with the Lord and pleasing God is directly related to obeying His Word. In fact it involves several commitments.

a)       It is a commitment to obey God’s Word (Deu 8:6; 11:22*; 19:9; Jos 22:5; 1Ki 2:3).

b)       It is a commitment to keep His Word all of our lives (Ne 10:29*).

c)       It is a commitment to walk before Him with all our hearts (1Ki 8:23; 1Ki 8:61*).

d)       It is a commitment to increase in the knowledge of God and practicing it (Col 1:10).

C.      [1Th 4:3a] - Obeying God’s Word is man’s part in becoming sanctified. Not only is it the practical aspect of sanctification, but it is God’s will (thélêma - design, purpose, or will) for the believer.

1.       If a believer desires to do be sanctified, then he must obey God’s Word in all aspects of his life.

2.       If a believer desires to do God’s will, then he must obey God’s Word in all aspects of his life.

 

IV.    OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

A.      Walk with God like Enoch (Gen 5:22, 24; Heb 11:5)

1.       Walking with God and pleasing Him is to commit to seeking God with your whole heart, obeying His principles, remaining in close communion with Him every moment for the rest of your Christian life.

B.      Continue to increase in the closeness of your walk with Christ.

1.       The immature Corinthians needed to begin to walk with the Lord (1Co 3:1-3).

2.       The mature Thessalonians were to keep increasing in their walk with the Lord (1Th 4:2).

C.      Do not be prideful in thinking you have arrived.

1.       God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud (Jam 4:6).

2.       Understand that we will not attain full maturity in this life, but we are to keep pressing on, keep correcting, keep confessing, keep committing, and keep doing our part in the process of Sanctification.