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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 - 2 Tim 4;:2 -

 

 

 

SANCTIFICATION IS THE GOAL FOR THE SONS OF LIGHT

1Th 5:21-23 (8/28/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.     THE SONS OF LIGHT ARE TO WALK IN THE LIGHT (12-22)

 

A.    Be Respectful (12, 13a)

B.    Be Peaceful (13b)

C.    Be Christ-like (14)

D.    Be Good (15)

E.    Be Joyous (16)

F.     Be Prayerful (17)

G.    Be Thankful (18)

H.    Be Fervent (19)

I.     Be Useful (20)

 

J.     Be Cautious (21)

 

1.     [1Th 5:21] - There definitely could be a correlation between vs. 20 and 21. All prophecy had to be verified by the Scriptures and confirmed by the other prophets (1Co 14:29-33, 37-38). No one was independent to say what they wanted in regard to new revelation (cp. Deu 18:20).

2.     The Thessalonians were not to despise prophecy, especially as there was an incomplete canon (1Th 2:13). Rather they were to keep on examining (dokimázō - approving or disapproving after examining the evidence) all things that were prophesied, taught, or spoken (cf. Ac 17:11).

3.     That which was “good” (truth from God) was to be held fast” (katechō - keep in one’s possession). The believer is to follow the truth in God’s Word and keep it in his possession so he can use it in his life. The believer must have balanced  biblical viewpoint concerning how his life and testimony are viewed by others.

 

K.    Be Innocent (22)

 

1.     [1Th 5:22] - Verse 22 could also be connected with 20 and 21. If a prophecy, teaching, or speech is unbiblical then it must be avoided at all costs.

2.     The believer desperately needs discernment in regard to teaching so they do not fall prey to error and sin (Eph 4:14-15; Heb 5:14; 1Jo 4:1).

3.     Discernment is also need to apply biblical truths to please the Lord in every day practical life (Eph 5:10; Rom 12:2).

4.     Also, though the believer has Christian liberty to do many things, one of the litmus test questions is, “Does this have the appearance of evil” (Pro 22:3). “Appearance” (eidos) can mean that which can be seen by others.

 

II.    THE SCOPE OF SANCTIFICATION FOR THE SONS OF LIGHT (23)

 

A.    The Basic Meaning of Sanctification is Separation

 

1.     Separation of sacred from common .

 

a)    The Greek verb for “sanctify” is hagiázō comes from the root hagios which means sacred or holy. Sanctify (hagiázō) then means to separate, consecrate, or make holy.

b)    Its OT equivalent is the Hebrew word kadōsh which means holy but with the basic idea of cut, divide, or separate.

c)     The basic idea of holiness is to separate the sacred from the common or profane as pictured for example in “holy ground” (Exo 3:5), “holy of holies” (Exo 26:33), and “holy garments” (Exo 28:4).

d)    To sanctify then means to separate and make holy for God’s holy use.

 

2.     Separation of God’s holiness from sinful creation.

 

a)    The whole idea of holiness or making holy (sanctification) originates from the basis of God’s holiness.

b)    God’s holiness is inherent to His nature (Isa 6:3 - kadōsh; Rev 4:8 - hagios, i.e. trihagion).

c)     God’s holiness separates Him from His fallen creation (Hab 1:13; Job 15:15; Job 34:10; Psa 5:4).

 

3.     Separation of the believer’s sinful status to holy status.

 

a)    This is called Positional Sanctification.

b)    Man sins because he is inherently sinful (Isa 6:5; Rom 3:10, 23) thus separating him from a holy God.

c)     However God has provided the only means whereby sinful man could be “made holy” (sanctified) to the Lord. The means was through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (Heb 10:10; 13:12; Joh 17:19; 1Co 1:30).

d)    Those who avail themselves of this atonement are made positionally holy forever (Heb 10:14; 1Co 1:2 “sanctified” - perfect passive participle of hagiázō, “saints” - hágioi).

e)     Those who do not avail themselves of Christ’s sanctification remain in their sinful status and will remain eternally separated from the Lord (Heb 12:14).

 

4.     Separation of the believer’s sinful character to holy character.

 

a)    This is called Present or Conditional Sanctification. This aspect of sanctification will continue as long as the believer is on this side of heaven.

b)    The believer will experience Ultimate and Permanent Sanctification when he is called to eternal glory.

c)     Sanctification is God’s present plan, purpose, and will for the believer (1Th 4:3a, 1Th 4:7)

d)    Sanctification, the process of making the believer holy, is very practical in every aspect of life and purity (1Th 4:3b).

e)     The believer is responsible to pursue and cooperate with God in the present process of sanctification (1Th 4:4; Heb 12:14).

f)     As the believer’s new nature participates in obedience to God, it results in the believer’s sanctification (Rom 6:19 cp. Phil 2:12-13).

g)     The believer is sanctified when he applies God’s truth, which is the Word of God, to his life (Joh 17:17).

 

B.    The Agent of Sanctification is God Himself (1Th 5:23a)

 

1.     God is described as the “God of peace” who made peace between His own holiness and the sinfulness of man through the sacrifice of Christ (Positional Sanctification).

2.     God, Himself (emphatic use of autos) is sovereignly and actively engaged in the ongoing process of sanctification, i.e. making the believer holy (cp. Rom 8:28-29).

3.     Verse 23 could be described as a benediction or prayer in that Paul uses the optative mood (“may”) to show his personal desire for the sanctification of the Thessalonians. It is also God’s desire for the believer though it is also dependent on the believer participation in sanctification.

 

C.    The Extent of Sanctification is the Believer’s Entire Being (1Th 5:23b)

 

1.     The believer’s “spirit” (pneúma), “soul” (psuchế), and “body” (sṓma) are mentioned not for the purpose of showing that man is made up of three parts, but that sanctification involves man internally and externally.

2.     The believer was (Positional Sanctification), is being (Present Sanctification), and will be (Permanent Sanctification) sanctified completely through and through (cp. 1Jo 3:2-3).

 

D.    The Completion of Sanctification will be at the Rapture (1Th 5:23b)

 

1.     All believers of the Church Age, those asleep and those remaining, will be permanently sanctified when the Lord “comes” (parousía - presence alongside) for His Church (1Th 4:16-17).

2.     Since God’s program of sanctification will conclude with the Lord returns, the coming of the Lord is connected with the believer’s responsibility to cooperate with sanctification until He comes.

3.     The believer is to cooperate, pursue, and seek to be “holy” even as He is “holy” (1Pe 1:15-16, hagios used 4 times)