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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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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. |
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