|
|
|
- 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) |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
