The Holy Spirit-Part 4
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: Power for Holy Living
Main Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 8:1-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Now what? You’ve put your faith in Jesus. Salvation has come into your life. What is the Holy Spirit up to, now? Why does the Holy Spirit continue to dwell in us? As you press on in life, the Holy Spirit is with you. One day, week, month and year at time you will see a change in your life. You can look back and see a demarcation line or moment when everything changed. The things we used to think or do with no remorse or conviction we now feel remorse and conviction. The things we used to do in our “old life,” the decisions we made in our B.C. (Before Christ) days fade away. For some of you, your change was instant. You never returned to that addiction again, all glory to God. Family, friends, co-workers and others can see you are different? How is this possible? Because at salvation you were washed, made holy and the Holy Spirit continues to lead you in living a new, holy life. The point of today’s message: the Holy Spirit sanctified us and empowers us to grow, mature and become more like Jesus. We learned today that we’ve been set free from the power of sin that leads to death because the Holy Spirit in our lives. Now, we work towards the goal God has for us. We cooperate with the Spirit, obey Scripture and the Holy Spirit grows the fruit of Christ in us.
Notes:
SANCTIFIED (made Holy) BY THE SPIRIT - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
There are numerous scriptures we could use as examples for sanctification by the Spirit but the one that describes it clearly is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
“That is what some of you were...but you were washed, you were sanctified (made holy), you were justified…” by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
"Sanctification" comes from two Latin words: sanctus which means holy, and ficare which means make. Therefore, sanctification means to make holy.
The word “sanctification” (Gk. hagiasmos) comes from the same root as the Greek word for “holy” (hagios). When Christians are called upon to be holy (or sanctified), they are being told to separate themselves from all that is unholy and to dedicate themselves to God. -Palma, Anthony D.
You, me, and all believers, are made Holy and set apart to worship and serve God. You are no longer known for being any of those things in your former life, now you are called “Holy.” The same Greek word used for “holy” is used to describe “saint” when Paul addresses the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 1:2). You are called a saint and called to live like a saint (holy). You may not feel like it, but that’s what you are because of the work of sanctification through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Positional and Progressive Sanctification
You may wonder why the Bible consistently challenges us to live a holy life if we are already made holy? While we are initially sanctified or made holy in God’s sight through salvation, there is growing and maturity that needs to take place over time. Like a newborn baby, or new creation, we are learning how to walk out our holy lives. In a sense, we progressively need to catch up to who we already are in Christ. In theology we decipher the moment and progress of sanctification as “positional” and “progressive.”
Theologian Millard Erickson explains the difference perfectly: “Progressive sanctification means the continued transformation of moral and spiritual character so that the life of the believer actually comes to mirror the standing which he or she already has in God’s sight.” (positional sanctification) -Millard Erickson
Jerry Bridges explains progressive sanctification like this: “Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us whereby our inner being is progressively changed, freeing us more and more from sinful traits and developing within us over time the virtues of Christlike character.” -Jerry Bridges.
2 Corinthians 3:18 offers a great example of the ongoing sanctification/transformation :
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Why does this matter? Because if Jesus were to come back right now, since you are sanctified at salvation you would inherit the kingdom of God. You don’t have to get to a certain degree of holiness by progressing and then you are saved. Meanwhile, how we continue to live matters because it is evidence, fruit of salvation that glorifies God to the world. Our light shines so the world will want salvation from sin and death, as well. This is one reason (among many) why growing and living a holy life matters.
THE GOAL OF SANCTIFICATION
What’s the goal of sanctification? Where is the Holy Spirit leading...what is He working to accomplish in and through us? SEE 2 COR. 3:18 AGAIN
Romans 8:29 says, For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Colossians 3:10 says, Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
It’s helpful to know God’s target for us. He has given us His Holy Spirit to transform us into the image and likeness of Christ. We are becoming like Jesus and God wishes to develop and grow His fruit or holy character in us. This is why the Holy Spirit has come into your life to stay and this is who He is leading you to become. Beholding Jesus, helps us become like Jesus.
POWER FOR HOLY LIVING
Ryan, don’t you know how powerful, enticing and tempting sin is...How can I possibly live this holy life I’ve been called to? I have good news. God doesn’t expect you to be holy without His help. The Holy Spirit empowers you to live a holy life.
Philippians 2:12-13 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Romans 8:1-14
“The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” V. 2
You don’t have to succumb to sin’s harassment. “You are no longer dominated or controlled by the sinful nature...you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” Verses: 5, 9, 12
“Sin is like a defeated army in a civil war that, instead of surrendering and laying down its arms, simply fades into the countryside, from which it continues to wage a guerrilla war of harassment and sabotage against the government forces. Sin as a reigning power is defeated in the life of a believer, but it will never surrender. It will continue to harass us and seek to sabotage our Christian lives as long as we live.” -Jerry Bridges
The Holy Life is a choice. Follow our sinful desires or what God desires. V. 13
Galatians 5:16-17; 25
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
COOPERATE WITH THE SPIRIT
As you can see from Galatians 5, Romans 8 and Philippians 2, we are not passive bystanders but active in the process of spiritual growth. Though sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, it does involve our wholehearted response in obedience...He (the Holy Spirit) works in us but elicits our response to cooperate with Him. -Jerry Bridges
We are to walk, keep in step, and line up behind the Spirit (v 25).
USE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
The Bible acts as a co-agent in sanctification. We choose to follow and obey the Spirit’s leading and what Scriptures are teaching, day by day. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 17:17
God has given us the answer to the test or target for the goal in the Bible. The character of God is throughout the Bible, especially in the holy life of Christ. It’s not a mystery what the Holy Spirit is working out in our hearts and minds. The Bible is like the blueprints for our new life construction. Jesus is the replica, the perfect image and model that we behold to become. Meanwhile, as we do those things the Holy Spirit develops the character, the likeness, the fruit of Jesus in us.
THE RESULT
The fruit of Christ will grow and show. We’ll be powerful disciple makers.
God will complete and finish what He started in us. Phil 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
The day Jesus returns we will be glorified and experience the complete realization of our new creation.
Takeaways:
You are called a saint and called to live like a saint (holy). You may not feel like it, but that’s what you are because of the work of sanctification through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Like a newborn baby, or new creation, we are learning how to walk out our holy lives. In a sense, we progressively need to catch up to who we already are in Christ.
Beholding Jesus, helps us become like Jesus.
God doesn’t expect you to be holy without His help. The Holy Spirit empowers you to live a holy life.
The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin
The Bible is like the blueprints for our new life construction. Jesus is the replica, the perfect image and model that we behold to become.
God will complete and finish what He started in us.
Discussion:
What scripture verse spoke to you and why?
What was a big takeaway for you from today’s message?
What is sanctification? What is the difference between positional and progressive sanctification and why does it matter?
Describe the role and importance of the Holy Spirit for sanctification…what does He do?
What do you need to apply from today’s message?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!