Dec 26, 2021. I Thessalonians 5:22-28

Posted byJohn Sanzone

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portions of this message. Please click here to view a copy of today’s bulletin.

FULLY SANCTIFIED. I Thessalonians 5:22-28. 12/26/2021. #21.

1 Thessalonians 5:22-28 [New King James Version]

22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

  1. From salvation to sanctification
    1. Salvation is a deliverance (from penalties of sin)
    1. When we receive Christ we are sanctified (set apart)
      1.  Salvation is not an end in itself
      1.  Salvation is the start of spiritual maturity
    1. Sanctification means “to be set apart” or “separate”
      1.  God is set apart from his creation
      1.  Spiritually = to be separated from evil unto God
      1.  Same word used to translate holy, holiness, saint, sacred, sanctify; sacrament
    1. God is described as Holy Father (Jn. 17:11)
      1.  I Peter 1:15-17 be holy as I am holy
      1.  Revelation 4:8 the beasts before the throne day and night proclaim God to by “holy, holy, holy”
  2. Three Levels of sanctification
    1. Three levels of sanctification:
      1.  POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION – upon receiving Christ a believer is set apart for God (Rm. 8:29-30)
        1.  No longer destined for hell (John 5:24)
        1.  Galatians 3:28 all believers, no matter what social status or gender, are equally sanctified before the Lord
      1.  PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION – we are to grow in spiritual maturity to become like Christ
        1.  Colossians 1:28 goal is to become like Lord
        1.  Ephesians 5:18 we have a choice whether to yield to the Spirit or follow own desires
        1.  I Corinthians 3 believers can remain immature
        1.  Ephesians 4:22-24 we must put off the old nature in order to embrace the new one
        1.  I Corinthians 3:12-15 we choose the level of our eternal rewards through our level of commitment & submission to Lord (II Timothy 2:20-21 vessels of honor & dishonor)
      1.  PRESENTATIVE SANCTIFICATION – completed process upon glorification
        1.  I John 3:2 we will be like the Lord
        1.  I Corinthians 15:51-52 we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye (Philippians 3:21)
    1. In OT, objects/people used in worship were declared holy
      1.  Vessels, Tabernacle, Temple, priests, temple oil, sensors, altars, etc. = set apart for worship alone
      1.  Robes, special days, holy ground… = sanctified
    1. In NT, Jesus fulfilled all holiness of on our behalf
      1.  We do not have holy robes, buildings, days…
      1.  Revelation 3:7 Jesus’ holiness is like that of the Father
      1.  1 John 2:20 all required holiness fulfilled in Christ
  3. Paul desires that God will fully sanctify believers
    1. One day we will be fully sanctified
    1. COL. 1:19-29 – the goal of discipleship is to become mature in Christ to our fullest potential
      1.  To set every part of our being apart for God
      1.  Philippians 4:8 all our thoughts submitted to Lord
      1.  James 1:19-25 our attitude & actions submitted
      1.  Luke 10:27 submit mind, body, soul, & spirit
    1. I Peter 2:9 holy priests dedicated to God’s service
    1. Paul then asks for prayer, sends greetings, & commands that his letter should be read by all the saints

Key verse: Colossians 1:19-29 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.