A Life-Long Process
In this message, Pastor Paul looks at how we can be set apart for God every day.
Key Scripture (Romans 12:1-6).
Growing pains.
- The phrase stresses the idea that growth comes about painfully, through hard work and sacrifice.
- This is true for physical growth, but †he same can be said about growing as a Christian.
Sanctification.
- Don't let this big word scare you off.
- It simply means "set apart for a specific use." From a Biblical standpoint, it means being set apart for God.
- Sanctification begins when a person comes to faith in Christ, and God sets us apart as His children.
It is a process.
- Change doesn't happen instantly.
- There is no such thing as "microwave spirituality." Christian growth takes time.
- Sanctification is a life-long process for the believer.
- There are three types of sanctification.
- Positionally - at salvation.
- Practically - every day.
- Permanently - when you get to Heaven.
- Sanctification is not easy.
- The Holy Spirit renews and transforms the believers from the inside out.
- It is not "behavior management" but a transformation of a person at the core.
Spiritual disciplines.
- One way Christians can grow in Christ is to cultivate spiritual disciplines. Here are some spiritual disciplines that would be beneficial for you.
- Prayer.
- Prayer is the greatest thing that a Christian can do.
- Prayer taps into the power of God.
- Service.
- Every believer can (and should) serve the Lord.
- Serving God is something that needs to happen outside the walls of the church building.
- John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
- John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
- Study.
- Christians need to read the Bible each day.
- Time spent reading the Bible is not wasted time.
- Meditation.
- Don't just read the Bible, spend some time thinking about what you read.
- Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Conclusion:
- The Christian life is about changing to reflect more of Jesus through the process of sanctification.
- Allow your life to be changed to reflect Jesus.