GROWTH IN SANCTIFICATION LESSON 16

SOME BASIC TRUTHS

Romans 3: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Some Basic Truths 1. We know what God has done for us: Redeemed us (set us free, through Jesus) Justified us (declared us not guilty because of Jesus)

John 14:15 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

Some Basic Truths 1. We know what God has done for us: Redeemed us (set us free, through Jesus) Justified us (declared us not guilty because of Jesus 2. We know how God wishes us to respond to His love: By loving, willing obedience to His commands.

2 Peter 3:18 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:15 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

ἐ ν Χριστ ῷ “ Grow in the grace and knowledge of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)

1 Thessalonians 4:3 3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified:

Some Basic Truths 1. We know what God has done for us: Redeemed us (set us free, through Jesus) Justified us (declared us not guilty because of Jesus) 2. We know how God wishes us to respond to His love: By loving, willing obedience to His commands. 3. We want to grow and mature in sanctification; namely, being set apart for God and His work

KEYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1 Peter 5:8 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 John 2: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Galatians 5: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Keys to Spiritual Growth 1. Remember that we have spiritual enemies – the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh (the “old self” or “old Adam”) 2. Remember that only the Holy Spirit can give us victory over our enemies. 3. So we will gladly and regularly use the tools or instruments through which the Holy Spirit works.

Application Agree or disagree. Because every Christian has a new man, a real Christian will think about and do more good things than bad.

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INSTRUMENTS

For Spiritual Food 1. The Bible 2. Baptism* 3. Lord’s Supper* For Spiritual Exercise 1. Prayer 2. Fellowship (being joined together with other Christians) 3. Service/Member Ministry * These two are Sacraments (sacred acts instituted by Christ that create or strengthen faith in Jesus). The Bible and the Sacraments together are called the Means of Grace, that is, the way by which God gets His grace, His undeserved love and forgiveness, into our lives.

THE VALUE OF SANCTIFICATION

1 Corinthians 10:31 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

The Value of Sanctification 1. God is glorified (honored)

Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The Value of Sanctification 1. God is glorified (honored) 2. We will be happy, prosperous, and successful (by God’s standards)

Galatians 6:1-2 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

The Value of Sanctification 1. God is glorified (honored) 2. We will be happy, prosperous, and successful (by God’s standards) 3. Fellow believers are helped and saved

Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

The Value of Sanctification 1. God is glorified (honored) 2. We will be happy, prosperous, and successful (by God’s standards) 3. Fellow believers are helped and saved 4. Unbelievers are reached and helped

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK 1.Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them. 2.Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. Have parents check your work. 3.Memorize these Bible passages: VIP Peter 3:18 – “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 – “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “This is God’s will: your sanctification.” 4. Complete Worksheet #16 and have your parents correct it. Be prepared for a Unit Review on Wednesday, February 2, 5:45 – 7:30 pm.

KEY TRUTHS—Lesson Sixteen DONE: God has ___________ us (set us free from sin through Jesus). God has _________ us (declared us not guilty because of Jesus). DOING: We want to grow in __________ (set apart for God and his work). The spiritual food that helps us grow in faith and godly living: __________, __________, and __________ (also known as the _________ of ________).

Closing Prayer Renew me, O Eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright. Illumined with the light of grace that shines forth from your holy face. Create in me a new heart, Lord, that gladly I obey your Word Till I see you face to face, O Light Eternal, through your grace. Amen.