First Baptist Church
August 24, 2025
  • I Will Awake the Dawn

      • Psalms 22.1-4ESV

      • Psalms 22.5-8ESV

      • Psalms 22.9-12ESV

      • Psalms 22.13-15ESV

      • Psalms 22.16-19ESV

      • Psalms 22.20-22ESV

      • Psalms 22.23-24ESV

      • Psalms 22.25-27ESV

      • Psalms 22.28-30ESV

      • Psalms 22.31ESV

  • Why Have You Forsaken Me? [Psalm 22]
  • Is He Worthy

      • 1 Thessalonians 2.13ESV

  • O Great God
  • In every step of life we must walk in a way that pleases the one we follow… pleasing God, pleasing to the church, and pleasing to the world.
    1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 ESV
    1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
    We want to assume nothing.

    1. Walk in purity before God (vs. 1–8)

    A. Please God more and more (v. 1)

    Paul is speaking of the importance of progressive sanctification.
    1 Thessalonians 4:1 ESV
    1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
    Sanctification is a theological word that can sound intimidating.
    It simply means set apart.
    The Bible teaches 3 distinct phases of sanctification.
    (we usually talk about 2)
    Positional
    Progressive
    Ultimate/final
    We will only get through part of one.

    (1) Positional Sanctification - the past (or yet to come) one time act of being set apart at salvation.

    We might ask: “Is that it?” is everything settled? I’m good?
    Yes and no.

    (2) Progressive Sanctification - the ongoing present process of becoming more like Christ.

    Peter talks about the difference:
    1 Peter 2:9 ESV
    9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
    This is our position.
    Without positional sanctification, progressive sanctification is useless.
    1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV
    15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

    (2) Progressive Sanctification - the ongoing present process of becoming more like Christ.

    This is an ongoing progression.
    Progressive Sanctification can feel like you are on a spiritual treadmill.
    Running but never reaching your destination.
    Come to church each week or study your Bible at home and every time there is something else that needs to change.
    Progressive sanctification needs to be understood as a journey that starts the day you are saved.
    There will be days if feels like we are making progress and days we aren’t.
    It is in those times of failure we remind ourselves of our settled position in Christ!
    (story of failing with the kids)
    It is important we understand the big picture.
    It is important we don’t give up.
    Paul understands the importance even is the middle of adversity.
    From the last verse of chapter 3 to 8th verse of chapter 4 Paul some form of words to describe “holiness” or “sanctification” 6 times.
    Progressive sanctification is a process by which the Holy Spirit produces in believers a gradually increased likeness to Christ.
    This is a life long process marked with victories and failures.
    The extent of progress varies in believers but should be gradually increasing.
    Since progressive sanctification forms the core of the believer's life on earth, it is vitally important to understand it.
    “Progressive” is characterized by these thoughts:
    gradually advancing 
    characterized by progress forward
    happening or developing gradually or in stages
    not stagnent
    change that occurs gradually over a period of time.
    Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV
    1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
    Called to lay aside sin.
    Called to run with endurance.
    Called to keep our eyes on the one we should look like.
    Jesus is the author and perfecter.
    When we talk about disciple-making we are talking about helping others in their progressive sanctification journey.
    Progressive sanctification is a work of God’s Grace.
    We can never think that sanctification is something we seek to accomplish by sheer human effort.
    Galatians 3:2–3 ESV
    2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
    Paul is saying it is completely foolish to think that we gain salvation by grace but grow by our own doing.
    Philippians 1:6 ESV
    6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV
    23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
    Hebrews 12:2 ESV
    2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

    (2) Progressive Sanctification - the ongoing present process of becoming more like Christ.

    Progressive sanctification requires our Holy Spirit empowered effort.
    The Bible describes the Christian life as
    A fight (1 Tim)
    A race (2 Tim)
    A war (Eph)
    We are told to push forward towards the goal of Christlikeness. (Phil)
    We are told to put off the old self and put on the new.
    This is an ongoing battle.
    Romans 7:18 ESV
    18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
    We must walk in the Spirit.
    Galatians 5:16–17 ESV
    16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
    We will never be sanctified if we are not regularly in God’s Word and doing what we learn.
    John 17:17 ESV
    17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
    James 1:19–22 ESV
    19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

    (2) Progressive Sanctification - the ongoing present process of becoming more like Christ.

    We cannot grow without God’s grace but it is just as true to say that if I am not growing it is my own fault.
    The synergistic work refers to occasions that combine our effort with His enabling power. But this isn’t a pure synergism, as if we and the Spirit each contributed equal power to the task. Rather, we work as He enables us to work, so we use the expression qualified synergism. We’re 100 percent dependent on His power in order to participate in the work, as the psalmist illustrated:   Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Psalm 127:1). Two activities are mentioned: building a house and watching over a city. The Lord’s involvement isn’t one of helping but of building the house and watching over the city. At the same time, the builder builds and the watchman watches. The verse’s message is that the Lord doesn’t merely help the builder and the watchman; He’s totally involved with them in this qualified synergism. He supplies all the (SUPERNATURAL) enabling power, and they do all the tangible work. (Jerry Bridges)
    Progressive sanctification is us learning to live like a child of the king.
    Romans 12:1–2 ESV
    1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

    (3) Ultimate (or Final / Complete) Sanctification - the future perfect state of being completely set apart from sin.

    Without final sanctification there is no reason to pursue progressive sanctification.
    Colossians 1:27 ESV
    27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    Colossians 3:4 ESV
    4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
    1 John 3:2 ESV
    2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
    Romans 8:22–25 ESV
    22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
    FINAL THOUGHTS: Our sanctification is a lifelong process.
    1 John 3:2–3 ESV
    2 Beloved, we are God’s children now (POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION) , and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him (ULTIMATE, FINAL, or COMPLETE SANCTIFICATION), because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION).
    This passage reminds us that sanctification is a lifelong process.
    If our sanctification is a lifelong process, discipleship is a lifelong process.
    Matthew 28:19–20 ESV
    19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
    When will we perfectly obey all Christ’s commands?
    When we are fully sanctified.
    We are fully sanctified when we see Jesus face to face.
    >>>> END <<<<<

    B. Pursue holiness in your body (vv. 3–7)

    C. Remember the Holy Spirit empowers purity (v. 8)

    2. Walk in love toward one another (vv. 9–10)

    A. Love is taught by God (v. 9)

    B. Love is others-focused (v. 10a)

    C. Love is always increasing (v. 10b)

    3. Walk in integrity before the world (vv. 11–12)

    A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v. 11a)

    B. Mind your own business (v. 11b)

    C. Work with your hands (v. 11c)

    D. Earn respect and remove reproach (v. 12)

      • 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 4:1ESV

      • 1 Peter 2:9ESV

      • 1 Peter 1:15–16ESV

      • Hebrews 12:1–2ESV

      • Galatians 3:2–3ESV

      • Philippians 1:6ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24ESV

      • Hebrews 12:2ESV

      • Romans 7:18ESV

      • Galatians 5:16–17ESV

      • John 17:17ESV

      • James 1:19–22ESV

      • Romans 12:1–2ESV

      • Colossians 1:27ESV

      • Colossians 3:4ESV

      • 1 John 3:2ESV

      • Romans 8:22–25ESV

      • 1 John 3:2–3ESV

      • Matthew 28:19–20ESV

First Baptist Church
howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
2319374809
https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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