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The Absolute Saint

3/7/2010

 2 Thess 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. NIV

 I.        The great work our Lord had done for us was the work completed on our behalf in order that we may be sanctified and made holy. This is an instant position and then an ongoing work.

A.     Through Christ’s sacrifice He made us saints onto God the Father. 1Pet 1:2 (KJS) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you,….

 Saint - (Greek) = hagios,  hag'-ee-os; sacred (moral blameless or religious, ceremony consecrated) :- (most) holy, saint.

 Saint - (Hebrew) = qadash, (causat. make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonial or moral) :- appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self).

1.      Every person who is born again is considered a saint.

2.      It is the sanctifying process that makes us saints.  Jesus began the work and we permit the Holy Spirit to complete the work in us.

3.      Sainthood or sanctification is not an attainment, it is the state into which God, in grace calls sinful men, and in which we begin the course as Christians (Christ-like).

a.       Since sainthood is a position in life how we operate in that position makes all the difference.

 II.     It is important that we see ourselves as a chosen person – a saint.

A.     Without a heart felt and mental acceptance on our part, as chosen people, we will not live like a saint.

1.      People sin because they are rebellious, prideful or weak; and all of these can cause us to walk less than a saint should.

a.       Rebellion is witchcraft (it purposely seeks another God), pride is self-centeredness, but weakness can be caused by lack of information and not exercising abilities.

b.      When a person is weak they will live and act less than what he/she is capable of. When God made you a saint through Jesus He also gave you the ability to walk in that reality.

c.       If a person doesn’t accept the fact that they are a saint they will act less than a saint.  We must accept what Jesus did for us and the new position we are and called by God.

2. If we accept the fact that we are saints we permit the sanctifying process to do its work in us.

1.      Remember, sanctification began with Christ but is worked out through our obedience and will.

 III.   The sanctifying process is a choice we make, but one in which God perfects. Col 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

1. We must let the word of God dwell (inhabit) in us richly in order for the sainthood process to manifest in us and society around us.

1.      There is no other food for the saint than the word of God.

2.      There is no other power for daily living other than God’s word.

3.      God works in the life of a saint who demands God’s word as the guide for life.

 IV.  The saint accepts and permits God’s discipline to maintain a sanctified life. Heb 12:5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

 - 10-11 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. NIV

1. Because the Holy is the agent of sanctification He will do anything necessary to cause a harvest of righteousness in the saint.

1.      Each saint is called to holiness and the disciplining process of the Holy Spirit will take everything that is not of God in us and “deal with it.”

2.      This ‘deal with it” process may be painful, unpleasant, and last awhile, but it will focus on God’s love for us ultimately produce the harvest of righteousness and holiness.

3.      If we claim “Christ” we will be disciplined.

a.       Demand it.

b.      Expect it.

c.       Learn through it.