Series: An Effective Growing Church – 1 Thessalonians

God’s Will: Your Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

What is sanctification? Sanctification is that post-conversion, progressive work of God with which the Christian cooperates to be more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. See Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13.

Regeneration        vs        Sanctification
*Root of spiritual life       *Remainder of spiritual life
*Removal of sin’s penalty *Removing of sin’s power
*Point and time event      *Process throughout life
*Work of God                 *God working and I working
*Through faith alone, apart from works *Faith not alone, abounding in works
*Repentance from sin       *Repentance when I sin
*The Spirit comes to live in me  *I’m learning to live in the Spirit
*I become an adopted child  *Following in child-like obedience
*Christ revealed to me        *Christ being revealed through me

1. Urgency of Sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3

2. Responsibilities of Sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:4-8

3. Realities of God’s work in sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12