Grace Thoughts
Teaching Notes: On The Secret Of Sanctification (Part 2)
Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.
Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.
These teaching notes are from a study about sanctification.
[These notes are from a study taught more than 40 years ago. This is Part 2 of the study. You can read Part 1 here.
As we continue our study into Sanctification, let’s answer an important question. What are the standards of Paul’s apostolic letters?
Turn to 1 Thessalonians 5 and let’s read together verses 14 – 23. (Read aloud)
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In these verses we find 14 practical steps and practices that lead toward the goal of spiritual sanctification.
- “Warn them that are unruly” (not subject to rule) .. admonish them, counsel them, put them in mind of the truth, warn them by instruction
- “Comfort the feebleminded” .. encourage and stimulate the fainthearted to the earnest discharge of duties of Christian living
- “Support the weak” .. hold up the weak in body and soul and spirit
- “Be patient toward all men” .. be long-tempered and long-suffering toward everyone
- “See that none render evil for evil unto any man” .. we are not to give back evil to the evil .. we are not to react wickedly to the wickedness of men
- “Ever follow the which is good, both among yourselves and to all men” .. we are to follow forever that which, being good in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect
- “Rejoice evermore” .. express gladness forever
- “Pray without ceasing” .. pray fervent, earnest, stretched-out prayers .. always be in an attitude of gratitude toward God
- “In everything give thanks” .. thank God all the time for everything
- “Quench not the Spirit” .. don’t extinguish or hinder the work of the Holy Spirit
- “Despise not prophesyings” .. don’t scorn the setting forth of God’s mind and counsel
- “Prove all things” .. test and try all teaching and preaching
- “Hold fast that which is good” .. take a firm grasp on those things which are good and hold on to them
- “Abstain from all appearance of evil” .. keep yourself from every form or kind of wickedness
Sanctification is not something that we have to do alone. Verse 24 reads – “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
In verse 25, Paul wrote – “Brethren, pray for us.” It’s almost as if Paul was saying, “Brothers and sisters, this life of set-apart living for God is hard and we need your prayers.”
Let’s go over all that we’ve learned and break it down in the what, why, where, when and how of sanctification.
What should I be? Sanctified
Why should I be sanctified? Because it’s God will
Where should I be sanctified? Everywhere
When should I be sanctified? All the time
How can I be sanctified? “Through Christ who strengthens me”
The secret of sanctification is:
- Total yieldedness to the Holy Spirit
- Disciplined obedience to the Holy Bible
Let’s pray ……
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your ministry.]
Published by gracelifethoughts
Founder & Director of GraceLife Ministries View all posts by gracelifethoughts
