Act or process of acquiring sanctity
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The Christian life is often won or lost in the arena of the mind. The believer's greatest spiritual battles frequently take place in the quiet chambers of inner thought—unseen by others, yet intensely real. Satan, the world, and the flesh conspire to assault the believer's thinking, seeking to distort reality, generate fear, inflame lusts, sow bitterness, and cultivate pride or despair. This is why Scripture emphasizes the mind as a primary battleground in the spiritual life. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5), recognizing that unchecked thoughts can quickly become footholds for spiritual defeat. Victory in the spiritual life requires that we not only reject lies but also proactively fill our minds with God's truth. Learning and meditating on Scripture is central to maintaining psychological and emotional stability (Psa 1:2-3). The mind, left untethered from truth, is vulnerable to deception and emotional volatility. But God's Word anchors our thinking, offering divine perspective amid life's ever-changing circumstances. David testified, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul” (Psa 19:7). His soul—his inner life—was stabilized and refreshed by God's truth. Likewise, Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The Spirit uses the Word to shape our thinking and reorient our perspective (Rom 12:2; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2). When our thoughts are governed by Scripture, our emotions tend to follow suit. Fear gives way to courage, confusion to clarity, and anxiety to peace (Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7). Biblical self-talk is a practical way believers apply God's truth internally. We all engage in self-talk—an ongoing internal dialogue—but the content of that dialogue determines whether we spiral into discouragement or rise in spiritual strength. The psalmist modeled healthy self-talk when he asked, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” (Psa 42:5a). Then he exhorted himself, saying, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psa 42:5b). Rather than allowing his feelings to dictate his thinking, he took command of his thoughts and focused them on God, repeating the process three times (Psa 42:5, 11; 43:5; cf. Psa 131:1-2). Paul understood the transforming power of focused thinking. He instructed believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). The Greek word for “transformed” (μεταμορφόω, metamorphoō) refers to an inner change that manifests in outward conduct, and it begins by replacing worldly thought patterns with divine truth. Paul instructed the Christians at Philippi, saying, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6). If they did this, Paul said, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). And he gave them further, ongoing instruction, saying, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phil 4:8). By shifting their focus from anxiety to intentional prayer, thanksgiving, and biblical thinking, believers would experience peace and maintain mental stability. Jeremiah, when dealing with disparaging thoughts because of the destruction of Jerusalem (Lam 3:17-20), forced his thoughts onto the Lord, saying, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:21-23). The verb translated “recall” in verse 21 is ashiv (אָשִׁיב), from the Hebrew root shuv (שׁוּב), meaning “to turn back, return.” In the hiphil imperfect form, it carries the causative sense, “I cause to return to my mind.” Jeremiah wasn't passively remembering; he was actively and intentionally forcing truth back into focus, dragging his thoughts from despair and anchoring them in the character of God. Joseph framed his brothers' betrayal through the lens of God's providence, saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20; cf. Gen 45:5, 7; Rom 8:28). Rather than allow bitterness or victimhood to dominate his thoughts, Joseph chose to interpret his painful past through the divine perspective of God's sovereign hand. Though deeply wounded by those closest to him, he refused to let their evil define his outlook or determine his response. Instead, he elevated his thinking above the horizontal plane of human injustice and aligned it vertically with God's greater purposes. Joseph recognized that behind the malice of men was the mastery of God, who sovereignly orchestrated his circumstances to preserve life. Spiritual maturity demands mental discipline. The believer who neglects the Word of God leaves his mind exposed and his emotions vulnerable to the assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Without a steady intake of Scripture and the practice of biblical thinking, the mind can quickly become a playground for fear, doubt, anger, or despair. But the one who saturates his thinking with God's Word, meditates on it day and night (Psa 1:2), and leans into the Spirit's guidance (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16) will find strength, stability, and clarity—even in the fiercest spiritual storms. As Paul told Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim 1:7); the word discipline (σωφρονισμός, sōphronismos) refers to a sound, self-controlled mind. In the chaos of a fallen world, believers must choose to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5), renew their minds daily (Rom 12:2), and set their minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). This is a deliberate, Spirit-enabled mindset grounded in the truth of God's Word. Through this mental discipline, we maintain spiritual composure, emotional balance, and unwavering hope in the faithfulness of our God. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div., B.Sc.
Joshua 7:13 KJVUp, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
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Message by Fred Hartsook, recorded live June 8, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ozzie Lewis.Hated and SentThe world hated Christ - as disciples become like Christ they will be hated by the world - Christ prays not to remove them from the world but to be protected as they're sent as he was sent.What does it mean for you personally to be called a friend of Jesus?How can you practice sacrificial love in your relationships right now?Have you ever felt tension with “the world” because of your faith? What was that like?What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?John 15:12-1912 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.18 “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.John 17:1-2, 14-181 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Get access to Daily Prayer: Become a Patron on Patreon----------------------Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV)Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him.The PsalterPsalm 56Miserere mei, Deus1Have mercy on me, O God,for my enemies are hounding me; *all day long they assault and oppress me.2They hound me all the day long; *truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.3Whenever I am afraid, *I will put my trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise,in God I trust and will not be afraid, *for what can flesh do to me?5All day long they damage my cause; *their only thought is to do me evil.6They band together; they lie in wait; *they spy upon my footsteps;because they seek my life.7Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.8You have noted my lamentation;put my tears into your bottle; *are they not recorded in your book?9Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *this I know, for God is on my side.10In God the Lord, whose word I praise,in God I trust and will not be afraid, *for what can mortals do to me?11I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *I will present to you thank-offerings;12For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, *that I may walk before God in the light of the living.Psalm 57Miserere mei, Deus1Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,for I have taken refuge in you; *in the shadow of your wings will I take refugeuntil this time of trouble has gone by.2I will call upon the Most High God, *the God who maintains my cause.3He will send from heaven and save me;he will confound those who trample upon me; *God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.4I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; *their teeth are spears and arrows,their tongue a sharp sword.5They have laid a net for my feet,and I am bowed low; *they have dug a pit before me,but have fallen into it themselves.6Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *and your glory over all the earth.7My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *I will sing and make melody.8Wake up, my spirit;awake, lute and harp; *I myself will waken the dawn.9I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; *I will sing praise to you among the nations.10For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.11Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *and your glory over all the earth.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.LessonsDeuteronomy 30:1-1030 “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. 8 And you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today. 9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.2 Corinthians 1010 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God.Luke 18:31-4331 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God.Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us.Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others.The CollectsProper 5O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia!BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen*
Sunday GatheringPentecost SundayPastor Reggie"Sanctify Yourselves"060825
Joshua BoydHow many want to be used by God? How many of you parents want your children to fulfill the purpose God has for them? The obvious answer to these questions has a not so obvious process for getting results. God has work that needs to be done on this earth, work that requires people to carry out the effort. But who gets to do that work depends not so much on God, but on the people. 2 Timothy 2:19-21But God's solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. “The Lord knows who his own people are.” Also, “All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.”20 In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes. 21 Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work.Religion interprets these verses as God pre-planned who is made of gold and who is made of clay so there's not much we can do but play with the cards we are dealt. Yes, God has always made a distinction between His people and the world. The Law's main purpose was to give instructions for a way of life that was very different from the people in surrounding nations. By following the Law, Israel acted differently, ate differently and consequently, were treated differently by God. That is how the Kingdom of God works – a different king means different rules. Leviticus 207 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you. Notice though that you and I have a responsibility too. YOU sanctify yourselves and be holy. Sanctify = purify, dedicate, separate, consecrateThe word sanctuary means a place set aside or dedicated for specific use. The building itself isn't holy, it's use makes it holy or not. Be holy means to be pure from influence. Be holy means not doing the same things the world is doing.
Sunday Gathering with Pastor Reggie"Sanctify Yourselves"060125
Ephesians 5:22-33 Submit to Christ, Not Self Love to Sanctify, Not to Satisfy The Death of the “Authentic Self” and the Glory of Christ
ONE June 1, 2025 Elwyn Johnston John 17 Verse of the Week: “that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me” John 17:23 1. The diversity of oneness “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You” John 17:21 2. The purpose of oneness “Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]” John 17:17 AMP To know Christ “though the world does not know You, I know You” John 17:25 “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 “I count everything as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8 To make Christ known “I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known” John 17:26 “Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them into the world.” John 17:18 “I pray that they may be united with Us so that the world will believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21 3. The power of oneness “The people are one, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” Gen. 11:6 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:1, 2, 4 “whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” John 14:12 4. The foundation of oneness - Jesus “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
All of what we hope for tomorrow, begins today. Joshua prepared Israel to cross the Jordan River. This was the second time they faced a barrier of water. First was the Red Sea after their exodus from Egypt. They miraculously crossed over with great joy, but they soon fell into bad habits. By the time Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy, which was the last of his five books called the Pentateuch, he was very aware of Israel's failure after the Red Sea miracle. In that last book, Moses wrote about people focusing on God and doing His will "today" over 160 times. Looking back, I think Moses realized that the people's hope for tomorrow was not met with preparation today. After Moses died, God raised up Joshua. As Israeli faced their second barrier of water, the Jordan River, we find Joshua giving them instructions today, before crossing over the next day. Joshua said, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5) God has prepared you for every challenge and opportunity in front of you. Today is your tomorrow because what you do today determines your success tomorrow. God Bless and be encouraged! ~ Bryan Hudson, DMin
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A SERMON FROM 3 John 1:1-15 The minister The menace The missionary GOSPEL CONNECTION To walk in the truth, one must know the truth having experienced the embodiment of truth: Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me'” (John 14:6). Secondly, if one is to live truth, he must know the truth which Jesus declares is God's Word given to us in the Bible. “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17) APPLICATION In what area of your life will you strive to be more faithful this week? How? MEMORY VERSE “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
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Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to be sanctified through truth? In this deep, soul-stirring conversation, we journey through the profound process of sanctification that God orchestrates in believers' lives—not as an instantaneous transformation, but as a deliberate refinement through trials and tribulations.Beginning with Jesus's powerful prayer in John 17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth," we explore how God's sanctifying work happens not despite our difficulties but often through them. The most touching moments come as participants vulnerably share how their hardest experiences—particularly in marriage—have dramatically deepened their love for Christ and transformed their understanding of what love truly means.A particularly illuminating distinction emerges between worldly love ("an intense feeling of deep affection") and godly love ("a decision to compassionately, righteously seek another's eternal good"). This reframes our understanding of love as primarily sacrificial rather than emotional—a decision we make daily, especially when it's difficult.Marriage receives special attention as perhaps the most vivid human relationship designed to reflect the bond between Christ and believers. Just as Christ refuses to abandon His bride (the church), marriage calls us to remain faithful even in challenging circumstances. One participant beautifully describes how she and her husband consider themselves "dragon slayers," allowing nothing to come between them—a powerful picture of covenant faithfulness.When you feel trapped in difficult relationships or wonder why God allows suffering in your life, this conversation offers profound perspective on how these very challenges may be God's tools for your spiritual transformation. The question that will linger with you: "What good is it if you only love those who love you?"Support the show
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Send us a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/
Acts 1:1-5Psalms 119:89Acts 2:1-4Ephesians 6:10-201 Corinthians 14:18Send us a textSupport the show
Send us a text→ Stay Connected Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurchuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechurchfolkestoneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifechurchuk1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertmaasbach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmaasbach/→ Give It's the generosity of many that enable Life Church to fulfil all that God has called us to do https://www.lifechurchuk.org/give/→ New to Life Church?If you're new we would love to get in touch and connect with youhttps://lifechurchuk.org/new-to-life-church/
Acts 1:1-5John 14:1-30Send us a textSupport the show
Send us a textIt this episode. Pastor Dom continues teaching on the significance of communion and focuses in on the moments just before the crucifixion. Luke 22:4444 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.Matthew 26:53-5453 Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”2 Corinthians 5:221 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.Mark 15:22 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”John 18:3636 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”Matthew 27:1919 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”Matthew 27:1515 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.Matthew 27:17-1817 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.Mark 15:1111 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.Isaiah 5:2020 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;John 17:1717 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.Romans 12:22 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Luke 23:18-1918 And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas” 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.John 8:31-3231 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahWhy is it so important to honor our elders?Join Rabbi Tzvi as he explains this special mitzvah of honoring our elders along with many other important commands in this weeks Torah portion Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah
Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahWhat are the rules of giving up my life to sanctify G-d, can I choose the rules?Join Rabbi Tzvi as he explains the hows and whys of sanctifying our lives, and what does Loving your neighbor really mean. Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah
Men, are you just clocking in, or are you building the Kingdom of God through your work?In this powerful second part of our Daily Grind with God series, we confront the real battle most of us fight every day, the temptation to see our jobs as a burden instead of a mission. Whether at a desk, in the trades, on the road, or at home with the kids, your work matters to God.This is the truth grounded in Scripture and the Catechism. In Colossians 3:23, St. Paul commands us: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." When you live this out, even the most mundane spreadsheet becomes an offering. Even changing diapers becomes an altar.This episode dives into:How your job is part of your divine vocation (CCC 2427)Why St. Joseph, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Josemaría Escrivá are your daily companions in the grindHow to turn every workday into a prayer through intention, rededication, and excellenceThe real danger of turning work into your god—or treating it like it's meaninglessAnd most importantly, the spiritual challenge I give every man listening: Offer your work this week as a sacrifice for a specific intentionIt's time to stop coasting. Get intentional. Sanctify your labor. You don't need to change careers—you need to change your heart.3 POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“Your desk, your tools, your kitchen—that is your battlefield.”“God doesn't want your sloppy seconds. He wants your best.”“Are you working for God, or are you working for yourself?”KEY TAKEAWAY FOR CATHOLIC MEN:Start offering your work every single day for a specific intention—your spouse, your kids, your priest, the souls in purgatory. Make your labor a prayer. This is your battlefield. Fight with purpose.RESOURCES & REFERENCES MENTIONED:Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2427Colossians 3:23St. Therese of Lisieux – The Little WaySt. Josemaría Escrivá – Spirituality of WorkSt. Benedict – Ora et Labora (Pray and Work)Book: The Power of Silence by Cardinal Robert SarahEvent: Men's Silent Retreat – June 14, Grand Rapids, MI @ Franciscan Life Center (Link in show notes)SHARE THIS EPISODE Men, we are in a war—and most of us are losing the battle in the workplace by treating our job like it's separate from our faith. Forward this to a brother who's stuck in a rut, burned out, or tempted to check out. We need soldiers—not spectators.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com
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Passage: 14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. 15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering. 16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself. 17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, 18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.” (Numbers 8:14–19) Song: Setting Us Apart by Leslie McKee, Theresa Amundrud, and Trent Smith Lyrics: On this ground that you've made holy In these lives that bear your name Spirit of God search our hearts today Realign our souls' affections And reveal our hidden sin Spirit of God cleanse us from within You're setting us apart setting us apart for You You finish what you start finish what you start So Spirit move do what you do Let our passion and our purpose Be ignited by your love Spirit of God let your will be done Purify purify Fit us for your kingdom Purify purify Fit us for your kingdom Take our hearts take our lives Fit us for your kingdom We give it all a sacrifice Fit us for your kingdom Prayer: Take me, O Lord, and make me worthy of this calling— not by any strength I possess, but by your grace alone. Put your hand upon me. Sanctify me for your work. Let me not draw back from the difficulties or the unknown, but grant that in joy or sorrow, in weakness or in strength, I may always be yours— wholly, gladly, and forever. Amen. —John Wesley
Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 17 This is one of the most beautiful chapters in all of scripture. It documents a prayer offered by Jesus while He is with His Apostles. Jesus speaks of all things leading back to the Father. Whatever glory and authority Jesus has, He uses it to turn all attention to the Father and His gift of eternal life. Jesus committed his life to accomplishing the will of the Father. Jesus is soon to depart, and He prays that God will keep the disciples in the faith and unified with one another. Jesus asks for God to keep them from the evil one and to sanctify them in the truth. Jesus then prays for all believers that they may be one, perfected in unity, striving together in the love of God. The most striking aspect of this prayer is the incredible humility of Jesus. He defers all glory to His Father, addressing Him as holy and righteous. All that Jesus has been gifted to do is used to turn the world toward the Father. This is a lesson that should live on in us. We are agents for God, and all the glory and authority we have is to direct people back to Him. Jesus then prays fervently concerning His disciples. He prays for their unity, and their strength, and that they live in sanctity and love. If we are genuinely interested in honoring the Father in this life, we must invest ourselves in the strength and unity of fellow believers. Holy and righteous Father, You are worthy of all praise and glory. Even Jesus, the Savior of the world, gives honor to You. Great God, demand of us the service and loyalty that You deserve. In You is eternal life, and we devote our lives to service and gratitude for this incredible gift. Father, Your Son has taught us to love one another. Unity among Christians was the Savior's prayer, and we make it ours as well. Please help us overcome the issues and attitudes that divide us. Sanctify us together in truth and keep us from the evil one. Thought Questions: - Jesus knew His death was coming, and He welcomed it to honor God. How will you be like Him when difficult times come? - Jesus prayed that God would protect His friends from Satan. Who will you ask God to protect from the enemy today? - Why do you think there is so much division among God's people? How can Jesus' prayer for unity help us all?
Join Fr. Mike Schmitz for the next 9 days as we pray a novena leading up to the Papal Conclave. Each day, we'll lift up the Cardinal electors as they prepare to discern the next pope, calling on the Holy Spirit to guide this historic decision. John 17:21: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of it. Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. For their sake I sanctify myself, that they too may be sanctified by the truth." O God, we pray in union with the whole Church for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals. Holy Spirit, we ask you to guide the Cardinals through the conclave and grant them wisdom, courage, hope, and charity. We pray that the Cardinals may listen attentively to you, and ask you to grant them the faith to discern your holy will. Heavenly Father, we beseech you, protect and guide your Church during this conclave. Grant us, in your great love, a Pope who guides your Church to grow in faithfulness towards you. May he be a shepherd of profound faith and hope, leading your Church ever closer to you. We pray, in Jesus' name, together with the intercession of Mary and all the Saints. “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.”
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Romans 1:16-17, 4:17-21Genesis 12:1-2, 15:1-15, 17:1-9, 15:1-9Send us a textSupport the show
In this week's brand-new post-Passover Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman explore the inner world of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu, who offered 'a strange fire' and left this world before their time. Were they saints or sinners? Our hosts reveal that actually, their ecstatic yearning for closeness to God wasn't sin...it was holiness without balance. We need to learn the secret of serving God in this world, enigmatically called by the sages 'the secret of running back and forth.' A perfect parallel to the Counting of the Omer!Lovingly Recorded in Ora Studios, Jerusalem Israel________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: infojerusalemlights@gmail.com or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelSubscribe to our newsletter at https://www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman Follow us on Facebook: / rabbichaimrichman / 282440396475839
Today we began reading Ecclesiastes – it says it was written by “the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem [1 v.1]. We know this is Solomon and his first words are, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”What does vanity mean? The lexicon says the Hebrew word means, transitory, emptiness. Solomon is reviewing, apparently in his old age, all that he has accomplished in his life, he is overwhelmed by the feeling that in the final analysis it was all just “vanity” – he had accomplished nothing lasting.He reflects, “all things are full of weariness” [v.8], observing, “my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge” [v.16] but he saw it as “a striving after wind”. [v.17]. Tomorrow we will read his words, “then I considered all that my hands had done and all the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity” [2 v.11]We wonder to what extent today we will (or already are) look back on a lifetime of striving to make and then spend money – and see it in the end as simply “vanity”? Also, those who fill so much of their ‘spare' time with tweeting and twittering and relaxation with TV and DVDs for entertainment will see the ultimate emptiness of time spent in this way?In contrast we saw today in John's Gospel the intensity of thought and meaning in the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As it reaches its climax his mind is centred on his disciples, “Holy Father keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [17 v.11] Unity of mind, how wonderful!Jesus continues, “they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” [v. 17-19].God's word is “truth,” it alone reveals the ultimate meaning of life and takes us – in thought – beyond “this world”.. Sanctify means to “be set apart” from the world so that the main focus of our minds – is on God and his ways and what is really true – in an everlasting sense. It is a truth we then take into our hearts and it becomes part of us.Finally, how meaningful are the words of Jesus to Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” [18 v.37]. Sceptically Pilate asks, “What is truth?” [v.38]. Let us not be sceptical but read and “listen” to what we read and aim to fully possess “the wisdom from above” (James 3 v.17) so that our lives are “sanctified in truth.”
In John 17:17, Jesus prays for his followers saying, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” But what does Jesus mean by sanctify? The Greek word used for sanctify in this verse is hagiazo and it means to separate something – to set it apart – for an intended purpose or mission. In other words, Jesus intended that all those who follow after him would be set apart for a unique purpose and mission: to spread the good news of the gospel to the world. And guess, what? This same mission extends to you today! You have been strategically placed in your workplace for a reason. There are people there who need to hear about the truth of who Jesus is, and you may be their only chance! So, how can you carry out the mission of Christ at work today?
I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 13th of April, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Zachariah 8:16:”These are the things you shall do; Speak each man the truth to his neighbour;” Then we go straight to the Gospel of John 17:17: ”Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” The Bible is the absolute truth. That's why when you go to a court of law they make you put your hand on top of the Bible and you have to say, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God”. If you and I truly love our neighbour then we have to tell them the whole truth.It's like that huge boil you've got on your arm, that tumour, that abscess. You can't keep on putting plaster over the top. There comes a time when it is ready to be lanced, and you have to take the plaster off and take a sharp scalpel to lance it so that all the rubbish can come out and there can be healing. You can't keep putting a plaster over it. You see there's no such thing as telling white lie in order to keep your neighbour happy. By the way, there's no such thing as a white lie. It's the truth.Henry Ford, the giant car manufacturer, was asked by his men if they could change the colour of his famous Model T Ford from black to another colour. He answered, ”You can change it any colour you like as long as it stays black.” Now that is how the Bible is. You cannot change the word of God.I remember like yesterday, officiating at a funeral service, many, many years ago. I knew this man very, very well. He made some very big mistakes in his life, I want to be honest with you, but one thing I do know for a fact - He loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and at his funeral I said, ”Good people don't go to heaven, believers go to heaven.” Because that's what it says in the word of God in John 14:6, one of the most famous scripture verses in the Bible. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” I said that at his funeral and afterwards a man came over. He was very upset with me. He said, “How can you say that good people don't go to Heaven?” I said, “Because that's the truth, it's what the Bible says. It's faith in Jesus Christ. You must be born again.” Now today, if you love your neighbour, you must tell him the truth! God bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.
The JTS Commentary for Tzav / Shabbat Hagadol by Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement, JTSMusic provided by JJReinhold / Pond5
Define gaslighting: A psychological tactic used to manipulate someone into doubting their reality, memory, or perception.Why this matters for Christians? God calls us to walk in truth, and deception is a tool of the enemyKey Scripture: John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:44 reminds us about the father of lies….You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Questions to think about… Have you ever felt like someone made you question your reality?How did you recognize it?Biblical Examples of Gaslighting The Serpent in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-5)How Satan gaslighted Eve by twisting God's words: “Did God really say…?”Application: Recognizing when someone distorts God's truth to control or deceive. Jacob Deceives his father Isaac to trick him in giving the first born blessing to him (Genesis 27)Application: Manipulation leads to broken trust and division. Pharaoh & the Israelites (Exodus 5:6-9) Pharaoh increases the Israelites' labor but blames them for being lazy. Application: When leaders or people in power gaslight others to maintain control.The Pharisees and Jesus (John 9:24-34) The Pharisees try to gaslight the healed blind man into denying his healing. Application: When religious leaders use authority to suppress truth.Advice - Question to ask in your relationships? Have you ever been pressured to believe a lie despite knowing the truth? How did you respond?How Gaslighting Affects Us Spiritually and Emotionally Creates confusion and doubt (James 1:6-8 – A double-minded person is unstable.) Destroys trust in relationships (Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips.”)Leads to emotional and spiritual exhaustion (Psalm 55:21 – “His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart.”)Breaks identity and self-worth (Psalm 139:14 – “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”) Reflect: Have you ever felt emotionally or spiritually drained after interactions with a certain person?How to Respond to Gaslighting Biblically Stand firm in God's truth (John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”) Set boundaries against manipulation (Matthew 7:6 – “Do not give dogs what is sacred.”) Seek wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance, people fall.”) Pray for discernment (1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”) If needed, walk away (Luke 4:28-30 – Jesus left when people rejected the truth.)Challenge - • Identify one situation where you need to stand firm in truth. • Ask God for wisdom to set healthy boundaries.God is a God of truth, not confusion (2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.”) • Share this episode with someone who may need encouragement.https://rocksolidfamilies.orgSupport the show#Rocksolidfamilies, #familytherapy, #marriagecounseling, #parenting, #faithbasedcounseling, #counseling, #Strongdads, #coaching, #lifecoach, #lifecoaching, #marriagecoaching, #marriageandfamily, #control, #security, #respect, #affection, #love, #purpose, #faith, #affairs, #infidelity
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Romans 1:16-17Romans 10:11-17Send us a textSupport the show
Topics: Sanctification Is Complete (Hebrews 10:10), Sanctification Happens Once, Sanctification Is Not Lifelong (Hebrews 10:14), Jesus' Blood Sanctified, The Bible Doesn't Sanctify Us, Faith Sanctified Us (Acts 26:18), Works Don't Sanctify, Good Deeds Don't Sanctify, Repentance Isn't Sanctification, Animal Blood Sacrifices Foreshadowed Sanctification, Hebrews 9-10, Jesus' Sacrifice Is Final, Christians Are Perfected, Saints Are Sanctified, Sanctification Isn't Self-Improvement, Holiness Is Sanctification, Purification and Consecration, Growth Isn't Sanctification, Salvation and Sanctification Are Simultaneous, Identity Sanctification Isn't Behavior Change, The Law Doesn't Sanctify, Sacrifices Were Temporary, Jesus' Sanctification Is Eternal (Hebrews 10:12), Sanctification Isn't Progressive, Effort Isn't Required, Traditions Distort Sanctification, The Bible Doesn't Sanctify, Jesus Alone Sanctifies, We Are Set Apart, Sin Doesn't Undo Sanctification, We Don't Sanctify Ourselves, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Works Are Not a Requirement for Sanctification, Holiness Is Christ's Work, Ephesians 5:25-26, Jesus' Blood Secures Sanctification, Sanctification Isn't Drawing Near, We Are Already One With God, Saints Aren't Still Being Sanctified, The Temple Foreshadowed Christ, Christ's Blood Sanctifies Once, Hebrews Confirms Finished Sanctification, Hebrews 9:24-26, Jesus Completed Holiness, Sanctification Is Eternal, It's Not Achieved in Heaven, Jesus Ended Sacrifices, The Old Covenant Couldn't Permanently Sanctify, Christianity Isn't Self-Sanctification, False Humility Doesn't Sanctify, The Gospel Is Finished Sanctification, Sanctification Is by Grace, True Sanctification Is by FaithSend Matt a text about this episode!Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter
Welcome! We Are Glad You Are Here!Today we are in Joshua 3:1-6Sanctify YourselfFollow along in the following verses in order of presentationJoshua 3:1-6, 3:3-4, Hebrews 12:2, Exodus 33:15, Proverbs 30:8-9, Joshua 1:8, 3:5, John 17:17, Colossians 1:27, Exodus 33:20, Ephesians 4:11-12, James 4:8
(Proverbs 9:10) While there are many things we do not know about God, there is much that we can know about God. He wrote it down for us! The deeper we go into Scripture the deeper we can go into our knowledge of God. (0941250214) ----more---- The Mystery of God There are many things that I do not know about God. There are many things that are beyond my understanding. And why is that? Because I am a finite being and He is an infinite God. And yet, isn't it glorious? Isn't it wonderful? That God, through His Word, has revealed Himself in such a way that there are many things we do know about God. So many people get stuck on the things they don't know and can't understand but they miss in that what they should know and what we can understand. The Fear of the Lord Is Beginning of Wisdom Proverbs chapter 9, verse number 10 says this, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy. Is understanding." Did you hear that expression? The knowledge of the holy, not of holy things, but of the holy one. Understanding God's Holiness In fact, holiness is the one attribute that is most often attached to God in Scripture. That does not mean that He is more holy than He is any of His other attributes. He's the perfection of all of them. You can't chop God up. You can't divide Him. He's not one. He is all. He's not more of one. He is perfectly all. But the reason Holiness is attributed to God more than any other thing in Scripture is that His holiness is the perfection of all of His attributes. Everything about God is holy. His knowledge, His power, His love, His mercy, His judgment, everything is a revelation of our holy God. Knowing God Through Scripture And I want to say to you that We should begin, when we are studying what the Bible says, by saying, Lord, we want to know our Holy God. We want to know Him personally. It's one of the great marvels of our God. He is both infinite and knowable at the same time. There's no limit to Him. There's no end to Him, and yet, there is a place to begin. We can know Him by finding out what Scripture says about Him. This is God's revelation of Himself. I heard for years preachers say that when we get to heaven, we're going to know everything. I don't believe that's what scripture teaches. The Bible says we will know even as we are known. But I believe when we get to Heaven, when we get into Eternity, we're going to spend the rest of Eternity entering in our knowledge and understanding more and more to the depths of our great God. I don't think you'll ever exhaust who God is. That's what's going to make Eternity such an ongoing adventure. More and more of His love and beauty and perfection. And friend, that journey is not to begin when we die or Jesus comes. It is to begin right here. And right now, it is to begin by us discovering what the Bible says about God. So what does the Bible say? We can't be exhaustive about this, certainly not in this brief time we have to study together. But may I just give you a few thoughts to, to meditate on today? Some things that you can study further for yourself and look for in Scripture. Attributes of God: Self-Existence and Immutability In Scripture, we learn that He is self-existent and self-sufficient. It means He is the Great I Am. The only limits on God are the ones He places on Himself. The limits of His own holy will. He holds back, for example, His justice with His mercy. God may limit Himself in certain areas at particular times, but there is no limit to Him. He is I Am. He's the only one who can say I Am and put nothing after it. He is the self existent and self sufficient one. Imagine Him saying to Moses, Tell them I Am sent you. I Am what? Yes. All of the above. More than you could ever imagine. Not only that, He's immutable. That means he never changes. James chapter 1 and verse number 17, Malachi chapter 3, verse number 6, all through scripture we get this truth. He says in Malachi 3 verse 6, "I am the Lord, I change not." God's Eternal Nature and Omnipresence And then, He is eternal. Eternity has no beginning and no end. It's like an open ended front and an open ended back. And God is beyond the limits in both directions. God's not in time. Time is in God. God holds time in the palm of His hand. He's the eternal God. Did you know that the word eternity is only found one time in all of Scripture? I would challenge you to find it. I could give you the reference, but I'm going to challenge you. I'll give you a homework assignment. See if you can find the one verse in the Bible where the word eternity is found, and in that verse, The Bible references the God who inhabits eternity. Think of a God so big, He fills up eternity. God is not bound by anything. Not by time or not by space. No, because He is the great I Am. God's Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence Then we know He's all powerful. Some people refer to that as His omnipotence. He is all powerful. He is omniscient. That means He knows everything. He's omnipresent. That means He's everywhere at once. If I say to you, where's God, some people say he's in heaven, other people say he's in my heart. The truth of the matter is, you can't limit Him to either place. He may be in both places, but He's everywhere at once. Psalm 139, the psalmist cries out, "Where then shall I go from thy spirit? Where then shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there, thy right hand shall hold me." God's everywhere. God's Faithfulness and Mercy And then we know that God is faithful. He is true. He never lies. He never fails to keep His word. He is a God of truth. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. We know He's a God of mercy and of goodness. That means He holds back what we don't deserve. And He, or what we do deserve rather, and He gives what we don't deserve. Think of that. He holds back the judgment and He gives good things. What was the Psalmist saying in Psalm 23, "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." I tell you, you can't beat the Christian life. Mercy and goodness come to live with you now, and you go to live with the God of mercy and goodness for all eternity. I hope you know the Lord as your personal Savior. God's Justice and Love And then, we know He's a God of justice. And a God of righteousness. That's what the cross was all about. That's what Calvary revealed. God doesn't laugh at sin. He doesn't simply turn a blind. Turn a blind eye to our unrighteousness. Isaiah 53, verse 11. He saw the travail of Christ's soul and was satisfied his justice, his righteousness was satisfied at that moment. Then, praise God, we know He's a God of love. First John 4:16 says, "God is love." It's not just something He does, it's who He is. And then we come full circle back to where we started, He's a holy God. He's the thrice holy God. Do you remember? Isaiah chapter 6, what are they saying? Holy, Lord God Almighty. When you come to the revelation of Christ, what are they saying? "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is to come." The Father is holy, the Son is holy, the Spirit is holy. He was holy in the past, He is holy in the present, He always will be holy for all eternity He is the Holy God. Loving and Sharing the Knowledge of God I would challenge you to study the names of God all through scripture because his names reveal His character. Study His attributes, learn more about the God of the Bible, and I'll tell you what I think you'll find. Number one, you're going to love him more. To know him is to love him. And the more you come to see what the Bible says about God, the more you're going to say to the Father, I love you, I'm so glad to be your child. The more you're going to say to the Son, thank you for saving me and bringing me into this family. And the more you're going to say to the Holy Spirit, I'm so glad you're with me right now. Learn what the Bible says for your own soul, but then don't keep it to yourself. Pass it along to somebody else. Peter says, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." I hope today you'll both learn and share what the Bible says about our great God. Repeating what other people have said about the Bible is not enough. Outro We must know the biblical reason behind what we believe. 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