Pursuing Sanctification
To watch the full sermon on 2 Corinthians 13, click here
The goal of the Christian life is sanctification.
In our pursuit of sanctification there must be:
1. Repentance (1-3)
2. Gospel Focus (4)
3. Self Examination (5-6)
4. Loving Challenge (7-10)
5. Unity & Affection (11-13)
Rejoice!
Be restored!
Be comforted
Be like-minded
Live in peace -
Greet one another with a holy kiss
6. Benediction (14)
A Few more details in each of these areas.
1. Repentance (1-3)
Repentance is not a one-time thing, but must be an ongoing lifestyle. Coming right out of the call to repentance at the end of chapter 12, we’re reminded that:
The goal of the Christian life is sanctification.
We MUST be in full-on pursuit of holiness in all of our conduct, attitudes, and actions
Whenever sin is tolerated, the gospel is undermined.
2. Gospel Focus (4)
We must always keep the gospel front and center in ou rlives. The power of God IS on display in the gospel AND in the proclamation of the Gospel.
This passage includes an awesome gospel message.
HE was crucified… yet He lives. He lives because of the power of God!
We must continually steep ourselves in Gospel truth.
3. Self Examination (5-6)
We have to be certain we’re not in rebellion against Christ in the comprehensive sense or in the “lesser” sense of being in rebellion against a particular situation or circumstance that He has placed you in.
Salvation isn’t mere agreement that the historical facts are true. It’s more than that,
Humble self-examination is always appropriate, helpful, and necessary.
You have to be IN CHRIST to grow in Christ.
Ask yourself:
Not only “Am I saved?”
But also “Am I growing in holiness?”
Is there any area of my life where I’m not fully surrendered to Christ? Where I’m continuing in disobedience?
Paul then presents to them
4. Loving Challenge (7-10)
Paul challenged them to be constantly in pursuit of obedience and integrity, two indispensible ingredients in sanctification.
The letter brought reconciliation.
I did what God designed it to achieve.
The pasage concludes with a call to
5. Unity & Affection (11-13)
Unity is SO CRITICAL to our sanctification.
If you are not persistant in full-on efforts toward unity & holiness, your pursuit of sanctification, isn’t what it needs to be.
Rejoice!
This is an essential attitude in the life of a church. (worship, discipleship, Family Groups, evangelism, etc.)
Be restored!
The Greek word means to put everything
back in its proper order. Straighten up. Get it together
re-align yourself with Scripture.
Next:
Be comforted
Parakaleo
consider my advice, submit to authority
If you’re not submitting to the authorities God placed over you, you’re not pursuing sanctification.
be like-minded
In Philippians, Paul says it this way: standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel,
Ephesians 4 expands on that:
There’s a distinctly doctrinal element to unity:
Romans 15:4-6 connects doctrine to unity
• Live in peace -
Pursue peace and be diligent to maintain it
Do whatever you can to maintaint it.
Anything you might do that could cause disunity - DON’T. STOP IT!
The result: God presence and peace will be upon us.
We’ll have to work hard to maintain it.
It’s not automatic. It will take work, effort, sacrifice, and commitment.
Greet one another with a holy kiss
Appropriately affectionate is the thing here.
The “Holy Kiss” is a physical manifestation of an actual, deep, affectionate love for one another. A hug is most representative of this for us today.
Our relationship isn’t merely mental, emotional, or spiritual, there really is a physical aspect to it.
Then, a beautiful
6. THE Benediction (14)
This is possibly the best benediction in the New Testament!
The Love of God is first
reminding us that God chose us in Him
before the foundation of the World
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is next
highlighting Jesus’ sacrificial,
substitutionary death on the cross.
The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
indwells every believer from the
moment of salvation.
And brings us into the Body of Christ
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Grace & Peace
Pastor Rob