Together We Grow - Revision history

Wakefien: /* They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container. */

2023-07-29T13:46:05Z

‎They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.

Wakefien at 20:05, 25 July 2023

2023-07-25T20:05:40Z

Wakefien: /* Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment. */

2023-07-25T17:11:11Z

‎Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment.

Wakefien: /* Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment. */

2023-07-25T17:10:56Z

‎Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment.

Wakefien: /* Sanctification is a battle that is being waged. (Galatians 6:16-18) */

2023-07-25T16:58:26Z

‎Sanctification is a battle that is being waged. (Galatians 6:16-18)

Wakefien: /* We are to consider all the information and come to the conclusion that our old self. Our best-self is dead. */

2023-07-25T16:56:48Z

‎We are to consider all the information and come to the conclusion that our old self. Our best-self is dead.

Wakefien: /* Image: Forced to read a self-help book in college. */

2023-07-25T16:55:41Z

‎Image: Forced to read a self-help book in college.

Wakefien: /* Anticipate perfective sanctification (1 John 3:1-3). */

2023-07-25T16:54:41Z

‎Anticipate perfective sanctification (1 John 3:1-3).

Wakefien: /* Peter provides us 5 points that are all connected to our call to holiness. */

2023-07-25T16:52:55Z

‎Peter provides us 5 points that are all connected to our call to holiness.

Wakefien: /* Justification implies sanctification. */

2023-07-25T16:48:12Z

‎Justification implies sanctification.

@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 <p>I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our homemade hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.</p>
-====They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.====
+====The key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.====
 ===The Holy Spirit is the catalyst. The local church is a beaker (Hebrews 10:24-25).===

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 =====We have been using the phrase "Together We Grow." Today I want to talk about the theology of this phrase.=====
 =====As we prepare for the next 30 years in our sanctuary I want us to be clear on what it means to grow together.=====
-=====I am going to adopt a theological term for grow, sanctification.=====
+=====I am going to adopt a theological term for growth, sanctification.=====
 =Body=
-==Justification implies sanctification.==
+==''Justification'' implies sanctification.==
 Before we go any deeper I want to start with a basic assumption. Normal Christian behavior is growth. Theologically we say Justification implies sanctification. In other words, someone who has accepted Christ's offer of salvation through his atoning death on the cross as complete payment for their sins is justified and this act of justification naturally leads them onto a path of progressive sanctification.
 ===Image: Baby growth charts- being born implies growth===
 Emily and I do not have kids, but we do have nieces and nephews. My brother will often tell me about what percentile the kids are in in their development. Why, because a baby normally grows. If a baby stops growing it is time to show some concern. Being born implies growth. Being born again implies spiritual growth.
 ===Don't be an evangelical Antinomian (Romans 6:14).===
-<p>Sometime after 1537, in the midst of the protestant reformation, Martin Luther coined a term "antinomianism." The term broadly describes a position that some hold that once an individual is justified they need not show any concern for morality, after all they are already right with God. Just like so many other theological issues this one is so close to right that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the problem is. After all, we are justified. The truth, however, comes from Romans 6:14. The Christian is no longer enslaved to sin. The Christian is free from the master we call sin.</p>
+<p>Sometime after 1537, in the midst of the protestant reformation, Martin Luther coined the term "antinomianism." The term broadly describes a position that some hold that once an individual is justified they need not show any concern for morality, after all, they are already right with God. Just like so many other theological issues, this one is so close to right that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the problem is. After all, we are justified. The truth, however, comes from Romans 6:14. The Christian is no longer enslaved to sin. The Christian is free from the master we call sin.</p>
-====In reality, the word "freedom" by itself does not make sense. instead we should think of freedom as always freedom from something to something else.====
+====In reality, the word "freedom" by itself does not make sense. instead, we should think of freedom as always freedom from something to something else.====
 =====Independence Day - Free from paying taxes to a king.=====
-=====Drivers License - Free from the confines of my parents driving schedule.=====
+=====Drivers License - Free from the confines of my parent's driving schedule.=====
 =====Retirement - Free from having the requirement to be at work 9-5 every day.=====
 ====Freedom by itself is actually another word, chaos.====
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 ====We live in a society that is increasingly marginalizing Christians but should we be surprised when so many are merely marginal Christians?====
-===Make holiness a priority (1 Peter 1:16).===
+===Make holiness a priority (1 Peter 1:13-16).===
 ====1 Peter 1:13-16 is a strong reminder that God does desire for us to reject immorality and instead embrace his holy standard.====
 <p><blockquote>The believers’ living hope based on their new birth should lead to a lifestyle of holiness. Those chosen for new birth are also called to be holy. Peter exhorted his readers to prepare to meet the challenge of obedience by adopting a new mind-set. The price paid for a believer’s redemption calls for reverence and obedience. Obedience involves purifying oneself and practicing holy living, while offering spiritual sacrifices as a royal priest. <ref>Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 842.</ref></blockquote></p>
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ===MTR: Determine to make sanctification a priority. Prepare you mind. Be sober. Set your hope. Do not conform to evil. Be holy.===
-==Sanctification not self-help==
+==Sanctification not ''self-help''==
 ===Don't drink the self-help Kool-Aid (Romans 6:4-6).===
 ====Image: Forced to read a self-help book in college. My best self is not myself at all, it is the new creation from Christ.====
@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 ===MTR: Join with the Holy Spirit as a participant in your sanctification.===
-==Sanctification occurs as part of the body==
+==Sanctification occurs as ''part'' ''of'' ''the'' ''body''==
 ===Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment.===
-<p>I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our home made hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.</p>
+<p>I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our homemade hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.</p>
 ====They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.====
 ===The Holy Spirit is the catalyst. The local church is a beaker (Hebrews 10:24-25).===
-====Formally, a Catalyst is a substance that brings about chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.====
+====Formally, a Catalyst is a substance that brings about a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.====
-We have already spoken a lot about the role of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. Now I wan to focus on the church.
+We have already spoken a lot about the role of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. Now I want to focus on the church.
 ====Within the confines of the local church, members spur each other onward.====
 =====Individuals members spur each other onward.=====
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 ====However, there is a component of my job that has very serious implications, shepherding the flock.====
 =====The pastor must feed the flock.=====
-I bear a responsibility for properly exegeting Scripture in a way that is accurate, relevant, and understandable. Part of the reason that sanctification takes place in the body is that we all need fed and someone needs to take responsibility for rightly dividing the word of God. I will tell you this is not a responsibility I take lightly. James 3:1 says that not many should become teachers.
+I bear responsibility for properly exegeting Scripture in a way that is accurate, relevant, and understandable. Part of the reason that sanctification takes place in the body is that we all need to be fed and someone needs to take responsibility for rightly dividing the word of God. I will tell you this is not a responsibility I take lightly. James 3:1 says that not many should become teachers.
 =====The pastor must be an example to the flock.=====
 ======I want to start by telling you that I sin, regularly! However, my genuine prayer is that my life reflects Christ in a way that I can declare as in 1 Cor. 11:1 follow me as I follow Christ.======

@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 <p>I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our home made hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.</p>
-They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.
+====They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.====
 ===The Holy Spirit is the catalyst. The local church is a beaker (Hebrews 10:24-25).===

@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 ==Sanctification occurs as part of the body==
 ===Image: Chemistry requires a controlled environment.===
-I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our home made hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.
+<p>I love chemistry. I am not sure my mom loves the fact that my brothers and I were able to take a lot of chemistry, but I still loved it. Once we figured out some basics we used to have all sorts of fun. One of our greatest achievements growing up was when we learned how to isolate our own hydrogen gas. We used to get bubble solution and then fill those bubbles with our home made hydrogen and have a great time lighting them on fire. Don't worry parents, I don't intend to share today how we isolated the hydrogen.</p>
 They key in this case, or really any chemical reaction, is containing your chemical reaction. To do this you need something like a beaker. Chemical reactions take place within some sort of container.
 ===The Holy Spirit is the catalyst. The local church is a beaker (Hebrews 10:24-25).===
 ====Formally, a Catalyst is a substance that brings about chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.====

@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 =====Looking more like Christ happens when you offer yourselves as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13-14)=====
 =====Remember, generic freedom does not really make sense, instead we have freedom to offer ourselves to Christ.=====
-====Sanctification is a battle that is being waged. (Galatians 6:16-18)====
+====Sanctification is a battle that is being waged. (Galatians 5:16-18)====
 =====The combatants are the flesh and the Spirit - not you and the flesh!!!!!=====
 =====The command to walk by the Spirit implies that we are participants along with the Spirit.=====

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 =====In 18.1 of Plutarch's Numa the word is used of reckoning.=====
 =====The idea is that one takes in all the information and draws a logical fixed conclusion from all the information.=====
-====We are to consider all the information and come to the conclusion that our old self. Our best-self is dead.====
+====We are to consider all the information and come to the conclusion that our old self, our presalvation-self is dead.====
 ====Our life is only to God in Jesus Christ.====
 ====We should not seek to better ourselves, we should seek to be more like Christ, and that can only happen if we put our focus on Christ.====

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ==Sanctification not self-help==
 ===Don't drink the self-help Kool-Aid (Romans 6:4-6).===
-====Image: Forced to read a self-help book in college.====
+====Image: Forced to read a self-help book in college. My best self is not myself at all, it is the new creation from Christ.====
 Back in college I was working on a professional pilot degree and was required to take a course on aviation careers. We read books on economics of the aviation industry, books on aviation career demand, and then a self-help book. The teacher really felt we needed to learn how to help ourselves become our best self. The issue was that I fundamentally believe that my "best self" is in fact totally depraved. My only chance of being anything is to crucify my "best self" that I might be set free from sin and embrace my new self.
 ====As a culture we are addicted to the idea of self-help.====
 =====In the United States alone, the self-help industry is a 2.48 billion dollar a year industry.=====

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 ===Anticipate perfective sanctification (1 John 3:1-3).===
 ====The command to set one's mind on the hope of what to come is very relevant.====
-The time is rapidly approaching when you will be completely sanctified. Sin will no longer be a factor. My suspicion is that when our faith is made sight and we see Jesus for who he really is we will completely and utterly reject sin. In the mean time, we should eagerly hope for, anticipate this event. This knowledge should motivate us to live a holy life now because we know that in the future we will be living a perfectly sanctified life.
+The time is rapidly approaching when you will be completely sanctified. Sin will no longer be a factor. My suspicion is that when our faith is made sight and we see Jesus for who he really is we will completely and utterly reject sin. In the mean time, we should eagerly hope for, anticipate this event.
 ===MTR: Determine to make sanctification a priority. Prepare you mind. Be sober. Set your hope. Do not conform to evil. Be holy.===

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 <p><blockquote>The believers’ living hope based on their new birth should lead to a lifestyle of holiness. Those chosen for new birth are also called to be holy. Peter exhorted his readers to prepare to meet the challenge of obedience by adopting a new mind-set. The price paid for a believer’s redemption calls for reverence and obedience. Obedience involves purifying oneself and practicing holy living, while offering spiritual sacrifices as a royal priest. <ref>Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 842.</ref></blockquote></p>
 ====Peter provides us 5 points that are all connected to our call to holiness.====
-=====Prepare your minds for action=====
+=====Prepare your minds for action - holiness is not going to happen by accident=====
 In other words, holiness is not going to happen by accident. This is something you need to actively pursue. In a minute we will see that sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit and we are participants but what I want to remind you of right now is that you need to prepare yourself to participate.
-=====Be sober=====
+=====Be sober - self-control solves so many problems=====
 So many of our problems stem from our own lack of self-control.
-=====set your hope what is to come, more on that later as well.=====
+=====set your hope what is to come, more on that later as well - if you are focussed on fitting in then you will fit in.=====
 =====do not conform to evil desires of pre-salvation life=====
 If you are focussed on looking like the world then you are going to look like the world. I know this is hard, we all want to be part of the world, we want to feel accepted, we want to feel part of the group. However, this is a trick. Do not be conformed to the world.