Saints in Christ Colossians 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Outline Saints Saints Faithful Faithful Brethren Brethren Grace & Peace Grace & Peace

NOT 2 Categories Vs. 2 – Saints (and) Adjective Adjective – Faithful Brethren Saints and Faithful describe Brethren Saints and Faithful describe Brethren

Every brother and sister in Christ is a Saint. What is a Saint?

Commentary According to F. F. Bruce, According to F. F. Bruce, – The word “saints” marks them out as God’s holy people, chosen and set apart by him for himself. – See Eph 2:19

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and of the household of God;

Commentary The term “saints” conveyed the idea of separation and holiness expected in the OT (Num 23:9) and included the righteousness already imputed to these believers because of the work of Christ on their behalf. The term “saints” conveyed the idea of separation and holiness expected in the OT (Num 23:9) and included the righteousness already imputed to these believers because of the work of Christ on their behalf. New American Commentary

Sanctification Theologically, we call the work of God by which He makes us holy sanctification. Theologically, we call the work of God by which He makes us holy sanctification. Sanctify Sanctify – Set Apart for Holy Service

In the Latin Sanctify means “to make holy” Sanctify means “to make holy” – from two Latin words Sanctus = Holy Sanctus = Holy Facere = to Make Facere = to Make

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, For this is the will of God, – [even] your sanctification Set Apart for Holy Service

Sanctification PositionalPractical (which is) Decisive (which is) Progressive

The Reality All those who are born-again are saints in a positional sense but may not be saints in a practical sense. All those who are born-again are saints in a positional sense but may not be saints in a practical sense.Saint Set Apart Set Apart Make Holy Make Holy

John 17:17 Jesus prayed to the Father that He would: Jesus prayed to the Father that He would: – Sanctify them [His disciples] through thy truth: thy word is truth.

How is one sanctified? Or, how does one receive the sanctification that Christ obtained on the cross?

Turn in Your Bibles Acts 26:12-18

Positional Sanctification Acts 26:18 Acts 26:18 – To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Positional Sanctification God’s Grace positions the believer “among them which are sanctified.” God’s Grace positions the believer “among them which are sanctified.” What is grace?

Grace Grace is God’s unconditional goodwill toward men and women which is decisively expressed in the saving work of Christ (F.F. Bruce). Grace is God’s unconditional goodwill toward men and women which is decisively expressed in the saving work of Christ (F.F. Bruce). This is why faith must be in the person and work of Christ.

Positional Sanctification God’s Grace positions the believer “among them which are sanctified.” God’s Grace positions the believer “among them which are sanctified.” This happens when you are born-again and adopted into the family of God. This happens when you are born-again and adopted into the family of God. Thus, Paul addresses them as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Thus, Paul addresses them as “brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Future Eternity Past Present Life Sanctification God has already set believers apart in Christ In the present, humans decisively make this a reality by grace through faith in Christ. God Finishes His Work

Believers can have positional sanctification without a practical application of that sanctification, but not without chastisement.

For Example 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 1:2 – Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Practical Sanctification Positional Sanctification is a decisive work of God’s Grace. Positional Sanctification is a decisive work of God’s Grace. Whereas, practical sanctification involves man’s responsible participation. Whereas, practical sanctification involves man’s responsible participation. Faithful Describes Man’s Responsible Participation

Progressive Galatians 4:19 Galatians 4:19 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Practical Sanctification “Faithful” involves: “Faithful” involves: – Separation from the sinful practices of the present world. – Consecration to God’s service. – Formation of Christ-like actions and attitudes.

1 st Century Pharisees would walk with their eyes toward the ground to avoid the sins caused by the eyes.

This overreaction lead to a challenge to open their eyes and see the needs around them. Commission vs. Omission

Progressive Practical Sanctification Sanctification – Manifests itself in becoming more and more of a fully-functioning follower of Christ. It is NOT obeying a laundry list of do’s and don’ts It is NOT obeying a laundry list of do’s and don’ts

1) Worship 2) Word of God 3) Good Work 4) Witness

Christ’s Work of Sanctification Makes PEACE with God Possible

Believers Believers who have been and are being sanctified by God do not experience His wrath; instead, God disciplines and chastises them like the perfect parent. Believers who have been and are being sanctified by God do not experience His wrath; instead, God disciplines and chastises them like the perfect parent. The only time I am not at peace is when I am ignoring the Holy Spirit. The only time I am not at peace is when I am ignoring the Holy Spirit.

The First Step Practical sanctification always begins with this question: Practical sanctification always begins with this question: Acts 9:6 Acts 9:6 – Lord what wilt thou have me to do?

The best evidence of true salvation is not having raised a hand or prayed a prayer or having been baptized. Instead, the true test of an authentic work of God in one’s life is sanctification as God continues the moral transformation he began in regeneration.