1. Progressive Sanctification WHY IT IS SO HARD TO STOP SINNING

2. Last week, we talked about sin.

3. Sin is all the bad things we Think Say and Do That break God’s laws.

4. Sometimes the things we think are sin. THINKING MEAN THOUGHTS ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE PLANNING TO HURT SOMEONE ENVY: NOT BELIEVING SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE WHAT THEY HAVE

5. Sometimes the things we say are sin. CALLING OTHER PEOPLE NAMES TELLING LIES TO ANYONE, ABOUT ANYONE SPREADING RUMORS ABOUT SOMEONE TELLING SECRETS YOU PROMISED TO KEEP

6. Sometimes the things we do are sin. TAKING OTHER PEOPLE’S THINGS (STEALING) HITTING SOMEONE ON PURPOSE TAKING TWO COOKIES WHEN MOM SAID ONE SHOVING EVERYTHING ON YOUR FLOOR UNDER YOUR BED

7. Sin is all the bad things we Think Say and Do That break God’s laws.

8. And the only thing that takes away sin is…

9. Blood. WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD, THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS. HEBREWS 9:22

10. Only one person lived a sinless life, and He gave His blood to cover sin.

11. Jesus.

12. Last week, we talked about being adopted into God’s family. BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS AND YOU WILL BE SAVED. ACTS 16:31B

13. Many of you prayed to God last week about Jesus, and you meant it.

14. And then, this week, you still... HIT YOUR BROTHER THOUGHT MEAN THINGS ABOUT SOMEONE TOLD A LIE

15. And now you’re thinking… HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? WHEN I PRAYED THAT PRAYER I REALLY MEANT IT! WHY DID I STILL SIN?

16. That is what we are going to learn about today. Making progress.

17. When you prayed that prayer, and you A. Admitted you sinned. B. Believed in Jesus. C. Committed your life to Him (THAT’S REALLY ALL IT TAKES. REALLY.)

18. That is being saved. Jesus has covered your sins with His blood. (HOORAY! PRAISE THE LORD!)

19. But should that mean that you should just keep sinning, because your sins will keep being covered? OF COURSE NOT. THAT EVEN SOUNDS SILLY.

20. This progress is called: Progressive Sanctification THOSE BIG WORDS JUST MEAN, “EVERY DAY, A LITTLE BIT MORE.”

21. When my son was born, he was born a man. I KNOW, BECAUSE I CHANGED HIS DIAPERS. HE WAS DEFINITELY BORN A MAN.

22. He started to grow, as a man. A LITTLE BIGGER EVERY DAY.

23. Now he is in college. He is a man. IT WASN’T OVERNIGHT, WAS IT?

24. That’s how it works with you and me, and Jesus.

25. As we love God more, and learn about Him, and serve Him more…

26. We grow, too.

27. In fact, we won’t stop growing in Jesus until we get to Heaven.

28. Then, when we stand before Him, we’ll finally be everything He wants us to be.

29. Think about plants… THEY GROW TOO, RIGHT?

30. We start with a seed. THIS SEED ONLY GROWS ONE KIND OF PLANT. TOMATO SEEDS DON’T GROW EGGPLANTS OR RADISHES OR BANANAS. GOD MADE YOU TO GROW A CERTAIN WAY, TOO.

31. That planted seed begins to grow. JUST LIKE WE GROW CLOSER, AND MORE LIKE, JESUS.

32. Until one day, it is everything it is supposed to be. TALL, STRONG, AND MAKING FRUIT.

33. You are growing in Jesus, just like you are growing in school and growing in your body.

34. A little bit, every day.

35. This is you now:

36. But with God’s help, this is who you will be!

37. Just remember, a little bit more like Jesus, every day. “FOR I AM CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFECT IT UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.” PHILIPPIANS 1:6