… continuing in the faith, despite trials and challenges.

… avoiding sexual immorality.

… loving one another sincerely.

… encouragement to work hard to earn their own living.

God’s plan is not just to save you and I from sin, but He also wants to transform us so we can do good for His Kingdom now and in the life to come.

1. We must trust that God is actively at work in our life to spiritually transform us

2. We must be willing to intentionally engage in God’s plan of sanctification in our lives.

3. We need to be intentional to encourage one another in the process of sanctification.

Getting a picture of God’s love: Blood Diamond Scene

God Himself the God of Peace:

– The God of peace infers that He is the God that makes you and I whole. God does not want you to live a fragmented life. He desires to bring wholeness to my life and yours.

Sanctification:

- Definition: God cleanses you from your sin through the sacrificial atonement of Christ’s death and sets you apart from sinful living for His divine purposes.

- “I have been set apart from sin to be used for God’s divine purposes.”

Say it with me “Everything about me has been set apart from sin to be used for God’s divine purposes.”

- Philippians 1: 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

- God’s role is very active. He is the initiator, sustainer, and finisher.

- He earned our sanctification for us by offering His sinless son Jesus Christ.

- He disciplines us to move us from sinful living to holiness.

- He gave Jesus to be our example of devoting our whole-self to the Father.

He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us in truth, convict us of sin, and produce spiritual fruit in our lives.

- Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

- We yield our whole being to God, the Lordship of Christ, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

- By the spirit we put to death the deeds of the sinful deeds of the body.

- We take steps that will increase sanctification in our lives.

- Make wise choices in light of the different struggles we each know that we have.

- Engage in spiritual disciplines to be attuned to God, to feed our spirit, and to

starve our sinful desires.

Say it with me “Everything about me has been set apart from sin to be used for God’s divine purposes.”

“Why do I need to be cleansed from sin?” and “What am I preparing for?”

Say it with me: The One who calls me is faithful, and He will do it.