Over the next few weeks as a church we are going to explore what we believe, a few of the key doctrines and concepts of scripture, that shape our life individually as well as our life together as the Church.

Together we want to get a clearer picture of the nature of our faith as the Church of the Nazarene, not just to gain knowledge, but to value the freedom and joy found in living out the way of Jesus of Nazareth.

Welcome to our teaching series “What we believe”.

-Paul is describing a tension to which many of us can relate: we battle with sin even when we desire to do good.
-Many people stop reading after verse 24. They believe that living a daily battle with sin is inevitable.
-It's not the end of Paul's words and it's not the final word on sin in our lives. Keep reading to verse 25.

Through Jesus there is deliverance. Through Jesus there is hope. Sin does not have the final word.

The doctrine of Entire Sanctification is defined as "the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ" (Manual, Church of the Nazarene).

What Paul describes throughout this letter is the power of God to overcome sin in our lives

Consider these reminders in Romans 6-8:
-"We have died to sin" (Romans 6:2)
-"Sin is no longer our master" (Romans 6:14)
-"We are rescued from sin and death" (Romans 7:25)
-"We are set free from sin" (Romans 8:2)
-"We no longer live according to sin" (Romans 8:4)

God's Word describes sin in two different ways:
1. The acts of sin - the things that we have done, and choices we have made.
2. The nature of sin - our corrupted nature, which is bent towards selfishness.

Jesus came to be my Savior, and to forgive my acts of sin (the wrong things I have done).
But Jesus also came to be my Lord, to purify my heart and cleanse me from a nature bent towards sin.

Jesus desires to be both Savior and Lord.

"We believe there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character." (Manual, Church of the Nazarene)

God purifies our hearts, but we continue the lifelong journey to grow in grace and maturity.

Verses for further study/reflection:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Malachi 3:2–3
Matthew 3:11–12
Luke 3:16–17
John 7:37–39
John 14:15–23
John 17:6–20
Acts 1:5
Acts 2:1–4
Acts 15:8–9;
Romans 12:1–2
2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 5:16–25
Ephesians 3:14–21
Ephesians 5:17–18, 25–27
Philippians 3:10–15
Colossians 3:1–17
Hebrews 4:9–11
Hebrews 10:10–17
Hebrews12:1–2
Hebrews 13:12
1 John 1:7-9
1 John 2:1-12

From our Articles of Faith

We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is wrought by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification we are fully conformed to the image of the Son.

We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.

It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart unity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.”

We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace.

We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one’s witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost.

Participating in the means of grace, especially the fellowship, disciplines, and sacraments of the Church, believers grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.