WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 I'll be reading Hebrews 13 verses 20 and 21. 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:16.080 We'll do this trusting that it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient word for you and me, his people. 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:20.240 ! Hebrews 13, 20 and 21. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:28.940 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:36.600 that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:43.400 make you complete in every good work to do his will, 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:48.799 working in you what is pleasing in his sight, 00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:56.040 through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 00:00:56.040 --> 00:00:56.219 Amen. 00:00:57.500 --> 00:00:58.640 Please be seated. 00:00:58.939 --> 00:00:59.379 Amen. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:02.539 Let's pray. 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.780 Oh Lord, please help us to understand this glorious promise. 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:18.859 Please help us to behold Jesus Christ as you've described him in this wonderful passage. 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:27.799 Lord, we pray that each one that you have brought here by your sovereign providence will learn today to rest more in Christ, 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:29.319 to trust more in him, 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:37.200 and to be encouraged, Lord, by the promises that he who began a good work in us will see it through to completion. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:41.620 For your glory, for your glory, for Christ's sake, and for our good we pray. Amen. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:41.719 Amen. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:56.120 Well, some of us here, it's possible that we don't trust God because we still think somewhere deep down in our mind or our heart that there's a catch. 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:05.120 Our fallen minds, our own sin in our hearts, and probably also because of bad experiences. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:08.379 It makes us suspicious of God. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:16.060 We might be thinking that the gospel is like someone coming up to you with a cardboard box, 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:19.900 and inside that box is the cutest boxer puppy you have ever seen. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:22.479 And they're going to give it to you, and they say, 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:24.900 it's yours, it's totally free, just receive it. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:27.780 I want this puppy to have a good home. 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:30.340 You feel chosen and happy. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:37.939 And then that next morning at 3 a.m., that free puppy has you awake, 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:40.140 cleaning up all kinds of messes, 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.500 your rug is destroyed, your sofa is destroyed, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.580 your shoe is destroyed, 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:48.140 and now you've got to take them to the hospital or the vet 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:52.720 and pay about $400 for this free puppy. 00:02:53.820 --> 00:02:56.080 You didn't pay anything to receive the gift, 00:02:56.260 --> 00:02:59.980 and now you're stuck with an expensive, exhausting labor 00:02:59.980 --> 00:03:04.540 that you were not prepared for, nor did you sign up for it. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:09.860 And it's understandable that we could feel suspicious. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:12.360 We've heard, you know, the words, 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:14.280 God loves you, trust in Jesus, 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:17.719 and then there's a part of us just waiting for the catch. 00:03:19.760 --> 00:03:22.800 We've all been probably baited and switched 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:24.240 on a lot of different ways. 00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:27.520 You know, you're offered something that seems good and shiny, 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:29.880 the minute you accept it, it's got the barb and the hook, 00:03:30.140 --> 00:03:33.400 and it's worse than what you started off with. 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:40.400 Specifically, in our understanding of salvation, 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:45.379 we view the beginning of a salvation to be justification. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:47.099 God declares you're righteous. 00:03:47.980 --> 00:03:50.900 But for many of us, the catch can sometimes feel like 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.920 everything that gets piled on after that 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:55.920 in what we call, what the Bible calls sanctification, 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:00.439 being set apart, being sanctified, being made holy by God. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.439 You've maybe even heard it taught that when you're justified, 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:08.479 when God declares you righteous, 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:11.659 it's all of his power and his obedience. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:13.060 And that's right. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:16.800 And someone came up with the term monergism to describe that. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.160 It's one-sided energy. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:20.280 It's all of God. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:21.079 And that's right. 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:22.139 That's what the Bible teaches. 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:26.860 But then, a very dangerous teaching has crept into the church. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:29.800 I've seen this with more and more clarity, 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:30.840 though I'm still learning it. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:35.060 But I want to do my best to declare something with authority 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:38.220 and also at the same time invite you to weigh this out. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.220 Study the scriptures for yourself. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:43.600 Let this be an ongoing discussion that we have. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.500 Because what we are taught then is that sanctification, 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:50.020 to become more like Christ, 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:52.760 is not by God's energy and power. 00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:54.760 It's by your energy, your power. 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:56.880 That's what we're taught. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:04:59.300 And that's been called synergism. 00:05:00.820 --> 00:05:03.800 I want to encourage you right now, as you study this, 00:05:03.940 --> 00:05:08.180 stop using the word synergism to describe sanctification. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:12.620 I think the reason it's dangerous is because it appeals to our flesh. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.100 Our flesh will so quickly hold on to that, 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:19.439 that God is the author of my salvation, 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:22.639 but I must be the finisher of my salvation. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:23.920 Haven't you felt that? 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.460 And it's easy then for me to blame the preacher, 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:28.899 blame a church or a system of doctrine, 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:31.060 but it's the reality, it's my own flesh. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:34.079 My legalism, my pride wants to latch on to that. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:38.979 We want to twist the words of that beautiful, simple hymn. 00:05:39.659 --> 00:05:40.219 We want to say, 00:05:40.359 --> 00:05:43.759 "'Twas grace that started my salvation, 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:47.300 but work must bring me home." 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.719 Isn't that what our flesh wants to do? 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.560 My proposition for us today, brothers and sisters, 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:55.560 beloved congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:55.979 --> 00:05:56.599 it's this. 00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:01.460 Sanctification is Christ's work. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.260 Sanctification is Christ's work also. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.720 And I'd like to walk through four reasons from our passage today. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:12.900 Number one, because of who he is. 00:06:13.320 --> 00:06:16.020 Number two, because of what he does. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:18.220 Number three, because of how he does it. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:22.060 And finally, number four, because of why he does it. 00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:25.720 Sanctification is Christ's work. 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:29.660 Will you entertain and ponder this proposition with me? 00:06:30.880 --> 00:06:32.300 Let's go to our first one. 00:06:32.380 --> 00:06:37.080 Number one, sanctification is Christ's work because of who he is. 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:39.700 It's Christ's work because of who he is. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:42.100 Look at verse 20. 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:48.240 We're told wonderful things about God the Savior. 00:06:50.080 --> 00:06:51.580 I'd like to show you three. 00:06:52.700 --> 00:06:54.320 He is the God of peace. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:55.939 He's the God of power. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:00.719 And I'll argue that he's the God of providence from these first few words. 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:06.620 Jesus Christ, truly man, truly God, is the God of peace. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:10.180 It's God who brings shalom. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.159 The book of Hebrews is written in which language? 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:16.800 It's confusing because it's called Hebrews. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:22.280 But it's written to Christians who were Jewish, but it's written in Greek. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:26.560 And so he uses the word in Greek for peace. 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:29.120 But he's speaking to a Jewish audience. 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:30.200 And this is their greeting. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:32.800 That God is the God of, what is it in Hebrew? 00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:34.400 Shalom. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.460 It's the God of shalom. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:40.760 God who brings wholeness and reconciliation. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:41.079 Reconciliation. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:43.060 That's what shalom is. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:46.639 He's the God of peace. 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:52.199 But then he says that this peace comes through violence, through the blood, and the powerful 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:55.079 resurrection of the one who brings peace. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:08:02.240 For the Greeks, the thought of peace often simply meant, like for us, just an absence of war. 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:08.740 But the Jews would have had that much deeper Old Testament anchoring of this term. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:12.299 It's a God who puts all things in their proper order. 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:15.779 It's shalom on a cosmic level. 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:19.680 A restoration of God's intended design. 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:26.480 And it's through this covenant that God repairs what's been fractured. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:32.840 The relationships that have been out of order are now made right by an everlasting covenant 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:36.159 by the blood of this great shepherd. 00:08:37.560 --> 00:08:40.159 By calling God the God of peace. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:47.500 He's calling God the great reconciler who is restoring order to the universe. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:52.519 Starting with Christ the head and his body. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.100 All Christians who are brought under him. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:01.519 So the God of peace delivers his peace through Jesus Christ the Son. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:07.679 And only through Jesus Christ the Son can sinners like you and I know the God of peace. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:11.360 And enjoy shalom, a restored relationship with him. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:15.740 So Jesus is the God of peace. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:20.759 And secondly, Jesus Christ, truly man, truly God, is the God of power. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:23.600 It's the God of power. 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:25.879 Look at the next words. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:29.639 He brought up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:36.360 God, literally, to lead up from a lower place to a higher place. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:44.639 Jesus Christ is described using this term that was used for people on ships, you know, nautical 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:50.139 ships going from one place to the other, being led up, directed. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:55.580 You picture these ships at nighttime following the one ship safe to the harbor to make it through 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.120 the storm. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:10:02.740 That's how Jesus was led up from the depths of death to the highest exaltation at the right 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.899 hand of God the Father. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:09.340 It's the powerful work of God through the person, the life, the death, and the resurrection 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.060 of Jesus. 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:17.600 It's the same power of the resurrection that is being blessed now in the people in Hebrews 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.060 13. 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:24.939 He ties the bringing up of the resurrection to the blood of Christ because the blood of 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:32.500 the everlasting covenant is what was shed and considered acceptable by God who brought 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.899 Jesus back from the dead. 00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:40.199 The reason these are linked is because the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the receipt, 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:48.879 the proof, the confirmation that the payment of his perfect life and his torturous death was accepted 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:49.960 by the holy God. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:59.100 And so Jesus Christ is not only the author, but the powerful finisher of our sanctification, 00:10:59.420 --> 00:11:00.560 of our full salvation. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:05.739 God is the God of peace and God is the God of power. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:13.079 The third reason of who God is, Jesus Christ, truly man, truly God, is that he is the God 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:16.119 of providence, the God of providence. 00:11:17.339 --> 00:11:19.319 Look at how Jesus is described next. 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:23.339 That great shepherd of the sheep. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:31.600 This language is so heartwarming to us because it calls to mind some of our favorite promises. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.040 You know, Jesus, and I think it's John 10, my sheep know my voice, they follow me, 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.379 which reminds us of Psalm 23. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.639 Our shepherd leads us into still waters. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.280 He refreshes us. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.139 He feeds us. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:50.680 And when you would own these lands, a bunch of cattle or sheep, you'd put them out on all 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:51.480 these different pastures. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.480 You rotate them around. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:57.639 Each little flock that could be counted and numbered had a shepherd, but overseeing all 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:02.620 of those little separate individual flocks was the great shepherd, the one who would give 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.899 a report to the king. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:05.480 We saw this in 1 Samuel. 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.700 Saul had the chief herdsman. 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:12.560 So all the other herdsmen report to Saul and report to the chief herdsman and he reports 00:12:12.560 --> 00:12:17.500 to the king so that everyone is accounted for because the chief shepherd will make sure 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:17.860 of that. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:25.740 The Bible says we all like sheep went astray, but the chief shepherd, it's God himself through 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:31.100 Jesus, took us who were wandering away on our own and he called us by his voice. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:36.240 He turned us around and he causes us to instinctively follow him. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:39.899 What a better picture of providence. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:44.100 There's nothing I can think of that would cover it all better than the chief shepherd. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:48.519 Think of what a shepherd does for the sheep. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:51.740 The sheep will be afraid. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:52.980 They won't lay down. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:56.180 They won't relax unless all of their needs are met. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:59.379 And the chief shepherd must provide for everything. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:02.919 If the chief shepherd doesn't get them to the stream, they'll die of thirst. 00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:06.480 If he doesn't protect them in the middle of the night, they'll get devoured. 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:07.879 Sheep are helpless. 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:10.379 And that's what the Bible calls you and me. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:18.720 This image of God through Jesus Christ being the chief shepherd is describing his provision, 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.500 his providence over us. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:25.779 Our confession of faith in chapter 5, paragraph 1 says, 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:30.559 God, the good creator of all things in his infinite power and wisdom, 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:39.240 does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things from the greatest even to the least 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:43.240 by his most wise and holy providence. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:48.620 There might have been one word in that list that the verb that stuck out is dispose. 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.580 What does that mean? 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:55.399 In this time period, that word dispose is a perfect word in English. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:14:02.879 It means God orders, arranges, places, turns, and distributes all according to his will. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.559 So think about this. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:11.600 What's true of God in creation, what's true of God in our justification, 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.200 must also continue to be true in our sanctification. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.139 Some of you have studied logic. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.659 Some of you middle schoolers or high schoolers. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:25.360 And so we can set it up with two statements that are both true. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:28.960 If they're both true, then the conclusion, if the argument is sound, must be true. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:33.580 The first statement I want you to consider is this, the major premise. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:37.819 Doctrines of the creator's providence, which we just read, 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:42.120 are foundational for all of the creator's dealings with his creatures. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.519 Is that true? 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:45.460 I see your heads are nodding. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.100 Okay. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.259 God is the creator. 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.740 Everything else is creaturely. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:53.799 And when we're talking about a doctrine relating to God dealing with creatures, 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:57.319 the most important thing we need to remember is he is creator, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:00.600 and it's his providence that governs all his dealings with creatures. 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:03.320 The second premise is this. 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:10.920 Sanctification is a doctrine, a teaching of the creator dealing with creatures that he has redeemed. 00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:13.560 It's still the creator dealing with creatures. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.779 That's what sanctification is. 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:19.820 If those two statements are true, consider this conclusion. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:24.420 Therefore, the doctrine of divine providence, God's providence, 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:29.540 is foundational for rightly discussing the doctrine of sanctification as well. 00:15:30.780 --> 00:15:33.520 What that means is that he's the chief shepherd. 00:15:34.020 --> 00:15:36.520 He's arranging all things. 00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:42.140 He's providing in every way needed to accomplish even our sanctification. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:45.600 As the good shepherd, he knows us. 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.600 He calls us. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.340 He feeds us. 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.220 He protects us. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.519 He leads us. 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:50.819 He cares for us. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:54.939 He brings us back a time and time again when we need it. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:16:01.480 And our chief shepherd will see us all the way home because of who he is. 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.639 He is the God of peace. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.080 He's the God of power. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:07.460 And he's the God of providence. 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:10.759 Well, that's the first argument. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:14.460 Sanctification is Christ's work because of who he is. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:19.000 Number two, sanctification is Christ's work because of what he does. 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:26.639 Not only because of who he is, but sanctification is also Christ's work because of what he does. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:33.100 Notice how this passage began with a request. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:37.120 He says, now may the God of peace. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:40.759 He's not issuing a command to the church. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:45.039 It's for the church to read, but he's saying it almost as a prayer. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.360 May God do this. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:51.720 He's not telling church, you need to go complete this. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:58.720 Instead, he's relying on God to give the church what will be needed for God to complete it. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:01.200 It will happen by God's own power. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.779 Where did he learn this? 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:08.180 Well, by the Holy Spirit, ultimately. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:10.940 But it doesn't contradict any other part of Scripture. 00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:14.400 In fact, Christ set the example to pray in this way. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.799 Think of John 17, verse 17. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:22.619 Jesus prays to the Father, Father, sanctify my disciples completely. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:25.259 Sanctify them by your truth. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:28.839 Christ prayed that God would sanctify his people. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:33.200 And this is a highly practical expression. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:39.039 He says, Lord, make each one of these complete. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:40.119 That's what he's saying. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.180 He's saying, may they be equipped. 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:46.880 And that word equipped could be stated more like, may they be perfected. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:51.100 It's practical because it's the same word used in Matthew 4.21, 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:53.600 talking about the nets of the fishermen. 00:17:54.060 --> 00:17:58.640 They were there equipping their nets or making their nets complete, perfecting their nets. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:01.440 It can mean mending something that was broken. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:07.140 That's what he's asking for the church, that God would do that in their lives. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:14.340 It's also used of a medical doctor, a physician setting a bone that got put out of place, setting it right. 00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:16.860 May they be equipped for every good work. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:22.240 May you put that shoulder back in place so that they can carry on with what's your will for them to do. 00:18:24.020 --> 00:18:29.020 So sanctification is pictured for us as a repairing process. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:33.360 But God is the one doing the mending, the repairing, the equipping. 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:36.259 God is healing what was torn. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:38.980 He's realigning what was out of order. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:46.059 And he's putting his church and every Christian in a place to be healthy and whole in Christ 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:50.180 so that God's will will be accomplished through them. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:55.759 He will be the one causing believers to do every good work. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.740 It reminds me of Philippians 1.6. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.759 Paul wrote, 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:15.619 That's the phrase. 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:19.759 He's working in you, church, what is well-pleasing to him. 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:28.679 God is in the active, present sense, continuous, ongoing action from God. 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:33.959 Not just God fixed it once and sent you away and gave you some space. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:41.899 But God is continually, actively producing and energizing right desires and right actions for his people. 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:45.080 He is working in you what is well-pleasing. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:52.700 Sanctification is Christ's work because of what God does. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.820 And that's what he does. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.300 And the third reason is this. 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.680 Sanctification is Christ's work because of how he does it. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:03.880 Sanctification is Christ's work because of how he does it. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:10.140 Notice how it's a triune God working upon his people. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:18.140 He works his will and his people beginning from the Father through the Son and by the power of the Spirit. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.220 God the Father is the subject of the sentence. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:24.080 He's the one doing the equipping and the working. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:29.819 God the Father is the ultimate source of grace, reconciliation, and peace. 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:36.539 But the kindness of God the Father is channeled exclusively through Jesus Christ. 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.619 He's the mediator between God and man. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.279 Notice the words next in verse 21. 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:44.519 It's through the blood of the everlasting covenant. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:47.019 And it's through Jesus Christ. 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:52.819 The blood of the everlasting covenant. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:58.000 Christ shed his blood in one moment in time in history. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:05.159 But the benefits of his shed blood, the benefits of the work of Christ for his people are everlasting. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.279 They never stop. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:13.819 Jesus Christ on the cross fulfilled the terms of God's own covenant for his people. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:16.559 He bought his people with a price. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:23.599 It's the legal ground upon which God acts in the lives of his believers, of his people, his followers. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.460 We are not our own. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.879 We are bought with a price. 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:34.919 And because we belong to God, God is going to see to completion this wonderful work of salvation. 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:38.759 There's a wonderful interplay here. 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:42.080 He says, God is working in you to do his will. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:47.879 It's both God's sovereign action and also the human response to God. 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:53.919 We will be doing it, but we'll be doing it as a consequence of God working in us. 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:57.179 God is doing in us. 00:21:57.879 --> 00:22:01.779 And then we will go and do what he has made us do. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.159 What he has initiated. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:11.160 It's God's internal energizing work that's the primary cause, the first motion in our sanctification. 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:17.560 But it's a continuous first motion, always energizing, always keeping us, always preserving us. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:22.440 And it doesn't bypass the human will or override it. 00:22:22.540 --> 00:22:25.860 Instead, he works through us as human beings. 00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:28.140 He persuades us. 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:30.940 God will show us what's lovely. 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:37.320 He'll make us see a work that we would have never chosen to do in our own flesh. 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:43.920 And he'll cause us to be his instrument to do this in a way that we don't get any other glory for it. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.799 It's for his glory. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.680 It's not even us doing it. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:50.620 Ultimately, it's Christ doing it through people like us. 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:57.480 Hebrews 12, 14, I think, is another passage that comes to mind. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:23:04.860 How does this work where God commands and initiates and sees that it will happen, but it happens through human agents like us? 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:12.259 Hebrews 12, 14 commands the church to pursue holiness without which no man can see God. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:16.339 And the idea of pursuing something is like chasing it down. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.740 You know, kids, you like to play tag. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:21.799 And if someone tags you and then runs away, you have to pursue them. 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:31.880 And so even this command, pursue holiness, pursue Christ, even the command to follow hard after Christ is a secondary means. 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.759 It's an instrument God is using. 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:40.440 And as we read these words, pursue holiness, the Spirit causes me to think of these words. 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:42.799 And think of Christ who's gone before me. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:46.539 And think how I can't accomplish any holiness of my own. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:58.279 But his command to follow Christ, pursuing Christ, is the very means God uses to then energize me to take one step closer to Christ each time. 00:23:58.580 --> 00:24:02.340 And then I look back and I say, I took a step of obeying Christ by faith. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.200 Even the desire to do that, the energy to take that step, even that was from the Lord. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:15.080 But, Proverbs 16, 9 says that it is God who directs the steps of his people. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:19.360 There's other verses we need to consider as well and pull in here. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.680 Colossians 1, 29. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:24.720 Paul says, I labor, striving. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:29.539 But then he says right away in the same breath, how do I labor? 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.440 How do I strive? 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:36.420 It's according to God working in me mightily that I do this. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:41.960 Philippians 2, 12 tells the church, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:47.620 But when he says this to a gathered congregation in Philippi, it's in the plural. 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:54.019 He's saying, local congregation, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:57.360 And how does the church do this in the plural? 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.640 How do we do this collectively? 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:01.180 Well, we obey what Christ has commanded. 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.720 We gather in his name on the Lord's day. 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:05.039 We read his word. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.980 We preach his word. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:06.960 We pray. 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.659 We sing. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.359 We're working out. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.180 We're understanding. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:14.240 We're teaching and admonishing one another about our salvation. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.619 We're letting it be worked into us. 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:21.440 And Christ is the one doing this to a gathered body for his will. 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:27.799 So that verse should never be put back on us as a principle of works to the individual. 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:32.339 It's Christ who accomplishes our sanctification. 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:37.799 But he does it through those very means, those very instructions that he's given in his word. 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:44.119 Ephesians 2, 10 says that we are his workmanship. 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.939 We are created. 00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:49.219 It's something that we don't have any control over. 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.439 He does this in us. 00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:59.419 We're created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:02.940 You see how God started it? 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.640 God prepared the very good works. 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.440 You did them through Christ. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:08.120 God gets all the glory. 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:10.120 And this is why he created you. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.360 This is why he called you. 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.440 Why you're part of his new creation order. 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:16.000 It's because these things will happen. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:19.539 He's the one that's ensured that they will in his own way. 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:25.139 Your obedience and mine and sanctification is directed by God. 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:27.519 It's God who inclines us to obey. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:32.899 God who effectually animates us to obey him. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:38.279 It's God in his providence and his pure power is working in us. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:44.460 He doesn't just give us a push on the path of sanctification and expect us to go. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:48.200 Instead, he is our very internal energy source. 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:52.000 In him we live and move and have our being. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:56.779 It's all from him and to him and through him and for his glory. 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:05.039 The word here in our passage that God is working in you to do his will. 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.039 Working in. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:09.100 It's a term for manufacturing. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:13.700 It's like a factory picture, you know, of you set up a shop. 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:15.480 Jesus was a builder. 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:17.600 So you can picture like a little assembly line. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.579 We're going to put it all together. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:21.939 And up comes this wonderful piece of work. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:25.259 And it's God who is working in you. 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.579 Manufacturing. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.679 Producing in you. 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:30.759 The right desires and actions in real time. 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:38.599 So when we obey, we are operating because God is first operating inside of us. 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.779 It's a cooperation. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:41.779 It's not without us. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:46.460 It's impossible without God sustaining it every step of the way. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:52.460 Well, the fourth and final reason I want to bring before you today. 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:58.859 It's not only how Christ sanctifies us, but it's also why he does this. 00:27:58.859 --> 00:28:03.939 Sanctification must be Christ's work because of why he does this. 00:28:04.199 --> 00:28:06.279 Why does Christ sanctify us? 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:13.899 Not because God foresaw us as people who would choose to obey him if he had left us to ourselves. 00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:16.259 Second Thessalonians 2.13 says, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:20.140 Because God from the beginning chose you for salvation. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:24.660 From the beginning he chose you to save you and me. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:31.259 For salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth. 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:35.019 He didn't see anything in us. 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.019 Then why did he do it? 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:41.339 Why is it that he chose to save and sanctify us as people? 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:45.039 In our verse today, verse 21 says, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.960 It was for his own glory. 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:52.440 For Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.299 Amen. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:59.379 If sanctification depended on your energy or mine, 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:02.480 if it were synergistic like that, 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:05.520 then that would have to mean that our final salvation, 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:08.360 even to some small degree, 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:11.040 would depend on you or me. 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.340 Instead, this verse says, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:19.280 It was for Jesus Christ, and to him alone be all the glory. 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:21.340 Why did God save us? 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.800 Why does he sanctify us? 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:27.180 It's also because of the love of God through Jesus Christ. 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:29.200 Ephesians 5.25 says, 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:43.720 Why is sanctification Christ's work? 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:45.760 It's because God is faithful. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:52.600 He knows, he calls, he feeds, he protects, he leads, he cares for, he brings back his sheep. 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:56.119 He does this by his most wise and holy providence. 00:29:56.919 --> 00:30:03.459 God upholds, directs, governs, orders, arranges, places, turns, and distributes all things 00:30:03.459 --> 00:30:07.579 for the sanctification, for the salvation of his people. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:11.399 1 Thessalonians 5.23 says, 00:30:11.399 --> 00:30:15.799 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:19.939 and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved, 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:23.000 blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:24.179 who calls you. 00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:26.079 He who calls you is faithful, 00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:29.039 and he also will do it. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:33.940 Sanctification is Christ's work because of why he does it, 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:36.279 and he does it for his own glory. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:40.980 Don't let the enemy or your own flesh deceive you. 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:46.720 We can think that we're like a tone-deaf beggar on the street. 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:52.659 Doesn't have any sense of music or notes or what sounds good. 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:58.019 And we can think that it's like God handed us this broken violin and said, 00:30:58.620 --> 00:31:02.220 You better play that violin beautifully now or else you're out. 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:03.660 You have no place in my kingdom. 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:06.800 And if that's how salvation is, 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:09.100 then we just stand there trembling with this broken violin, 00:31:09.300 --> 00:31:13.140 and it's impossible to complete what he expects of us. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.980 And that's not what any of these verses, 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:19.440 any of these promises in Scripture say that salvation is. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:22.660 That's not how we can think about sanctification. 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:29.039 Instead, God gives this violin, 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:33.279 and then he patiently comes over and fixes it, so to speak, 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:35.400 and puts wonderful strings on it. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:37.519 And then he takes our hands, 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.940 and he teaches us, 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:41.880 and he touches our ears and heals us. 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:44.920 And then he's the one making the music 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:47.200 and playing that violin 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:49.400 through the instrument of this beggar holding it. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.440 And the sound is beautiful, 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:53.059 and you can hear it and appreciate it. 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.400 But you look back, 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:57.080 you get no glory for anything good that God did. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:32:00.240 He's the one who gave you a desire now 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:03.000 to enjoy it and to learn more from him. 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.460 And it's all for his glory. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:09.759 He's the one producing all the music in our lives. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:13.599 Oh, dear brothers and sisters, 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:18.460 sanctification is not a struggle 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:22.819 to produce a melody to impress God with. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:26.759 It's yielding your life to him. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:29.400 It's throwing yourself on him 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.119 and confessing, 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.940 I have nothing of my own. 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:34.380 I cannot do a single good work 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:36.420 by my own energy or power. 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.460 My own desires, Lord, 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:40.100 won't be enough. 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.980 Please give me, Lord, what I lack. 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.279 Lord, you know what's well-pleasing 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.640 of my life today. 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.100 And I pray, Lord, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.900 that you will cause me 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:53.900 and arrange everything for me 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:55.740 to do what is pleasing to you. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:59.420 because sanctification is your work 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.559 in Jesus Christ, 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.880 not mine. 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.640 I want to encourage us one more time 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.519 by hearing this 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:08.220 because it's a blessing. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.339 It's a benediction. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.220 It's something that should just 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.460 wash over the church 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.940 time and time again 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:16.140 and cause us to trust in Christ 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:17.819 for our sanctification. 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.319 Now may the God of peace 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:23.579 who brought up our Lord Jesus 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.900 from the dead, 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:26.460 that great shepherd of the sheep 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.700 through the blood 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.259 of the everlasting covenant 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:31.080 make you complete 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:32.519 in every good work 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.580 to do his will, 00:33:34.300 --> 00:33:35.160 working in you 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.220 that which is pleasing 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:36.860 in his sight 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.040 through Jesus Christ 00:33:38.040 --> 00:33:39.640 to whom be glory 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:40.620 forever and ever. 00:33:41.300 --> 00:33:41.680 Amen. 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:44.380 Let's pray and thank the Lord. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:48.040 Oh God, we confess 00:33:48.040 --> 00:33:50.100 we are nothing. 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.460 You are everything. 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:54.259 Lord, we confess 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.200 we need mending. 00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:57.460 We need being set right, Lord. 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:59.420 And only you can do that. 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.420 Father, we pray that 00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.299 you'll teach us 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:05.539 to lay down our pride, 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.879 lay down our self-reliance. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.460 We pray, Lord, 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.420 that you will stir up 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.099 in our hearts 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:14.059 a desire to follow you 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.900 like a sheep following you 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.860 as the good shepherd. 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:18.579 That we won't hold back 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.699 anything from you, Lord, 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:21.819 and suspect something of you 00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:23.599 that is our own sin 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:25.159 and flesh accusations 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.919 against you. 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:28.259 Help us to believe, Lord, 00:34:28.399 --> 00:34:29.579 sincerely that you are 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.119 trustworthy. 00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.639 Lord, with you 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:35.099 there is salvation 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.259 and it truly is 00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:37.139 free salvation 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.599 as we read in Isaiah 55. 00:34:39.439 --> 00:34:40.679 For all who are hungry, 00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:42.759 you give freely food to eat. 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:44.480 For all who are thirsty, 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.379 we come to you. 00:34:45.859 --> 00:34:47.119 There's no bait and switch. 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.500 There's nothing hidden. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.940 There's no burden. 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.420 You're going to lay back 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.380 on your people, Lord. 00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:55.000 We pray that you will 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.980 establish your people. 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.380 You will see through 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.019 to completion 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.799 this good work 00:34:58.799 --> 00:34:59.519 that you began 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:01.339 in each individual life 00:35:01.339 --> 00:35:02.059 that's here today 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.019 and in this congregation 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.799 as a whole. 00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:05.139 We ask this 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.639 for Christ's sake alone. 00:35:07.219 --> 00:35:07.579 Amen.