Sermon: “Assured? Yes! Sanctified? Hope So!”

We are to grow in relationship with God; that process of growth, development, discipleship, alignment, bearing fruit and living a holiness lifestyle all comes under the process concept of sanctification.

Bible Study

1. Obedience to authorities is required as is “true humanity” towards all people. (Titus 3:1-2)
2. To realize that at one time we were foolish and enslaved by sin. We were disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of sin, passions and pleasures. (Titus 3:3)
3. God, in kindness and love, saved us from ourselves and eternal punishment, not because we deserved it or by what we have done. Righteous deeds cannot save! (Titus 3:4-5)
4. By rebirth, washing in the blood, renewing by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us through Christ. (Titus 3:5-6)
5. Because of all this we are justified by grace. (Titus 3:7)
6. Now in gratefulness, appreciation, assurance and acceptance we need to devote ourselves to doing good and living a “Holiness lifestyle”. Doing good is excellent and profitable to us all. (Titus 3:8)
7. We are to avoid foolish conversations and arguments; to avoid hurting others. (Titus 3:9).
8. Warn a devisive person twice, then have nothing to do with them. They are warped, sinful, deceiving and self-condemned. They condemn themselves by their actions. (Titus 3:10-11)
9. Christians must learn to devote themselves to doing good. (Titus 3:14)
10. In our “Holiness lifestyle” and “sanctified lives” by doing good, we are to provide the daily needs of the poor, lost, needy, sick and disenfranchised. We are not called to live shallow and unproductive lives but rather productive lives that mirror the images and teachings of Christ. (Titus 3:14)

Living a Sanctified life means living a “Holiness lifestyle”. We realize that it is not all about me! In our assurance of salvation comes a heart-felt appreciation for all that God and Christ have done for us and in our lives. In gratefulness, we desire to be more like Him and live “holiness lives” full of sanctifying grace for all we meet.

This whole process is called Sanctification and begs the question:
If you are assured of your salvation must we not also follow the path of sanctification and live as God calls us to live?