David Blythe
July 9, 2008

Tonight - we are continuing in our series called “The Path of Discipleship”

Our first week we discussed how that Jesus never called us “Christians” – It was a title given to His followers from the people of Antioch

Jesus called us His Disciples

And there were 3 things they were clearly called to do – REPENT – BELIEVE – FOLLOW

A disciple of Christ is someone who repents and turns away from serving themselves – and they begin serving God

They live their lives by Believing in Christ – His teachings – and His power

They follow Christ – no matter what it costs – and no matter how unpopular it may be

They live to be influenced by the Master – and ultimately to become like the Master
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Our second message focused on why we are called to be a people who love

Our scripture reference was Mark 12:30-31
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

This is what sets Christianity apart from any other religion – Our Love

But we came to the harsh reality that it is this lack of love that hurts our cause
And I shared with you that it is essential to develop a love for God – and that has to clearly come from your salvation experience and what He saved you from

I also explained that one of the greatest ways you show your love to God is by showing love to your fellow man

I am curious if any of you took my challenge seriously to reach out to someone this past week – and bless them – A show of hands?

Well – Tonight – we are going to get into why we are a People called who Grow

What do you mean Pastor David to grow? Well let me share a story with you

Rose was an 87 year old woman who decided to go to college and pursue what she had dreamed about her entire life – to get a degree

She not only succeeded but she thrived in the college environment and became a star on campus

The younger students loved her – and they asked her to speak at the year-end banquet – and here are some of the things she said

“There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are 19 years old and lie in bed for a year and do not do one productive thing, you will turn 20. If I am 87 and stay in bed for one year and never do one thing, I will turn 88. Anyone can grow older – It doesn’t take talent or ability. The idea is to GROW UP, by always finding the opportunity in change.”

You see all of us grow older – but not all of us grow up!

Growing up is not automatic in this life – its optional

To grow up we must take our life experiences and opportunities and use them to make us wiser and more mature!

To grow up – we have to change!

And there is no greater application to this than in being a disciple of Christ – Are we growing up in Christ? Are we maturing in our faith?

The Bible has many references to illustrate this idea of Growth

It talks about us being spiritual babies who grow into mature adults

It talks of going from milk – to solid foods

It talks of growing from seeds – into mature plants

This illustrates that we begin weak – young – immature – and limited

Then we grow and develop Christ likeness – and to a mature faith in God

This does not occur by staying stationary or static – we are to move

So let me begin by asking you – as a disciple of Christ – are you happy with your level of Christian maturity?

Do you believe you are stronger and more committed today than you were a year ago?

Do you feel like you have moved from Pabulum to sold foods?

Our responsibility as Disciples of Christ is to be a people who Grow

To be a people Conformed to the very image of Christ

This is Spiritual Growth – Christian Maturity – it should be our goal as disciples

And this growth occurs through a process called SANCTIFICATION.

And we talked about sanctification about a year and a half ago in a sermon titled: “Change is Good”

But it is a process – so essential to the life of a believer – you cannot really talk enough about it – and I believe it is important that we understand it

Sanctification occurs through the supernatural realm – as God opens our hearts and minds to greater truth and understanding

But, I also believe – that in order for the supernatural to occur – you must be first be an active participant in this process

Meaning – it first has to be something that we hunger and desire – and secondly

We must take action – we must be committed to this process by engaging in it

Earlier, I shared with you that a disciple tries to become like the Master

So, we learn about the master – his ways – his truth – and his nature – to truly become like Him

And over time – you grow – your nature changes – you become aware of greater Spiritual truths
And most importantly – you apply those truths to how you live

It is this process called Sanctification that takes us from Immaturity to Maturity in Christ

Paul speaks to the Christians in Thessalonica and prays for their sanctification:

1 Thessalonians 5:23: “Now may the peace of Himself sanctify you completely – and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sanctification is – The setting apart of man to be made holy by God.

In the book Foundations for Pentecostal Theology – it is described as a dedication – consecration – or setting apart for some specific and holy use

It is a progressive and ongoing process and constantly stretching you to grow in Christ.

What we know about sanctification is it occurs after salvation.

It is the state of being sanctified – of growth to maturity – and of conformity to the image of Christ

So it is not just a state of Holiness – but also the act of making one holy.

I believe that if we only believe in Salvation and not the continuance of His work in our life through Sanctification

We have dishonored Christ’s sacrifice

The complete story doesn’t end once you are saved – It is just beginning

The gospel story continues through your own life – and the impact you make upon your world

You become a living example of the power of a changed and victorious life in Christ! An example for the world to see

So tonight – let’s talk about exactly where this process called sanctification takes place?
• The Body (which is all about our feelings and flesh)
• The Mind (which is all about reasoning)
• The Spirit (which is all about our conscience)

1. SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES YOUR BODY
Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

I have shared with you many times that our human nature is driven by our flesh (Our bodies)

We always go on physical feelings and it gets us into trouble

This explains why so many Christians are up one day and down the other

They go by their feelings and don’t walk by faith – I call them Yo-Yo Christians.

When we feel good we give glory to God – and when we feel bad – we look like we just ate a lemon and act as if we have lost it all!

Feelings are the voice of the Body: You cannot allow yourself to be controlled by feelings!

The body (flesh) always wants to gratify itself and often the desires of the flesh overshadow anything that our mind or spirit can warn us about.

Our bodies (being the very temple of the Holy Spirit) must be maintained and controlled.

The truth is – our bodies aren’t even ours (according to scripture) our bodies belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who, you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods.”

Furthermore, we must use our bodies in the work of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:27: The Apostle Paul says: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

That is what being a living sacrifice is about.

Sanctification of our bodies – involves the use of this body for Christ’s purposes,

Not just too simply fulfill the flesh which is what non-believers do – but being used of God in the physical sense

Taking the body that your spirit resides and getting out and making a difference for the Kingdom of God – and that begins by how you conduct your life
By your attitudes – and your very nature – keeping it God focused – and ultimately through your actions

By also getting out and making an impact on your world – through ministry

And all the while – “Bringing your body” as Paul says: “under subjection,”

Meaning: holding your body under allegiance to the teachings of Christ – so that when you do Gods work – no one can say you are disqualified.

2. SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES YOUR MIND
Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.”

Sanctification of the mind is achieved by renewing your mind and about what you allow your mind to absorb:

The things you read --- The things you watch --- The things you listen to
The things you think about

We have talked many times before about, “You are what you eat.”

And how that translates into – “You are what you consume” in the spiritual and intellectual sense as well

What you feed your mind will either enforce or hinder the work of sanctification in your life.

Once again – WE can be the greatest obstacle to the work of God in our life.

You see – Reason is the voice of the Mind:

Our minds can reason, calculate, and justify anything that we think of – or ultimately act upon

And that is commonly what happens – when we continually feed our mind with things contrary to the Word of God

When we feed our mind with the philosophy of the world or pop culture.

So if that is what you regularly do – do you think during times of temptation or trouble – that your mind will reason as Christ would want? Absolutely not!

It will reason and justify and calculate based on what you have been feeding it

When you feed your flesh and your mind with the things of the world – you will always tend to accept the norm of society and not the standards of God.

And there is a huge difference between those two

I know I have said this before but it is so very true

Your generation has more filth thrown in your face than any generation before you! You have grown up with things that were never an influence when I grew up
• MTV (sexually suggestive)
• Video Games (violently suggestive)
• Internet (every kind of filth imaginable)
• Vulgar music lyrics
• More Graphic Television – (with twisted story lines)
• Movies (special effects that leave nothing to the imagination and actually sexual footage that would have been called porn when I was growing up)

If you regularly or even occasionally digest this kind of filth into your mind – you can be assured of this

Your mind will justify any and all of the above when confronted with it!

1 Peter 1:13: “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Gird means to Put a Belt Around – Equip With – or Encircle – In other words, “Protect” your mind!

I shared this story with you once before – earlier in the war in Iraq

I often listen to conservative talk radio.

One of the programs had linked on their web site – the video of the de-capitation of American hostage – Nicholas Berg in Iraq

The intention was to show the cruel hostility of Islam – this so called religion of peace

So, I went to the web site and was almost ready to watch the execution when the Holy Spirit impressed upon me, “What possible good can viewing this do for you?”

Did I really need to fill my mind with this gruesome show of violence through this inhumane execution?
How could this hold any possible benefit to me or my mind?

What spiritual value could this have? Absolutely ZERO

I heeded that call and did not view the video.

This is how we must view everything we allow ourselves to partake of. How will this affect me?

Colossians 3:2: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

You see – We say we want to live a holy life – but we often continue to feed on the things of the world.

Philippians 4:8: “Finally Brethren, whatever things are true – whatever things are noble – whatever things are just – whatever things are pure – whatever things are lovely – whatever things are of good report – if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

When you set your mind on things above – you will begin to regularly manifest Christ-likeness in your daily

Joyce Meyer wrote a book titled, “The Battlefield of the Mind.”

It tells about exactly what the title indicates - there is a constant battle going on within your mind.

Her book gets into overcoming negative thinking and the like – but she clearly establishes that your mind is ground zero.

The power of the mind is an incredible force
Your mind absorbs – digests – files and manifests within you – everything that you allow it to take in.

Sanctification of the mind – is renewing your mind through the Word of God.

Allowing your mind to be – “To be washed in the Word” – as the Bible states

Absorbing it – digesting it – and watching as it begins to transform your thinking and attitudes – which ultimately transforms your actions

Conversely – It also involves your limiting that which you allow to enter into your mind to begin with

Don’t hinder the work of God in your life by feeding on things contrary to what He desires for you in your life.

3. SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES YOUR SPIRIT

The Apostle Paul in several of his letters to the various churches speaks of sanctification of and by the spirit.

Ephesians 1:17: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

So, sanctification of the spirit creates wisdom and revelation.

Wisdom and progressive or continual revelation allows you to live a life of victory and not defeat.

Your spirit is who you are. It is the eternal part of your existence

After your body dies – your spirit lives on, eternally.

Worldly wisdom says, “We are human beings on a spiritual journey” Not true!

We are spirit beings on a human journey

When we accept Christ into our life – His spirit resides in us.

You must ask yourself in your life……………do I follow what my body dictates based on my feelings?

Do I follow what my mind dictates based on reasoning or thinking?

Or do I follow as the spirit dictates?

Your Conscience is the voice of the Spirit:

The truth is – in all things we should be led by our spirit which is now in union with the Holy Spirit.

In fact – it is no longer our spirit but the Spirit of God living within us.

Our spirit needs to be fed just like our body and mind

This comes from communion with God – not the wafers and wine – but a relationship with Him.

It is living a sanctified life – so surrendered to fellowship with Christ – that day by day your inner spirit and outward expression are ruled by The Holy Spirit.

Your relationship with Christ is very personal and learning about His many facets allows you to grow and rely on those many facets.

In the scriptures written by John, you know that he knows Christ and uses many descriptive terms for him:
• Divine teacher
• Great Physician
• Bread of Life
• Water of Life
• Defender of the Weak
• Light of the World
• Good Shepherd
• Resurrection and Life
• The King
• Servant
• Counselor
• True Vine
• The Great Intercessor
• Restorer
• and many more

The Word of God, in my opinion will feed and sanctify your spirit like nothing else.

Please don’t just read your Bible because I tell you that you need to

Read your Bible with great expectation – make it a meaningful experience and allow it to bring new revelation to your walk.

Asking God in prayer before you read it – to bring you something new and fresh that can be applied in your life.

The Bible states: “The Word of God is Sharper than any two edge sword.” “It is words of life to any believer”.

Listen, I know the Old Testament can be boring to read at times
But in order for you to really understand the New Covenant through Jesus Christ you need to read and understand the law of the Old Testament.

It will help you realize the true freedom of a life with Christ

I also encourage you to read the New Testament and start with the Gospel of John

Whatever and whenever you choose to read the Word – if you do so with an expectant heart – it will feed your Spirit.

Prayer is another way to feed your Spirit.

Pray like you were speaking to a friend – because that is what God is.

Be real – be specific – and pour out your heart to Him; that is what relationship with Christ is all about.

During prayer time – is when I receive some very clear insights on situations in my life – like:
• How I should react to a challenge or sensitive situation
• When I shouldn’t react
• Direction on what to teach here at Edi Phi
• Help with my personal short comings
• Help in being a better husband and father

It is during that time that the Spirit of God gives direction to you.

The Sanctification process is on-going and builds you stronger with each passing year.
It is growing in the Lord and turning your focus and desires from the flesh that used to control you - to the Spirit that now empowers and controls you

It is also all about the ability to walk in victory (consistently) when you set yourself apart from the world’s ways and consecrate your life to Christ.

The stronger your faith becomes in Christ – the less apt you are to fall back into sinful practices and behaviors.

That is exactly where you want to be – Unshaken – Un-moveable – and Victorious!

Do you ever have times where you feel far less than victorious? Sure, we all do!

I know that is the way I felt for most of my first 30 years of life

I do not want you to take so long to become a victorious – truly believing Christian!

Sometimes you say to yourself, “I just want to give up!”

“Maybe this Christianity thing isn’t for me after all.”

Have you ever stopped to think that those negative feelings are really a blessing?

I believe the Holy Spirit convicts and prod’s us when He knows we are just scratching the surface in our walk with Christ.

He knows you have so much more to give and learn – all of which will ultimately strengthen your character, resolve and focus.

God does not desire that you live a defeated Christian existence; in fact,
He wants nothing more than for you to live life in complete freedom and liberty

2 Corinthians 3:16 “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” some translations say freedom

And the sanctification process is designed to help you do just that.

But again – it requires YOU to go along for the ride.

You have to desire it and actively participate in this process for you to feel the full effect in your life.

Being set apart for God’s purpose is the greatest thing you can attain in your life because it brings satisfaction like nothing else you will ever do.

And remember – this road to sanctification is ongoing and it really needs to be paved with prayer

Jesus never said being a follower of His was going to be easy

He knew you would face challenges just as He did

He did say however “don’t fret.” And He gave us the precious Holy Spirit:
• Our Comforter
• Our Counselor
• Our Prompter
• Our Consoler
• Our Power in time of Weakness
• Our Friend

The truth is – God has given us everything to grow and thrive in Him

All of the elements to Spiritual growth and maturity are ours for the taking – the question becomes are you utilizing them?

God has called us as His disciples to be a people who grow

And if you have found you are in a rut

If you look deep into your heart and realize that you aren’t – it’s never too late to begin

Spiritual growth stimulates your life – your very existence

It gives you greater purpose – it defines life for you – and it makes your walk with Christ exciting and fun

As you see things becoming clearer to you – as you watch Him work in and through you!
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If you want to be a disciple of Christ – you must choose to mature in your faith

Refuse to accept the status quo – refuse to measure yourself in light of others – when you think “Well a Least I am at par with them”

Don’t measure yourself with where others are in their spiritual maturity

Instead – measure yourself in light of the Master – The one whom you follow

Make it your goal and desire to emulate Him – and if you do – you will never go wrong……………………………….

And you will always GROW - SPIRITUALLY