Introduction:

Think about the human body. On one hand we are designed quite intricately. On the other hand we are quite delicate and cheap.

I read the following:

While working on a reprint project of the Mayo brothers and other prominent early physicians at Mayo Clinic, we came across an interesting, if not whimsical, interview of Dr. Charles H. Mayo that appeared in the Northwestern Health Journal (Dec. 1924, 9:9-10).  Dr. Charlie had only recently been elected president of the American Medical Association at the time of the interview; and the article was titled, “Our Bodies’ Worth Only 84 Cents – Dr. Mayo.”  After browsing through this light-hearted piece, it begged the question — what is the human body worth today?

The interview format provided an opportunity to “experience” the voice of Dr. Charlie and to enjoy some of his humor.  In those 84 cents he said “there is enough sulfur to keep the fleas off a dog and enough iron for an eight-penny nail.”  His good-natured personality glowed throughout.  One of his “pet” topics was what people eat.  He compared what people eat to the value of the human body.  He stated that the food we consumed on a daily basis was worth much more than our entire body.  Over the decades the question of what is a body worth has recurred.  An authoritative source for the chemical composition of the body dates back to the U.S. Bureau of Chemistry and Soils, now part of the United States Department of Agriculture.  Theirs was a highly scientific approach to the chemical composition of the human body.

Oxygen  65%
Carbon  18%
Hydrogen  10%
Nitrogen  3%
Calcium  1.5%
Phosphorous   1%
Potassium  0.35%
Sulfur  0.25%
Sodium  0.15%
Chlorine  0.15%
Magnesium  0.05%
Iron   0.0004%
Iodine   0.00004%

Surprisingly the actual values of the chemicals have varied little over time depending on the market value of the elements.  A Google search illustrates much evidence of renewed interest in this medical parlor game.  Contemporary entries go beyond the individual “elements” and focus on “other” global markets; e.g., bone marrow, ($23 million) and DNA ($9.7 million).

The current monetary worth placed of the basic “elements” in an individual human body is $4.50:  $3.50 for the skin and the remainder of the worth assigned in the aggregate to the major elements — $1.00.  Almost 100 years have passed and the difference is only 16 cents from Dr. Charlie’s long ago calculation!  We can’t say that we have increased in value markedly, but at least we aren’t worth any less.  For most of us the value of the human body is priceless; but we do well to remember a quote attributed to Thomas Edison, “From his neck down a man is worth a couple of dollars a day, from his neck up he is worth anything that his brain can produce.”

Dottie Hawthorne
Outreach Librarian, Mayo Clinic Libraries[1]

We don’t need a lot of money; however, we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

But what about our own self-worth? What gives us value?

The world may tell us we have worth based off of education, we have worth based off of looks, we have worth based off of our job, we have worth based off of our number of friends, we have worth based off of the number of likes we receive on a social media post, we have worth based off of our family, we have worth based off of our house, we have worth based off of our technology, we have worth based off of our car, we have worth based off of our body, we have worth based off of our talent, or you fill in the blank.

NO, NO, NO, YOU HAVE WORTH BECAUSE GOD CREATED YOU. No one has a right to mess with your worth because they did not create you.

I am in a new sermon series in which I will contrast the lies we believe about ourselves verses the Biblical Truths about ourselves.

Today we are going to talk specifically about your work and your worth.

My Theme: Your worth does NOT come from your work. Your worth comes from your creator. Work is merely a significant part of our life. It is not your life.

Turn to Genesis 1:26-27:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,^[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

1. God did not create you only to work, so don’t let work determine your value.
   1. God created you, He gives you value, not your occupation.
   2. I understand, many of you have worked for 70 or more years and now you are retired, what do you do. We can talk about what to do with your time, but what is clear is that you are still priceless. God created you and that is where your worth comes from.
   3. If I create a book shelf, it has value to me because I built it. It is not for someone else to mess it up, I built it. It is mine. You are God’s, He created you.
   4. Why did God create you?
2. God created us for His glory.
   1. Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 1:11-12
   2. Isaiah 43:7: everyone who is called by my name,
      whom I created for my glory,
      whom I formed and made.”
   3. Ephesians 1:11-12: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
   4. You know that you give God glory by existing and fulfilling your purpose. As you live your purpose changes. Think of the purpose of a baby, versus a toddler, verses a teenager, verses a young adults, middle aged adult. Your value comes from God. He gives you value.

• God loves you and delights in you and is perfectly happy with you delighting in Him and enjoying life.
  1. Ephesians 1:3: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 
  2. Ephesians 1:7-10: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
  3. John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
  4. Psalm 16:11: You make known to me the path of life;
     you will fill me with joy in your presence,
     with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
  5. Psalm 37:4: Take delight in the Lord,
     and he will give you the desires of your heart.
     1. God wants us to have fun.
     2. Fun is a good things.

• God wants us to laugh regardless of our age.

1. God does not want us to be bogged down with oppressive thinking of our value. Don’t get me wrong, these depressing thoughts come. It is normal to have short period of negative thinking.
2. However, if you are dealing with continual oppressive thinking, reach out. I would love to talk with you and see if I can help. Many time just talking with someone can help. I would also love to refer you to a professional counselor.
   1. Many times we don’t need a professional counselor, though there is nothing wrong with seeing someone.
   2. We can get help talking with a friend.
   3. Write out your thoughts, journal.
   4. Look at the Bible passages that talk about your value and just think them through, journal as you look at them. Write out your thinking to God.
   5. There are other Scriptures to look at such as Psalm 139.
   6. Remember Philippians 4:6-9, think about your thinking. Thinking on good things.
   7. God created you! Think of all the amazing, positive, awesome, joyful, ramifications of being created in the image of God.

Close:

A car that won’t drive has no purpose. It was created to drive.

A person that cannot work still has purpose. We were created for much more than work. If God needed us to work then we would receive our value based off of how good we performed in doing a certain task. We do; however, receive value in work. Work is a good thing. But notice that God created everything without us. God desires to use you, but don’t feel burdened as He does not need you. What I am about to share I share not to make you feel bad but to make you feel God. God created us not because He needs us, but to bring glory to Him.

• God created time without us (Genesis 1:1).
• He created space without us (Genesis 1:1).
• He created matter without us (Genesis 1:1).
• God created light with out us (Genesis 1:3).
• God created dry land and water without us (Genesis 1:9-10; day 3)
• God created vegetation without us (Genesis 1:11-13; day 3).
• God created the sun, moon, stars, seasons without us (Genesis 1:14-19; day 4).
• God created the fish and all the sea creatures as well as the bird without us (Genesis 1:20-23; day 5).
• God created the animal life without us (Genesis 1:24-25; day 6).
• God created humans without us (Genesis 1:26-27; day 6).

But God chooses to use us. God loves us regardless of what our capabilities are. God loves us regardless of what we are willing to do.

God created you and He loves you.

Luke 9:23

Let’s pray.

• God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)
• Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)
• Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)
• Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

[1] https://liblog.mayo.edu/2010/01/14/whats-the-body-worth/

Introduction:

John 20:1-10:

The Empty Tomb

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. ² So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

³ So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴ Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷ as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. ⁸ Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹ (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) ¹⁰ Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Theme: In the next few minutes I want to explain the resurrection and the significance of the resurrection. 

1. Let me start by explaining the Easter Rush.
   1. For the last 20 years or so the Christmas rush has been a bigger and bigger deal. Stores were opening earlier and earlier the day after Thanksgiving. Now, they are even opening Thanksgiving Day. I realized this when I served as a shift manager at a McDonald’s in a commercial area. We were working the day after Thanksgiving and it was a new store. We did not know how busy we would be. The rush began at about 6:30 am and did not end until after 11 am. But before the Christmas rush there was an Easter rush. Let me tell you about the Easter rush.
   2. Jesus has been crucified, the disciples are in mourning. But they do not realize that Jesus cannot be kept down.
   3. Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb to see Jesus.
   4. She was the first to the tomb and she sees the stone rolled away.
   5. Mary did the logical thing, she goes to Peter and John. This is likely John, usually when we read, “The disciple whom Jesus loved” we believe it is John. She runs to Peter and John. She was in a hurry.
   6. Do you think Peter and John would have believed her? I would hope so, but Jesus casts 7 demons out of her in Luke 8:2. She could easily say, “I saw the tomb empty and they may say, “You saw something…” “Come on Mary…”
   7. Peter and John run to the tomb, but John ran faster. Funny thing about running, we don’t need to run fast, just faster than the one we are running with. It is like when I have been running with others and a dog comes after us. I don’t need to outrun the dog, I just need to outrun the other people. This is the Easter rush.
   8. They get to the tomb and see the tomb empty.
   9. John saw and believed.
   10. Verse 9: They had not understood the Scriptures that He must rise from the dead.
   11. Notice that Mary was the first to the tomb and the last to leave (verse 11). She was very devoted and faithful, we can learn from Mary.
   12. This Easter rush preceded any Christmas rush. The Easter rush was a big deal because our Savior Lives! No one can keep Jesus down! He had been resurrected!
2. The disciples learned the same thing we learn– Our Savior Lives
   1. What is the significance of the resurrection? As I make each of these statements I would like you to respond with Our Savior Lives! East statement has a Scripture with it.
   2. We can have a relationship with Jesus because He lives. If He was not resurrected we would not have a relationship with Him. Our Savior Lives!
   3. Christ is our Savior who cannot die again. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again (Romans 6:9).[1] Our Savior Lives!
   4. Because of the resurrection we have new birth: According to his great mercy, [God the Father] has caused us to be born again to a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).[2] Our Savior Lives!
   5. We have forgiveness of sins because of the resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).[3] Our Savior Lives!
   6. Because Jesus is raised we have no condemnation. Who is to condemn?Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).[4] Our Savior Lives!
   7. Because of the resurrection we have the Lord’s personal fellowship and protection.[5] “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Our Savior Lives!
   8. Because of the resurrection of Jesus we know that we will also be raised from the dead: [We know] that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesusand bring us with you into his presence. (2 Corinthians 4:14; also Romans 6:4; 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:20)[6] Our Savior Lives!
   9. If Jesus was not resurrected there would never be a Christianity. Our Savior Lives!
   10. The Romans would have shown the grave and it would be over. Our Savior Lives!
   11. Jesus’ resurrection shows the grave could not contain Him. Our Savior Lives!
   12. Jesus’ resurrection shows that He is the victor. Our Savior Lives!
   13. Jesus’ resurrection shows again, the miracles are true. Jesus has the power and authority over all nature. It’s not hard to figure out: He can break out because he wasn’t forced in. He letshimself be harassed and black-balled and scorned and shoved around and killed.[7] Our Savior Lives!
   14. No one can keep him down because no one ever knocked him down. He lay down when he was ready.[8] Our Savior Lives!
   15. And all God’s people responded with Amen—AMEN!

I am going to read the words to Because He Lives as Marty starts to play it and then we will sing this wonderful hymn. First I want to pray. 

Because He Lives

Think about it:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Let’s sing it!

[1] http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/can-t-keep-jesus-down

[2] ibid.

[3] ibid.

[4] ibid.

[5] ibid.

[6] ibid.

[7] ibid.

[8] ibid.

So, Christ is the One who saves us, sanctifies us, heals us and He is a our King. He is worthy of all praise and worship. Let’s read Mark 11:1-11

Mark 11:1-11:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.  Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Theme:

Christ is our King and He is coming back.

Application:

Surrender, unadulterated surrender and worship is what we must do.

1. Jesus enters Jerusalem, the people are ready for a King
   1. The people have been waiting for a king. They have been waiting for a king like David in the Old Testament. They have been waiting for a Savior.
   2. This is the beginning of what we now call Holy Week.
   3. Jesus is entering Jerusalem after a busy ministry schedule. He has a busy week ahead.
   4. They treat Jesus as a king right now, don’t they?
   5. Verse 8 begins to show this. They put their coats on the ground and many spread leafy palm branches.
   6. They shout Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest! (Verses 9-10)
   7. Hosanna means “save us!”
   8. The people wanted a savior, they saw Jesus as that Savior. The people wanted a king, they saw Jesus as that king.
   9. They were so loud that if you read other Gospel accounts, such as Luke 19:39ff the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples. But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out.”
   10. Jesus was hailed as a king then, but later in the week he was crucified. Some will say the same crowd who worshipped Him will later cry out, “crucify Him.”
   11. But on Palm Sunday they had the right idea. They welcomed Him as King. Jesus will come back as King. Jesus will come back as King and as judge.
2. Jesus will come again as King
   1. Jesus is our coming King.
   2. Jesus, welcomed as King on that Sunday, later crucified, ascended into Heaven some forty days after the resurrection. Following the ascension we read in Acts 1:11:
   3. Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
   4. Jesus is King and will return as King. Jesus will return in the clouds and He will return in His time.
   5. Jesus will return in the clouds: Rev. 1:7: “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him…
   6. Often we wonder why He hasn’t returned yet. 2 Peter 3:8-10: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

1. Further the Bible teachers more about Christ’s return: Jesus Christ will be vindicated in the eyes of those who crucified Him ( 1:7); the whole of creation will be liberated from the curse imposed upon it after the sin of Adam in the garden (Romans 8:20–21); the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Isa. 11:9); God’s righteous reign will be established upon the earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1–6); and, ultimately, the final destruction of Satan will be accomplished (Rev. 20:7–10). [1]
2. One writes: Over the last four decades I have read a great many books about the Second Coming of Christ. Unfortunately, most were devoted to predicting when this cataclysmic event will occur (something the Bible explicitly tells us NOT to do), to debating the order of events connected to His return or to splitting the eschatological “hairs” that separate one group of evangelical believers from another. All of this speculation entirely misses the point of what the Bible says about the matter. The whole focus of the New Testament’s teaching about the return of Christ can be summarized in two simple propositions: first, because Christ is coming, we need to be ready—living lives that are pure, steadfast, prayerful, holy and reverent; and, second, because Christ is coming, we need to finish the task He has given us—the preaching of the gospel.[2]
3. Jesus is the rightful King. They worshipped Him for this reason on Palm Sunday. He will return as the rightful King. Are you ready?

Close:

Theme:

Christ is our King and He is coming back.

Application:

Surrender, unadulterated surrender and worship is what we must do.

As we go through this week, take a few moments and pray about surrender. If Jesus came back right now, what is something that He would ask about, some thought or action? Repent and surrender. Or, what is something you haven’t done that you know He wants you to do? This week take some time and reflect on your spiritual life. Grab your Bible, a pen and paper and take some time and ask God to show you some things to work on. Read Psalm 42 and pray that you desire God like the Psalmist.

“During World War I, a British commander was preparing to lead his soldiers back to battle. They’d been on furlough, and it was a cold, rainy, muddy day. Their shoulders sagged because they knew what lay ahead of them: mud, blood, possible death. Nobody talked, nobody sang. It was a heavy time. “As they marched along, the commander looked into a bombed-out church. Back in the church he saw the figure of Christ on the cross. At that moment, something happened to the commander. He remembered the One who suffered, died, and rose again. There was victory, and there was triumph. “As the troops marched along, he shouted out, ‘Eyes right, march!’ Every eye turned to the right, and as the soldiers marched by, they saw Christ on the cross. Something happened to that company of men. Suddenly they saw triumph after suffering, and they took courage. With shoulders straightened, they began to smile as they went. You see, anything worthwhile in life will be a risk that demands courage.” [–Gordon Johnson, “Finding Significance in Obscurity,” Preaching Today, Tape 82.]

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

Do you know Jesus?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

[1] https://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/coming-king

[2] ibid.

You know what is encouraging, living for Christ is not about me, but about Him.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I honestly struggle to pursue Christ. I don’t know about you but sometimes I struggle to really live for Christ. I mean, really live for Christ. I mean seriously live for Christ. Let me say that it is easy to fake it. It is easy to look good on the outside, that is what the Pharisees did. They looked good on the outside. But what about those thoughts that come inside your head? What about what you are NOT doing? What about spiritual disciplines. Jesus calls us, and really offers us, a “relationship” with Him.

The Apostle Paul had the same problem turn with me to Romans 7:14-25:

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Notice the end of the passage, who delivers him, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sanctification means to set apart. If you are a Christian you are positionally set apart for holiness in God’s eyes.

1 Cor. 6:11 is positional sanctification: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

God has set us apart for His glory and purposes. God has made you righteous. This happens at the moment of salvation. But, on the other hand, we still struggle with sin. God wants us to be sanctified in this life and this is something only God can do. I want to re-title “sanctification” as “living for Christ.”

My theme today:

Sanctification, let’s call it “Living For Christ,” is not about us but about HIM.

Application:

Let Christ be Lord. Be encouraged that you are sanctified in His eyes.  

Sanctification:

 I received these steps in sanctification from the Christian and Missionary Alliance website:

https://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/sanctifier

1. You cannot make yourself holy any more than you can make yourself saved! (Rom. 6:11; Rom. 12:1-2)
   1. Remember sanctification is about Him and not about you. Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
   2. Romans 6:11: In the same way, count yourselves dead to sinbut alive to God in Christ Jesus.
   3. You can try all you want but you really cannot live the Christian life on your own strength.
   4. You can try and you may look pretty good, but it is simply “sin-management.” I think some can do pretty good on “sin-management” without Christ. “Sin-management” is recognizing that certain things are harmful so we quit doing them. It is about taking things out. “Sin-management” is like dieting.
      1. We take out sweets because they are harmful and so maybe we take out bad words.
      2. We take out fatty food because they are harmful so maybe we take out lies.

• We take out soda because it is not good so we take out pornography.

1. We take out potatoes because they are not good for you and so we take out lust.
2. We take out, we take out.
3. Sometimes we add things such as vegetables and in the Christian life maybe you add going to church.

1. This still is not surrender and this still makes YOU in charge. But we need to let Christ be in charge. Surrender to Jesus and let Him take care of you.
2. There comes a point in the Christian life when we realize we cannot do this in our own strength. No matter what I take out, I am burdened. No matter what I take out, I still desire sin.
3. The Christian going through sanctification, meaning living for Christ, still will sin, but they desire to live for Christ, not sin. The more sanctified you are, the more living for Christ you are, the more you don’t desire sin and the more you desire to live for Christ. You desire the fruit of the Spirit: love joy, pace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
4. The surrendered Christian, striving to live for Christ is convicted of that sin because it hurts Jesus. They ask Jesus to convict them.
5. Sanctification, let’s call it “Living For Christ,” is not about us but about HIM.

1. Christ is your Sanctifier in the same way that He is your Savior! (Col. 2:6; Gal. 2:20)
   1. Accept that we need Jesus, we cannot do this on our own.
   2. 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
   3. It is about dying to self and letting Jesus live through you.
   4. Don’t just take stuff out, put Jesus in. Add the light.
   5. 2:6: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,continue to live your lives in him…
   6. Sanctification, let’s call it “Living For Christ,” is not about us but about HIM.

• Maintain a continuous relationship with Jesus through obedience to his Word. (John 15:1-11)
  1. In John 15:1-11 Jesus gives His abide in me illustration. We have to be branches connected to Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. Every branch that does not bear fruit is cut off and thrown in the fire, but if we bear fruit He makes it so we can bear more fruit.
  2. Jesus says in John 15:4: Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
  3. That is sanctification, remaining in Christ, living in His strength.
  4. Sanctification, let’s call it “Living For Christ,” is not about us but about HIM.
  5. I could easily say it is about the Spiritual Disciplines and it is, but it is more than that. It is a mindset that you really desire Jesus to be Your Lord. You desire to serve Him and not sin. You don’t desire to sin in your thought life but serve Jesus. You don’t desire to sin in your actions but serve Christ. You desire to be connected to Him. You desire to be connected to the Vine.

Close:

Many times I have a lot of sticks and tree branches in my yard, a storm will come and dead branches fall out of the trees. Sometimes live branches are cut off. In this case the tree branch has green leaves on it. I drag it over to the wood pile. Within a few days that tree branch is dry, the leaves are dry and they fall off. It totally changes. That is us without Christ. Without Christ the life is not in us. With Christ we are growing, green and ripe and we bear fruit.

That is sanctification, living for Christ, it is being connected to Him. Can a tree branch grow apart from the trunk? Can a tree branch bear fruit apart from the trunk? We need Jesus. The Christian life is about Jesus. Christ is our sanctifier.

Let Christ be Lord. Be encouraged that you are sanctified in His eyes.  

I am encouraged that I am made righteous in God’s sight. But I am also encouraged that I don’t have, and cannot, live the Christian life in my own strength, only in His.

The Bible teaches three tenses of salvation:

• I have been saved: Justification
• I am being saved: Sanctification
• I will be saved: Glorification[1]

Do you know Him? Are you wholly surrendered? Or, are you living the Christian life on your own strength?

Luke 9:23

Let’s pray.

• God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)
• Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)
• Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)
• Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

[1] https://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/sanctifier