20th May 2025

20th May 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (2 Corinthians 3v17-18)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Today is the 20th May and perhaps we realise that the chances of us losing seven stone before our July holidays is low. Brothers and sisters, do not be discouraged for the Lord is changing you in a manner that is beyond your comprehension. How so? By His great work of sanctification.


What is sanctification? “Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God has, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.”


To summarise, sanctification sees us renewed from top to bottom, from inside to out. The work of sanctification sees you and I made more and more like Jesus every single day. You may believe everything that I have just written but like many Christians you might struggle to see it. Even after all these years you find yourself easily angered, sermons frequently bore you and sometimes your thoughts would shame a drunken sailor. There isn’t a Christian alive who walks perfectly before the Lord and there equally isn’t a Christian alive who isn’t being sanctified. Brothers and sisters, despite your struggles you are being transformed to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3v17-18).


This is good news indeed for we are not doomed to live with our multitude of immaturities forever. I’m glad that a day is coming when I will be made sinless and see Jesus face to face and I’m glad too that even in this life, the Lord has promised that He is active in changing and shaping me. We will not be perfect on this side of heaven and while some battles will be won quickly, you might struggle in other ways until your deathbed. Even so, the Lord has begun the work and the Lord will certainly complete the work (Philippians 1v6). This is what the Gospel does, spiritually dead sinners are regenerated and made spiritually alive - they are born again. Then with new hearts and eager wills the regenerated sinner freely calls upon the name of the Lord and is saved. Amazingly the Lord Himself declares us to be righteous in His sight by His irrevocable decree - we are justified. But still the Gospel marches on for the Lord takes the regenerated, justified sinner and renovates them from head to toe - we have been sanctified, we are sanctified, we are being sanctified and we will be sanctified. The Gospel answers our past, strengthens us in the present and promises a glorious future - thanks be to God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q88 What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
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