The Christian and
Self-Renewal
What Can I Do? (2)
“For we must all appear
before the judgment seat
of Christ, that each one
may receive the things
done in the body,
according to what he has
done, whether good or
bad.”
{2 Corinthians 5:10}
Sanctify Yourself—
Give Yourself to God
• Having prepared ourselves to begin the
work of transforming ourselves for
renewal…
• We are ready to dedicate our lives to
serving God.
• The only way to accomplish that is by
deciding to put Him first and sanctify
ourselves to His service.
Sanctify Yourself—
Give Yourself to God
• Sanctify means, to set apart. The word is
derived from the same Greek word as the
words holy and saint.
• When we become Christians, we do this.
– “And such were some of you. But you were
washed, but you were sanctified, but you
were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
and by the Spirit of our God.”
{1 Corinthians 6:11}
Sanctify Yourself—
Give Yourself to God
• But, are we where we ought to be now?
• Could we need to re-dedicate ourselves
to Him?
• If we wish to thrive spiritually, we MUST
have a proper relationship with Him.
• We have to get our priorities straight—
He always comes first!
Sanctification
• “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from
the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,
sanctified and useful for the Master,
prepared for every good work. Flee also
youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness,
faith, love, peace with those who call on
the Lord out of a pure heart.”
{2 Timothy 2:21,22}
Sanctification
• “For this is the will of God, your
sanctification: that you should abstain
from sexual immorality; that each of you
should know how to possess his own
vessel in sanctification and honor.”
{1 Thessalonians 4:3,4}
Sanctification
• “But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special
people, that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light; who once were not a
people but are now the people of God,
who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy.” {1 Peter 2:9,10}
Study God’s Word
• Bible study promotes renewal.
• The more we know, the more we can
grow.
• How can we know what God would
have us to do?
• How can we know how to grow?
• Answers—can only be found by studying
God’s word.
Study God’s Word
• We need to understand and believe that God’s word
is INSPIRED.
• We must follow and respect it.
• We do not follow men’s words—but God’s!
– “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work.” {2 Timothy 3:16,17}
Study God’s Word
• We need to understand and believe that God’s word
is INSPIRED.
• We must follow and respect it.
• We do not follow men’s words—but God’s!
– “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which
was preached by me is not according to man. For I
neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it
came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
{Galatians 1:11,12}
Study God’s Word
• We need to have proper attitudes about
this book…
– “For this reason we also thank God without
ceasing, because when you received the word
of God which you heard from us, you
welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it
is in truth, the word of God, which also
effectively works in you who believe.”
{1 Thessalonians 2:13}
Study God’s Word
• We need to have proper attitudes about
this book…
– “These were more fair-minded than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness, and searched the
Scriptures daily to find out whether these
things were so.” {Acts 17:11}
Pray
• Communication is a two-way street:
– Bible study is how He communicates with us.
with
– Prayer is how we communicate with Him.
– “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints.” {Ephesians 6:18}
– “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
{1 Thessalonians 5:17,18}
Pray
• Prayer promotes renewal.
– It brings us closer to God.
– “Draw near to God and He will draw near to
you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and
purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
{James 4:8}
– “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you.” { 1 Peter 5:7}
– “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
{James 5:13}
Pray
• Prayer promotes renewal.
– It makes us aware of our relationship with God
and of how much we need Him.
– A regular prayer life reminds us of what our
needs are.
– As God fulfills His promises (not everything we
ask of him), it strengthens our relationships
with Him.
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here
to share with others.
• Learn to give and do good for others—it’s
not just about you!
– “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. Let each
of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.”
{Philippians 2:3,4}
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here
to share with others.
• The Christian life is a life of good works.
– “Who gave Himself for us, that He might
redeem us from every lawless deed and purify
for Himself His own special people, zealous for
good works.” {Titus 2:14}
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here
to share with others.
• We are commanded to love our neighbors..
– “And the second is like it: 'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.” {Matthew 22:39}
– “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the
Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself,’ you do well.” {James 2:8}
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here to share with
others.
• God’s word plainly tells us we get back as we have
given.
– “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let
each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly
or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is
able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for
every good work.” {2 Corinthians 9:6-8}
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here
to share with others.
• Giving prevents selfishness.
• Selfishness makes us miserable and
condemns us.
– “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but
he who hides his eyes will have many curses.”
{Proverbs 28:27}
Give
• As Christians, we learn that we are here
to share with others.
• Sharing gives purpose to your life.
• You may not totally understand, but giving
to others makes you feel good about
yourself.
– “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like
this, that you must support the weak. And
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He
said, 'It is more blessed to give than to
receive.’” {Acts 20:35}
Worship God
Privately and Publicly
• We need to worship God, both formally
and informally.
• God has always demanded that we
worship Him.
• He is a jealous God who expects us to
worship ONLY Him!
– “Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you,
Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the
LORD your God, and Him only you shall
serve.‘“ {Matthew 4:10}
Worship God
Privately and Publicly
• We need to worship God both formally
and informally.
• Worship must be according to His pattern
and desires—not ours!
– “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth.” {John 4:24}
Worship God
Privately and Publicly
• We need to worship God, both formally
and informally.
• How does worship promote renewal?
• It reminds us of our place—we are created
beings in submission to our Creator.
– “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom
which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by
which we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear. For our God is a
consuming fire.” {Hebrews 12:28,29}
Attend
• If we truly desire to thrive spiritually, we
need to be where He wants us to be—in
His church.
• Why would a Christian not want to be with
God and His people?
– “For where two or three are gathered together
in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
{Matthew 18:20}
– “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into
the house of the LORD.“ {Psalm 122:1}
Attend
• How does attendance promote renewal?
• Those of “like precious faith” become a
major influence in our lives and can
encourage us to thrive in Him.
– “And let us consider one another in order to
stir up love and good works, not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some, but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching.“ {Hebrews 10:24, 25}