SONRISE BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017
KEVIN CARSON, PASTOR
LIFE GROUPS
GOAL ONE: PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION
LIFE Groups / Small Groups History and Importance
Goal 1: Progressive Sanctification
Defined: Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and
more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.
Background of Hebrews
• It is written to Gentiles and Jews, some of whom are saved,
some saved and not acting like it, and others not saved.
These same people are under extreme pressure and need
a message of hope through Christ.
• The Hebrew message is Christ and His superiority.
As Christians, we possess a salvation through Jesus Christ that
surpasses all objects of comparison.
• We can trust Jesus! (Heb 10:19-11:40).
Let Us Run the Race with Endurance Together (Hebrews 12:1-17):
1. Running the Race (v. 1)
• Why am I able to run the race?
• What must I do to prepare for the race?
– “Throw off” any interference
– “Throw off” any distractions
• What must I do?
• How do I run?
2. Consider Jesus (v. 2)
• His characteristics
• His accomplishments
3. Consider Jesus even as you suffer (vv. 3-11)
• Consider Him...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart! (vv. 3-4)
• Accept God’s discipline through suffering (vv. 5-6)
• Endure in suffering; it is purposeful (vv. 7-8).
• We submit and benefit (vv. 9-11)
– We submit and live (v. 9).
– God’s discipline is perfect and is motivated out of concern for us (v. 10)
– We partake of His holiness (v. 10).
– It provides the peaceable fruit of righteousness (v. 11)...
– ...If we are trained by it (v. 11).
4. Therefore, endure, persevere, keep helping each other (vv. 12-17).
• Do what it takes to get to the goal (vv. 12-13)
– Strengthen your hands and knees
– Make your path straight
– So that you can endure
• Pursue peace and holiness together (vv. 14-17)
– Pursue peace
– Pursue holiness
– Support each other with diligence
• So that no one falls
• So that no one turns away
• So that no one becomes worldly and turns their back
on the Lord
Observations and Implications for YOUR Life:
1. Sanctification is a process.
• Past sanctification - the beginning (also called positional sanctification)
• Present (or progressive) sanctification - the continuation
• Future sanctification - the completion
2. God and you work together to help you become more like Christ.
• God is working on your behalf (cf. Phil 2:13; 2 Thess 2:13)
• You are responsible to work as well (cf. Phil 2:12; 1 John 3:3)
3. The process takes maximum focus and effort together.
• We focus on Jesus and gospel truth together.
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We focus on helping each other.
We focus on what it will take to pursue righteousness.
We work diligently toward those ends together.
4. Why is this a goal of LIFE Groups?
• Because the Christian life was never meant to be lived alone
• Because we are commanded to watch each other
• Because each one of us are worth too much to not pay attention
• Because we need each other
• Because the race is worth it
• Because Jesus is worth it