3. Justification And Sanctification By Zac Poonen

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Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: Justification And Sanctification Date: 06-25-2016 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The speaker distinguishes between justification (being accepted by Christ) and sanctification (growth in holiness), using the analogy of a building's foundation and superstructure. While justification is a free gift of God's grace, sanctification requires actively living out good works. True Christian life demands radical repentance—a 180-degree turn from sin—and maintaining this commitment by discerning friendships that pull one toward Christ versus those that pull one back to the world.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

The three tenses of salvationSalvation spans past, present, and future: salvation from the penalty of sin, salvation from the power of sin, and salvation from the presence of sin.

Ephesians 2:8 and the free gift of graceForgiveness of sins is completely by grace and not based on human works, meaning no amount of good deeds can erase past sins.Ephesians 2:8

Foundation versus superstructureLike a building with a stone foundation and a superstructure of doors and windows, justification involves no works, but our subsequent life requires many good works prepared by God.

What is radical repentance?Repentance is turning 180 degrees away from the world, the flesh, and the devil to face God, and partial turning leads to spiritual weakness.

God will not remember your sins anymoreOnce confessed and repented of, God promises not to hold our shameful past against us or remember our sins.Hebrews 8:12

Justification: declared righteous in ChristBeing justified means being declared righteous and clothed with Christ's righteousness, just as if we had never sinned.Romans 5:1

Memory and God's choice not to rememberHaving things in your memory does not mean you have failed to forgive; God also remembers our past but chooses not to hold it against us.

The parable of the unforgiving servantJesus told a parable about a king who forgave a massive debt, but when the servant refused to forgive a small debt, the king handed him over to torturers.

How to test your heart regarding forgivenessTrue forgiveness means wishing the best for someone who harmed you, without rejoicing in their misfortune or resenting their good fortune.

Unforgiveness and unanswered prayerAn unforgiving spirit hinders answered prayer and brings spiritual misery, making it one of the most critical issues in the Christian life.Mark 11:23

Ongoing repentance for believersSanctification is progressive, and just as unbelievers repent initially, believers must continually repent as God sheds light on new areas of un-christlikeness.

Judgment must begin with us firstA true mark of being in God's family is that we judge ourselves first rather than constantly judging others.1 Peter 4:17

Purifying ourselves as we await Christ's returnThe genuine hope of seeing Christ appear and becoming like him causes a believer to actively purify themselves to the level of Christ's purity.

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3. Justification And Sanctification By Zac Poonen

Zac Poonen · June 26, 2016 · 33m

Victory Freedom from sin Repentance