Simply sanctification
Whatever it may be called – edification, a changed life, transformation, growth in godliness, the pursuit of holiness, spiritual maturity, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, or discipleship – the sanctification of believers must be the goal of every church.
It is the will of God that every believer pursues sanctification. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (I Thessalonians 4:3).
So that sanctification can occur, God has given leaders to the church to edify believers. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Sanctification includes challenging believers to forsake worldliness and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2a).
Everything every believer needs to be sanctified has been given to them at salvation. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3).
Since each believer has been given all things by God that enables them to be sanctified, they are to strive for the holiness which is the evidence of true salvation. “Strive for… the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Sanctification means that churches must challenge believers to leave spiritual childhood behind and become mature believers in Christ. “Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).
True spiritual leaders are passionate about the sanctification – the spiritual formation of those they are leading. “I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19).
Churches must challenge all believers to be concerned about their sanctification – their level of spiritual growth. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).
Sanctification, in fact, is what Jesus commands the church to do in the Great Commission. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
As churches seek to make disciples, including CVC, may we keep in front of us our high calling to help all believers become truly sanctified.
FYI: My sources for the recent posts about sanctification include:
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology.
Lloyd-Jones, Martin, Preaching and Preachers.
MacArthur, John, The Sufficiency of Christ.
Ryle, J. C., Holiness.
Wegter, Jay, A Critique of the Higher Life Movement.
Whitney, Donald, Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life.
Wilkinson, Bruce. Secrets of the Vine.
2 comments:
I have been enjoying your blogs on sanctification. I just had a discussion with a friend regarding this very topic.
We got into a discussion about personal vs. church responsibility in spiritual growth, what it looks like in today's churches, how a church meets the needs of both the new and mature believer, etc.
The conversation sparked because of a book (neither of us have read yet) called "Reveal: Where Are You?" discussing the results of a 3-yr study by Willow Creek to measure it's effectiveness at promoting spiritual growth in its congregation.
Just wondering if you are familiar with the book and had any thoughts on it?
Hi Ron,
Yes. I am familiar with it. I commend Willow Creek for taking a hard look at the spiritual growth of the people at Willow. I think it takes courage to be willing to say, "We aren't doing as well as we thought."
Many critics of Willow Creek have taken opportunity to "pile on" and take what I consider to be cheap shots at Willow. I don't think that's very charitable.
An interesting and apparently fairly objective look at Reveal is by a gy named Bradley Wright, who is an associate professor at the University of Connecticut where he studies the sociology of Christianity.
Check it out at http://brewright.blogspot.com/2007/11/review-of-reveal-where-are-you-by-greg.html
People have asked me where CVC stands when it comes to Willow Crrek. In short, we have learned from Willow Creek, but we have never been a clone.
When I planted CVC, I brought with me things I had learned first and foremost from my study of the scripture; my mom and dad; from mentors like Al Baker and Bob Tebow; from my involvement with FCA, CCC, and the Navigators, from Mid-America Seminary, from Adrian Rogers and Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis; from pastors I admired like Chuck Swindoll and John MacArthur; and from a not-that-well-known California church planter named Rick Warren. So, I and, therefore, CVC has been influenced by a wide variety of churches, ministries, and leaders.
Willow Creek has certainly been a source of help for us as we have done ministry at CVC over the years. I have read several of the book written by Bill Hybles, the foudning pastor of Willow Creek. And I have attended conferences there. But Willow Creek has long been noted for its seeker targeted approach to ministry. CVC has never been seeker targeted.
We continue to learn from other churches. Northpoint Church in Atlanta, Fellowship Church in Dallas, Northwoods Church in Dallas, Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Fellowship Bible Church in Seattle, and others have been recent influences on our thinking at CVC.
The quest to help people grow spiritually is always challenging since our culture is always rapdily changing. We ought to be thankful when churches are actively seeking to better help people engage with God and His word in order to grow to be more like Jesus.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, Ron
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