Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON THREE

2007-2008

SANCTIFICATION

I. The power for sanctification. (p. 119)

A. Jn 4:14.

B. Gal 2:20.

C. Current Evangelical literature:

1. Presents power for the new life as combination of man’s work and God’s work.

2. “Sure, God saves me by grace, but then He expects me to perform.” (p. 119)

3. “By following Hhs principles and close fellowship with him and my fellow believers, I will be inspired to produce the kind of life that is pleasing to Him.” (p. 119)

4. Self-assertion (pride).

D. Scripture’s reminders.

1. Eph 2:8,9 - nothing we can do to save ourselves.

2. Eph 2:10 - God is the power in our life of sanctification.

3. Php 2:12,13 - the power for the sanctified life is not our own.

II. Package deal. (p.120)

A. Justification: God’s action to save us.

B. Sanctification: our life of service to Him.

C. To be clearly separated temporally and theologically.

D. But not to be separated essentially.

E. Sanctification before justification affronts God’s grace and is an obstacle to faith.

F. Justification without sanctification leads nowhere. (Jas 2:26)

G. They are a unit, but the “horse” (justification) must come first and provide the power if we are to go forward!

H. David Scaer:

“Sanctification describes the same reality as does justification but describes the justified Christian’s relationship to the world and society. Justification and sanctification are not two separate realities, but the same reality viewed from the different perspectives of God and man. From the perspective of God the reality of the Christian is totally passive and non-contributing as it receives Christ only. From the perspective of the world, the same reality never ceases in its activity and tirelessly performs all good works.” (quoted p. 121)

III. Jesus Only (p.121)

A. When speaking of power for the sanctified life:

1. Dare never stop speaking about Christ.

2. 1Co 2:2.

B. The Person and work of the Crucified Lord:

1. Is the sum total of our message.

2. He is all in all - 1Co 1:30.

C. Luther: “Having been justified by grace, we then do good works, yes, Christ himself does all in us.” (LW 34, p 111) (quoted p 121)

IV. Christ in action: the Incarnation. (p. 122)

A. Modern man’s problem is not finding a merciful God, but finding God at all.

B. Modern man’s approach: “If I feel the presence of God, He must be real!”

C. Scripture provides a different foundation for the spiritual life: Jesus Christ.

D. Heb 1:1,2.

E. Jn 1:14.

F. He is the only legitimate connection between humanity and its Creator.

G. Connection is established on His initiative, not ours.

H. Reliable information about God found only in His external Word and promise in Jesus Christ.

I. The Christmas shepherds (Lk 2:8-20).

1. Not in hillside vision of the heavenly armies.

2. But their true knowledge of God and real contact with Him at the stable; saw the eternal God lying helpless in the hay.

J. True Christian theology always begins where Christ began - in the Virgin’s womb, in the manger, at His mother’s breast. This is the purpose for which He came down, was born, lived among men, suffered, was crucified and died, so that in every way He might present Himself to our sight. (Luther p. 123)

K. Prevents us from speculating about His Divine Majesty.

L. This is where God chose to meet man.

V. God on a cross. (p.124)

A. Incarnation is not only the means by which God has made contact with this world, but is also the means by which He has saved the world from sin.

B. Jn 6:51.

C. 1Pe 2:24.

D. Col 1:22.

VI. The spiritual/material problem. (p.124)

A. Many controversies re: how Jesus could possibly be both God and man at same time.

B. Nestorius (5th century) accused of teaching “two Christs”, one human and one divine.

C. Today, danger is practicing a kind of Nestorian piety which separates the human from the divine, i.e.

1. “Only spiritual matters are worthy of God’s consideration.”

2. “Earthly, material and physical part of our existence is looked down upon and every attempt is made to transform it into a spiritual dimension.”

3. Manufacturing a “Christian” environment in which to live and work. (new monasticism) - e.g. buying “Christian” products only.

D. Isn’t this really a rejection of what God did when He became man, taking on the material of this physical world?

E. Alternative is a Christian piety which finds its source in the God-made-flesh, Jesus Christ.

1. He did not despise the material, He redeemed it.

2. He did not reject the physical, but assumed it.

3. He did not flee from the world, but rescued it.

F. New Testament speaks of a Christian life molded by faith in this God-man.

G. Here, there is no rigid division between the physical and the spiritual. (Ro 12:1)

H. Rather than building a wall, we take an active role in the real world.

1. Eph 5:16.

2. 1Co 10:31.

3. Mt 10:42.