The Quest for Holiness: In the Center of the Sanctifying Stream
1. The Church of God of
Prophecy
“The Quest for Holiness”
In the Center of the
Sanctifying Stream
Oct 13, 2013
2. On the Path to Holiness:
The Gospel of Jesus Christ—The Father Draws
(Introduces) Us through the ―Word‖ to a
Knowledge of Our Sinful Nature and the
redemptive power of Jesus Christ as found in
John 3:16 (NIV):
―For God so loved the world that He gave His
one and only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish but have eternal life.‖
3. On the Path to Holiness:
After we hear the ―Word‖ then the Holy Spirit Uses
the ―Word‖ to ―Convict‖ us which means:
―to become aware of and acknowledge our sin
against God and realize the need to confess that
guilt with ―Godly sorrow‖ before God as found in
John 16:8.
―When He comes He will prove the world to be
in the wrong about sin and righteousness and
judgment.‖ (NIV)
4. Then we repent of our sins; become ―sorry‖
for our sins as we turn from and forsake the
―old life‖ (sinful habits). We then partake in a
new walk by faith in God through the Holy
Spirit and in company with the people of
God. It is noted in 2 Corinthians (NIV):
―Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to
salvation that leaves no regret, but worldly
sorrow brings death.‖
Church of God of Prophecy. Biblical Principles, Beliefs, and Practices. Tennessee:
Church of God of Prophecy. 2008. Print
5. Repentance results in Justification
Justification is both a state and an act: we are
without offense toward God and it is God’s act
of forgiving our sins and accepting us into a new
relationship. Our sins are covered by the blood
of Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. God no
longer holds us accountable for our former sins.
―Therefore being justified by faith we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ.‖ Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Church of God of Prophecy. Biblical Principles, Beliefs, and Practices. Tennessee:
Church of God of Prophecy. 2008. Print
6. After Justification Comes Regeneration or
the
―Born Again or Saved Experience‖
It is the work of God that provides a new
Spiritual Life in the Believer. We have
obtained Peace with God through the
Sanctifying Work of the Cross of Jesus
Christ as recorded in Romans 5: 8 & 9 (NIV).
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The
Pursuit of the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report.
98th General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012.pp. 9-10.
7. Romans 5: 8 & 9 (NIV):
―
But God demonstrates His own love for us in
this: While we were still sinners, Christ died
for us. . . . Since we have now been justified
by His blood, how much more shall we be
saved from God’s wrath through Him!‖
8. Being ―Born Again or Saved is Just the
Beginning:
This is only the beginning of the Christian’s
walk with God. The principle dynamic of
salvation comes through a spiritual journey
that will not be completely perfected until
all believers are Changed or Transformed
when we meet Jesus in the air at His
Coming!
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit
of the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga:
98th General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 11.
10. As we move from Sin to Holiness:
In our ―new relationship with Christ‖ or the
―Born Again Experience‖ we find ―freedom‖
from sin and holiness of life that we can
pursue through Christ. This pursuit of
holiness brings about a confrontation
with
OVERCOMING THE SINFUL NATURE.
11. In Romans 5: 1
A. ―Therefore, since we have been justified
through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,… (1-NIV)
Peace:
1. The absence of war or other hostilities.
2. An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities:
negotiating the peace.
3. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind.
Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. ―Quest for Holiness.‖ PowerPoint Presentation. Church of
God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.
12. Romans 5: 2
b. ―through whom we have gained access by
faith into this grace in which we now
stand. (2-NIV)
Grace:
1. Divine favor bestowed freely on people, as in
granting redemption from sin.
2. The state of having received such favor.
3. An excellence or power granted by God.
Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. ―Quest for Holiness.‖ PowerPoint Presentation. Church of
God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.
13. In Romans 5:11:
C. ―And not only so, but we also joy in God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received
the atonement.‖ (KJV)
Joy:
1. Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness,
or an instance of such feeling.
2. An expression of such feeling
3. To take great pleasure; rejoice.
Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. ―Quest for Holiness.‖ PowerPoint Presentation. Church of
God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.
14. In Romans 5: 2-11 Paul continues to expound:
We Rejoice on three Levels:
In Hope (V.2) (NIV)
―And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.‖
In Tribulations (vv. 3-10) “Not only so, but we also
glory in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance,
character; and character, hope…‖ (NIV)
Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. ―Quest for Holiness.‖ PowerPoint Presentation. Church of
God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.
15. Romans 5: 11
In God:
―Not only is this so, but we also boast in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom
we have now received reconciliation.‖ (NIV)
Benjamin, Kenneth, Jr.. ―Quest for Holiness.‖ PowerPoint Presentation. Church of
God of Prophecy, Houston, TX. 8 Sept. 2013.
16. What is Sanctification?
1. It is a result of the work of the cross which sets
believers apart and consecrates them for the service
of God.
2. This work is ―immediate‖ in the life of the believer
and it (the work) continues and must come to full
actualization in the life of every believer.
3. In order for this work of God to be brought to
perfection, it must be a cooperative effort that places
responsibility on believers to respond appropriately
to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in their
lives.
17. What is Sanctification?
4. The Holy Spirit effectuates (to cause to happen, to
bring about, to accomplish) the plan of salvation in
the lives of the believers to live sanctified
(separated and consecrated) lives.
2 Thessalonians 2:13: ―But we ought always to thank God for
you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose
you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of
the Spirit and through belief in the truth.‖ (NIV)
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit of
the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga : 98th
General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p.12.
18. The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23: ―But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,…gentleness and
self-control. Against such there is no law.‖
(NIV)
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit of
the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga : 98th
General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 12.
19. Two Great Voices Express their Understanding of Sanctification:
―From the time of our being born again, the gradual work of
sanctification takes place. We are enabled ―by the Spirit‖ to
mortify ―the deeds of the body,‖ of our evil nature; and as we
are more and more dead to sin, we are more and more alive
to God. We go on from grace to grace, while we are careful
to ―abstain from all appearance of evil,‖ and are ―zealous of
good works,‖ as we have opportunity, doing good to all men;
while we walk in all His ordinances blameless, therein
worshipping Him in spirit and in truth; while we take up our
cross, and deny ourselves every pleasure that does not lead us
to God. ( John Wesley. ―The Scripture Way of Salvation‖)
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit of
the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga : 98th
General Assembly. Tennessee: 2012. p. 20.
20. Two Great Voices Express their Understanding of Sanctification:
―…sanctification as a definite work of grace subsequent to
regeneration should be desired by everybody.‖(page 2)
―In order to obtain this experience, the believer puts himself
at once –or by one act of faith– into the cleansing stream and
is immediately made clean. He then continues in that stream,
or continues faithful, and is kept clean. Purity is retained on
the same condition that it is obtained; and to keep under the
cleansing wave is to be faithful to the conditions of purity.
Jesus expressed the continual cleansing by the figure of
―abiding in the vine‖ (Italics added for emphasis)
(A. J. Tomlinson. ―Sanctification a Second Work of Grace)
Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity Church of God of Prophecy: The Pursuit of
the Holy God: Answering the Call of the Holy Spirit: Final Report. Chattanooga : 98th
General Assembly : Chattanooga: Tennessee: 2012. p. 22.
22. Move to the Center of the Stream
Stay away from the rocks on the
sides of the stream.
Go to the Center of the Sanctifying
Stream
and
Move Onward from Sin to Holiness
in the Lord!