Like a Thief

BIG IDEA:

Jesus is coming back...  Be ready by being sanctified.

2nd Corinthians 3:18, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

John Newton (1725-1807):  Slave trader - Abolitionist and clergyman

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I a what I am.”

1.  The sureness of the Day of the Lord.  (3:1-10)

• God’s Word prepares us for the scoffers of our generation.

Hebrews 4:12, For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

• God’s patience produces opportunities for repentance.

Nehemiah 9:30, Many years You bore with them and warned them by Your Spirit through Your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

• God’s wisdom provides everything He wants us to know.

Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

2.  The sanctification of God’s people.  (3:11-18)

• Positional sanctification separates us from the penalty of sin.

Hebrews 10:10, And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

• Progressive sanctification separates us from the power of sin.

Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

• Permanent sanctification separates us from the presence of sin.

1st John 3:2, Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

Prior to salvation, our behavior bore witness to our standing in the world in separation from God, but now our behavior should bear witness to our standing before God in separation from the world.

Memory Verse:  2nd Peter 3:18,  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

NEXT STEP:

In thoughts and actions, glorify God...   Take ______________ off of self and keep on Him.

(eyes, thoughts, desires, will, spotlight...)