November 12, 2023 | Fancy Words Pt. 3

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline

The process by which God makes us holy, done by the Holy Spirit  Separateness from the world and doing what is ethically right. (1 Peter 1: 1-2, 14-15) God took us the way we were (justification), but he doesn’t want us to stay there (sanctification). He requires a relationship - our will & obedience. We have to be willing to change. It’s not a checklist of how we should look and act, but a way of living that reflects God’s character.   God is working in all things for our good, to transform us to be more like him. But we have a responsibility to participate. It is supernatural work in which we cooperate. (Romans 8:28-29; Phil. 2: 12-13) 7 Ways that He sanctifies us  God’s Word - read, think, and pray it (John 17:17) Faith - take the word & apply it without worrying about how you feel (Gal 2:20) Church- be involved with God’s people in order to mature (Eph.4:11-13; Heb. 10: 24-25) Forgiveness - don’t let your anger become set in, watch out for bitterness (Eph. 4:32) Prayer - pray for your enemies & those who persecute you (Matt. 5:44-48) Service - Jesus’ example - humbly do for others (John 13: 14-15) Suffering - when we are suffering we often turn to God. It’s not punishment - ask God what do you want me to learn? (Heb. 5:8-9)

October 29 | Fancy Words Pt. 2

October 29, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline

October 22, 2023 | Fancy Words Pt. 1

October 22, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline

1. Regeneration: What God does- giving us new life John 3:1 Nicodemus (a member of the Sanhedrin) came to Jesus secretly. Jesus tells him he cannot see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Spiritual rebirth comes from God. Without this rebirth, you will only function religiously in the church, talk the talk, but not live it out. (Ephesians 2:1-5). You will not be able to understand spiritual things. We can give physical birth to babies, but not spiritual rebirth (see Romans 10:17 we are dead spiritually). Jesus talks about being born of water & the spirit. This could mean physically (water) and then spiritually or just spiritual rebirth (both together as mentioned elsewhere in the gospel of John). He refers to the wind blowing where it will to demonstrate that the Spirit moves when and where it will. God does all the work. You cannot argue someone into the kingdom of God, you should pray for the Spirit to do the work and then move and act how God shows you. 2. Conversion: What we do by repenting & believing in faith Believing the gospel (1 Corinthians 15: 3-6, 12) about the power of his resurrection. Share the word of God. Faith comes by hearing the word and not by opinions. Without rebirth we are dead in our sins (Romans 10:17) & new life is eternal life (John 10:28)!