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159 Celebrating Holiness, Pursuing Holiness

Sanctification is a heavy concept, but one with which every Christian must grapple because it is God's will for every Christian (1 Thes 4:3). The Bible declares that all in Christ have been sanctified, set apart, declared righteous (1 Cor 1:30). At the same time, the Bible admonishes all in Christ to actively pursue sanctification (1 Pet 1:15). So, we are set apart but we are to become set apart. We are holy but must chase holiness. We are and we ought. Today on the podcast we wrestle with this topic, one that is just as beautiful and freeing as it is complicated and humbling.

158 Knowing Wholly the Holy Helper

George Whitfield was an evangelist and preacher who is often credited with helping ignite the Great Awakening in the 18th-century America. He was a powerful communicator, said to be able to captivate people with his "unrivaled preaching ability, evangelistic fervor, and irregular methods." It's reported that when he was first approached with the idea of publishing his sermons for mass distribution, he agreed, but noted, “You’ll never be able to put down the thunder and lightning on the page." The words, yes. The style, perhaps. But Whitfield knew there would always be a certain je ne sais quoi absent in print, a certain potency, a certain unction, a certain Spirit. Isn't that how most Christians think about the power, presence, and work of the Holy Spirit? We know he's there. We know he's working. We know he's important. But sometimes it's hard to articulate, understand, and communicate what exactly he's like and what exactly he's up to. Over the next number of weeks we want to discuss the person and work of the Holy Spirit, striving to understand him better. We may not be able to bottle the "thunder and lightning," but we sure can explore it. This conversation is based on the June 2, 2023 sermon, "Introducing the Holy Spirit."

157 Living Today Like Eternal Life is True

Speaking of his sheep, Jesus said "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ... and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:10, 28). It is the Lord's pleasure to irrevocably give to his people a life of amazing quality (abundant!) and quantity (eternal!). Jesus would also describe this gift, saying, "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (17:3). The Bible makes it clear: God gives eternal life to all who believe in Jesus for it. It is a gracious gift unwrapped by faith. But eternal life is far more than just eternity in paradise with the Lord, though it certainly is that. Eternal life is the present possession of every believer. What does that mean? How does that work? In what ways should this gift change the way Christians live their lives in the now as they wait for the hereafter? This conversation is based on the sermon "God's Love Known and Shown" (1 John 5:1–21).

156 Hugging Porcupines, Serve Selflessly, and Loving As We're Loved

When reading the fourth chapter of John's first letter, it would be tough for the author to be more clear with what he wants God's people to do: "Beloved, let us love one another" (4:7), "we also ought to love one another" (4:11), "if we love one another" (4:12), and "the one who loves God should love his brother also" (4:21). And when the Bible talks about loving others it expects more than warm-fuzzy-feelings. Rather, it's calling for others-focused, need-meeting, self-sacrificial care (as modelled by Jesus, 4:9–10). Now, that command for God's people to love one another is easier to know than to do, easier to take-in than to live-out, easier to understand than to apply. Why? Because, while we may be saved, we're still a bunch of sinners who hurt each other, disappoint each other, frustrate each other, and disagree with each other. And yet, the command remains the same—love one another. How do we do that with consistency and intentionality? What stops us from obedience? How do we love the sometimes unlovely? NOTE: This conversation is based on the sermon "Five Good Reasons to Love One Another" (1 John 4:7–21).

155 Truth Testing

We're back in 1 John, and this time it's a warning about what can get in the way of our usefulness and our intimacy with Christ: false teaching. While it may seem a little easier to notice in the world, this is a very real problem in churches too, and we need to be on our guard against falsehoods. This week on the podcast, Josiah and Andrew look a little closer at this passage and the warnings contained, and ask two simple questions: why is this important, and how do we do it?