The Spirit's Sanctifying Work

The Spirit's Sanctifying WorkSeries: 1 Thessalonians Preacher: Jared BlankenshipDate: 9th March 2025Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22-------------------In this final unit of instruction, Paul turns our attention to the mighty work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's sanctification. The text affirms that the Spirit is indeed at work in the Church, preparing believers for the glorious return of Christ. It also teaches us that this sanctifying work is one in which we must actively participate, pursuing the purity that He will complete at the end. What we discover here is that we can stifle the Spirit's work in us by treating the various means of that work with contempt. There was a specific way that the Thessalonian Christians were quenching the Spirit's sanctifying work. It all had to do with contempt for the gift of prophecy, a critical means of the Spirit's operation in establishing the Church. So, we are taught in the passage that as we await Christ's return, we must be careful not to quench the Spirit's work by despising the Spirit's ways. At the heart of this text is the most significant and powerful means of the Spirit's mighty work in our lives. If you truly desire to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory, you must take this instruction seriously.