Saints

Temple Baptist Church - 3-17-2010

Ephesians 1:1-2

Introduction:

A. What a blessing to be in such a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as to be called saints. I fear that, all to often, we fail realize just who and what we are in Christ. The theme of Ephesians is “Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” If you miss that (I will elaborate upon it more later) then you will begin to fall into doctrinal error.

B. As God’s children:

1. We Are Sons – In Relationship

2. We Are Students – In Education

3. We Are Soldiers – In Battle

4. We Are Servants – In Obedience

5. We Are Saints – In Standing

C. In the realm of last day religion, the Catholic Church venerates people who have lived and done “great” things in their lives as “Saints”. Their sainthood must be presented to the proper authorities and then voted upon in order to secure this glorious privilege. Religion requires service and endurance for sainthood whereas salvation bestows instant sainthood. Every believer in Scripture is referred to as a “saint.”

Acts 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Romans 15:25-26 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

D. If you look up the word “saint” in a dictionary, you will get a varied definition which has nothing to do with the biblical definition of the word.

SAINT, n. [L. sanctus.] A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue. (This definition has more to do with piety than standing.)

E. Sainthood is not even related to spirituality - Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. (Therefore, we should live a life becoming to our standing, but the standing is secured through the new birth and not works of righteousness!)

F. Once we become “saints” through the new birth, this sainthood is expressed in a change of both attitude toward sin and results of sin.

1. True Sainthood Always Brings About Conviction Of Sin - 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2. True Sainthood Always Brings About Either Confession or Chastisement For Sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Deuteronomy 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

I want to look at the sainthood of the believer tonight.

1. POSITIONAL SAINTHOOD - We Are Saints In Imputation - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

a. In Sainthood, We See Substitution – “sin for us” - 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

b. In Sainthood, We See Sinlessness – “knew no sin” - 1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Colossians 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

c. In Sainthood, We See Sanctification – “in him” - Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

2. PRACTICAL SAINTHOOD - We Are Saints In Character Integrity - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

a. In Sainthood, We See Condition – “if”

b. In Sainthood, We See Change – “a new creature”

c. In Sainthood, We See Character – “old things … become new”

3. PRESENTED SAINTHOOD – We Are Saints In Infinity - Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

a. In Sainthood, We Find Power – “able … keep you from falling” - 1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

b. In Sainthood, We Find Presentation – “present you faultless” - 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

c. In Sainthood, We find Promise – “presence … exceeding joy” - John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.