Sermons

Details
Series: General
Date:
Additional file: 2015-10-04 Who is a Saint - Alan Yeater.pdf


S.R. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Introduction

  1. How many of you think of yourselves as a saint?
    1. “Well, I don’t feel very saintly.”
    2. Particularly in the sense in which people often use the term
  2. Popular views of sainthood:
    1. Viewed as the pinnacle of holiness attained by only a tiny number of God’s people.
    2. Achieved by works – something you earn (merit) by your deeds
    3. In Roman Catholicism it is an honor conferred after death rather than in life.
    4. It is an honor conferred by those who are not saints.
    5. It is a title – St. Paul, St. Francis,
    6. Sainthood implies some special powers. – Intercessor

Outline

  1. How does the Bible describe a Saint?
    1. All Christians are saints (Acts 9:13, 32, 41).
      1. Letters to churches (cf. Romans 1:7; 15:26, 1 and 2 Corinthians)
      2. Every Christian is a saint because he is sanctified by the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:11).
    2. Saints are interceded for as well as serving as intercessors (Romans 8:27) 
    3. Saints are recipients of charity as well as dispensers of charity.
      1. a. Distributing to the needs of the saints (Rom. 12:13)
      2. b. Looking out for the needs of fellow Christians (1 Corinthians 16:1)
      3. c. Washed the saints feet (1 Timothy 5:10)
    4. Saints are recipients of the love of Christ as well as dispensers of love.
      1. Show love toward all the saints (Ephesians 1:15)
      2. Thus far we have referenced the term as it is translated saints in English.
      3. The Greek word hagios – is also translated holy, holy ones or sanctified.
      4. All of these have the same root concept of being made holy.
      5. The term is applied consistently to all of God’s people living or dead.
    5. Tension – a lot of times I don’t feel like a holy person.
  2. How does one attain sainthood?
    1. Not something achieved by our own merit (Ephesians 2:8-9)
    2. Being a saint is something done to us by Christ with our cooperation.
    3. We, who are not worthy, who are guilty of sin are sanctified (1 Corinthians. 6:9-11)
      1. Corinthians were made saints, not by virtue of their own good works but by virtue of the blood of Christ.
      2. By virtue of the forgiveness of sins by the washing of water, cleansed and purified and made holy. (Titus 3: 3-7)
      3. If you are not yet in Christ, a saint is what you become in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:26-27)
  3. Are you a Saint?
    1. Yes, if you have submitted to Christ’ instructions regarding salvation.
      1. That is not something to brag about.
      2. That is a confession to make.
    2. Despite our rebellion against God, upon repentance and baptism God forgave, cleansed and made me holy. (Acts 18:8)
    3. God and His Son declare us sanctified.
      1. Hebrews 2:11; 10:10, 14; 13:12
    4. God’s grace and forgiveness are not because of our worthiness (2 Timothy 1:9)
    5. Being made a saint prepares us for good works. Not result of good works (2 Timothy 2:21)
    6. Sainthood is what we are now, we acutely feel our imperfections as saints. (1 Peter 1:15)
      1. Reason why the Scriptures that call us saints call upon us to live holy lives.
      2. Once cleansed we live like those cleansed by the blood of Christ (2 Corinthians 7:1)
      3. God wants us to live like our name implies (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23-24)
  4. Conclusion: Saint is a term for people who don’t even have enough righteousness for themselves, much less for others (Philippians 3:9-10).
    1. Sainthood is a status conferred by God, not by man.
    2. Are you a saint? (1 Corinthians 6:11)