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This is a spotlight on the Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Sanctification is a wonderful concept, but often misunderstood. In the Bible, it has different meanings. When referring to Christ, it means He has been made our sanctification, setting us apart for God. For example, Simon Peter mentions that "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). Some of these men, like Moses and David, had flawed pasts, but they were considered holy because they were set apart for God.

Sanctification for believers is a work of the Holy Spirit. It has three aspects:

1.       Positional sanctification: Christ has made us sanctified. We are accepted by God because of Christ's work, not our own. This is perfection in Christ.

2.       Practical sanctification: The Holy Spirit works in our lives to make us holy in our daily walk. This will never be perfect as long as we are in our sinful bodies.

3.       Total sanctification: This will happen in the future when we are fully conformed to the image of Christ. Both our position and practice will be perfect.

Sanctification means being "set apart for God." When someone believes on Christ as Savior, they are set aside for God's use. This is illustrated in the Old Testament with the tabernacle vessels, which were considered holy because they were set apart for God, despite being worn and battered.

Likewise, when a person comes to Christ, despite being damaged and abused they are saved and belong to Him. Paul says, "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." Every believer is set aside for God's use, not just preachers or missionaries.

Paul also warns against sexual sin, emphasizing that Christians should abstain from it. Sexual sin was not only an issue in Roman times but is still widespread today, even among Christian workers. Beloved listen to me, one cannot live in sin and be used by God. Christians should strive for holiness, recognizing that it is only through Christ that we are acceptable to God. Paul reminds us that we have been sanctified and set apart for God's use. This is a spotlight on the Scriptures 

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This is a spotlight on the Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Sanctification is a wonderful concept, but often misunderstood. In the Bible, it has different meanings. When referring to Christ, it means He has been made our sanctification, setting us apart for God.

Sanctification for believers is a work of the Holy Spirit. It has three aspects:

1.       Positional sanctification: Christ has made us sanctified. We are accepted by God because of Christ's work, not our own. This is perfection in Christ.

2.       Practical sanctification: The Holy Spirit works in our lives to make us holy in our daily walk. This will never be perfect as long as we are in our sinful bodies.

3.       Total sanctification: This will happen in the future when we are fully conformed to the image of Christ. Both our position and practice will be perfect.

Sanctification means being "set apart for God." When someone believes on Christ as Savior, they are set aside for God's use. 

when a person comes to Christ, despite being damaged and abused they are saved and belong to Him. Paul says, "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." Every believer is set aside for God's use, not just preachers or missionaries.

. Beloved listen to me, one cannot live in sin and be used by God. Christians should strive for holiness, recognizing that it is only through Christ that we are acceptable to God. Paul reminds us that we have been sanctified and set apart for God's use. This is a spotlight on the Scriptures  

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Biblical Talks Encouraging Word for the Week I am Rachel Tolliver, God’s love is his joyful self-determination to reflect the goodness of his will and glory by meeting the needs of mankind. God didn’t start being loving after creating the world and people No, no. God’s love is eternal, His love has always existed.    In and of himself, God is love, and His love is closely connected to His glory.

God's love is His joyful decision to show His goodness and glory by caring for humanity. Romans 5:8 says But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this, God showed how much he loves us. (ERV). For more encouraging, words please go to biblicaltalks.com or listen to biblical talks podcast on your favorite media. 

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On July 14, 2025, Pastor John MacArthur laid down his earthly tent and crossed into glory, his faith now made sight in the presence of the risen Christ. After walking through a season of affliction since early 2023, God, in sovereign love and perfect wisdom, declared, “Well done,” and called His servant home.

For fifty-six faithful years, John stood behind the sacred desk at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He didn't chase trends or peddle gimmicks. He opened the Word—and kept it open. Line by line, verse by verse, he proclaimed the truth without compromise. And under that uncompromising truth, the church flourished. Thousands were equipped. Missionaries were sent. Men were raised to rightly divide the Word.

From the beginning, his sermons reached beyond the sanctuary—first for homebound saints, then across the airwaves. Grace to You was born, and soon, the Gospel thundered through speakers on every continent. English and Spanish. Free and accessible. Day and night. The sun never sets on the reach of John’s preaching.

And as hearts were stirred to give, the John MacArthur Charitable Trust was formed in 2017—fueling the ministry, expanding the vision, ensuring that the light kept shining.

All of this—every soul touched, every message proclaimed—is a testament not to man's brilliance, but to God's providence. John once said he never plotted this path. He went deep in the Word and let God handle the width. “Faithfulness,” he said, “is its own reward.”

Only heaven will reveal the full harvest—the lives transformed, the churches strengthened, the generations inspired—through the steadfast labor of this servant of God.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

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This is a spotlight on the Scriptures Philippians 2:1-4 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

The word "if" at the beginning of this verse doesn't mean a condition. Paul often uses "if" to make an argument, not a condition. Paul is very logical, so let's be logical. It's clearer to say: "Since there is encouragement in Christ, since there is comfort from love, since there is fellowship with the Spirit, and since there is tenderness and compassion. complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Please listen to me, Paul isn't advocating for harmony and unity no matter the cost. 

 Truth should not be sacrificed for the sake of harmony, but truth should also be communicated with love. The final goal is still unity, but it should be pursued through truthful and loving means.

Let me give you this example I hear.  A football team is unified not because every player plays the same position—that would be uniformity. A football team is unified because they work together to reach the same goal. Each player plays their position with the goal of either helping their team score or stopping the opposing team from scoring.

People should treat each other with respect and kindness. Christians should see and appreciate the good in each other. Love helps us quickly notice others' good qualities. Paul emphasizes the need for unity among Christians, which is closely tied to Christ. A lack of unity shows a weakness in what should unite them—Christ's love. If there's disunity, it means there's not enough love or it's not strong enough for the situation. People have the right to compare Christians' actions to Christ's because there's a moral connection. Everything done in the church reflects on Christ, either honoring or dishonoring him.

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Biblical Talks Encouraging Word for the Week I am Rachel Tolliver, Happy Thanksgiving! Saints, this Thanksgiving, we should thank God not just for the blessings we receive in this life, but also for the eternal joys and glories of heaven to come. In our state of being lost, God showed His great mercy by giving us His Son to save us from sin, death, and hell, and to protect us from all spiritual enemies. For more encouraging, words please go to biblicaltalks.com or listen to biblical talks podcast on your favorite media. 

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Satan is angry. We participated in the fall, just like he did. But through Christ, we are now exempt from God’s wrath—the wrath that Satan will forever endure. And when the opportunity presents itself, Satan stands before God and accuses us. Other times, he makes us feel guilty for things that God has already forgiven.

We are the object of attention in the Lord’s courtroom—Satan on one side, Jesus on the other. Christians can take heart because Jesus has already won the victory.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

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This is a spotlight on the Scriptures Matthew 4:19-20   And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 

Jesus told them, "Follow me," meaning they should leave their regular jobs and become his full-time disciples. By always listening to his teachings and seeing his miracles, they would sooner or later be prepared to spread his message to others. God often calls people to important roles while they are doing honest work. 

He called Saul while he was looking for his father's donkeys, David was tending his father's sheep. The shepherds were watching their flocks when angels told them about Jesus' birth. God called Amos from his flock, Gideon from the threshing floor, and the apostles from their fishing. God does not look down on people with humble jobs. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John the Bible says they immediately left their jobs and followed Jesus. 

"I will make you fishers of men," Jesus said. They would gather people into the faith, please listen, if you are not fishing you are not following. If your Christian life does not involve in evangelizing the lost, and discipling the saints, you are not following Jesus. Listen in this text Ministers' and Pastors’  work is defined here. They should not work for money, honor, or fame, but to win souls to God. They should present their messages clearly and well to guide people to faith. Without God's blessing, all their efforts would be in vain, just like the disciples who toiled all day and night without catching any fish. The apostles first followed Jesus before starting their ministry. When choosing a replacement for Judas, they picked someone who had been with them and Jesus throughout his ministry. Those who don't follow this become something other than fishers of souls. The apostles immediately left their nets and followed Jesus, inspired by his powerful words and miracles. Although pastors need to have no other jobs, it is preferable for them to be fully supported so they can dedicate themselves completely to God's work. Not every believer is called to a full-time Christian vocation, but every believer is called to be a full-time Christian.  This is a spotlight on the Scriptures 

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Biblical talks Encouraging Word for the Week I am Rachel Tolliver, The immutability of God, means he never alters his purposes or changes his nature. Immutability means not having the ability to change, As the eternal Son of God, Jesus also does not change. Malachi 3:6 says For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. In this world, everything changes. Even the most beautiful parts of creation change. Days and seasons come and go. Leaves die, grass withers, flowers fade, mountains crumble, and rocks are moved. People, who notice and mourn these changes, are just as changeable. The things people enjoy change: their honors fade, pleasures wither, riches disappear, relatives die, and friends forget them. Our bodies change: youth fades, and beauty diminishes. Our minds change: yesterday's desires aren't today's, and youthful ambitions are left behind in old age.

But God remains the same. Because God is unchangeable, all His qualities—His power, wisdom, holiness, and goodness—are also unchangeable. This thought might seem daunting if we weren't also told that God's mercy is just as constant and enduring. Let us give thanks to our father, for being unchangeable. For more encouraging, words please go to biblicaltalks.com or listen to biblical talks podcast on your favorite media. 

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Jeremiah's calling wasn't based on his qualifications but on God's eternal plan. This truth extends to all believers. 

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

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Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com