The Divine Plan
1 Thess. 5:23-24
Pastor Jerry Koller

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely.
• Paul uses this description not only at the end of this letter, he used it at the end of the second letter he wrote to the Thessalonians, at the end of his letter to the Romans, at the end of his second letter to the Corinthians, and at the end of his letter to the saints at Philippi.

As distressing as things may seem, Jesus didn’t intend to abandon them nor forsake them.

The Greek word for peace is likened to the Hebrew term Shalom.
• Shalom has to do with wholeness, harmony and completeness.
• When there is shalom, it means a person, a situation, or a place is the way God intends for it to be.

When Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, this can be understood as a legacy or an inheritance.
• A "legacy" refers to something passed down from the past, whether it's a material inheritance, a historical event's impact, or a person's lasting influence or achievements.
• “Inheritance” is the common term for property or any possession that comes to an heir.

To atone means to pay the price or to cover over sin so that we may receive forgiveness.
• It has to do with turning away the wrath of God that comes as a result of sin. There is no more disturbance. Things become the way God intends for them to be.

Jesus also said, My peace I give to you…
• This word “give” is a fundamental term conveys the act of giving or granting something to someone.
• It encompasses a wide range of meanings, including the giving of gifts, the bestowal of blessings, and the offering of oneself.

…not as the world gives do I give to you. (John 14:27c)
• The peace that the world offers is usually the absence of things that cause friction, the absence of worry or anxiety, or the absence of difficulties, trials, and adversities.

Paul’s desire for the saints was that this God of peace Himself will sanctify (them) you entirely (1 Thess. 5:23a)
• Sanctify means to make holy; to set apart as holy, or to purify.

The word “perfect,” in the original language, refers to bringing something to its intended goal or completion.

Believers will continually be sanctified as long as they are alive in this life.

…and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete (1 Thess. 5:23b)
• The phrase preserved complete comes from a word that has a similar root as the word entirely in this verse. Both words center around being preserved complete in all respects.

In addition, Paul’s desire was that the whole person be preserved without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:23d).

Salvation includes a calling. It includes a quickening. It includes justification.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we will not have to face the wrath of God.

The end of the sanctification process is called our glorification.

· Jeremy Price had a successful procedure and the back surgery went well.
· Bill Foskett Sr. (Bill Foskett's dad) was diagnosed with leiomysarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer in muscle cells. He is determining treatment options.
· From Tracy Marshall: Nolan has been approved for a third year of the SED waiver from the State of Michigan! It's not often that kids are approved for a third year, especially when they are making good progress, like Nolan has been. If we had wanted to continue with the same therapists that he's built a relationship with without the waiver, we would have had to pay $25,000+ out of pocket for the next year. Even though he has come so far, we still have a lot of work to do, and it would have been very disappointing to lose these services right as Nolan was finally starting to open up to his therapists. God continues to be faithful in our journey, and we are praising him for continuing to provide a way, and thank all of you for your support and prayers.
· Patrick Low is about 99% cured of the kidney stone issues. He greatly appreciates the prayers over the past several months. Following his last procedure, he has had some vocal cord damage from the breathing tube and now loses his voice after about 20 minutes of speaking. It resumes function 2-3 hours later.
• James Thomas (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) has been diagnosed with ascites, a very serious disease often associated with cirrhosis.
• Louann Pranger (Tracy Marshall's mom) continues to recover from a C Diff infection
• Derrick (grandson of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is recovering from a stroke.
• Curt Bales has returned home and continues to recover from a broken knee.
• Vasha Ferguson is recovering from parathyroid surgery.
• Miriam Bryant is having difficulty with both of her hands being numb, tingly, and extremely painful. Please pray that her doctor can find something to help alleviate the discomfort.
• Vincent Bryant (Miriam's son) is traveling back and forth to Grand Rapids as he is being evaluated for a kidney transplant. Please pray for safety and that he will be approved for a procedure soon. He's been on the transplant list for several years.
• Beth Bocock continues to recover from ulcerative colitis.
• Cam (18 yar-old son of Tracy Marshall’s co-worker) has mosaic trisomy 3, is having seizures, and a brain tumor was discovered, but they don’t think the two are related so he continues testing.
• Judy Jones (wife of Pastor Grady Jones/friend of Pastor Jerry) is recovering from a successful surgery and doctors believe they removed all of the cancer. She is waiting for biopsy results to decide how to proceed with treatment.
• Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com