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Chapter 18

God’s Transformation of His People

1. General
   1. God Makes His People Spiritually Alive
      • God’s people have spiritual life
      • They have passed from their former state of spiritual death to spiritual life
      • In union with Jesus Christ, their sinful selves have “died” and they are now spiritually alive
      • God’s people are spiritually reborn of God . . .
      • . . . They are born again of the Holy Spirit and through God’s word
      • God’s people are a new creation
      • Note: God’s promise of a new or renewed heart and spirit – so that his people will be committed to him
   2. God Makes His People Holy
      • God makes his people holy . . .
      • . . . God’s people are a holy people
      • God’s people are primarily made holy through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice
      • God’s people are being made like God . . .
      • . . . God’s people are being transformed to be like Jesus Christ
      • Note: God’s people are his workmanship
   3. God Teaches His People
      • God teaches his people
      • God teaches his people how to live
      • God enables his people to know the truth
      • God makes known things about himself to his people . . .
      • . . . and God makes known other things of his to his people
      • God reveals unknown and concealed things to his people
      • Note: God’s word and truth dwell in his people – but not in others
   4. God Disciplines His People (I): Reasons
      • When his people turn to sin, God punishes and disciplines them . . .
      • . . . By punishment and discipline God causes his people to seek him again
      • God disciplines his people to rid them of sin
      • God disciplines his people to save them from sin’s consequences
      • However, hard times from God are not always due to sin
      • God also tests his people to show if they will obey him and remain faithful
      • Further reasons why God disciplines and tests his people
   5. God Disciplines His People (II): Insights
      • God disciplines his people as his children, who he loves
      • God’s discipline is characterized by faithfulness and justice
      • God’s punishment of his people is warranted . . .
      • . . . and God’s punishment is often less than what his people’s sins really deserve
      • God’s discipline and testing are temporary . . .
      • . . . Due to his mercy and compassion, God limits his people’s punishment
      • God’s discipline and testing can be intense, but God brings his people through

2. Spiritual Attributes
   1. Love, Faith and Hope
      • God gives his people love . . .
      • . . . God enables his people to love
      • God gives his people faith
      • God gives his people hope – especially by what he has done through Jesus Christ
      • God’s promises give his people hope
      • God’s promises to his people include promises for the present life . . .
      • . . . and promises for the afterlife – notably eternal life
   2. Peace
      • God gives his people peace
      • God provides his people with rest
      • Jesus Christ gives his people peace and rest
      • God’s people have great peace
      • God’s people have peace and rest even in death
      • Note: God is the God of peace
   3. Joy
      • God gives joy to his people
      • God gives his people fullness of joy
      • The joy is present even in trouble
      • Promises of God replacing sorrow with joy
      • Note: Joy strengthens people
   4. Wisdom and Knowledge
      • God gives his people wisdom
      • God gives his people knowledge
      • God’s people are given spiritual sight . . .
      • . . . They have spiritual light instead of spiritual darkness
      • Note: The exceptional wisdom and knowledge that God gave to Solomon, Daniel and others

 ➜Major headings in: 18. God’s Transformation of His People (and all of Unit D)

Pray for persecuted Christians