Saints

1. Most know that the Catholic church has lot to say about the word “saints.”

2. At the present time the Catholic church recognizes in excess of 10,000 saints.

3. Their recognition of these so-called saints is rather recent; it began in the “10^th century.”

4. Catholicism says saints are made by a process called canonization.

5. Religious groups have their own version of what a saint is; we want to look at this word in the Bible.

6. We want to see who is a saint, what is a saint, where are the saints, and how to become a saint.

7. Saint is actually an adjective. It is an adjective that describes something that is holy or consecrated.

8. You might be surprised to know that the word translated “saint” is the same term used in Mt. 1:18.

9. Matthew refers to the “holy” Spirit (holy is the word elsewhere translated “saint”).

10. Just as the Spirit is holy, so such is to be the case with the people of God.

11. God’s people are to be pure, upright, consecrated, thus they are called “saints.”

12. Another surprising reference for many might be Mk. 6:20.

13. John the Baptist was in prison; Mark 6 says Herod “feared John.”

14. Some reasons for this fear are then given: John was a “just” man (KJV).

15. Then this is said: John was also “holy.”

16. This is the same word that is elsewhere translated “saint.”

17. John was not a saint in the sense that he was a Christian.

18. John died before the church was established.

19. John was “holy” in that he had the qualities Christians are to have.

20. Another reference that might surprise some is Lk. 1:70.

21. Luke refers to “holy prophets.” Holy is the word elsewhere translated saints.

22. Prophets were to live lives dedicated to God just as Christians are.

23. With the exception of Mt. 27:52 we never find this adjective being associated with Christians in Matthew-John.

24. The reason for this is not hard to explain. Christianity did not begin until after Jesus’ resurrection.

25. It is in Acts 2 and following that find references to Christians and their being called “saints.”

26. Before we get to that part of the Bible we want to cite a few more references in the gospels.

27. Next on my list is Lk. 1:72.

28. Luke refers to the “holy” covenant—holy is the word later translated “saints” in the New Testament.

29. God’s covenant was perfect, upright, holy, consecrated.

30. Later in Luke (9:26) Jesus referred to “holy” angels, the same word translated “saints.”

31. Angels are certainly not “saints” as we understand the word but they are “holy” creatures.

32. Paul applied this adjective to the Old Testament law in Rom. 7:12.

33. He said the law was “holy” (of God, from God, associated with God).

34. Most of us remember Rom. 16:16; Paul spoke of a “holy” kiss.

35. The word “holy” in “holy kiss” is the same word from which is elsewhere translated “saint.”

36. A final reference in this regard is Acts 7:33.

37. When Moses was in the presence of God, heaven said he was on “holy” ground.

1) WHEN WE KNOW THAT ALL THESE REFERENCES USE THE WORD ELSEWHERE TRANSLATED “SAINT,” WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE A CONCLUSION.

a) That conclusion is this: saint describes living people who are holy and dedicated to God.

b) Saints are living people who are consecrated to the God of heaven.

c) The first time this word occurs and has this meaning is in the book of Acts is Acts 9:13.

d) Ananias said he had heard about Saul’s mistreatment of “saints” at Jerusalem.

e) These were living people and people who were trying to live the Christian life.

f) Saints were in Jerusalem (Acts 9:13) as well as a place called “Lydda” (Acts 9:32).

g) These two references show that “saints” was not a term limited to a few people.

h) In about 10 centuries the Catholic church says there has been about 10,000 saints.

i) The book of acts shows that that 10,000 figure was achieved before the second century existed.

j) The word saint simply describes faithful Christians.

k) In Acts 9:41 we have Peter performing a healing at Joppa; he brought back Dorcas.

l) The Bible says this apostle presented her alive to the “saints.”

m) Now that we know what this word means, let’s dig a little more deeply into this subject.

n) What does the Bible specifically tell us about saints?

2) Sometimes people seem to think that God’s people (saints) will just glide through life.

3) That is not true. Saints suffer.

a) Listen to Acts 26:10 – READ.

b) Saints in the city of Jerusalem suffered some terrible things under the wrath of Saul.

c) Notice that “many saints” were imprisoned.

d) There were saints who were put to death for their faith.

e) Some of God’s best people suffer some of the worst fates we can imagine.

f) Saints suffered in the first century church and they still suffer at the present time.

4) When these times come, it is not because God has cut off His people or is failing to listen.

5) Rom. 1:7 says God “calls people to become saints.”

6) This calling is not mysterious or hard to explain.

7) 2 Theses. 2:14 says He calls through the gospel.

8) God calls us to become saints, but how are saints treated?

9) Sometimes they are treated very poorly, Acts 26:10—the passage just read.

a) Jesus also warned about this in advance when He said, “take up your cross daily.”

b) Holy living is often not easy living. It is a way of life that leads to a great reward.

10) If living as a saint is sometimes difficult, why do it?

a) One answer is found in Rom. 8:27.

b) Paul said “intercession” is made for saints.

c) At one time or another most want intercession to be made for them.

d) Someway, somehow a time comes when we want someone to plead our case.

e) It may be a child who wants his mother or father to talk to someone about something.

f) Maybe a child wants another person to talk to his or her parents.

g) It may be an employee who wants someone to talk to his or her employer.

h) It may be a spouse who wants someone to talk to his or her mate.

i) Maybe it is someone in the church who says, “Go see the preacher on my behalf.”

j) Rom. 8:27 says the Holy Spirit makes “intercession” for saints.

k) That is good news.

11) Most of us would fail miserably if we had to go to a legal proceeding and defend ourselves.

12) We have no trial experience. We do not know all the legal terminology.

13) We would have great difficulty finding previous cases that may support our case.

14) If we would fail to do well defending ourselves in an earthly court, how well would we fare in a heavenly court?

15) When dealing with spiritual matters, we need good counsel on our side.

16) The Bible says this is a spiritual benefit that saints receive.

a) Saints (Christians) are special people and they need to be treated as such.

b) In various parts of the Bible we read about treating the people of God well.

c) In Rom.12:13 Paul said “communicating to the necessities of the saints.”

d) Paul said God’s people sometimes need help and Paul said give it to them.

e) In 1 Cor. 16:1 Paul spoke a “collection” for needy saints.

f) God says saints are deserving of our assistance.

17) Our help to fellow saints may be financial, intellectual, physical, emotional or something else.

18) Some saints need encouragement and we need to be ready to stand up and give it.

19) Others need physical assistance.

20) Recently there was a call sent out to help rake leaves. Why come and help with that project?

21) Saints are deserving of aid.

22) Others may need financial assistance or maybe some help thinking through something.

a) When we consider what is said in Rom. 12, we realize something else.

b) If saints are sometimes in need of help, they are probably not all going to be wealthy.

c) A lot of teaching in the religious world is centered on a “health and wealth” gospel.

d) Many of the folks on television say God wants people to be rich; financially prosperous.

e) In Rom. 15:26 the Bible refers to “poor saints.”

f) This passage is just overlooked by health and wealth preachers.

g) They pretend like the verse doesn’t exist.

h) It does exist, and it is not the only verse that teaches God’s people may suffer (experience) hard times.

23) Being a saint has little bearing on one’s financial status.

24) Being a saint does have some significant bearing on other things.

25) Whatever our lot in life, we are to “behave like saints” (Rom. 16:2).

a) Paul said “as becometh saints.”

b) This is in the context of helping a woman named Phoebe.

i) Paul Realized that it is possible for saints (holy people) to sometimes be unholy.

c) Thus, he told the saints to act like saints.

d) We have expression in life like, “act like a man. Act like your age. Behave like a young lady.
The Bible tells saints to behave like saints.

e) A related passage is Eph. 5:3.

f) Paul listed some sins and said “let not these things be named among you.”

g) He told these Christians, “Saints do not live in this manner.”

h) Saints abstain from certain things.

i) One reason to do this is Eph. 1:18.

j) Paul said an “inheritance” will come to saints.

k) A lot of people look forward to receiving an inheritance.

26) They may anticipate inheriting a business, money, property, or something else.

27) God says an inheritance awaits those who are saints.

28) This inheritance has some conditions.

a) In Jude 3 we find the word “saints” being used once again.

b) Jude said “contend for the faith.”

c) God delivered “the faith” (the gospel) “once for all” and people are to stand firm upon that.

d) Who is to be fully committed to teaching and staying with the truth? Saints.

e) Holy people are those who hold to and defend sound doctrine.

29) Saint is an important New Testament word.

30) It is also a word that is often misunderstood.

31) On November first there is “all saints day.”

32) This is celebrated in various ways throughout the world; in this part of the world a hymn is usually sung.

33) If we are true to the Bible, saints are the living and they are living saints every single day.

34) Whatever it costs us to become and stay a saint, the price is worth it.

35) Only when accountable people become a saint do they have the intercession of Rom. 8.

36) Only saints have the inheritance from Eph. 1:18.

37) Tonight we close with a simple question: Are we a saint?