It's wonderful to be here with all of you today to worship, God
in spirit and in truth, and we hope and pray.
That what we have to consider in this.
Our lesson today would be both edifying and encouraging to you.
Our text to be found, as you can see on the screen in 1st
Thessalonians chapter 4, to introduce the idea or the
subject of sanctification first Thessalonians chapter 4 and we
want to Begin there in verse 3, where the Apostle Paul wrote for
this is the will of God, your sanctification that ye should
abstain from sexual immorality. That each of you should know how
to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in
passion or lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.
That no one should take advantage of and defraud his
brother in this matter because the Lord is the Avenger of all
such Oh, such as we also forewarned you and testified for
God did not call us to uncleanness but in Holiness or
sanctification. In fact, The New American
Standard actually renders it as the English word,
sanctification. Now let me just say this,
sanctification is a Bible subject, that is extremely
important, but it's been convoluted by the basic theories
of the day. Let me just say this, the reason
for the lesson I was actually asked to preach on the subject
of sanctification because in the religious world today, it seems
like this is the buzzword. In other words, it's all about
being Sanctified or it's all about sanctification, and, you
know what, they're right, it is all about sanctification, but
the question is this, what is it, what does it mean?
And how do you get it? You know, I was sitting down and
I was trying to put together this the notes and some various
resources for study of this subject.
And I did what we often do because we live in the Google
age. I Googled views on
sanctification, and it's very interesting by the way, we're
not going to go through all the aspects of these views.
In fact, I will tell you this, if you read these views, their
long laborious, hard to understand and confusing and all
of that. So, what we want to do is we
want to take A very profound subject called sanctification.
And in this lesson offer a very simple explanation so that we
can apply it and we can understand it.
But here they are. And all fairness.
Here are the five prominent views on the subject of
sanctification today? There's the Wesleyan view,
there's the reformed view, there's the Pentecostal view,
there's the Keswick View and there is one called the
Augustine Ian. Respect dispensational view as
well. I'm not going to go into all of
those views. What I want to talk about those,
I want to talk about what the Bible says, but first of all,
there is a view. We will talk about a scriptural
view, but Or the scriptural fact.
There's a View today that says, this, that sanctification comes
initially by the direct operation of the Holy Spirit and
it's done in a miraculous form. It's done in a mysterious
conversion process. And then some allege that if you
receive such from the Holy Spirit, miraculously that you
become converted or saved and in time in the process of time,
Time sometime in your life, you are a candidate to receive the
baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now follow me on this, you
received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and when you get that and
when you're the recipient of that, it becomes an
impossibility for you to sin. I'm going to tell you that
doesn't make any sense at all. There's only one that ever
walked on the face of this Earth.
That was perfect. There's only one who had no sin.
The Bible says, if we say we have no sin, we are a liar and
the truth is not in us. We understand that that everyone
sins. Now let's just address the
concept of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I don't have time to go into that.
So I'm not. I'm just going to make the
statement baptism of the Holy Spirit happened.
Only two times in all the world since Acts chapter 2 on to the
present time right now. And it was done in Acts 2 on the
day of Pentecost and it was done in Acts 10 when those Gentile
converts in the household of Cornelius were converted and the
purpose of that was to show Jewish Christians, that God was
accepting the Gentile to enough said on that.
But let's talk about that. What if somebody actually did
receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, could they sin
absolutely? Peter received the baptism of
the Holy Spirit and on A Pentecost preached, the First
Gospel, sermon with the opportunity to respond to it.
He talked about the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
That Jesus said, and the church was established on that day, did
he sin? Yeah, in Galatians Chapter 2.
You remember? What Peter does?
Peter being caught up with the thoughts of the Jews and so
forth, refused to eat with the Gentiles.
And that was a sin and others were carried away, even Barnabas
and they I followed in Peters example, did he sin?
Well, Paul said I was stood him to the face for.
He was to be blamed, so it doesn't make sense.
Even if you could receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
you're still gonna sin John the Apostle.
Likewise had obtained this baptism but he wrote that he and
all the saints were capable of sinning.
And first John chapter 1 verses 6 through 10.
So no one in this life, I don't care who you are.
I don't care when you live well, live their life without
Temptation, will live their life without sin.
We all sin. We never reach a point of
sinless perfection. In fact, in 1st Corinthians,
chapter 10 and verse 12, Paul said, therefore let him who
thinks he Stands, take heed, lest he fall.
I want to slip something in I thought about this, I got up
real early my little Sunday morning regiment, get up real
early. Get the coffee going and study
my lesson. It's quiet in the house and
something kind of hit me this morning.
I was thinking about this passage that says let he who
thinks that he can't fall. Let him take heed, lest he fall.
And, you know, I think about this idea.
I think about sometimes we have the attitude and we can have the
attitude, like, it could never happen to me, or we can have the
attitude. I will never fall.
I will never fall, there's no way.
I would fall. Not me, I'm so strong.
Do you know when you have that attitude it kind of dawned on me
this morning, isn't it entirely possible when you have the
attitude of arrogance that those things only happen to other
people? But not you could it not be that
you just fell. In a different way.
You just fell. That's an arrogant spirit and
arrogant heart can't do that. Take heed lest he fall don't
ever act like you could never happen to you.
What do we want to do though? Today, we want to notice
sanctification and why we want to notice how we can serve God
better by understanding sanctification and serve him
more in our life. So let's talk about that word
sanctification. First of all, what does it mean?
Our English word derives from two Latin words and it's very
simple. It is the Latin word Sanctus
which means holy and faccio which means to make.
So sanctification literally means by the Latin phrases.
There it is, the process of making one holy or being made to
be holy. That will talk about holy in a
minute. What's mr.
Webster. Say look him up to when Webster
say about that He said that sanctification was the act of
consecrating or of setting apart for a sacred purpose.
It is the act of making holy. So that's the Latin words.
That is the Webster's Dictionary.
Let's go to the Greek. Been the Greek literally comes
from that Greek word and Vine defines it as a separation.
To god, notice, it doesn't say separation from God.
It says separation. God.
It's a concept of making one to be holy.
In fact, you know that Greek word there is used 10 times in
the Greek, New Testament. And it's translated,
sanctification and it's translated Holiness.
Let's go back to our introductory passage.
I'll just notice two words verse 3 and verse 7, that is this
exact Greek word. In fact, this Greek word is used
often times interchangeably into English words either,
sanctification or Holiness so that's what we're talking about.
They're used interchangeably because they have identical
meanings, but you know, the Bible itself gives the meaning
of sanctification. Let's go back to the Old
Testament. Let's go all the way back to the
time of the creation in Genesis chapter 2.
And In this passage notice in verse 3 of Genesis chapter 2,
then God blessed the seventh day.
And Sanctified it. God Sanctified the day.
Why? Because in it, he rested from
all of his Works which God had created and made.
So in Genesis chapter 2, the only one that rested on the
seventh day was God. So what did God do?
God? Hal of that day, he Sanctified
that day. He made holy that day.
He set it apart on that day, because he was finished with his
labors. Let's go to this passage now.
Exodus 29 7 days, you shall make atonement for the Altar and
sanctify. It and the altar shall be most
holy, whatever touches the altar must be wholly.
So, in other words to sanctify is to make holy that is a Bible.
Definition straight out of the scripture, straight out of the
word of God. Let's go to one more Passage.
In Leviticus 27 and 16 if a man dedicates to the Lord, part of a
field of his possession. Then your valuation shall be
according to the seed for it, a homer of barley seed shall be
valued at 50 shekels of silver. So what are we saying?
In all of this, what we're saying is these things, these
animals and these people were Sanctified to God's holy Press
and use. Did you catch that set aside for
God's purpose and use? In fact, that's a really good
definition. It means to set apart to God, to
be used by him and used for him, but notice though.
Once the item or individual separated though it was not to
be used for other purposes like common purposes.
In fact when pagans would offer a hog on the altar at the
temple, the altar became polluted when a person obeys the
gospel and is Sanctified, he must live, a separate or
Sanctified or holy life and you know what?
If you go back and you turn your back you have Looted that
spiritual relationship and you lose a connection or
relationship with God until you repent and come back.
When you obey the gospel though, your life is to be.
Holy your life is in service to God all the days of your life.
A life that is consecrated and dedicated to God's service and
not turn your back on the things that you have learned and the
things that, you know, to be right.
Because when we do we lose fellowship with God.
Now I want to say this though. I don't know any other thing in
life. Where you get Second Chances
after second chances after second chances, all of your
life. Where things are not held
against you when you make them, right.
I don't know any other aspect of it than what God does when we
repent and come back to the truth.
I'm going to tell you you do that enough to your boss.
You get fired. You mess up enough and you're
going to get fired. You mess up another school here
again, F that's just the way it is or kicked out or in trouble.
There's always ramifications like that, but when you cut, it
comes to God and it comes to forgiveness when we repent now,
repentance means you're changing repentance means this, I'm no
longer going to live that way. I'm wrong.
I Repent, I confess that sin to God.
I ask for forgiveness and you know what?
God forgives us more on that though.
Though, in just a few minutes, great Blessings, by the way,
great blessings. What I'm saying is when we sin
and lose fellowship with God, he is there like the father that
never left the father's house looking for the prodigal to come
back and he's looking every single day.
Why to forgive him when he returns?
I don't know. Anything else in all the world
of any relationship in all the world.
That is like that. So there's two sides to
sanctification. Please get this.
As used in the New Testament, two sides.
One. It's used in reference to the
process by which one is first set apart.
All who become Christians are set apart when they are saved.
This sanctifying process is called the following.
It's called being added to the church.
In Acts chapter 2 when the First Gospel, sermon was being
preached. We just mentioned that a moment
ago, right? Acts 2:38, then Peter said unto
them, repent, and be baptized every one of you.
In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ghost and Acts chapter 2 and verse 47.
It says, praising God, and having favor with all the
people, and the Lord added to the church daily, those that
were being saved. So, that's one way.
That is phrased of a person that is Sanctified, he's added to the
church. What else he's translated from
the kingdom of darkness, which is out in the world.
And he's transferred or translated into the kingdom of
God's. Dear Son, Colossians chapter 1
and verse 13. What else?
What else it's called entering? Jesus Christ in Galatians 3:27
for as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on
or have clothed them self with Christ.
So sanctification you're out of the church.
What's the church? It's the kingdom.
What's the kingdom? It's the church.
When do you get in when you're baptized for the remission of
sins? All right.
The gospel though of Jesus Christ, God's word is the
sanctifying power. In fact in Acts chapter 20 and
verse 32. It says, so, now Brethren, I
commend you to God and get this to the word of his grace.
Now what we're talking about moving forward is extremely
important, so please stay with me.
I commend to you to God and to the word of his grace.
What about it which is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are Sanctified so what has the
power to be Sanctified? What has the power to lead
someone to be Sanctified? It is the word of his grace.
What else? In John chapter 17 and verse 17.
Jesus said this sanctify them by your truth.
Your word is truth. Now, I want to notice something
about the Corinthians and their sanctification.
Those in Corinth, by the way, in 1st Corinthians chapter 6.
In 1st Corinthians, chapter 6. Paul said this.
And such were some of you, but you were washed.
But, you were Sanctified, but you were justified in the name
of the Lord Jesus. And by the spirit of our god,
notice what they got. Now, we're talking about
Christians, these are members of the Lord's Church.
They were in the Kingdom. They were added to the body of
Christ. They were all that that we just
talked about. They're also Sanctified by the
blood of Christ. Three things about their
sanctification, they were washed, they were Sanctified and
they were Justified. I'd all three.
Now we know about the washing part.
Saul of Tarsus who later became the Apostle Paul in Acts 22:16.
He's in Damascus, he's on the street, which is called
straight. He's there, he's praying for
three days and denies comes in and said, and what are you
waiting for arise and be baptized and wash away?
Your sins? Calling on the name of the Lord,
when somebody obeys the gospel, therefore becoming Sanctified,
the first thing they're washed or cleansed.
From their sins, by the blood of Christ.
Now, I'm going to notice the next two words, but I got to
talk about Justified first. Because Justified really goes
hand in hand with washed. And by the way, this is the one
we all want, I'll take it a step further.
This is the one that the entire religious world would like to
have with no further obligation. The word Justified, when you're
washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, you are now Justified
and the word, Justified literally means it causes to be
held as though we were never guilty of sin in God's sight.
It means it doesn't mean parole. It doesn't mean probation.
It means not guilty. It's the same word.
Jesus used to describe the tax collector who wouldn't even look
up toward the heavens but smote his breast as an outward sign of
inward, anguish and said God be merciful in the original God.
Be merciful to me The Sinner. Jesus says he went away.
Justified, meaning, his sins were forgiven And that's exactly
what happens when you obey the gospel.
We love that part where washed in the blood of Jesus Christ for
the remission of our sins and because of that we're justify.
Do we love that one? My sins and all my past is gone,
love that one but there's another one.
We're Sanctified to at the same time.
The word Sanctified literally means sets us apart in Christ to
serve and glorify God. You were saved.
Not only to save your soul. Not only to have your sins
forgiven. Not only that, you might be
justified in the eyes of God and not guilty, but you were saved
by the blood of Jesus that you might serve and glorify God all
the days of your life. That's what the word Sanctified
means. So notice what we've seen, we've
seen this salvation is in Jesus Christ, and none of them and
Jesus even said that he said no man comes unto the father except
by or through me salvation is in Christ.
What else? Sanctification is also in
Christ, First Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 2.
We find that baptism puts one into Jesus Christ.
So what have we learned? Ian, sanctification and
justification, all are the results of being baptized.
And baptism is the culminating act for doing just that and
places us into the spiritual State.
Now, we get that part right. But what I want to talk about is
I want to talk about the process that people talk about.
That's number two, that's the second part of it, two parts of
it, right? How you enter in that's a
baptism but what people are talking about in their everyday
life today and it's kind of a buzzword today.
They're talking about the next thing we're going to speak of.
In other words, what happens after I'm Sanctified or saved
what happens? Then?
Well, notice this is a reference to our spiritual development
after we obey the gospel. Remember this to Salvation
comes, or sanctification comes at baptism.
This is what Paul said to the Thessalonian Brethren, these
were members of the body of Christ.
These were those that have been Sanctified all that Paul says
now may the God of Peace himself, Sanctify.
You completely that's what people are talking about.
What in the world doesn't mean how you do it?
That's what people are concerned about.
They were already Sanctified at baptism, they were set apart at
baptism. They were forgiven at baptism.
But what about this? Paul is writing to Christians
and he says, may the God of Peace himself sanctify.
You completely then he says and may your whole Spirit soul and
body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord.
Jesus Christ. All right.
Already Sanctified. But what's it mean to be
Sanctified completely? His inspired statement spoke of
their need to be, made sound in every way with every Grace.
That is present. I want to notice with you James
chapter, 1 and verse 4. James, 1 and 4.
But let patience have. It's perfect work.
That you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
Now, first of all, this is where people get messed up.
Because sometimes the word perfect is translated complete
second, Timothy 3:16 and 17 that the word of God may be perfect.
The word that the Christian man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
And in that passage the word perfect means complete.
So, this is what people do. If this means complete here,
then this has to be something else and sometimes people in the
world with this new view that we're talking about, Believes
that a person can actually reach a point of sinless, perfection.
All you have to do is look into various translations of the word
of God, and it'll tell you what the answer is and what this is
talking about. It is so simple, James says, let
patience have. It's perfect work that you may
be perfect and complete lacking and lacking nothing.
The word, perfect. Literally means mature.
That's what he's saying and the word complete means completely
developed. What he saying is, I want you to
be complete or mature and I want you to grow to spiritual
completeness. That makes sense.
Without sin, doesn't make any sense.
That makes sense to me completely developed.
Now very quickly, how does one know if he's complete in Christ?
How does one know that, you know, the Bible appeal store
intellect and it's not a checkoff system.
It's not don't get me wrong, but the Bible is very clear and it
deals with our intellect. And if you want to know a
pattern for living a life that is acceptable to God, it's found
in the word of God, you can find out exactly what we need to do.
Notice this past is very familiar.
I won't spend very much time on it, but in second Peter chapter
1, beginning in verse 5. But also for this reason, giving
all diligence add to your faith. In other words, add the time
from the time that you're Sanctified at baptism and you
become a child of God, you have a responsibility.
Now to be set apart for the service of God for the rest of
your life. And this is what he says to do.
You gotta add moral Excellence. That's virtue.
You gotta add knowledge. That word means, proper
knowledge, and proper Insight. That is properly understood and
applied. That's a whole sermon in itself
but we'll move on and moral excellence and knowledge.
What else, how about this one that you have to have?
Everybody needs that one self-control literally means
holding yourself in see how they're building on one on the
other then perseverance and that's having the
stick-to-itiveness power to resist the evil to evil things.
As in the world and stand the test of time until the Lord
comes back and contend for the faith perseverance, make it to
the end which leads to Godliness a proctor goal.
Awareness of God in every aspect of your life, that will be
demonstrated in how you treat people in brotherly.
Kindness All. As we're trying to get to this
one and that's agape love. As we're trying to get there.
That's how you become complete in Christ.
And, by the way, this is not a one-time checklist and it goes
up and down. It goes the other way too.
It goes backwards, the things apply going backwards, they do,
it's not a one-time thing, it's a lifetime thing.
So to make your sanctification more complete, we have to apply
these things in our daily Walk of Life.
That's how you get. Sanctification being complete in
your life. Second Corinthians chapter 7,
another Passage. Paul said this, therefore having
these promises beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the Flesh and spirit perfecting Holiness.
In the fear of God, perfecting Holiness is sanctification, it's
bringing our Spiritual Development to completion, and
simply put it means this to reach spiritual adulthood You
know, we talked about the words fully grown, that's all that
means. You don't reach a higher level
of perfection and sinless behavior.
But you become spiritually mature.
Sanctification is a state of Holiness which means we are
separated from sin. We are separated from the guilt
of our past sins and set apart to God's holy purposes when we
obey the gospel. We know that, but as we increase
our store of knowledge and live better to serve God, more fully
we grow in Holiness, sanctification and draw nearer
to our spiritual Perfection, completeness, or maturity.
And it doesn't mean that you can't sin, and it doesn't mean
that you can't learn. I gotta tell you.
I don't even need to tell you this, you know, this.
Because it's for everybody. But every single day that I
study the Bible, I learn something.
You know, we were talking about this in a private Bible study,
just the other day, how the Bible is, the only book that is
timeless that has withstood the test of time and it's the only
book the inspired word of God that you can learn from every
day of your life and you can do it all of your life and I don't
care if you live to be 110, you can learn every day.
That's because it's the inspired written word of God.
See you never ever, ever in completeness or maturity or
complete in Christ. You never reach a level where I
can't grow anymore. I've maxed it out.
I can't learn anymore. I've maxed that out and
certainly you never reach the point that I cannot sin.
It just means spiritual maturity.
All right, notice though, there's a lot of discussions
regarding what means we are Sanctified with One claim is
that sanctification is accomplished by some sudden,
mysterious Supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit
upon the human heart and it's actually called the second work
of Grace Theory. This is a very prominent and
very popular view in other words and that's what by the way
people talking about. That's what they're talking
about. If you hear people in the
religious World talking about this, this is what they're
talking about. They're talking about the second
work of Grace Theory. We're sanctification happens by
the Holy Spirit. Now passengers, which are used
to support this Theory really offer.
No support. Let me show you one passage.
That's used to support the theory and then we'll take a
look at what it is. In Romans chapter 15 and verse
16, the Apostle Paul said that I might be a minister of Christ of
Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Ministering the gospel of God
that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable.
First of all, very briefly. What Paul is saying is and we
know that Paul Paul, even though he preach to the Jews, even
though he preached to all manner of people, he was the Apostle or
the minister of the Gentiles. He took the gospel to the
Gentiles. That was one of the things that
he was a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ to be notice, he's a
minister of Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel to the
Gentiles so that they want, the Gentiles might be an acceptable
offering before God. That's what we know so far.
That the Gentiles are going to be an acceptable offering to
God. Then it says Sanctified by the
Holy Spirit. Do you know this verse, says,
absolutely nothing about how the Holy Spirit accomplishes this
action. It only states.
That Gentiles were the offering that was acceptable to God.
They were set apart and Sanctified though by the Holy
Spirit. The folks, please get this.
That is a statement of fact that is not a how-to or how it was.
It was a didn't say the means of how the Holy Spirit did it.
It just said the Holy Spirit was the fact.
So what is it? Then that statement, of fact
does not tell us how it's done. These people obeyed the gospel.
We know that Jesus spoke about people being Sanctified by God's
word. We've already used this passage
here it is. Again, sanctify them that Should
be a.m. by your truth. Your word is truth sanctify them
by your truth. Your word is truth.
So the Holy Spirit does something through a means.
When with regards to sanctification, it's by the
word. They were Sanctified by the Holy
Spirit. Through the word.
That's the power. That's the power.
We have more of though, me show you how the Holy Spirit Works
through means to through the word.
Give you two more examples, okay?
What about the Ephesian Elders? What about x 20?
In Acts, 20 verse 28, take heed to yourselves and to all the
flock among the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers
now in that passage it clearly states the Holy Spirit made them
overseers or pointed them as Elders.
It doesn't say how it says what it says a statement of fact the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers to Shepherd the Church
of God which he purchased with his His own blood.
Now, the Holy Spirit did not supernaturally or directly from
Heaven. A point Elders, what happened?
The Holy Spirit inspired the word of God and the men that fit
the qualifications of the holy spirit that was given in Timothy
and Titus. That's how the Holy Spirit
appointed them to be overseers and elders.
But the Evangelist did the ordination and the congregation
pick the men. Holy spirit gets the credit.
Sure that's the word of God. Holy Spirit, made him overseers.
But man did his part to and the only way that they obeyed with
the Holy Spirit said is they fit the requirements.
And qualifications, in the word of God, let me talk about
another one. What about baptism?
First Corinthians chapter 12, for by one Spirit, that's the
Holy Spirit. We were all baptized in one
body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves are free and have
been made to drink into one Spirit, that's another passage
the Holy Spirit. By one, Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
We were all baptized into one body, so it doesn't mean that
the Holy Spirit did the immersing.
It means this. Somebody obeyed the gospel.
It led them to be baptized for the remission of sins.
When they heard the word of God, the Holy Spirit.
Did the leading through the word of God.
The Obedience came from obedience to the gospel, comes
from the Holy Spirit and a person takes them and assist
them and their obedience to it and baptizes them, or immerse
has them for the remission of sins.
Not mysterious folks. Not mysterious.
Obedience, the spirit's role in the process of revealing the
gospel. Second Thessalonians chapter 2
and verse 13. But we are bound.
To give thanks to God, always for you brethren.
Beloved by the Lord because God from the beginning.
Chose you for salvation through sanctification, by the spirit
and belief. In the truth, Jesus said
sanctify them by thy truth, Thy word is truth.
So when it says truth, it's the same thing as saying the word.
So let's notice it again, we're bound to give God, thanks to
God, always for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God
from the beginning shows you too.
Basin which by the way, is any obedient Christian?
And it was through the sanctification, by the spirit,
Holy Spirit and belief in the truth.
So what I'm saying is this the second work of Grace Theory, got
to do it, we have to say it. It's doesn't exist.
It's wrong. Not because I said it because
the word of God says it. There's no support for the
direct operation theory in this or any other verse
sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
Absolutely. He uses the inspired word of God
to bring the spiritual condition to pass.
The sanctification process includes the initial setting
apart first when we obey the gospel.
But secondly, it's the growth that we experience when we study
learn and serve God and increase in our spiritual strength.
Both of these aspects of sanctification are essential to
our Eternal salvation. Sanctification prepares us for
useful service in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
To it, is our last passage for this lesson.
I love this. Let's not forget this, okay.
Second, Timothy 2:21. therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from
the latter, he will be a vessel for honor and guess what?
He'll be. Sanctified.
And useful for the master. Prepared for every good work
here, stop to consider that you are saved to serve.
And not be served. What we do though, sometimes
it's kind of about me. I've been saying this a lot
because I heard it from a good friend and brother in Christ in
Idaho, and I've been using it, been telling him using it, but
I'm using it a lot, you know, when people say, why me We all
do that sometimes say why me you've heard me say this may
even recently the state. Again my answer to that is as I
got it from him. Why not you Why not what makes
you so different? There's, there's a need to be
done. There's a service to be done.
Why me? Why not you?
What up? I got a hard thing I'm going
through. Why me?
Why not you we are called and Sanctified to serve and be
useful for the master. We are saved to serve, not to be
served and some of the greatest things in the world, by the way
that are done for the church are done behind the scenes with
people with quiet acts of service, getting the work done.
And you know what? Nobody in this world.
May see you do it, but I know God's listening guys, watching,
God knows it all. He sees every bit of it.
And you know what? When you do that, you are doing
what you were born in Christ to do.
Be useful for the master. Be useful in dedicated.
Sanctification also, permits us to enter Heaven, folks.
Please get that and see God. It's a well-established
principle to that. We become like the object of our
adoration. Last Sunday, I talked about the
idea of worship. I talked about the idea of our
mindset. And that worship is not about us
at all. Worship is about God.
I like that phrase though. That I just read this week, you
become like the one who is the object of your adoration. so,
when you give God worship and adoration, From a spiritual
perspective, you become more like him.
And you know what that's called Godly.
That becomes Godly. And you have a practical
awareness of God in every aspect of your life and it will change
your life by righteous living. It'll change your deed.
You'll be a better servant than you've ever been before.
But don't ever look at the service that we have in Christ
as a burden. Look at it as an opportunity.
It's not a burden, it's a privilege.
What about those? That were beaten for the cause
of Christ and they praise God. And thank him that they were
worthy to be called one that could be beaten for the cause of
Jesus Christ. So when you think about that,
our little service is really no big deal, right?
I mean, we can do it. What I mean, is service is
always a big deal. Don't misunderstand me.
What I mean, is some of the other peripheral issues that get
in our way, the challenges the trials, all that.
They're not, they're not important.
Paul call them like afflictions and he had some pretty tough
stuff. The only for a brief moment,
only for a little while we can be better in the future than
we've ever been in days gone by. So in conclusion, sanctification
absolutely big subject, big subject very, very, very easy to
understand and very simple, we're Sanctified by the blood of
Jesus Christ. When were baptized for the
remission of our sins when we are we are washed in the blood
of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are justified in
our sins are gone, all the sins We've committed in the pasture
gone but we're also Sanctified and set apart for the Masters,
use for the rest of our life. That's number one, that happens
when you're baptized for the remission of sins.
And finally, number two, when you grow in Christ and you grow
to completeness, which is spiritual maturity, That's
sanctification to the power, is the holy spirit but it's through
the word of God. And when that supplied, guess
what you are Sanctified and you got to have both to go to
heaven. I'm through.
Thank you so much for your kind listening.
I hope this was clear and I hope it was easy to understand,
edifying and encouraging to all of us.
We never know the hearts and minds of those that are present.
Maybe you're hearing the sound of my voice.
I don't know and you have not been Sanctified because you've
not been washed in the blood of Jesus because you've not been
baptized for the remission of your sins.
The steps to become a Christian, a very simple Paul said, so then
faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God that
has the power. We talked about that already
several times. Jesus said, you have a choice?
Mark 16:16. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be.
Damned he further said in Luke 13 and 3, I tell you nay but
except ye repent, you will all likewise perish.
He further said, in Matthew 10:32, if you'll confess me
before men, I will confess you before my Father which is in
heaven and Acts chapter 8 tells us the confession is I believe
that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
Upon taking those steps though. You're a fit candidate to go
down into the Waters of baptism. That's the point of Salvation
and contact the blood of Jesus and be washed and be justified
and be Sanctified. First Peter 3:21, the like
figure whereunto even baptism doth also.
Now, save us. If you've never done that, we'd
love to assist you in that today.
Maybe you have maybe you've drifted away.
Maybe there are things in your life that aren't what they
should be from a public nature. If we can assist you in that.
pair of those things confess, those things will pray with you
and for you and God will forgive We thank you for listening to
our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.
Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional
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