Category: Sanctification

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [dishonor], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:21-22).

It is so important to be found useful. Spiritually, our standing with God is dependent upon our bearing fruit, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).

As indicated in our text, usefulness is dependent upon preparation. And, in the context, the preparation centers around our character. In order to be useful to the Master, we must prepare ourselves! We must cleanse ourselves from those things which are dishonorable. “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (19). We must “flee youthful lusts” (22).

Positively, we must “pursue righteousness, faith, love” (22). As our hearts become pure, we will be fit for the Master’s use.

It doesn’t make sense to think that good works will come from one who is lacking in personal righteousness. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35).

Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

Joshua 7, detailing the reasons behind the defeat of Israel at Ai shows that in order to be accepted by God, we must be holy before Him.

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Colossians 3:12 identifies Christians as the elect of God. The text reveals what the elect, or new man is to do in his new life as one accepted of God.

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The lesson gives a concise history and description of the ark of the covenant. Examining Israel’s dealing with the ark, several applications come to mind:

• God’s instructions are to be followed
• What happens when the glory of God departs
• The concept of Sanctification
• The consequences of disobedience

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Justin gives a paraphrase of Colossians 3, as Paul describes the character of the new man of Christ.

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The conscience can be described as a moral computer. Scriptures clearly teach that we are to educate our consciences, and then always live in accord with what we believe to be right. To do this is to have a Pure Conscience.

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Powerpoint Slides

The text is an exegesis of 2 Corinthians 6. Paul adominishes the Corinthians to live sanctified lives, that the grace of God they have received will not be in vain.

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Paul, in greeting the Corinthians in his first epistle to the church there, identifies himself as an “apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” This was his common greeting, necessitated by the Judaizers who constantly attacked his legitimacy as an ambassador of the Lord.

The letter is written to “the church of God which is at Corinth.” This is not a proper name for the church, but rather a phrase designating ownership. The church belongs to God. The church consists of those who have been called out of the world, separated through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As such, it is proper only to refer to it as belonging to God, or Jesus (cf. Romans 16:16).

The Greek word ekklesia, from which the English term “church” derives, denotes sanctification. The church is called out, or separated from the world. This is accomplished when an individual, by calling “on the name of Jesus Christ”, is cleansed from sin. He is reconciled to God, and is rightly called a saint. This sanctification, as pointed out here by Paul, is accomplished in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice makes us holy, and separates us from the world.

A word study on the terms: Reconciliation, Redemption, Justification, Propitiation and Sanctification as they relate to the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Ron Doss

Romans 6:15-17 is the text used to point out that Christians should not continue to sin. Rather, we are molded by the gospel of Christ to become far different. A new creature, transformed by God.

Audio: Click Here .

In his epistle to the Philippian church, Paul identifies himself and Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ.” The term is from the Greek doulos, and indicates subservience and submission. They were slaves to Christ. On another occasion, Paul wrote, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Their purpose was to please Christ, and Him alone.

In the same text, Paul identified the Philippians as “saints.” The Greek word is hagios, and indicates holiness and consecration. The Philippian brethren had been separated by Christ to live righteously before Him. This call to holy living is a call Jehovah has always made to His people, “For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44).

Every Christian should consider himself a slave to Christ. Emulating Paul’s example, he should consider his standing with God a call to holy living. In so doing we please Him, and secure for ourselves the hope of heaven.

Paul begins his epistle to the Ephesians with a few long sentences that are challenging to understand because of their complexity. One sentence covers verses 3-6. Another verses 7-10.

The first two verses of the epistle, however are simple.

Paul starts by identifying himself as an apostle of Christ, and affirms that his apostleship was from God rather than usurped. This was a common claim made by the apostle due to attacks levied by Judaizing teachers.

Paul next identifies his readers as saints. The term signifies a special relationship with Christ, as those who are separated to a life of godliness. Paul regarded the Christians in Ephesus to be faithful to God.

To such brethren, Paul pronounces a blessing. Grace and Peace. There is nothing difficult here, but the sentiment is sublime. God’s undeserved favor, extended ultimately through the death of His Son, is the means through which true Peace is obtained. This shows that the ultimate gifts can come only from God, and, that God indeed has granted such gifts to those who proclaim their fidelity to Him.

A few short truths to take from Paul’s introduction in his second letter to Corinth:

First, Paul’s apostleship was genuine. Here he states as fact what he argued strongly in other places, his apostleship was from God (cf. Galatians 1:1).

Second, the church at Corinth is described as “the church of God.” This is not a denominational name, but a description. It affirms that the church at Corinth belongs to God. It is in this same way (and only in this way) that congregations may identify themselves as churches of Christ (cf. Romans 16:16). The phrase indicates ownership.

Third, the designation “saints” applies to all Christians. It is not limited to a few. All of us, when separated from the world, are called to a holy life. We are sanctified, hence, we are saints. Our lives should demonstrate that calling (cf. Titus 2:11-12).

Fourth, true grace and peace comes from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” We have a peace “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Great things can be learned from every verse in God’s wonderful word.

Using Peter’s first epistle, this sermon describes an aspect of God’s call to Christians. We are to be holy in all our conduct.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio AM (Part 1): Click Here .

Sermon Audio PM (Part 2): Click Here .

Jude 1-2

Even the salutations of scripture contain wonderful lessons for the discerning reader. For example, in our text Jude describes himself as at “bondservant of Jesus Christ.” The word literally indicates a slave, and shows clearly the concept of submission and subservience. We are all to be bondservants of our Lord, submitting wholly to His will.

Jude refers to his readers as “sanctified by God the Father.” The word sanctified literally means to be set apart. God separates us from the world when we obey the gospel. But, the concept of sanctification requires that we live a life worthy of that separation (cf. Ephesians 4:1).

Finally, among the first words of Jude is the phrase, “preserved in Jesus Christ.” As Christ is our Savior, we are “more than conquerors” (cf. Romans 8:37). There is nothing on this earth, or under the sway of the devil, nor the devil himself that is able to separate us from Jesus Christ. As our Savior, he is “able to keep” what we have committed to Him “until that Day” (cf. 2 Timothy 1:12).

“Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.”