Category: Sanctification

What does God intend the Christian to be? As indicated in Colossians 3:9-10, we are to put off the old man and put on the new man.   The way this is done is described in Romans 6:1-4. It is the process of conversion. But, the two are described in our text of Colossians 3:1-17

So, what is this old man we put off? Consider the following, expressed in Colossians 3:5-9, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”

The new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Christ is described in verses 12-17, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Amen.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of 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, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). God called us in holiness.  This is the big picture that explains why Christians are to live as they do.

This is a sentiment that is expressed throughout the Bible.  For example, the apostle Peter quoted from the book of Leviticus when he wrote, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16). Continue reading “The Call to Holiness” →

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.

In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God” →

A discussion of holiness as it relates to sexuality, taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.

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“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:10-21).

Are you a vessel of honor in the great house belonging to God? Cleansing yourself from “the latter” means to cleanse yourself from dishonor.

As Christians, we are to live sanctified and useful lives. We are to “flee youthful lusts” (vs 22), pursuing “righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (vs. 22).

A woman presents to important guests in her home her best dishes and cutlery. On these special occasions, she doesn’t typically set down paper plates, plastic forks and gimme cups from the local fast food restaurant. She wishes to present her best for her friends.

Are we seeking to become special, so as to be the best our Lord has to offer? It takes diligence on our part to be “vessels of gold and silver.” The divisive, quarrelsome, worldly Christian is a dishonor to his Master. The vessel of honor is “gentle, able to teach, patient” (vs. 24).

It’s not enough simply to call yourself a Christian. Rather, it is expected that we be “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master.” Does that describe you?

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This important concept, developed in both the Old and New Testaments, emanates from God’s character. It explains why God requires what He requires of us. It equips us to live the lives God wants us to live.

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Note:  The video suffers from an echo emanating from Jeremiah’s microphone.  However, the majority of the teaching done in this video is from Stan, so the video is still worth a viewing.  We will have the echo fixed in subsequent videos.

God’s glory compels His children to live by faith, to be holy in conduct, and to offer continual praise to His name. If we do so, we are promised we will share in His glory!

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The various ways that Christians are described – As disciples, saints, brothers, believers, sons of God – all teach important lessons regarding our relationship and obligations to God.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 Peter 1:15-16 Peter gives us the single and completely sufficient reason a Christian should live his life differently than those around him.

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Lesson 1 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

Using the Old Testament to establish and illustrate God’s Holiness, the lesson makes an important application: As our God is Holy, we also must be holy in every aspect of our life as His children.

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God’s conversation with Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3, reveals important lessons about God’s presence, and the importance of a sanctified life in response to His redemptive plan.

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Sermon by Armando Vera

God is holy, and as sanctified individuals, Christians must live their lives in a holy way before Him.

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“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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