Category: Sanctification

The Sermon begins with the passage from 2 Timothy 2:20-21. Vessels of Honor includes:

• The man who purges himself of sin
• The man who is sanctified
• The man who is meet for the Master’s Use
• The man who is prepared unto every good work

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Colossians 1:1-2

Even in Paul’s short greetings much can be learned. Here he succinctly defends his apostleship, saying he obtained his office “by the will of God.” For a more complete defense, see Galatians 1:10-20.

He identifies his fellow worker Timothy, his “son in the faith” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), and then immediately identifies his readers as “saints” and “faithful brethren in Christ.”

The word saint refers to one who has been “set apart”; in this case, from the world by God. The word indicates not only a privileged status with God, but also is a call to holy living. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). The second phrase also indicates their holiness as he specifies that they were faithful brethren.

His greeting is a blessing upon them. Grace and Peace to them from God and His Son. Grace refers to the unmerited act of redemption that God supplied to man in the death of His Son. Peace refers to the well-being that is the result of that gift. The greeting is very concise, but was full of meaning to the Colossians, and is to God’s children today as well!

Romans 12:1-2

The earnest exhortation of the apostle was for his readers to give themselves as sacrifices to God. Rather than the presentation of slain animals, the Christian is enjoined to present his body as a “living sacrifice.”

Paul means for us to live holy lives, in service to God. He indicates that such is a reasonable response. In other words, because of what God has done for us in the giving of His Son, it is reasonable for Him to expect a life of dedicated service in return.

He further explains in both the positive and negative. “Do not be conformed to this world.” The world is at war with God. To love the world is to show allegiance to the wrong master (cf. 1 John 2:15). “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The new birth is not just an initial obedience to certain commands. It puts to death the old man, and brings to life a new one. Such a new birth must be seen in our daily lives.

Sermon by Guest Speaker Joshua Cox. Christians are to shine as lights in the world. This indicates that the Christian’s influence, shown in various aspects of his life as lived for God, should serve to give glory to God and influence others for good.

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First there was the LP sized Laser Disc, then the VHS—Beta battle (won by VHS). Now we have DVD’s, and already released HD DVD’s and Sony’s Blue Ray discs, that will be fighting a battle for supremacy for the next few years.

There were a number of reasons why VHS systems won out over Betamax (despite the Betamax tapes being slightly superior in technical quality). But, one of the primary reasons is that the pornographic distributors chose VHS. It seems that SONY (the manufacturer of Betamax) did not want its product to be associated with pornography, and so pornographers went with the alternative.

“Quite famously in the war between Betamax and VHS the latter won especially because the adult industry preferred it.” (Aaron McKenna, TGDaily.com)

If you can believe it, it is probable that the same thing will happen again.

Continue reading “In The News: HD DVD VS Blu-ray Disc” →

Podcast Number 29

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 admonishes Christians to purify themselves from filthiness,
and perfect holiness. This lesson describes and explains how this can be accomplished.

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There is much to be learned about the Redemption of man in the short salutation Paul gives to the Romans in the beginning of his epistle (Romans 1:1-7).

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God is Holy. The Psalmist proclaimed, “Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9).

Because God is holy, supplicants who approach Him must be holy as well.

Continue reading “Sanctification” →

A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter’s text expresses the fundamental nature of discipleship. The term sanctify (hagiazo) is defined by Arndt and Gingrich as “treat as holy, reverence.” Thayer states “to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow.” The Lord God is to be enthroned in our heart. Such veneration is logical, as He is Lord. A failure to reverence Him is a failure in discipleship.

The text is very similar to a passage found in the book of Isaiah. The King James version renders Isaiah 8:13, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” A contrast is here made between men and God. God is the one to be feared. He is the one we are to concern ourselves with, rather than men. The Christian ought never to make decisions based upon what men think. Rather, our sole concern should be to please God. Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Leviticus 19 serves to establish what God expects of man, and why. Note the following examples:

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 3).

“Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 4).

“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” (vs. 11-12).

“You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (vs. 30).

“Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the LORD“ (vs. 37).

God requires us to live lives of righteousness, submitting ourselves to His will. This is required of us because He is “the LORD.” Remember Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “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.'”

Here is the lesson: In order for us to truly sanctify God in our hearts, we must live consecrated lives. This truth is established time and again in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul wrote of the past conduct of some of the Christians in that city. He wrote of fornication, idolatry, homosexuality, thievery and drunkenness. Concerning those characterized by ungodliness, Paul wrote in verse 11, “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.”

As we are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2), we must put off sinful practices, and live lives of holiness before Him.

Paul stated it clearly to the Thessalonians.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 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 4:1-7).

God desires that we be holy and righteous in our life. When he called us, (remember, sanctify basically means to consecrate or set apart), he did not intend for us to live as does the world. The calling of God is of a higher order and requires moral, ethical and doctrinal purity. In this specific context, we are to “abstain from sexual immorality,” but the principle applies equally in every facet of our lives before God.

As Christians we will be tempted to compromise our calling. A lowering of standards is unacceptable. Remember, we must hallow God in our hearts. Paul wrote:

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [in this context, false doctrine], 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 Tim. 2:21-22)

We are sanctified (called out) to live holy (sanctified) lives. This we must do if we are truly venerating (sanctifying) the Lord God in our hearts.

A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God

In 1 Peter 1:13-16, the apostle Peter 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.”

Here Peter revealed the basis of the appeal made to holy living on the part of those who name Christ as their savior. We are to be holy because God is Holy. It is not an arbitrary requirement, nor is it capricious. Further, holiness is to be defined by the nature of God rather than the customs of men. Finally, holiness should be present in every aspect of the Christian’s conduct.

Because the call to holiness is so important, God’s children should have a clear idea of what is required of them. In our time the call is muted and distorted by the static of worldliness. Too often Christians either ignore or are unaware of the standard God has set for his people. They compromise the mark God has set, and are guilty of embracing a morality that has its genesis in the mind of man rather than the mind of the Creator. Let’s examine the basis of God’s call to his children to be Holy.

The Holiness of God

The reference in 1 Peter is to a passage in Leviticus, (the phrase is used in 11:44-45, 19:2; 20:7). In Leviticus 19:1-2, it is recorded:

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’”

The phrase bookends a section of scripture detailing various laws prescribed by God to maintain the purity of the people. Sins such as fornication, adultery, incest and idolatry are condemned. The term holy is the Hebrew qadowsh, and is defined as “pure, clean, free from defilement of crimes, idolatry, and other unclean and profane things.” (Gesenius, pg. 722). While application will later be made regarding the call for holiness on our part, note that characteristically, God is holy. He is pure, clean, and free from any defilement. As James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He is perfect in His holiness.

Numerous Old Testament passages can be cited to establish how Jehovah God was known to Israel. Note the following:

“To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing” (Isaiah 40:25-26).

“God came from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise” (Habakkuk 3:3).

“Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41).

Isaiah again and again referred to God as the “Holy One of Israel” (cf. 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11, 12, 15; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17).

What becomes obvious, both in the view Israel held toward God, and God’s own actions against sin and ungodliness, is His utter abhorrence of anything unclean.

An interesting example of this is the law given to Israel respecting the purging of human filth from the camp in Deuteronomy 23. Verse 14 says, “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.” The term holy here is the same qadowsh, and here indicates cleanliness.

The message of the Old Testament trumpets the Holiness of God. When God first introduced himself to Moses as he tended the flocks of Jethro, He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5)

Israel at Mount Sinai was not able to go up the mountain, as it was consecrated in the presence of God. God said, “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain” (Exodus 19:12-13). And, it was necessary for the priests to “consecrate” (purify, sanctify) themselves before approaching God “lest the Lord break out against them” (vs. 22).

When the tabernacle was built, and later the temple, the inner sanctum of Jehovah was designated at the Most Holy Place. “Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim” (2 Chronicles 5:7).

When Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire in a sacrifice to God, “fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” God gave the reason for such a punishment, saying, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified” (Leviticus 10:3).

Conclusion

The text of Leviticus 10 establishes the same principle stated by our initial text in 1 Peter 1. Because God is holy, we must also be holy. To conduct ourselves in a manner less than that prescribed by the nature of God is to treat Him with contempt. His nature and treatment of man demands a commensurate respect and obeisance on our part. The Old Testament shows this in Israel’s fear and respect for Jehovah, and in God’s response when they rebelled. He expects no less from His children today.