Pulpit Speech II                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                  3-23-1999

Sanctification

TEXTS: I Corinthians 1:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:3-4

INTRODUCTION:

   -- The word "sanctification" carries the principle thought of SEPARATION & SETTING APART for a SPECIFIC USE.

  -- DEFINITIONS: 

      'to Separate from a common condition or use; Dedicated; Hallowed; Pure; 
       Righteous; ceremonially or morally; 

       to Separate; Consecrate; Cleanse; Purify; Sanctify; 

       to regard or reverence as holy.'  
      [From the same word we get sanctuary.]

   -- Separation = Sanctification = Holiness (I Peter 1:15-16) = Saints

I. What Sanctification Is NOT. 

  A. It is NOT a 2nd work of grace so as to bring perfection & sinlessness to 
     the body.  
     [e.g. Pentecostal/Charismatic heresy] 
       
     1. "forgive us our sins" (Luke 11:4)
        [This is a prayer for Christians] 

     2. The Corinthian church was sanctified, but not perfect.  (I Cor. 3:3; 
        5:1) 
  
        ["church" = local, body of baptized believers called out to serve the 
                    Lord Jesus Christ in the Great Commission] 

     3. (I John 1:8)

     4. "I find then a law, that, when I would do good...evil is present with 
        me" (Romans 7:21)

II. Use Of The Word In The Bible. 

  A. A DAY may be sanctified.
     The 7th day -- (Genesis 2:3)

  B. GOD may be sanctified.

     1. "your fear" of God -- (Isaiah 8:13)

     2. MOSES & AARON -- (Numbers 20:12)

     3. (John 17:19)

  C. PEOPLE may sanctify OTHER PEOPLE.

     MOSES -- "wash their clothes" Exodus 19:10

  D. PEOPLE may sanctify THEMSELVES.

     (Joshua 3:5)

  E. MATERIAL THINGS may be sanctified.

     (Leviticus 8:10)
     [We are not talking about bringing all your cats & dogs down to a priest 
      for a so-called 'blessing'.]

III. What Sanctification Means To Us Today. 

  A. We are sanctified when we are spiritually BORN AGAIN.

     Jesus' BLOOD -- (Hebrews 9:13-14)
     Set apart by God -- (I John 3:9; Ephesians 1:13)
      
  B. JESUS was "made" "sanctification" for us & He IS our sanctification.
     (I Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 10:10)

  C. We sanctify our LIVES, our PRAYERS, & our BODIES to God.

     (Separation TO the Lord -- Romans 12:1;
      Separation FROM ungodliness Romans 12:2; 
      I Timothy 4:4-5)

  D. We sanctify our lives DAILY.
     (Philippians 2:12)
     
  E. It is GOD'S WILL that we sanctify our lives to Him.

     (I Thessalonians 4:3-4; 
      HOW TO -- I Corinthians 9:27)

  F. The Christian's sanctification should be PROGRESSIVE.

     ("more and more" -- Proverbs 4:18; I Thessalonians 4:1
      "ye may grow" -- I Peter 2:2)

IV. How We May Know That We Are Sanctifying Ourselves To God.

   A. By the WORD OF GOD.
       ("truth" -- John 17:17)

   B. "sanctification" suggests SELF- DENIAL, PRAYER & SERVICE.

CONCLUSION:

   -- The unsaved cannot sanctify himself.

   -- Sanctification is a WORK OF GOD in the HEART. (II Thessalonians 2:13)

   -- The SOUL is completely sanctified in regeneration.
       (Titus 3:5; II Corinthians 5:17)