Jesus Is Great Enough To Sanctify (Part One) Series

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For the next 3 weeks, we are going to be in the passage that I’m about to read. I’m putting it all out there today because I want you to get an overview of it, because the theme of this passage is ALL THE SAME: Jesus is great enough to sanctify you.

Now, “sanctify” is one of those theological terms you might not be familiar with, so I’m going to start by defining some terms for you.

ILLUS: Diagram

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Salvation – being “saved” – an umbrella word, for the whole process of being saved.

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Justification – forgiven, counted righteous, declared not guilty

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Sanctification – being made holy, set apart to God, being transformed with new righteous attitudes and behavior

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Redemption – The rescuing & restoring of what was broken by sin; including body, relationships, mind, emotions, family, culture & finally, entire world

What this passage focuses on is sanctification.

I want to read the entire passage, and then work through just the part that we are going to focus on today.

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Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

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9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

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12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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Today we’re focusing just on the first 4 verses.

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The one thing:

Faith in Jesus doesn’t just forgive me, it transforms my heart and actions.

EXPLAIN: Indicative vs. imperative mood

In a Christian’s life, the “I must do” is a result of “Jesus has done.”

I have to explain this because it is the foundation of sanctification.

Sanctification (becoming like Jesus in our attitudes, desires, and actions) is built on the facts of what God has done for you. Does it take effort? Sure. But it’s not built on your effort, it’s built on your FAITH in the facts of what God has done in Jesus.

What are those facts?

Here’s the facts about you:

1. You died with Jesus.

What did you die to?

Sin.

Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

The world.

Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

2. You were raised with Jesus.