Transformed by the Power of the Spirit
(Experiencing Sanctification #2)
Introduction: The Love Canal tragedy,1890s William T. Love started having a canal dug between the Niagara River and Lake Ontario but was discontinued, 1920s dump site for Niagara Falls, 1940s U.S Army used it to dump waste from the Manhattan Project (nuclear waste), 1942-52, Hooker Chemical Company dumped 21,000 tons of toxic chemical, 1952 land sold to school board form $1.00, built schools at 93rd street and 99th street. Our lives are like what happened at the Love Canal, we have had a lot of toxic waste dumped into us, and we desperately need to decontaminated by the Holy Spirit.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:19-21
IV. The Holy Spirit Cleanses Us
A. The meaning of spiritual cleansing
1. Dictionary definition: To purify, purge, remove certain elements
2. The Holy Spirit wants to purify, purge, remove sin from us
Sin defiles or contaminates us, sin is filth, a deadly poison, a carcinogen
Illustration: Water purifier, a hazardous material removal crew at Love Canal
B. From what do we need cleansing ?
1. Defilement of our thoughts (Titus 1:15)
Worldly (fleshly) concepts and ideas, falsehoods, lies and deceptions
2. Defilement of our flesh (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Immorality, sexual impurity, sensuality, addictions (Galatians 5:19-21)
3. Defilement of our spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Idolatry and sorcery (Galatians 5:19-21)
Bitterness (Hebrews 12:15)
Anger/wrath (Ephesians 4:31)
Malice and hatred (Ephesians 4:31)
Jealousy/envy (Galatians 5:19-21)
4. Defilement of our speech (Colossians 3:8)
Slander, gossip, abusive speech, foul language
5. Defilement of our conscience (Hebrews 9:14, Titus 1:15)
From guilt and shame
C. How does the Spirit Cleanse Us?
1. The Holy Spirit needs our full cooperation
When the Spirit corrects us we need to confess our sins and repent
Daily Surrender everything to the Spirit’s cleansing
Illustration: Give permission to the Holy Spirit to clean every room of your life
Not just your spiritual life but also your personal and private life
Application: Many Christian compartmentalize their lives. They separate the spiritual life from secular and sexual life. Every part of our lives must come under the control the Holy Spirit
2. By our spending time in God’s holy presence
Isaiah was cleansed of his sins by a coal from the altar (Isaiah 6:7)
Seek God in prayer at your private altar and on the church altars
Surrender to the Spirit’s cleansing during worship
3. By meditating on God’s Word
We are clean through the Word (Ephesians 5:26, John 15:3)
4. By allowing the Holy Spirit to use trials to purify you
Let your trials draw you closer to God not away from God
Application: You can just keep burying your sins or you can have them removed by the Holy Spirit.
Do you desire the Holy Spirit to cleanse and purify you? Today is the day you need to surrender to the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. Will now yield every area of your life to the Spirit's cleansing?
