What Is Sanctification Series

What is Sanctification? | Ephesians 2

“You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice.” Eric Liddell

[Intro]

1) Salvation is a gift by grace through faith (not works)

2) Obedience is important because we forget who we are! (Losing my keys).

Hebrews 2:11-12

Sanctification is God’s work continued in our lives.

• The temple elements were set aside wholly for God and used for nothing else.

• Aspects of sanctification involved

o Separation – To make holy (set apart from sin, to Christ to live a life that conforms to the person of Jesus.)

o Perfection – completeness.

Romans 12:1-2

Sanctification involves cooperation!

• God designed us with free will and we choose what to pursue – CHRIST or SIN. Jesus set us free from something (sin) but he also set us free to good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Philippians 1:6

Sanctification is a process of becoming like Jesus.

• (Polaroid) An old camera develops – that’s what sanctification is. It’s a process and it takes TIME.

• The more we walk in the Spirit and the more we crucify our flesh the more like him we become. (Think about marriage) The original Greek word for fruit in Galatians 5 is “karpos” which means a “result of something.” So, when the fruit(s) of the spirit are displayed in our lives, it is a sign or result that we are being led by the Spirit of God.

• Sanctification is the process of bringing our moral condition into conformity with our legal status.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The primary instrument for sanctification is The Word of God!

• The Word of God provides belief, instruction and discipline.

The Imperatives of Jesus

1 John 5:3

The commands of Christ are for our good.

• I give my children instructions (commandments) and I expect them to follow them. These instructions are ultimately for their own good (character development.)

Romans 13:8-13

The commands of Christ are to love God and love people.

• We should view his commandments from the perspective of a relationship (not a “God” or king giving out commandments/rules to his subjects).

• Every law of God is summed up as love God and love people.

Ephesians 4:1-7

Our obedience is a response to Jesus as Savior. (Salvation is a gift).

Ephesians 5:1-10

Our obedience is a response to Jesus as Lord. (Works reflects commitment)