What Am I Doing In Church?
Doctrinal Statement
John 16:8-11
Preached Sunday Evening May 31 2009
Introduction:
Tonight as we continue our study of our constitution, we come upon the subject of sanctification. This term refers both to act of God setting believers apart from the world upon salvation, and the process of believers becoming less like the world and more like Christ.
There are some false teachings out there on this subject. For example; some teach that one is made perfect, without sin, upon salvation, and when he sins, he looses his salvation. On the other hand, some cite grace as license to be as worldly as you desire after salvation since works do not save you.
STATEMENT OF FAITH OF THE
EVANGELICAL BAPTIST CHURCH
SECTION IV – SANCTIFICATION
WE BELIEVE that sanctification has a two-fold meaning; (a) that of setting apart of things, days, or persons specifically for God and that the believer at the time of his regeneration is set apart, by God the Father; and (b) the progressive work of the Holy Spirit whereby the believer, obedient to the Word of God, experiences the power of the indwelling Christ for holiness of life and victory over the old nature which work will be completed when the believer stands in Christ’s presence.
a) I Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 10:10,14
b) Colossians 1:26-28; John 17:17; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18
I. Sanctification means to be set apart by God
A. A change of one’s position at the point of salvation.
è A change of family
1. Before salvation
John 8:44
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2. After salvation
Romans 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
B. Based upon Christ’s sacrifice
Hebrews 10:10,14
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
C. A holy calling to service
1 Corinthians 1:26-30
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
II. Sanctification means to be set apart for God
A. Sanctified through the Word of God
1. Personal study
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 5:25-26
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2. Preaching an teaching
Colossians 1:26-28
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 4:11-12
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
è Perfected= “completely furnished”
B. Through God’s predestination
1. To be conformed into Christ’s image
Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
2. To be sanctified
1 Peter 1:2
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
C. Through the Holy Spirit
1. Leading you to blamelessness
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Leading to belief of the truth
2 Thessalonians 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: