"GOD'S WILL FOR YOU"

Your Sanctification

INTRODUCTION
  1. From 1Th 5:16-18, we learn that it is God's will for you to...
    1. Rejoice always
    2. Pray without ceasing
    3. Give thanks in everything
  2. Turning to 1Th 4:3, we learn that God's will includes your sanctification...
    1. The words sanctify and sanctification are translated from the Greek hagiazo
    2. It means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose
    3. Related words include holiness, consecration, saint

[Sanctification is a term that is often misunderstood. As we reflect on God's will for us related to sanctification, let's start with...]

  1. OUR NEED FOR SANCTIFICATION
    1. GOD IS HOLY...
      1. God who called us into His grace is holy - cf. Lev 11:44
      2. Thus we are to be holy - 1Pe 1:14-16
    2. WE ARE GOD'S SPECIAL PEOPLE...
      1. Like Israel of old, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - Exo 19:5-6
      2. Thus we are in Christ today - 1Pe 2:9-10

      [Because God is holy, we are to be holy (sanctified). Now let's consider what is taught concerning...]

  2. OUR STATE OF SANCTIFICATION
    1. CHRISTIANS ARE SANCTIFIED...
      1. Consider the church at Corinth:
        1. The church was made of people who were sanctified - 1Co 1:2; 6:11
        2. Yet many of them were still babes in Christ and carnal - 1Co 3:1-3
      2. Thus, while Christians are not perfect, they are called "saints"
        1. Note the use of "saint" in addressing all Christians - Ro 1:7; 1Co 1:2; Php 1:1; Col 1:2
        2. Because they had been "set apart", it was appropriate to be called "saints"
        -- This has been called "positional sanctification"
    2. CHRISTIANS ARE BEING SANCTIFIED...
      1. Sanctification is also referred to as an on-going process
        1. Those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11 (NKJV)
        2. It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith
        3. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: "may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" - 1Th 5:23
      2. Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness)
        1. As the Hebrews were admonished - He 12:14
        2. As Paul commanded the Corinthians - 2Co 7:1
        -- This has been called "practical sanctification"

      [Now let's look at...]

  3. OUR PRACTICE OF SANCTIFICATION
    1. IN GENERAL TERMS...
      1. We are to be separate from the world - 2Co 6:14-18; 7:1
      2. Which involves conduct different from the world - 1Pe 4:1-4
    2. ACCORDING TO OUR TEXT...
      1. Sanctification involves sexual morality - 1Th 4:3
        1. Abstaining from sexual immorality
        2. I.e., any sexual activity outside the bond of heterosexual marriage
      2. We are to possess our "vessel" in sanctification and honor - 1Th 4:4
        1. Vessel likely refers to one's body - cf. 2Co 4:7
        2. Vessel possibly refers to one's wife - cf. 1Pe 3:7
      3. Not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who don't know God - 1Th 4:5
        1. Who in their ignorance are given over to lewdness - cf. Ep 4:17-19
        2. We are not give opportunity for the lusts of the flesh - cf. Ro 13:13-14
      4. We are not to defraud our brother in such matters - 1Th 4:6
        1. E.g., committing adultery with a man's wife
        2. E.g., committing fornication with a man's daughter or sister
      5. God will avenge those who practice immorality - 1Th 4:6; cf. He 13:4
        1. Both in this life (STDs) - cf. Pro 5:7-14; Ro 1:27
        2. And in the life to come (eternal condemnation) - cf. 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21
      6. For God has called us to holiness, not uncleanness - 1Th 4:7
        1. To be His chosen people - cf. 1Th 1:4
        2. To walk worthy of His kingdom and glory - cf. 1Th 2:12
      7. Reject this teaching is to reject God and the gift of His Spirit - 1Th 4:8
        1. The Spirit who is promised to all who obey - cf. Ac 2:38-39; 5:32; Ga 4:6
        2. The Spirit who indwells our bodies - cf. 1Co 6:18-20
        3. Who empowers us to control the flesh - cf. Ro 8:12-13; Ep 3:16,20; Ga 5:22-23
CONCLUSION
  1. God's will for you is to be sanctified in body and in spirit...
    1. You are to "flee immorality" - 1Co 6:18
    2. For your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit - 1Co 6:19
    3. And your body belongs to the Lord - 1Co 6:20
  2. By the grace of God, such sanctification is possible...
    1. First, through the blood of Christ that cleanses from all sin!
    2. Then, with the aid of the Spirit to empower us in our struggle against sin!

If you are a Christian, are you taking sanctification seriously? It is God's will for you...!