The Significance of Being A Christian - Consecrated To God

"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN“
Consecrated To God

INTRODUCTION
We have begun to see that there is much significance to being a Christian. A Christian is “a person reborn“ , experiencing a new creation that leads to a new life.

INTRODUCTION
He now “belongs to the Lord” , God's special child that lives as a pilgrim. Who sojourns in this world “living by faith” , trusting in the Lord and being a trustworthy servant.

INTRODUCTION
Another significant fact about being a Christian involves the concept of “sanctification”. The words "sanctify" and "sanctification" are translated from the Greek "hagiazo"
{hag-ee-ad'-zo}

INTRODUCTION
It means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose; related words include holiness, consecration, saint. As we shall see, this pertains to both our standing before God and our conduct before God.

INTRODUCTION
Thus a Christian is “Consecrated To God“ .
As we take a closer look at this aspect of being a Christian, let's first consider.

THE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION
ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SANCTIFIED...

PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION
Some understand sanctification as "all at once" or "in two stages.“
E.g., the Wesleyan concept of "entire sanctification“
Some even suggesting that once "sanctified", one can no longer sin.

The necessary implication of such doctrines is that some Christians are sanctified while others are not.
The Biblical evidence suggests otherwise:

The church at Corinth was made of people...Who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" 1 Corinthians 1:2 NET to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

Who had been "sanctified" 1 Corinthians 6:11 NET Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Note the past tense.

Yet many of these people were still " infants in Christ " and " of the flesh ." 1 Corinthians 3:1 NET So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 for you are still influenced by the flesh.

For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? They were filled with jealousy and dissension. They were acting carnally, as mere men

Thus, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called "saints“ Note the use of the word "saint" in addressing all Christians. Romans 1:7 NET To all those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 1:2 NET to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

Philippians 1:1 NET From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

Colossians 1:2 NET to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father! Because they had been "set apart" to be "God's holy people" it was appropriate to be called "saints"

1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

“ BEING SANCTIFIED”
This pertains to our standing before God, we are blessed to be considered His holy people. CHRISTIANS ARE ALSO “BEING SANCTIFIED”
Sanctification is an on-going process

Those in Christ are
Hebrews 2:11 ACV For both he who sanctifies and those being sanctified are all of one, because of which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 MKJV And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness) As the Hebrews were admonished. Hebrews 12:14 NET Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

As Paul commanded the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NET Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.

Because God is holy, so we are to be holy in our conduct. 1 Peter 1:15 NET but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, " You shall be holy, because I am holy ."

This pertains to our conduct before God, our responsibility to live holy lives. God has therefore called Christians to be holy, set apart, sanctified. In obeying the gospel we have been sanctified;

but if we are truly “Consecrated To God” , then we will pursue and perfect our holiness (i.e., our consecration). To assist us in this goal, consider:

THE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION
SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Note how sanctification is tied in with the work of the Holy Spirit:

PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION
"sanctified by the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:16 NET to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

"sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" 1 Corinthians 6:11 NET Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

"sanctification by the Spirit“
2 Thessalonians 2:13 NET But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

"the sanctifying work of the Spirit" 1 Peter 1:2 ISV the people chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obaedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood. May grace and peace be yours in abundance!

The Holy Spirit naturally has an important role in our on-going sanctification. Because He was instrumental in our spiritual regeneration when we become Christians.

Titus 3:5 NET he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Our bodies serve as the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 NET Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

20 For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
The Spirit is the instrumental agent by which God strengthens the inner man.

Ephesians 3:16 NET I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,

How does the Spirit accomplishes His work of
on-going sanctification? SANCTIFICATION IS ALSO THE WORK OF THE WORD OF GOD .

WORK OF THE WORD OF GOD
Note that sanctification is also said to be tied in with the Word of God:
John 17:17 MKJV Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.

"that He might sanctify...by the word" Ephesians 5:26 NET to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word,

Ephesians 6:17 NET And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word is evidently the instrument used by the Spirit to help bring about our sanctification.

One who sets their mind on things the Spirit as revealed through the Word is setting their mind on "the things of the Spirit.“ When we set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" (the Word of God), we are then able to "live according to the Spirit"

Romans 8:5 NET For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.

Led by the Spirit through the Word of God, we will then produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, instead of the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NET But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger,

selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

If we wish to live holy, sanctified lives, we must allow the Spirit to do His work through the Word of God!

CONCLUSION
When a Christian understands that they...
Are “a person reborn”
Who now
“ belongs to the Lord”
And is “living by faith"

CONCLUSION
...they should have no trouble accepting the idea that they are also
“ consecrated to God”
Do we appreciate the privilege of being
“ Consecrated To God” ?

CONCLUSION
That God has blessed us to be part of "a holy nation"?
That God has called us to holiness, because He is holy?

CONCLUSION
That having sanctified us, He desires to sanctify us completely?
That He does this because He desires to dwell among us?

CONCLUSION
2 Corinthians 6:17 NET Therefore " come out from their midst, and be separate ," says the Lord, " and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you , 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the All-Powerful Lord.

CONCLUSION
If we do, then we will take to heart the admonition of Paul:
2 Corinthians 7:1 NET Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.

CONCLUSION
Are we perfecting holiness in the fear of God?
Any aspect of Godly living always points us back to
God’s Word!

The Significance of Being A Christian - Consecrated To God

by Rick Peterson on Feb 09, 2009

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The Significance of Being A Christian - Consecrated To God Presentation Transcript