A Prayer for Sanctification - Part 1 of 2

In this brochure. Bradley Junior welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible. I know several times over the past week have told you about the current edition of our publication. The Baptist witness but if you haven't written to get a copy of and I encourage you to do that I think will be blessed by the articles. There's one that I've written, entitled praising God in a time of trouble certainly been confronted with lots of troubles in this time of the pandemic and so I think you'll find some encouragement in this article and another entitled the painful blessing of being humbled. We don't like to think about something that's painful, yet being humbled can indeed be painful, but still for our benefit. So when you write just asked for the current edition of our paper. The Baptist witness to address is the Baptist Bible Auerbach 17/30 seventh Cincinnati, OH 45217 be in all and in the 17th Of the gospel of John, we have the privilege of reading the words of the prayer offered by Jesus to his father. A lot of things we learn we learn something about the father learned some things about purpose of the father learned something about the son will learn something about the relationship of the father and the son learn something about his chosen people. We previously have noted that Jesus prayed for their preservation.

In John 17 verse 11 and now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world and I come to the holy father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are praying that these that were given to him by the father will be That they will be preserved. Verse 15 I pray not that Tacitus take them out of the world, but the thousand is keep them from the evil he is pointed out that the world is evil is people are separated from the world and the prayer is not that they would be removed from it, but that they would be sustained, preserved and protected while they are yet here in the come out today to look at verses 17 through 19. Sanctify them through thy truth by word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent him and for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth so as he has previously mentioned in the prayer that he asked for their preservation. He now prays for their sanctification. Let's think first about the blessing for which he prays he's praying that they might be sanctified with your understanding of the word. The sanctified things to be set apart, the things that were used in divine service on the covenant were things that were sanctified, set apart for divine use.

There was the holy place in the tabernacle, the holy place in the holy of holies this tabernacle itself. Set apart for the purpose of worshiping God sacrifices having been made. The blood then being carried by the great high priest in the holy of holies sprinkled upon the mercy seat that rested atop the ark of the covenant. All these things were sacred were separated, set apart for divine use the very garments of the priests wore were sanctified or not to be used at other times, or in any inappropriate way there garments were set apart. There was brand set apart oil that was set apart fire that was set apart member on one occasion that young men use strange fire. It wasn't that farther than sanctified, set apart for use of the service of God and God struck them. Dad and so not only can we say that individuals are sanctified, but even the objects that were used in the order of worship in Old Testament times were set apart to be used exclusively in the service of God. I will of the book of Jeremiah chapter 1 read here is specific reference to an Old Testament prophet was sanctified.

Jeremiah 15 before I formed Lee in the belly I knew the eye before that pink was forth out of the womb I sanctified the and ordain the conflict under the nation.

So even before he was born God had selected him sanctified him, set him apart.

Determine that Jeremiah would be his servant.

Jeremiah was referred to as the weeping prophet. His heart was often deeply grieved because the people rejected the message that he brought it wasn't bringing a message that he had devised himself. He wasn't appearing before them to express his personal opinions and his observation of the passing scene.

He was there to bring the message of God.

But the people had hard hearts and rejected the word of the Lord and so he went he was in great sorrow to see their failure to respond properly in the book of Exodus we read in chapter 28 about Aaron and his son being set apart verse 41, been speaking of the various parts of their garments in verse 40, it refers to their coats the burdens the bonnets. All of these to be used in this order of divine service and that shall put them upon Aaron thy brother and his sons with him and Vasil to anoint them and consecrate them and sanctified them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office, so these objects used in the old order of worship these individuals.

The priest and the prophets were sanctified from the standpoint of being set apart for God's use. Now interestingly enough, Jesus uses the term here with respect to himself. Verse 19 of John 17 for their sakes I sanctify my self I we know that in addition to the definition of the word to refer to being set apart. It also speaks of being made holy left Jesus already was Tony's as I sanctify myself is not saying I'm going to now make myself holy. He's already holy, but he saying is I sanctify myself, I'm setting myself apart for their sakes. Those work before him. He knew it would be just a short time before he would actually go to the cross lay down his life suffer the excruciating pain suffer the separation from the father when the sins of the elect were put upon him.

Yes, it was a dark hour, but he was willing to submit to it submitting to the will of the father and for the sake of these.

He says I sanctify my self. So one definition of the word is to be set apart, but also to be holy.

Now there is a positional holiness that is enjoyed by all of God's people. I don't think that anybody here today would be so far in the dark as to give a testimony and sale of hi just want you to know that I'm holy were far from none of us can say that we are totally in ourselves in our actions in our faults. Where were sinful creatures, but there is a sense in which we are holy as we are positioned in Christ. First Corinthians chapter 1 verse 30 but of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that according as it is written, he that Gloria let him glory in the Lord Jesus Christ then is our sanctification hears our holiness. It is only as we are closed, and his righteousness as we are accepted in the beloved that we can stand in the presence of our heavenly father and feel that there is no barrier. No obstacle, nothing that would keep us from his fellowship. We are holy as we are in Christ and all in writing his various epistles, often referred to those to whom he was writing as being Saints.

Those who are saints are sanctified, we see that in the Roman letter. Romans chapter 1 verse seven to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.

Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He speaks of it.

Also in first Corinthians chapter 1 verse two and Ephesians chapter 1 of the first verse calling God's people.

Saints how sometimes people will use that term when there kind of put the person down as though you go to church. You say your Christian value must be a saint. Looking at it from a standpoint of being critical of the individual as though they have exalted themselves in making claims to position as far as their own walk in conduct which could not be substantiated. But in reality it is biblical that is correct to refer to those who are the Lord's people as saints.

So I speak to you this morning as the saints here at Cincinnati church. I don't feel much like the same time I've had a pretty rough week. I've had some conflicts in some battles. Well, it not a matter of how you feel, but if your faith is in Jesus Christ, your position in him is that you are synced, but there is a progressive aspect of sanctification as well. You are complete in Christ, your position in him is secure but on a daily basis.

These will been called of the Holy Spirit are to be growing in grace, making regular progress as they turn from the ways of the world and become more more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Look at the book of first Peter chapter 1 verse 13 wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and help to the ends of the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance about people get entirely the wrong impression when we emphasize the truth of salvation by grace and say at all of the Lord is not depending upon your works in your effort, all based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All what God has done for us and then exit what I believe that I'm say I just live anyway really doesn't make a difference, but when you look at the teaching of Scripture. You see that not only is there this good news of the gospel that salvation is by the grace of God and that doesn't depend upon our effort, but depending upon anything that comes from us but all of his grace, and yet clearly those who have now been called of the spirit of God. Those who belong to the Lord are admonished as to how there to conduct themselves and how they are to live as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust and your ignorance is not careful you should begin the fashion yourselves after the pattern of the world, not only from the standpoint of what you may wear, but the books that you read are the television programs that you view are the various attitudes about a variety of issues that you may say well I'm I'm I'm not of this world and yet you're constantly being bombarded with the world to become more like the fitting him to be accepted to think like it to act like it but were told here as obedient children were not fashion ourselves after the desires of the flesh. According to the world which we did in a time of ignorance, but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation because as it is written, be holy, for I am is about selects beyond me. I know I'll never be holy. I'll never, never reach the standard on the meted hundred percent. Would you expect that the Lord would say in his word, PE 50% holy just put forth a good effort CVS that we brayed on the curve do the best. AAV said 50% good so I think I'll go for 25 so he got to say that he says be holy even as I am.

This is the standard Jesus Christ is our example we are to turn from the ungodly things of this world to live righteously, and godly in this present evil in the next chapter.

First Peter chapter 2 verse nine he says what ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. So if grace had been bestowed upon you.

It was not that you might continue in the same course of sin that had dominated your life previously, but that there might be a transformation. You are a special people, a royal priesthood, and you are to show forth the praises of him who is called you out of darkness you don't remain in darkness. You're now walking in the light continued to walk as children of light, the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. It's great blessing. This blessing of sanctification splashing of constantly moving away from the influence of the world, growing in grace and of the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ is indeed the work of God is a this is the thing which many people have difficulty with. How can it be that is the work of God and yet I am to press forward on to labor and I'm to run the race. The fact remains that while God is at work and it is by his grace that all of this occurs, we are not robots where we are involved where participants in this whole process but indeed we must establish the fact that this sanctification is the work of God. Ephesians chapter 1, thinking once again as to the definition of being set apart.

Ephesians chapter 1 verse four according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame him in love. What we learn here. We were set apart in eternity before the world began before God created the heaven of the earth before an event existed, God set apart because choosing them, selecting them, determining they will be mine and then we read in the fifth chapter that these individuals who were set apart by decree in eternity were set apart by redemption. When Jesus Christ came chapter 5 the book of Ephesians verse 25 husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

He gave himself for the church. The church, the firstborn, the church that was chosen.

The father and given to him in the everlasting covenant of grace. We say that again and again we read it in various texts in the Scripture we sing it in many vacuums, but what a remarkable thing.

It is when you stop willing to give it your complete attention that Jesus Christ who was perfect sinless would give himself not for a good man. Since I might die for a good man but who would give himself to die for the ungodly. And that's what Christ did he lay down his life. He suffered the anguish that none of us can grasp as to what it meant for him to have to send them all the people laid upon him and his cipher of his heavenly father because God being holy would not overlook sin, it had to be paid for in Jesus Christ paid the price set apart by redemption, and then out everything that was necessary. As far as the pain of the price occurred at the cross, something still had to be done. You alienated from God you were going the wrong direction. You didn't love God or fear God you weren't seeking God you have no ability to think in the spiritual realm something more had to be done.

Something had to be done in you as it was done for you calibrate had to be done in you now. And so you were set apart by regeneration. Look at the book of Titus chapter 3 reading the fourth verse, but after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. So you were set apart by regeneration, you would know anything about the fact that you been set apart by decree in the public or by redemption at the cross, unless the spirit of God came to you, quickening you, regenerating you accomplishing the new birth, so that now you can see things that are spiritual.

You can think in the spiritual realm you can understand and receive the good news the gospel you were set apart and exiting apart means that there was a transformation, if any man be in Christ is a new creature, old things are passed away behold all things are become still had to deal with the letter nature flexion. Still, there is a battle with the is ongoing, but the salute desires is a desire now not to continue wallowing in sin, but to honor your Savior Jesus Christ. A desire to please him in every detail of your life.

So this blessing of sanctification is indeed the work of God and we can see that the triune Godhead is involved in reading the book of Jude are references made to the fact that we are sanctified by the father, Jude verse one to the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the father and preserved in Jesus Christ and call there are those that denied the Bible doctrine of the Trinity looking to begin to look at the abundant references as to how the father son and Holy Spirit.

Though there is but one God house at the three persons of the Godhead work in perfect harmony, accomplishing the design of that which was determined even from all eternity past. So in this text we read that we are sanctified by God the father and then we turn to Hebrews chapter 10 and read that we are sanctified by the sun.

In verse nine Hebrews chapter 10 it had a lot come to do thy will nobody take away the first enemy establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified, how, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all sanctified by the father sanctified by the sun but what Jesus Christ accomplished what he did for us at the cross and then there is reference to the fact that we are sanctified by the spirit of the book of second Thessalonians, reading the second chapter of the 13th verse, but we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God had from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ about the people have gotten so terribly confused that they made the assumption that because they once were in Armenian and now had come to embrace the doctrine that God had in the left people but failed to grasp the whole scope of it all to hear them talk. You would think that a person being chosen of God would just someday wind up in heaven and the great surprise. How did I get here. How did this happen as though nothing was going to transpire as far as their walk on this earth. Nothing to be farther from the truth. Those who are the children of God.

Those who are the redeemed by Jesus Christ.

Those who are the called of the Holy Spirit are changed. Something happens to them. So these not only were sanctified with the father sanctified by the sun but sanctified that the spirit and what did that mean God had chosen them from the beginning, but it is through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth that Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life of a person is sanctified by the Spirit of God, believe in Jesus, they go to see there is but one Savior and believe in him, that being the evidence that grace has been bestowed upon them.

So, that being the case, he says, whereunto he called you by Ross to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so we see that the blessing for which Jesus prays that these would be sanctified is indeed something that is rich.

Great because it is the very of God. For the first part of the message today entitled a prayer for sanctification. This is part of our series on the gospel of John. If you'd like to get more information on this complete series. You can go to our website at Baptist Bible. Our talk or or you can write us at Baptist Bible Auerbach 17/37, Cincinnati, OH 45217. We hope to hear from you. Till next time.

This is Sarah Bradley Junior bidding goodbye and may God bless and nice and I and and all