Sanctification

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Introduction:
  I. A definition:
     A. “to separate, consecrate, cleanse, purify something; 
        regard or reverence as holy.” Green
     B. It conveys the idea of “being set apart” or “separated” 
        for some purpose.
 II. In the Bible we read of several things which were 
     sanctified.  Such as:
     A. Food. 1 Timothy 4:5
     B. Husbands and wives. 1 Corinthians 7:14
     C. God by man. 1 Peter 3:15
III. However, a man is to be sanctified in a spiritual sense – 
     is to be set apart or separated from certain things and to 
     certain things, pleasing God.
 IV. This doesn’t refer to some kind of second blessing of 
     sinlessness.
     A. The Corinthians was sanctified.
        1. 1 Corinthians 1:2
        2. 1 Corinthians 6:11
     B. However, they were a long way from being sinless.
        1. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
        2. 1 Corinthians 5:1
        3. 1 Corinthians 6:7-8

Body:
  I. How may people be sanctified?
     A. God is said to sanctify people. Jude 1
     B. The Holy Spirit is said to sanctify people.
        1. 1 Peter 1:2
        2. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
        3. Romans 15:16
     C. But how does God and the Spirit sanctify?  Is this some 
        kind of a mysterious operation which cannot be 
        explained?
        1. John 17:17
        2. Hebrews 10:8-10, 29
        3. Thus God and the Spirit sanctify people through the 
           word which they revealed.
     D. By faith.
        1. Acts 26:18
        2. Romans 10:17
     E. By the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 13:12

 II. Who are the sanctified?
     A. The church is sanctified.
        1. Ephesians 5:26
        2. The church is made up of the saved people. Acts 2:47
        3. Thus, saved people are sanctified people.
        4. When we find what one must do to be saved, we have 
           found what one must do to be sanctified.
        5. Washing of water by the word for cleansing is the 
           means by which this is brought about.
           a. Ephesians 5:26
           b. Acts 22:16
     B. The Corinthians was sanctified.
        1. 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11
        2. They had done something which unsanctified people had 
           not done.
           a. Acts 18:8
           b. Compare Acts 22:16

III. What are sanctified people called?
     A. They are called saints. It is the same root word for 
        both saint and sanctify.
     B. Saints and Christians are the same people.
        1. Paul said that he persecuted saints.
           a. Acts 26:10
           b. Acts 9:1-2
        2. Is there any doubt in the mind of any as to whom Paul 
           refers?
        3. Saints are not perfect beings.
        4. Saints are not super Christians.

Conclusion:
 I. Let us seek to so preach the word that we may lead others to 
    sanctification through the word by the Spirit.
II. Then let us act as sanctified people ought to act. 1 
    Thessalonians 4:3-5