SANCTIFICATION (1 OF 4)
Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-28
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Sanctification (1 of 4)
Series: The Foundation of the Church God Builds
Richard A. Bradley
Ephesians 5:25-28
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. NKJV
What is sanctification? Listen to Baker's Evangelical Dictionary for a great definition of this word. This is a far better definition than anything I could have come up with:
''The generic meaning of sanctification is 'the state of proper functioning.' To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is ''sanctified'' when used to write. Eyeglasses are ''sanctified'' when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose.''
According to Scripture the church that God builds is based on a four-fold foundation. Sanctification is the first but without it none of the other three would be possible. Of course, how God sanctifies us is really the question. According to Paul God sanctifies us or sets us apart for His own particular use through salvation and in so doing the church begins to take shape.
1. THE LOVE OF CHRIST MAKES SANCTIFICATION POSSIBLE THROUGH SALVATION
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Notice what Jesus did. He gave Himself for the church. Jesus lived a perfect life and died a vicarious or substitutionary death on Calvary's cross. He died in our place. He deflected God's wrath away from us and redirected it upon Himself. Why would He do such a thing? Why would anyone? He did what only He could do because He ...
Series: The Foundation of the Church God Builds
Richard A. Bradley
Ephesians 5:25-28
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. NKJV
What is sanctification? Listen to Baker's Evangelical Dictionary for a great definition of this word. This is a far better definition than anything I could have come up with:
''The generic meaning of sanctification is 'the state of proper functioning.' To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is ''sanctified'' when used to write. Eyeglasses are ''sanctified'' when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose.''
According to Scripture the church that God builds is based on a four-fold foundation. Sanctification is the first but without it none of the other three would be possible. Of course, how God sanctifies us is really the question. According to Paul God sanctifies us or sets us apart for His own particular use through salvation and in so doing the church begins to take shape.
1. THE LOVE OF CHRIST MAKES SANCTIFICATION POSSIBLE THROUGH SALVATION
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Notice what Jesus did. He gave Himself for the church. Jesus lived a perfect life and died a vicarious or substitutionary death on Calvary's cross. He died in our place. He deflected God's wrath away from us and redirected it upon Himself. Why would He do such a thing? Why would anyone? He did what only He could do because He ...
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