Basic Discipleship Phase 3 Session 15

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Basic Discipleship
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

This material is copyrighted c2002 and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Berean Baptist Church.

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PHASE 3 CHURCH ORIENTATION AND EDIFICATION

SESSION 15

SANCTIFICATION

All other doctrinal truths will seem hollow and hypocritical apart from implementation of this one. When the walk doesn't match the talk bystanders turn off, not only the messenger but usually the message, too. Your disciple will never mature to be a discipler of others if he bypasses this truth. The God-dishonoring character of many a professing believer has rendered him a reproach to the cause of Christ.

This session is about separation to God. It takes your disciple straight to the scriptures, then does a bit of personal probing. Deliberately, there is more repetition than usual. The intent is to enable your disciple to see some of these passages from several different perspectives.

Don't expect your disciple to be perfect. He may not have been saved very long. It is pretty safe to say that he is carrying lots of baggage from his old life and Satan doesn't let go without a fight. Through old buddies, old habits, disillusionment with some believers he'll see and disappointment with his inability to live up to his own expectations, your disciple will have a hard time with sanctification. He'll probably be embarrassed and ashamed of himself and it's likely that he'll try to hide it from you. Be a friend to him. Don't be a Pharisee. Let him know that he can talk to you (openly and honestly) about anything without your scorn. He needs a mortal friend who will be patient and caring and who will help him get up again when he falls. Be that friend.

Be observant. Listen with your eyes and ears. Don't take too much for granted. Your disciple needs to hear from you, to be probed by you. So, ask the right questions and don't assume too much.

This is Session 15 in Phase 3, 27 out of 42 sessions. You are about to complete the doctrinal part of this training. Give attention to the progress of your disciple. He should be showing much growth. Your attitude and interest towards him can make much difference. Always pray. Ask God for wisdom and a tender, compassionate heart for your own self. Ask God to help your disciple.

Remember, dear Discipleship Minister, you are playing for keeps.

Sanctification! Wow! That's a fifty cent word! It obviously comes from the word sanctify, which simply means to set apart to God. The noun sanctification literally means separation and the Bible uses the word in the sense of separation to God. The Bible does not use the word to imply sinless perfection, which means that one's ability to sin is removed.

To gain a better Bible view of sanctification fill in the blanks in the following verses.

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour."

2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

3. Hebrews 13:9-13

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."

4. Titus 2:13-14

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

5. 1 Peter 2:9-12

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

6. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."

The Bible's Position on Our Sanctification

In light of the verses cited, complete these sentences to see the reasoning of God regarding the sanctification of believers.

1. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. (See reference above) See also Ephesians 2:11-17.

Before salvation, believers were completely identified with the lost world. At salvation they are spiritually set apart or separated from the world into the family of God.

2. Hebrews 13:9-13. (See reference above)

The spiritual setting apart or sanctifying of believers is based upon and accomplished by the blood of Jesus Christ.

3. 1 Corinthians 1:30

The positional sanctification of believers from the world is totally exclusive of their own merits and is wholly based upon the merits of Jesus Christ.

4. Hebrews 9:14

The application of the blood of Jesus Christ by faith is designed to "purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

5. Ephesians 4:21-32

The positional setting apart of a believer at the point of faith in Jesus Christ should produce a radical change of behavior in him for the better.

6. Colossians 3:6-10

The practical separation that should be generated in the believer in view of his positional separation should be very literal and observable in his lifestyle.

7. Psalm 4:3

God sets believers aside for His own self that they might serve and glorify Him.

8. Romans 1:1

If Paul was "separated unto the gospel of God" why should any less be expected of you?

SANCTIFICATION IN THREE BIBLE APPLICATIONS

The Bible speaks of three distinct ways in which believers are to be sanctified or set apart for the better. Study this chart. It will help you with the exercises that follow.

*POSITIONAL PRACTICAL PROSPECTIVE*
The believer's completed standing with God	Daily practice should reflect position on earth. .	Ultimately with God in heaven.
Hebrews 10:10-14	1 Peter 3:15	1 John 3:2
Ephesians 2:12-13	2 Timothy 2:21	1 Thess. 4:15-18
Colossians 2:10	1 Thess. 4:3-7	1 Co. 15:51-54
Acts 20:32	Ephesians 4:22-32	Rev. 21:3-4
Acts 26:18	1 Thess. 5:22-23	2 Thess. 2:13
Titus 2:14-15	1 Peter 1:2	2 Co. 6:14-18
Hebrews 13:12	Ephesians 2:10	1 Co. 6:11
1 Timothy 4:12	2 Corinthians 5:17	1 John 3:1-2

Choose the correct answer from these multiple choice questions.

1. Positional sanctification has to do with:

A. The judicial setting apart of the believer to eternal life at the point of salvation.

B. The day one goes to heaven.

C. How one lives his daily life.

D. None of the above.

2. Practical sanctification has to do with:

A. The judicial setting apart of the believer to eternal life at the point of salvation.

B. The day one goes to heaven.

C. How one lives his daily life.

D. None of the above.

3. Prospective sanctification has to do with:

A. The judicial setting apart of the believer to eternal life at the point of salvation.

B. The day one goes to heaven.

C. How one lives his daily life.

D. None of the above.

4. Positional sanctification is:

A. A finished, past tense setting apart of the believer unto the Lord.

B. An on-going, present tense setting of the believer unto the Lord.

C. A future tense setting apart of the believer that will be accomplished when the Lord returns.

D. Neither past, present or future.

5. Practical sanctification is:

A. A finished, past tense setting apart of the believer unto the Lord.

B. An on-going, present tense setting of the believer unto the Lord.

C. A future tense setting apart of the believer that will be accomplished when the Lord returns.

D. Neither past, present or future.

6. Prospective sanctification is:

A. A finished, past tense setting apart of the believer unto the Lord.

B. An on-going, present tense setting of the believer unto the Lord.

C. A future tense setting apart of the believer that will be accomplished when the Lord returns.

D. Neither past, present or future.

7. The three Bible applications of sanctification correspond to the work of Jesus Christ:

A. On the cross alone.

B. Prior to creation.

C. Exclusively during His earthly ministry.

D. As prophet, priest and king.

8. One of these statements is false.

A. Positional sanctification has to do with salvation (deliverance) from sin's penalty.

B. Practical sanctification has to do with salvation (deliverance) from sin's power.

C. Prospective sanctification has to do with salvation (deliverance) from sin's presence.

D. There is no such Bible teaching as positional, practical and prospective sanctification.

PRACTICAL SANCTIFICATION

The Bible clearly teaches that believers are to live sanctified daily lives. A life of daily separation from sin and unto God can be called practical sanctification. Failure to live sanctified lives is a great reproach to God and His work. When King David's practical life failed to match his position or relationship to God, he brought much scorn against God. The prophet Nathan said to him, "Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die" (2 Samuel 12:14).

Each of the following passages refer specifically to practical sanctification and instructions regarding it. Match the correct quote or concept with the appropriate reference.

1. The initiative for this sanctification is on the believer, not God (3) 2 Cor. 3:18

2. This sanctification is impossible apart from the application of God's word (5) Luke 9:23

3. As believers look into the truth of God through His Spirit, they are changed (1) Lev. 20:7

4. Prayer to God for help is important in practical sanctification (2) John 17:17

5. Practical sanctification will not prevail where the believer's self will rules (4) 1 Tim. 4:5

6. Obeying the truth purifies one's soul (7) Eph. 5:26

7. Obeying the word of God works like spiritual cleansing water to the soul (6) 1 Pet. 1:22a

8. Unsanctified believers are vessels of dishonor in God's service (8) 2 Tim. 2:21

A Personal Evaluation

How sanctified is your life from a practical standpoint? Meditate on the following questions to give yourself a better view of what you really are.

1. On a scale of one to ten, how set apart to God is your thought life?