Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
There are some things in life that are finished, but you still have to be involved in them.
You get married but you still have to work on your marriage. You get a job and you still have to work. You get into school and you still need to study. You get saved and you still need to grow.
You cannot be anymore saved today than you were the day you came to Christ. You are completely justified before God in him. But God still requires you to grow. To Be sanctified.
Christ already accomplished it in you, but the spirit continues it in you and God eventually brings it to completion.
Israel
Israel is crossing over the Jordan into the promised land and Joshua tells the people to sanctify themselves to prepare for what God is going to do in them tomorrow.
They don’t know what tomorrow has in store for them, but they are obedient to Joshua’s call
The must be sanctified. Set apart. Made holy. Consecrated. They consciously ceremoniously prepare themselves for what lies ahead, because who they are now will not work tomorrow.
“for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Consecration prepares not causes
If Israel was going to possess something they had to become something.
This is not a new phenomenon for the people of Israel. Its normal for them to consecrate
Josh. 3:5 Sanctify yourselves; Lev. 20:7 Consecrate yourselves, and be holy;1 Sam. 16:5 Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice; Num. 11:18 Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; 2 Chr. 29:5 Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers; 1 Chr. 15:12 Sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren; Joel 2:16 Sanctify the congregation.
Modern day Christianity has sold people this idea of a non-involved passive version of discipleship where its “all him and none of us” where you do nothing and God does it all
They are excited about “tomorrow he will do wonders among you” but not being sanctified.
Its unbiblical. You are to be fully involved in the process of being conformed to image of the son
Its also untenable. American Christianity is weak and vapid because the bulk of the Church does not take walking with God seriously.
To them, Christianity is a badge of morality and church is like minded social club of religion
Eph. 4:13 Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Its modern Americanism that has infiltrated the Church with a satisfaction of our laziness to enable us to be passive and uninvolved in our own spiritual development.
Israel saw themselves as a nation that was called to be different and set apart from other nations. They did not do what other nations did and they knew God wanted them holy
The early church was the same. They weren’t Romanizing the Church or Gentiling their faith
For them (and us) they answered the call to holiness and separation and saw it as central
Seeing the wonders of God was not predicated on their sanctification, but God required it.
God does not want you to come to him and stay the same. You change everything about you.
You’ve been saved for years. What have you refused to surrender? What sin have you learned to accommodate? What area of your life have you declared off-limits to God? How much longer will you postpone obedience?
Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
1. God’s Will Is Our Sanctification
God saved and set apart the Nation of Israel for his own special purpose. Same for you
Deut 7:6 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
Israel’s covenant identity did not eliminate their responsibility to live consecrated lives.
Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
To be consecrated is to be ‘set apart’ but if you don’t view yourself and the church as such, you’ll just acquiesce to culture, become like them, and be no different. Christian in name only
God wants you different. To live different, believe different, act different. Not like other nations
You will see the wonders of God! Maybe not the promised land, but HIS PROMISES!!!
Yes, we are not the Nation of Israel but we ARE in the Kingdom of God, the rulership of the son
And this kingdom has a way of living that we must submit to. Its countercultural and different
You are a 3 part person. Spirit, Soul and Body. All parts need to come under kingdom rule
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When I was in the military, I didn’t just take a job, I became something- a Soldier 24/7.
That required me to fully embrace the reality of submission and Uncle Sams Right to control every aspect of my life for the duration that I served him. I did it willingly because I agreed
Christ has saved you. You came to him. Now he is your savior and he must become your Lord.
You submit every part of your life and rule willingly and thank him for consecrating you for him.
Sanctification Through Christ’s Sacrifice
Now in Christ, you have ALREADY been sanctified. You are holy, righteous, blameless and pure
1 Corinthians 6:11 But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
There is a completeness in Christ in who you ARE and where you STAND that is permanent
Christ accomplished this on the Cross at Calvary and continues as our High Priest in Heaven
Heb 10:10 we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
This is an important distinction, because as we move through this sermon, you may begin to believe that your holiness is on you. Its not. Your conduct is. SINCE you’re holy you ACT holy
“that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
You should know how to possess your own vessel, but controlling your flesh doesn’t save you
Christ saved you, but now you LIVE as someone who is saved. Israel was Israel regardless
They were moving into to promised land through the power of God not themselves.
But nonetheless, they were REQUIRED to sanctify themselves. To set themselves apart for him.
This is not ‘works based salvation’ this is Salvation that works. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Its not of you. It never has been. But you are his WORKmanship for GOOD WORKS
God has prepared you for it. Its not even your strength that will accomplish it. You give over to it
This is an empowering endeavor fueled by Love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sanctification Is an Ongoing Process
Just like the aforementioned job, marriage, and school references, what you are in Christ and what he’s accomplished at the cross does not biblically mean you don’t progress in holiness
Who I am in Christ today isn’t who I was last year or when I got saved.
Its like the old saying goes “I’m not who I’m supposed to be, but PTL I’m not who I used to be”
A stupid example that isn’t embarrassing is my lawn. Its green, its lush, but I still find weeds
Same with my life. I’m faithful. I walk the walk, but there’s still weeds in my mind and life
2 Cor 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
I’m being transformed. Some of you old FVCers have seen me change. Little by little.
And I’m amendable to the task. I have fully submitted to the Lordship of Jesus in my life and I’m on board with the process of becoming more like him.
if you’re in the process, the longer you’re at it, you realize how much MORE needs to change
I believe: Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
I’m not worried I’m not saved. I don’t fear Hell. But I stay the course as I walk with him and he refines my character, my will, my desires and my outcomes. God is working something in you!
Ro 12:2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I am, and you are being transformed. Who you are today will not be who you are tomorrow
You just fully submit to the process. Like a gym- one workout doesn’t change you, years do.
And you walk in CONFIDENCE Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Christ saved you, you give yourself over to sanctification, knowing, Christ will complete it
But don’t hide behind the process to delay obedience. There are things you can change today and there’s no reason to delay- (me in mens group w Kenyon immediately removing SM)
key verse-Heb 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. One offering perfected us, but we ARE being Sanctified! Its an ongoing process!!
Every part sanctified
Every part of you must be sanctified 1 Thes 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Spirituality 1 Pet. 1:15 be holy in all your conduct. Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.- Set yourself apart for the master
- Thoughts 2 Cor. 10:5 Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Rom. 12:2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Be relentless in your thoughts
- Desires Gal. 5:24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 1 Pet. 2:11 Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Inventory what you desire
- Words Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification. James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Stop cussing, gossip, slander, poor mouthing
- Marriage Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Eph. 5:33 Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. How long does it take? Quit netflix!
- Relationships 1 Cor. 15:33 Evil company corrupts good habits. Who are your friends?
- Entertainment Ps. 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes. Phil. 4:8 Whatever things are true, are noble, are just, are pure… meditate on these things. Stop read/watch filth
- Hlth/Body 1 Co6:20 you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body which are God’s.Ro12:1 Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Exercise eat right
- Time Eph. 5:15–16 Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time.
Your phone is killing your walk, your relationships, your health and your brain. Dopamine!
- Work Col. 3:23 Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. 1 Cor. 10:31 Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Early Church quit jobs that marred their witness
- Finances Prov. 3:9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase. Matt. 6:24 You cannot serve God and mammon. Consistently sacrificially give!
- Plans Prov. 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. James 4:15 If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. Its not your life, never was
What do we do to possess our own vessel
Separate from sin- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Be sanctified Through the Word Ps 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
You need to be a daily bible reader to be sanctified. You wont listen to me, listen to God!
Read daily with an open mind and heart- Lord, reveal what in me needs to be aligned to you
Be Sanctified through the spirit Gal 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
You pray and say- Holy Spirit have your way in me. I relinquish my will. Work in me to do yours
WORSHIP him in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. How can you be sanctified without worship of God?
Eph. 5:18–20 – Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Be sanctified through others
Prov. 27:17 Relationships that sharpen us. Heb. 3:13 Relationships that protect us from the deceitfulness of sin. Eph. 4:15–16 Relationships that help us grow into the likeness of Christ.
Here’s the end of it: Joshua commanded Israel to sanctify to prepare for the wonders
- Be immediately obedient to what you know you do today. Right now. Don’t leave
- Submit fully to the Lord to refine you in areas you are currently struggling
- Commit to allowing God to reveal to you those areas you cant see, but want revealed
Israel Sanctified themselves to be holy for the God they loved and served. Willingly.
“he will do great wonders among you” I want to see all God has for me, so should you
Willingly commit to YHWH today. Give him your life. All of it. Every day.
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