Sermon on Consecration – On Consecration and Conduct
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSERMON ON CONSECRATION
INTRODUCTION:
A. In previous lessons we have noted:
1. As a new person (2 Cor. 5:17), the Christian enjoys a new identity, a new sense of who he is: he is one who has been born again.
2. He thus has a new relationship to God, a new status: he belongs to God
3. As a result, he has adopted a new mind, a new way of thinking: he thinks on the basis of faith
B. But in addition to these things, the Christian lives in “newness of life”
1. Romans 6:4
2. The baptized believer must actually conduct himself as befits a Christian
3. A Christian must learn to consecrate himself to God
C. In this lesson we are going to notice the:
1. The fact of consecration
2. The means of consecration
3. The process of consecration
DISCUSSION:
A. THE FACT OF CONSECRATION
1. In one sense, every Christian IS already consecrated to God already – he is a saint
a. The word “saint” is derived from a Latin term (sanctus) meaning “sacred,” and is translated from the Greek HAGIOS and literally means “a holy one,” hallowed, consecrated, sanctified, or set apart for God.
b. The root idea of HAGIOS is “belonging uniquely to God”
1) Deuteronomy 7:6
2) 1 Peter 2:9-10 … we belong to God!
c. To whom does the term “saint” apply?
1) A saint is not a person of meritorious service canonized after death, accorded veneration, and thought to be capable of interceding for others
2) In the New Testament, every Christian is a saint
a) Acts 9:13, 32
b) Colossians 1:2
2. In another sense, however, every Christian MUST consecrate himself to God day by day
a. Holiness involves something we do as well as something we are
b. We are exhorted to be holy… Colossians 3:1-6
c. Ethics, morality, virtue, and character relate to the process of becoming holy
1) 1 Thessalonians 4:3
2) Ephesians 1:4
d. True conversion to God entails growth toward holiness in living
1) Romans 6:1-2
2) Leviticus 11:44-45
e. Eternal life is only promised to those who consecrated
1) Hebrews 12:14
2) Acts 20:32
B. THE MEANS OF CONSECRATION
1. God sanctifies the Christian by the words of the Holy Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
2. The Holy Spirit works in behalf of the Christian
a. He makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26-27)
b. He serves as deposit of salvation (Eph. 1:13-14)
c. He bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16)
d. He pours out the love of God in our hearts (Rom. 5:5)
e. He strengthens us with might in the inner an (Eph. 3:16)
3. Christians are partakers of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 6:4), they walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25), and are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-14).
4. It is important to realize, though, that the Holy Spirit in sanctification is neither direct or miraculous
a. Even in the apostolic age, the ordinary working of the Spirit was non-miraculous
b. Many received the blessings of the Spirit indirectly through the miraculous gifts given to others for the common good… Ephesians 3:3-5
c. The miraculous extraordinary working of the Spirit was limited to the apostles and those on whom they laid their hands (Acts 8:14-18)
5. The influence of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is through the truth revealed in the Scriptures
a. John 17:17, 19
b. The Spirit does not dwell in the Christian by local “residence” in the body, or by “possession” – indwelling speaks of relationship, not location
1) The Spirit dwelling in a Christian is metaphorical language
2) For example, as a parent can be seen “in” a child by his actions, so the Spirit is seen “in” us by the way we live
c. The indwelling of God’s Spirit involves an intimate communion, a real relationship between God and the Christian
1) The relationship is based on the words communicated by the Spirit in the Scriptures… 1 John 1:1-4
2) The resulting relationship is so close that each is said to dwell in the other
6. As the “temple” in which the Holy Spirit “dwells,” the Christian must be holy… 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
C. THE PROCESS OF CONSECRATION
1. The Christian must be aware of the misconceptions involved about sanctification
a. Many have distorted what God has done or what man must do
1) Some teach error concerning Philippians 2:13
a) Some say that sanctification does not involve man
b) But notice Hebrews 12:14 … “follow” suggests activity on our part
2) Some teach error concerning Matthew 5:48
a) the Wesleyans teach “entire sanctification” of perfectionism – incapable of sin
b) But the Bible says 1 John 1:8-10
3) Many more examples could be given …
2. The Christian must understand what is involved in sanctification
a. Salvation is in involved in sanctification
1) This is freedom from sin plus freedom for righteousness
2) Romans 6:3-7, 11-14, 16-18, 22
b. Purity and cleanness is involved in sanctification
1) Ephesians 5:26-27
2) Romans 12:1-2
c. Exemplary conduct is involved in sanctification
1) Philippians 2:15
2) John 17:14-15 … We are to be “in” the world without being “of” the world
d. Spiritual growth is involved in sanctification
1) Matthew 5:48
2) Colossians 1:28-29
e. Doing all to God’s glory is involved in sanctification
1) Colossians 3:17
2) Philippians 1:20
CONCLUSION:
A. Why does the Christian consecrate himself to God and conduct himself accordingly?
1. To be without fear of punishment (Heb. 10:26-31)
2. But more importantly – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
B. The Christian chooses the consecrated life(Phil 3:7-11)
C. Consecrated conduct is what life is all about – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
D. Ultimately, holiness is the fruit of fellowship with God
1. John 15:4
2. 1 John 1:5-7