Sunday evening service

Sanctification—Walking in holiness in a sinful world

Leviticus 20:1-8, 22-26

What does it “look like” or mean (esp., vis-à-vis the culture around us) for God’s people to walk through this life as set apart?

How does God explain to His people (now us) the reasons for being sanctified/living holy lives? (note God’s parenting style: firm and clear boundaries, along with explanations for them)

[We must sanctify ourselves because God is our God, and He is holy; He has set us apart; following the behaviors or religions of those around us will get us “spewn out” or “vomited out” of our land…finally, God has sanctified us so we can belong to Him and have communion with Him]

Ezekiel 36:17-28

What do we see in this passage about walking in a worldly rather than godly way?

How does the kind of life we lead reflect back on and affect God?

What is God’s heart toward us? What will He do for us in terms of our sanctification and ability to walk in holiness?

[when we walk in sin, we defile His name/soil His reputation; God will sanctify His people for the sake of His reputation—He wants to be known for His true glory and holiness; He will change our hearts]

Some New Testament expansion of these concepts:

*Col. 1:9-14

Eph. 4:1-3

I Thess. 2:11-12

Rev. 3:4

*James 4:3-5 (cf. Matt. 6:24)

*I Peter 4:1-4

I Peter 3:15-16

2 Cor. 6:14-18

*Acts 4:13

[We should be following the example of Jesus in how we live. Our full allegiance should belong to Him, not to following how the world does things, or trying to achieve success and popularity with the world system. People should be able to look at our lives and know that we are disciples of Jesus.]

And, ending where we began the series ;-)

Remember—

John 17:13-21—Jesus prayed that we all (believers) would be sanctified

I Peter 1:2—it’s part of the Spirit’s work in this world/in us to sanctify us (see also Rom. 15:16)

I Thess. 5:23-24—God sanctifies our whole being to present us before Jesus at the end of time

Pondering: How has my idea of what this means and what sanctification “looks like” changed or expanded after this study?