Test Sermon 1

Sanctification

Romans chapter 6 discusses baptism and new life in Christ. It emphasizes that through baptism, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, symbolizing a new life free from sin. The text urges believers to live in obedience to God, offering themselves as instruments of righteousness rather than sin. It highlights the freedom from sin that comes from being under grace rather than the law. The chapter contrasts serving sin, which leads to death, with serving righteousness, which leads to eternal life. It concludes by stating that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

When we think of sanctification, we can compare it to a sculptor shaping a block of marble into a beautiful masterpiece. Similarly, as we allow God to work in our lives, He shapes and molds us into the image of His Son, transforming us into vessels of honor for His glory.

Consider a stained glass window - it's made of broken pieces, but when the light shines through, it creates a stunning work of art. In the same way, God takes our brokenness and transforms it into something beautiful through sanctification, allowing His light to shine through us and display His glory to the world.

Just as a seed planted in the ground eventually grows into a beautiful flower, so our lives, as we live in sanctification, blossom into a radiant display of God's love and righteousness. This analogy portrays the gradual but beautiful transformation that takes place in us through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Think of a diamond being cut and polished to reveal its true beauty. Likewise, through the process of sanctification, God refines and purifies us, removing our impurities and transforming us into His precious gems, shining brightly for His glory.

Just as an artist carefully crafts a masterpiece with purpose and intention, God, the Master Artist, shapes and crafts our lives through sanctification, creating a beautiful masterpiece that reflects His glory and grace to the world.

When I was a child, I loved playing with a magnet. It was fascinating how the magnet could attract metal objects. In the same way, when we are sanctified through our union with Christ, we are attractively drawn to righteousness and holy living, just like the magnet draws metal. This analogy helps us understand how our sanctification leads us to a new and wonderful life in Christ.

Imagine a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Through the process of sanctification, we are transformed from our old, sinful selves into new, beautiful creations in Christ. This illustration paints a vivid picture of the amazing change that occurs in our lives when we are united with Christ through baptism and commit to living in obedience to Him.

Just as a caterpillar must go through the process of metamorphosis to become a butterfly, we too must go through the process of sanctification to become the new creation in Christ, leaving behind our old sinful nature and embracing a life of righteousness and obedience to God. This powerful analogy illustrates the profound transformation that occurs in our lives through sanctification.

Just as a dirty, old rag becomes clean and dazzling after being washed, believers are cleansed and made new through the process of sanctification. This simple analogy captures the essence of Romans chapter 6, highlighting the transformation that takes place in our lives as we choose to serve righteousness rather than sin.

Think of a tree bearing fruits; in the same way, as we walk in sanctification, our lives bear the fruit of righteousness and obedience to God. This visual analogy helps us grasp the practical outcomes of living a sanctified life and how it leads to a life that pleases God.

Romans 6:14 ESV

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Freed from sin’s dominion

Being dead to sin frees us from sin’s dominion

We are no more slaves to sin

Free to live the new life