Sanctification

intro

Clarity of purpose: Does your main point come through unmistakably?

Structural flow: Do your ideas build logically toward your conclusion?

Word choice and style: Are sentences concise and clear, with specific language that creates vivid imagery?1

Application: Is it obvious how listeners should respond, and is the application relevant to them?2

Emotional resonance: Does the sermon engage the heart, ground its application in gospel motivation, and sound like good news?2

Introduction and conclusion: Does your opening draw people in, and does your ending provide genuine closure? 2

Sanctification: what is it?

Literally setting apart.

Sanctification is something God does to us / for us.

G. Sanctification

Concerning the carnal Christians at Corinth, Paul wrote, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11; the past tense of the Greek verbs point to these acts as already accomplished). This aspect of…

The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume 5, Q–Z, p 277

Now this is interesting because before the Cross Jesus prayed to the Father

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:7

NLT, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” (NLT) Jesus looks at those He loves and knows they need to be made holy. Of course this is right before the work on the Cross is going to be done.

Jesus said being sanctified has a lot to do with being taught God’s Word – the truth. Sarcastic Pilate retorted “What is truth” and we know that Jesus was full of grace and truth – Indeed He called Himself the truth.

The act or process of acquiring sanctity or holiness as a result of association with deity. It is one of the most important concepts in biblical and historical theology…

The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume 5, Q–Z, p 314

So we must be connected with the Sanctifier – the Holy One. So back to Paul’s statement: “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11; the past tense of the Greek verbs point to these acts as already accomplished).

For the Corinthians – though they still are wrestling with a lot of sin – Paul says there was a previous washing they had. What kind of washing?

he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

ESV by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Notice we have not done the initial sanctification – it’s Him! 1 Corinthians 1:30: ‘But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us the wisdom from God, and (both) righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.’

comes to sanctification its kind of like, “Let me wipe that spot of food off your face” We can’t see it – we are blind to it.

How do you know if you are sancified? The Epistle to the Romans (A. Theissen)

you have your fruit unto sanctification’: a difficult phrase because the common meaning of ἁγιασμός=sanctification, does not fit easily into the context. If this meaning is kept, the Apostle’s thought is: now you have your fruit in such things (virtues, cf. Gal 5:22 f.) as lead immediately to sanctification…

Jesus had a lot to say about sanctification in John 17. In verse 16 the Lord says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it,” and this is before His request: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (verse 17). In Christian theology, sanctification is a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God: “You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30, ESV). The sanctification mentioned in this verse is a once-for-ever separation of believers unto God. It is a work God performs, an integral part of our salvation and our connection with Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Theologians sometimes refer to this state of holiness before God as “positional” sanctification; it is related to justification.

Now the main message:

Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them[b] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John17:11-19 (ESV)

J.C. Ryle said referring to John 17 Jesus does some things for believers that he does not do for the unbelievers those who do not know or love him. Special intercession. And Jesus is going to pray that they would be sanctified – in the Christian life we cannot sanctify ourselves anymore than we can justify ourselves. This is a work of God. And J C Ryle says this particularly irritates the world that God makes a distinction between those who are His and those who are not. But reflect on this – would not God be a strange God if he treated all the same – those who love Him and those who hate Him? On the other hand we know God has a very large heart for the lost – however those who will not respond to Him He will not force His spiritual blessing upon them. So know that Christ prays for us not as he prays for the world.

This passage has been described as the secret why the believer is kept safe.

Jesus is “able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by Him, because He ever lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Ryle, J. C.. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John [Annotated, Updated]: A Commentary (p. 302). (Function). Kindle Edition.

I. We Are Kept: Keep Them In Your Name

Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.” John 17:11 (ESV)

In the context Jesus is praying before going to the Cross – what is striking is that in His prayer He sees Himself as going to the Father – the Cross is not going to finish him off – all the suffering He sees past and His greatest delight is returning to His Father to be reunited with Him. His words in 11a, “I am coming to you!” (John 17:11a ESV) He loves His Father and will do anything for Him. He is going to be leaving this earth – not a reference to His death so much but rather His ascension after His resurrection.

Now His prayer for us:

Jesus addresses God as ‘Holy Father’ (17:11b). This is the only time in the New Testament God is referred to by this title. The name suggests both the separateness (‘holy’) and nearness (‘Father’) of God.

What does this mean, keep them in your name? Kept in His name – they are kept under His authority and sovereignty – If you are in a foreign country and things are unstable and you run to the Canadian embassy – you are kept because of the name Canadian. Scriptures says the name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe! God’s name represents everything He is – God’s name “I Am” He is the all powerful ever existing One who cannot be thwarted. God willed the coming crucifixion and the redemption resulting – no one can unprotect us. We are kept in His name - He has revealed to His disciples who the Father really is – the Father who loves cares and redeems them – the crucifixion will not remove their protection but ensure their protection. During Jesus ministry He kept them safe – that would only continue even with His physical absence.

William F. Cook, , 254.

Then Jesus prays that they would be one – the evil one will try and tear them apart.

II. We Are Guarded And Not Lost

I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12 (ESV)

The Good Shepherd – Christ is the Keeper the Guard of all who trust Him. Not only are we kept in His name – guarded means He successfully protected His disciples' spiritual security, unity, and faith while on earth, ensuring they did not fall away to the "evil one". None of them are going to lose their faith. And they will be kept together after He leaves. He watched over them - so much that they will not be lost. What a comfort this will be to the abandoning disciples. Even though they failed Jesus in His last hours – they will not be lost. Why will we never be lost? Because Jesus will always guard us – and He will always live to intercede before the Father for all of us! They stand and persevere not because of their own strength or goodness but because Jesus intercedes for them!

While Jesus was with them He protected them and He did not lose a single one the Father gave Him.

But there is one exception of ‘the son of perdition’. Perdition means wasteful. Ironically when that lady anointed Jesus head with perfume before His death Judas complained that it was a waste. And yet Judas wasted his precious time and opportunity to be blessed by the Savior of the world. Judas was the biggest Waster of all! He missed the true value of His time with Christ. (In this a great warning for all who come and hear the wonders of God’s Word – will I waste the time Christ speaks today through His church? Will I waste my life when I could be drawer nearer?)

It is an awful title – means son of destruction. This statement speaks to the sovereignty of Christ. Before we encounter Christ knows everything concerning how we will respond to Him.

Judas’ betrayal fulfilled the Scriptures. Yet the fact that his betrayal was foretold in the Scriptures did not alleviate his guilt1

III. We Have Joy – His Word His Promise We Too will go to the Father

13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word,” John 17:11 (ESV)

Even though this world is a spiritual battleground, His followers can know fullness of joy. Joy is an underdeveloped quality - William F. Cook, , 255. Part of sanctification is the internal indicator of joy. Now when it says joy fulfilled in themselves make sure we don’t misinterpret this. It doesnt mean we are finding joy in who we are – but rather Jesus joy lands in our hearts. Jesus found joy in doing His Fathers will. Jesus said this deep satisfaction and delight in doing the Fathers will – as we are sanctified the same things that gave Jesus joy give us great joy. Think of Paul and Silas after getting beaten for Jesus sake – find themselves rejoicing that they are entering Jesus joy. Word rejoicing by the way is related to joy.

Joy is a direct evidence of growing in sanctification.

Lets take a deeper look at what gave Jesus joy:

Jesus speaks of us having the same joy He has. What joy? That Jesus is abiding in the love of the Father and is going to the Father.

That we also will be coming to the Father because of Jesus. And the Father has given His word – when the Father promises something it will be done. What is the joy believers have? They have the joy that when they die they really will be coming to the Father. In the context we have joy because we know we are not lost. Even though we live in this wicked world that ignores and rebels against God and hates the followers of God because they love His word we will not be hindered from coming to the Father. This is the great joy of the Christian! We are kept by the power of God – while on this earth and we know our destiny! We too are “coming to you”! The joy in this life is that we will not live in this fallen state forever. Remember in the garden of Eden – God in His kindness drove them out of the garden lest they eat from the tree of life – if they would have they would have remained in this fallen state forever. Like Jesus we too now are not of this world – and so we will leave this world.

IV. We Are Set Apart From This World

and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:14 (ESV) The true Christian longs for a better world.

A.W. Tozer (1897–1963) taught that a Christian's longing for a better world is, fundamentally, a longing for God Himself, not merely a comfortable earthly life. He urged believers to foster a "mighty longing" or "holy desire" for God, viewing this world as a temporal place while viewing heaven and the presence of God as the true home.

Sanctification ultimately is being set apart and ultimately removed from this world. Jesus is saying in praying for His disciples – they are not of this world – this is not their home. They cannot feel at home here – they are hated by the world and those whom are under the control of the Evil One. But we His own are protected from the evil one and of course are hated. So we are preserved from this world. Even though this world is rotted decayed and destined for destruction – we are reserved for new life.

His own are chosen out of this world. Though we were born into this world – we are born again to a new world. A perfect world where God is Supreme and sin does not exist or reign.

V. We Are Kept From the Evil One

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:11 (ESV)

Now we know that there is one other than God who is active in this present world – the Kosmos that world system that is controlled by the evil one. Jesus is saying for now they are going to keep living in the world. Jesus could have had it that anyone who believes in Him is instantly snatched from this world- but no we must first live here. So the prayer is that we are kept from the evil one. Though Satan was completely defeated at the Cross and the Empty Grave – now he still has some power allowed to inflict terrible damage on the followers of God. But as the book of Job clearly states – all is only allowed and there are great limits put on the evil one. So we trust God – our God allows some difficulties and temptations – but not beyond what we can find help for. As we remain in the world we have the Paraclete to help us. The great Comforter. In this great Cosmic battle there is a safety. God’s own dear Son – because He is God sees all our tribulations before they come upon us – and He prays – and His Father will answer His prayers for us!

To abide here in this valley of tears, tried, tempted, assaulted, and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and to glorify Christ. To go to heaven at once in the day of conversion would doubtless be an easy course and would save us much trouble. But the easiest course is not always the path of duty. He that would win the crown must carry the cross and show himself light in the midst of darkness and salt in the midst of corruption. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). If we have any hope that we are Christ’s true disciples, let us be satisfied that Christ knows better than we do what is for our good. Let us leave “our times in His hand” and be content to abide here patiently as long as He pleases, however hard our position, so long as He keeps us from evil.

Ryle, J. C.. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John [Annotated, Updated]: A Commentary (p. 303). (Function). Kindle Edition.

VI. We Are Set Apart For Increasing Godliness

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:11 (ESV) this has been described as the most wonderful prayers for God’s people ever prayed.

Make them like we are!

Hebrews 10:14 LSB

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

This is what is called progressive sanctification. God is not finished with you at the moment.

Sanctified from what? The world, from sin. “Nothing, we may be sure, glorifies grace so much as to live like Daniel in Babylon and the saints in Nero’s household – in the world and yet not of the world – tempted on every side and yet conquerors of temptation, not taken out of the reach of evil and yet kept and preserved from its power.”

It is a prayer that the Father would make His people more holy, more spiritual, more pure, more saintly in thought and word and deed, in life and character. Grace had done something for the disciples already – called, converted, renewed, and changed them. The great Head of the Church prays that the work of grace may be carried higher and further, and that His people may be more thoroughly sanctified and made holy in body, soul, and spirit – in fact more like Himself.

Sanctification has multi functions: 1. Holy living trains Christians for heaven - Becoming more like God in character prepares us to enjoy heaven. Living in growing reality of Christ in us – makes us fit for heaven.

But then sanctification also helps the world see.

2. 2nd function Sanctification makes our Christianity attractive. Even the ungodly recognize when humans have been greatly affected and changed by God. Paul instructed Titus to have changed character “show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” Titus 2:10 Will our world see people in us that can be trusted?

“Holy living is the great proof of the reality of Christianity. Men may refuse to see the truth of our arguments, but they cannot evade the evidence of a godly life. Such a life adorns religion and makes it beautiful and sometimes wins those who are not “won by the Word.”

Ryle, J. C.. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John [Annotated, Updated]: A Commentary (pp. 304-305). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Notice how: in the truth. The truth about Him – the truth about who we are in Christ – more than conquerors. The truth about the Father’s keeping power!

VII. We Are Directly Sanctified By His Consecration

19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:19 (ESV)

very interesting here – the word here Jesus uses is sanctify – only a perfect One can sanctify Himself. In this case it is not like us – we need to be set apart from our sin. Not so with Christ.

Christ set Himself apart for the purposes of the Father. What this is – is the Sanctified becomes the Sanctifier. In Christ we also enter into this sanctification.

How are we sanctified? The Father will immerse Jesus’ followers in the revelation of himself in his Son; he will sanctify them by sending the Paraclete to guide them into all truth (15:13). Jesus’ followers will be ‘set apart’ from the world, reserved for God’s service, insofar as they think and live in conformity with the truth2

Conclusion

1 Thess 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul is probably expressing his wish for believers to be sanctified as completely as possible.

Michael S. Heiser, “Image of God,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Suggestions for improvement

Your sermon has a strong foundation—you’re exploring a vital theological concept and grounding it in Scripture. Here’s how to sharpen it:

Strengthen Your Opening

You begin with “Literally setting apart,” which is accurate but abstract. Consider opening with a concrete question or image that makes sanctification matter immediately to your listeners. For example: ”When you became a Christian, something fundamental changed about you—not just your standing before God, but your very nature. That transformation is sanctification.”This draws people in before you define the term.

Develop Your Main Idea

Right now you have fragments: the definition, then a reference to 1 Corinthians 6:11, then Jesus’s prayer in John 17. These are strong pieces, but they need connective tissue. What’s the relationship between these passages? How does each one deepen our understanding? For instance, you could show that sanctification moves from God’s declaration(1 Corinthians 6:11—what He’s already done) to God’s ongoing work(John 17—making us holy through truth). That progression gives your sermon direction.

Clarify the Role of God’s Word

You mention that Jesus connected sanctification to being taught God’s Word, then pivot to Pilate’s question about truth. That’s promising material, but it needs development. Why does truth matter for sanctification? How does knowing Scripture actually transform us? When speakers aren’t completely sure what they want to say, it shows in delivery1—so work out this connection clearly for yourself first.

Add Application

Your listeners need to know what sanctification means for them. Does it change how they approach Bible study? How they view their struggles? How they understand their identity? Ground your theological content in lived reality.

Polish Your Conclusion

End with something memorable—a statement, a question, or an image that crystallizes your main point and sends people out thinking about it.

1 William F. Cook, John: Jesus Christ Is God, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2016), 255.

2 D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 566.