Sanctification and the Family

Lots of good materials out there regarding family, family relationships, etc.
However, these family materials must first be built on a solid foundation of Christian truths.

I. Definition of Sanctification.
1. to set apart- passive, positional, belong to Him therefore you become a "saint".
2, to progress toward - growth, development, maturing, becoming. It's active, individual, practical, gradual. The process by which we become what God called us to be.

II. The means .... how is sanctification achieved??
#1. The work of God (saved which means set apart) 1 Cor. 6:11 You can't be sanctified apart from God.
#2. The work of the believer (choice, action, progress, etc.) 1 Cor. 6:11 - implies - "act like it!"
Compare 2 Tim. 2:20-21 and 2 Cor. 7:1 We have a choice as to what we can and will be used for.

Point = sanctification is a combination of: 1. what God's done
2. what God's doing (Holy Spirit)
3. what you're doing with what God's given you.
1 Cor. 1:2 Eph. 5:8

III. The practical, working benefits (how this works out in family unit)
1. Sanctification leads to New birth leads to new person leads to new .... heart, mind, awareness, nature, affections, desires, etc.

2. Sanctification is a continuous effort, process of becoming....
A. what God created you to be, and become
B. what your family needs from you to thrive

3. Sanctification has the continual presence of the Holy Spirit to help you achieve and accomplish those things.


IV. The course of the journey (what it looks like) (the Christian walk is upward from the new birth, then a series of ups and downs throughout life until the ultimate "up" at death. However, even with the ups and downs there should be a ever-higher climb happening.

V. Quick review of the means of achieving this.......
1. Past, completed - God does it (when saved and separated)
2. Present, passive - Holy Spirit continues to do it Phil. 1:6
3. Present active - you must do your part - Phil. 2:12-13

VI. Application: Your part: what to do?? - if you want to be what God wants you to be for your sake, family's sake, friends' sake, relatives' sake, etc.

#1. Accept Christ (get separated - positional = "saint"

#2. Make Him Lord - 1 Pet. 3:15 (a) (enthrone Him, and repeat this over and over)

#3. Submit to His leadership - Luke 6:46

#4. Ask (and allow) the Holy Spirit to work on you. ie: your mind, heart, thinking, affections, emotions, responses.
REMEMBER: No sanctification and growth is achieved without Him!!! - regardless of your best efforts!!

#5. Learn what's right. - what's: A. expected by God B. needed by family.
Matt. 11:29 Psalm 119:9 John 17:17

#6. Do what's right - regardless of feelings, sense of Holy Spirit's presence, etc. 2 Pet. 1:5

#7. Address your sins. This is more that just submitting to right. It is rejecting what's wrong. Rom. 6:11-14

#8. Learn to balance submission and self-discipline. ie: passive and active - God's part and your part. Rom. 6:11-14

Sanctification for the sake of your family!