Gleans from Monday Bible Study with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
DLBC Lagos HQ
16th July 2018
STUDY 58: THE GLORIOUS PRIVILEGE OF SANCTIFIED BELIEVERS IN CHRIST
John 17:20-26,9; Psalms 24:3,4; 51:6,7; Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 5:3-8; Acts 15:9; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:3-5,16
As we look at these verses (John 17:20-26,9), you will see that Jesus prayed for the sanctification (second work of grace) of His immediate disciples and for all who will hear, believe and get saved through them, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). He prayed that they all may be one, the foundational believers and those of us coming in at this final age of the time, that, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). He was not talking of a union or association where individuals remain as they are in heart, mind, doctrine, experience and attitude but in heart they are not together. He was talking of unity in heart experience and oneness as the Father is in Him and He in the Father, not one outside them.
Sanctified believers in Christ are highly favoured by Christ and He has pleasure in them. They are honoured, blessed and made useful and will attract the world into the kingdom. The privileges we have as sanctified believers are very many: (1) Privilege of Purity – He makes the heart holy; (2) Priestly Prayer – He prays for us; (3) Partnership – we are agreed and united; (4) Preference – He loves the fellowship of His people, He thinks about us first as His Bride; (5) Protection from evil; (6) Progress – for through them the world will come into the Kingdom; and eventually (7) Paradise – with Him, John 17:24,
Jesus Christ our Lord, Saviour and Sanctifier was lifting us up, wanting us to have great privileges, and He made adequate provision for the sanctification of all believers. The disciples sent out to preach repentance were saved, converted, born again, with their names in the Book of life in Heaven, yet there was something more. He prayed for their sanctification. Sanctification is the experience of the Christian life subsequent to Salvation. This second work of grace brings deeper and inner – (1) Humility; (2) Holiness; (3) Honesty; (4) Happier Home – unity and peace; (5) Higher Honour – heaven honours you and people too, for they can see transparency in you; (6) Heavenly-mindedness – you always want to please God; and (7) Heavenly Hope – you are not afraid of death or the Rapture because your hope is in heaven.
God wants holiness within and without; clean hands, which is salvation and pure heart, which is sanctification (Psalms 24:3,4; 51:6,7). Not a white-washed sepulcher but in your inward, attitude and inner heart and life, there is this work of grace that has taken place. (Isaiah 1:18; Psalms 51:7; Ezekiel 36:25-26) Salvation is when a sinner is deeply sorry for his sins, repents, seeks and is forgiven and he is cleansed; he is made as white as snow; but at Sanctification the stony heart is taken out and he is given a new heart of flesh – he is made whiter than snow. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Poor in spirit, you come just as you are to receive forgiveness and mercy from God, after which you experience salvation. Then “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8) this is sanctification. So it is clear from the word of God that there is salvation which cleanses our outward lives, and then sanctification which makes our hearts pure. (Acts 15:9; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:3-5,16)
3 points:
POINT 1: THE PATTERN OF UNITY FOR THE SANCTIFIED BRIDE
John 17:20-22; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27,32; Revelations 19:7-8;
Look at the disciples of Christ before Him, and all those who are going to believe on Him through what they have written in the Gospels and Epistles. What name can you give to those people? We are called the Bride of Christ and He wants us as His Bride to be united. “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). This is talking about the Body of Christ, believers; we are the chaste, pure, holy and sanctified virgins of Christ. The Church is the bride, wife, of Christ, and He gave Himself for her, to sanctify her and present to Himself, not an ordinary, traditional, religious, denominational or ritualistic church, but a glorious Church. There are three things here:
- The Pattern of the Unity of the Son with the Father – John 17:21-23; 5:30; 8:28,29; 1 John 5:7. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us”….. “that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:21,22). That is the pattern: that all the believers are one as the Son and the Father are united; in the local assembly, whole church and global church having the same heart, mind, word, doctrine, goal, pursuit, and the same destiny. No argument or insubordination between Christ and the Father: as the Father desired and demanded, so Christ did, and He always does (John 5:30); so should we be, that self-will is cancelled and we are united with the Church. As the Son of God that has been from all eternity, and with all He knew he could have been independent, but was submissive and subjected always to the Father. “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). This is the pattern of unity He has set for us that we be united, just as He is united with the Father. Also there is no opposition or disagreement between the God-Head, they are one (1 John 5:7).
2. The Picture of the Unity of the Sanctified in Fellowship – John 17:20-23; Acts 4:32; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 1:27; 2:1-5
There should be no tribalism, nepotism, partiality but, “That they all may be one” (John 17:21). Jesus gave us the pattern, and here is the picture He left with us, that we all be one. The early church left the same picture for us; see how the Lord helped them as they followed the pattern, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32). There should be no disagreement, conflict or argument among us, that we are all one. May this picture of unity of the sanctified reign and be seen in every local and the whole Church in Jesus Name. We shall all speak the same thing, no dissenting voice among us, but we all agree together, and this not just on paper, but let it be evident in our lives (1 Corinthians 1:10). “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Do your best to help others to contribute in the fellowship, give chance to others, not control or brow-beat them, but endeavor to keep the unity. If we are sanctified then we should be likeminded (Philippians 2:2). Let the ‘I’ within you be crossed and cancelled altogether. We are to be together, let all the distinctions and rough edges be put them together and be transformed into bringing an acceptable and pleasant offering unto Christ. So shall we be.
- The Power of the Unity of Saints for Fruitfulness – John 17:21,23; Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19
“…that the world may believe that thou hast sent me”, “….and that the world may know that thou hast sent me…..” (John 17:21,23). The power of unity will bring fruitfulness, bringing men to Christ. (Matthew 5:14-16) – When we have this experience we will take the gospel to the world, and the people of the world will believe and accept the gospel. (Mark 16:15) Now that you are saved and sanctified take the gospel to the world and do it with real passion and zeal, and through us together and united we are going to reach many in Jesus Name. The Lord will reconcile the world to Himself by sanctified witnesses, soul winners, members of the church, the Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).
This sanctification when we have it gives us: (1) Purifying Unity; (2) Pleasant Unity; (3) Prevailing Unity; (4) Peaceful Unity; (5) Productive Unity; (6) Profitable Unity; (7) Persevering Unity; (8) Permanent Unity and (9) Persuasive Unity.
POINT 2: THE PURPOSE AND USEFULNESS OF SANCTIFIED BELIEVERS
John 17:23-24; 14:10,23; Romans 8:11; 1 John 4:12,13,16; Acts 2:46,47; 4:24-33; 5:12-14
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:23-24). There was a purpose for the kind of unity Jesus was praying about: that we will remain perfect in one, and that the world will know, through our preaching, that the Father has sent Him. Jesus had a purposeful unity with the Father and the work the Father gave Him to do was done well, creditably and well-pleasing to the Father who indwelt Him (John 14:10). If there is no conflict and disagreeable spirit inside you, the Almighty and the Son will come and live inside you with His power as well (John 14:23). The Spirit also will dwell in you and quicken you; He lives and abides inside us if we are united and love one another. Clear away all the smoke of anger, bitterness, and resentment, so that God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost will abide inside you.
Sanctification brings unity and oneness because it cleanses the heart from all forms of frictions in the midst of the people of God. Where there is Satanic pride and nature, self-exaltation, sinfulness criticism, negative attitude, judgemental spirit, belittling others, there will be no unity and no sanctification. But sanctification produces love, true love that is transparent for others to see, and total, resulting in (1) Consecration; (2) Compassion; (3) Cooperation; (4) Conciliation; (5) Condescension; (6) Compliance and (7) Clear, Cleansed and concerned Conscience.
Where there is sanctification and love, there is no (1) Conflict; (2) Contradiction; (3) Contention; (4) Corruption or Contamination; (5) Conspiracy; (6) Contempt and (7) Carnality. All these are purged and there will be maximum usefulness and we shall be useful together, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:46,47)
POINT 3. THE POTENTIALS AND UNIQUENESS OF SANCTIFIED BRETHREN
John 17:25,26; Acts 17:6
These potentials include:
- Intercession for us believers – John 17:20; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25
The Lord is praying for you now. He prays for us that we should be sanctified and holy, and God the Father always answers the prayers of Jesus Christ, and He will answer your prayers to be sanctified.
- Influence, impact on the world – John 17:21; John 3:17; Acts 17:6
We are going to impact and influence the world. We are His hands now, to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. We are to do what Christ would have done when He was here.
- Indwelt by His glory – John 17:22; Hebrews 2:10; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18
Darkness will vanish away from you, His light and glory will come to you. He is bringing you to glory, and as you look onto Christ, he will turn you from glory to glory in Jesus Name.
- Infused by the Godhead – John 17:23; 1 John 4:12
Indwelt in you, and if God is there, Satan, demons, evil powers, and principalities are out.
- Inheritance in heaven – John 17:24; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Heaven is for you. Are you looking for that city? We shall be there
- Inspired Information and Revelation – John 17:25; Matthew 11:27
They had knowledge, revelation and information that other people did not have or know.
- Identical love for Sanctified and Selfless Saints – John 17:26; 15:9; 14:20; Galatians 2:20
This identical love we are going to have as Christ loved the Father when He was here on earth. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He is Saviour, and if He lives in us, He will totally save, separate and cleanse us from all sin, and He will sanctify, purify and make us ready for Heaven.
Tonight, we have seen the pattern, purpose of unity, and the potentials and uniqueness of this experience of sanctification. So we are to pray this in, so that all these teachings will not just be on paper or in head, but be in our hearts, minds and transform our lives as well. May all these teachings be transferred into our hearts.
Ponder on this! Sanctified believers in Christ are highly favoured by God, the Lord has pleasure in them, they are honoured and blessed, and they are made useful and will attract the world into the Kingdom. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour and Sanctifier prayed and made adequate provision for the sanctification of believers who have been saved. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Reflection – Sanctification brings unity and oneness because it cleanses the hearts from all forms of frictions in the midst of the people of God. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Words on the Marble – Salvation is as white as snow, but Sanctification is as whiter than snow. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
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