Sermon on Sanctification

Sanctification

George L. Majors

April 20, 1985

Scripture Reading:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 King James Version

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of  us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour"

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 New Living Translation

"Finally dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control is own body and live in holiness and honor"

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 King James Version

"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 New Living Translation

"God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

The word "sanctification" appears 4 times in the New Testament,

The word "sanctified" appears 16 times,

The word "sanctifieth" appears 4 times,

and the word "sanctify" appears 6 times.

So what does sanctification mean?

It is the cleansing power and keeping power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Dale Oldham has this to say on the subject, "The Bible tells us we are to live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, mind the things of the Spirit, pray in the Spirit and sing in the Spirit. This being the case, you could expect 'spirituality' to be the chief characteristic of the people of God. But there can be no genuine 'spirituality' unless the Spirit of God dwells within us." First of all, we need the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to stay true to God. Like the little boy who kept falling out of bed. His mother asked him, "Why do you keep falling out of bed?" "Well," he said, "I think it's because I stay too close to where I get in." Sanctification is a second work of grace that every Christian needs to help keep from falling back and being lost to the care of Christ.

Paul writes, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" 2 Timothy 4:10a kjv Had Demas been possessed of the Holy Spirit he would have had the power to resist the allurements of a sinful world.

Jesus, while in the upper room, prayed for his disciples with these words, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 kjv And going back a few verses, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them my word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:12-17 kjv

How then are we to be sanctified?

First, we must be saved. For sanctification through the Holy Spirit is only for the Christian who believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ. Second, we must present ourselves to God as a vessel, to be owned, filled, and used by God to His glory. Are we not already owned by God? Yes, but we may not be possessed. A fitting example is that of a man who had a set of tools stolen out of the trunk of his car. He was the owner of the tools, but they were not in his possession. Thus, we need to present ourselves to God. As it says, in Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Third, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. As Spinoza noted, "Nature abhors a vacuum," it will be filled with something - good or evil. To keep evil out we must be filled with good.

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." Luke 11:24-26 kjv Imagine an empty glass. But is it really empty? No, it is filled with air! And how can we empty it? We can fill it with water and thereby force out the air. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to keep out evil.

But is one filling sufficient? No, just as the water in the glass will evaporate in time, we must from time to time pray for re-infillings. We need to keep up the process of sanctification and keep ourselves available for the master to use us.

A Sermon for President's Day (2)

Great Lives!

George L. Majors

February 17, 1974

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

This book, The Bible, contains the mind of God, the state of man, Gods plan for His salvation. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be upright and happy. A mariner's compass, a pilgrim's staff, a traveler's map, it affords the greatest reward for all who will receive it. 

Our younger daughter, when just a small child, said, "Daddy, what does this mean, where it says, 'who so ever tries to save his life will lose it?' Does it mean that if someone is chasing after you to hurt you that it is wrong to try to get away from them?" She was referring to the verse in Luke 9:24 and I explained the real meaning of the verse to her - a paradox and seeming contradiction. Bonnie, a few years later, gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 9 and found the meaning of the verse - a radically happy Christian life - here and beyond. 

Halley in his Bible handbook says, "Christ, the center and heart of the Bible, the center and heart of history, is also the center and heart of our lives. Our eternal destiny is in His hand. Our acceptance or rejection of Him as our Lord and Savior determines for each of us eternal glory or eternal ruin - heaven or hell, one or the other. 

The most important decision anyone is ever called on to make is to settle in one's heart, once and for all, the matter of one's attitude toward Christ. On that depends everything.

It is a glorious thing to be a Christian, the most exalted privilege of mankind. The Creator of all things wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us! To accept Christ as Savior, Lord, and Master, and to strive sincerely and devotedly to follow in the way of life He taught, is certainly by far the most reasonable and most satisfactory way to live. It means peace, peace of mind, contentment of heart, forgiveness, happiness, hope, life abundant, life that shall never end. 

There is another seeming contradiction in the Bible. Acts 20:35b "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Give not the slot machine way, a quarter expecting a handful in return, but give just to be giving. My heart was touched with a testimony to this very verse in a recent Guideposts magazine. A little Norwegian girl had lost her mother. She was one of several children and had to be passed from one friend to another. One day, she saw a kind looking lady in the market place. She couldn't resist so she asked, "Will you be my mamma?" The lady enquired and did in fact take her in and gave her a good home. That little girl grew up and became a missionary. One day, while she was speaking at a mission in Puerto Rico, there were many children present. One kept sitting close to her whenever she could and kept looking up at her. Finally, she said in Spanish, "Would you be my mother?" The lady could hardly believe her ears. Although young and single, she decided to take the little girl home with her so she made the necessary arrangements. Friends at home were quite surprised, but all took to the little girl. Later she returned to Puerto Rico to minister. One day, a lady came to the door with 3 little ones and asked, "Is this the place where little children are cared for?" Well, she took them in also. The children were taught to love God. They decided to save their meager earnings from working in a garden to purchase a horse tied up across the way. The old horse was swaybacked, but they dearly wanted it. But then one day they learned of a great need and all decided to send their savings to help. The missionary mother said that not long after at an eating place they met 3 young men from Norway. They spoke the same language and started visiting. As the men got ready to go, they said that their time in Puerto Rico was up and that they would be leaving and asked, "Would you know of anyone who would like to have our horse. We can't take it with us and it is a very good one!" God rewarded just as he promised. We just can't out give God! 

The Bible is filled with Godly precepts of high ideals that mould character and give depth and quality to life. 

It is no wonder that our nation grew out of a handful of pilgrims into the greatest nation on earth. It was established by men and women with red blood in their veins and iron in their wills and the love of God in their hearts. They braved the dangers and hardships of the uncharted ocean to settle in a new land where they could serve God fully and raise their families to follow in their faith. 

What Makes A Nation Great 

by Alexander Blackburn 

Not serried ranks with flags unfurled, 

Not armored ships that gird the world, 

Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills,

Not cattle on a thousand hills, 

Not sages wise, nor schools, nor laws, 

No boasted deeds in freedom's cause - 

All these may be, and yet the state 

In the eye of God be far from great. 

That land is great which knows the Lord, 

Whose songs are guided by His word; 

Where justice rules 'twixt man and man, 

Where love controls in art and plan'

Where, breathing in his native air,

Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer - 

Thus may our country, good and great, 

Be God's delight - man's best estate. 

Daniel Webster said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity." Many feel we are  on the brink of a great catastrophe or a great revival. Every church should pray earnestly for revival. God spared Nineveh and he can spare our nation. He spared England in the days of the Wesleys, let us pray for revival in our day. 

I cherish the memory of our great patriarchs. Humans, yes, but God fearing believers. Picture George Washington praying with his half starved troops. Picture Abraham Lincoln on his knees praying during the dark days of the Civil War. 

Recall some of his words: Sayings of Abraham Lincoln

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."

"I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have." 

"I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."

"Come what will I will keep my faith with friend and foe." 

"Faith in our God is indispensable to successful statesmanship."

"Keep the temperance pledge and it will be the best act of your life." 

"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with a firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." 

Let us close with Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil."

Anecdotes and Letters for President's Day

Mixed in and among the sermon notes my grandfather George L. Majors left behind, are a collection of clippings from various magazines and newspapers. Grandpa always love to tell stories and, as a pastor, he liked to collect illustrations that he could use in his sermons. Often, he references various clippings in his sermon notes and whenever possible, I have tried to find and include the anecdote in the typed up version of the sermon. However, I have quickly discovered that there are far more anecdotes than there are references so I thought I would add special entries devoted to Grandpa Majors' collection of stories, jokes, poetry, and anecdotes. 


So, here is the first batch which are grouped together with a sermon for President's Day:

-----

Mothers of Men


The greatest battle that was ever fought - 
Shall I tell you where and when? 
On the maps of the world you will find it not: 
It was fought by the Mothers of Men.


Not with cannon or battle shot, 
With sword or nobler pen;
Not with eloquent word or thought
From the wonderful minds of men;


But deep in a walled up woman's heart; 
A woman that would not yield; 
But bravely and patiently bore her part
Lo! there is that battlefield.


But faithful still as a bridge of stars
She fights in her walled up town; 
Fights on, and on, in the endless wars; 
Then silent, unseen goes down


Ho! ye with banners and battle shot, 
With soldiers to shout and praise, 
I tell you the kingliest victories fought 
Are fought in these silent ways. 
-Joaquin Miller

-----

A Word for Mr. Lincoln
-Drummond Erskine of Cold Spring Harbor, NY for Guideposts Magazine
"Later I heard a story of another mother and child that echoed the way I was feeling. They were passing by the restored home of Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. It was at night, and the national shrine was brightly lighted. 'Look Mama,' the child said. 'Mr. Lincoln left his lights on.' 'Yes,' the mother replied softly. 'He left them on for all the world to see.' So he did." 

-----

Past Presidents - Thoughts from
Fingertip Facts, Ideas Unlimited, November 1975


Abraham Lincoln said:

- I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday 
- I don't know who my grandfather was. I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. 
- When you have got an elephant by the hind-leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run. 
- This Government, with its institutions, belongs to the people. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right to amend it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it. 
- Killing the dog does not cure the bite. 
- Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. 
- In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unaware. The older have learned to expect it.


George Washington said:
-I hope I shall always possess virtue and firmness enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of being an honest man. 
- Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government. 
- To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. 
- Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. 
- Truth will ultimately prevail where pains are taken to bring it to light. 

-----

Isaiah 1:4
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity... they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."


"A few years ago, Samuel Doctorian from Lebanon said, 'As I travel through your vast country and see the mass merchandising on the Lord's Day, notice the lewd advertising on your theater marquees, hear the language of the street, and read the daily newspaper, while churches are engaged in raffles, bingo parties, church suppers, and dances, I am convinced that we need to send missionaries to your country more than you need to send them to ours.'" 

-----

Declaration Signers Are Paid Homage
179 Years Ago, 56 Men Acted in Face of Possible Death 
New Haven, Conn. (AP)


It was 179 years ago that 56 men signed a document that might very well have cost their lives, the Declaration of Independence. Today the men are buried, 55 of them scattered over the original 13 states, the other lost at sea. In unique ceremonies Monday, the men were honored at their graves by descendants of those who fought in the American Revolution and others. In the old cemetery in the little town of Norwichtown, Conn. two descendants of signer Samuel Huntington watched as a wreath was laid on the grave and listened as a Boy Scout blew taps. 


Not far from the grave lie 13 unknown soldiers. Frenchmen who came to fight with Lafayette, and died of tuberculosis. Three other signers are buried in Connecticut. Similar ceremonies were held at Litchfield, Lebanon, and New Haven.


In Boston a military parade followed a flag-raising at City Hall. The parade went to the old Granary burying ground, where signers Robert Paine, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried. In Quincy, Mass., the crypt under the First Parish Church was opened to pay homage to John Adams. 


In Washington, Eldbridge Gerry of Massachusetts was honored at memorial services at the Congressional Cemetary. He is the only signer buried in the District of Columbia. 


In New Hampshire, graves of three New Hampshire signers were decorated. 

-----

A Letter to the Editor
George L. Majors
Fairbanks, AK 
February 22, 1983


To the Editor: 


Men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were pillars in the structure of our nation mainly because there were men of the Bible. George Washington said, "True religion affords government its surest support. The perpetuity of this nation depends upon the religious training of the young. It is impossible to govern the wold without the Bible."


Abraham Lincoln said, "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. In regard to the Great Book I have only to say that it is the best book which God has given to men."


Mr. Lincoln's thoughts and deeds are well documented. He was raised in a home where prayer was offered before meals, and where Scripture was often read and quoted. Concerning his personal religious life, historians tell us that for a time, in his young adult life, he struggled with doubts, but there was always manifestations of tender conscience. It is said that he never gave up his early teaching and basic faith, even though he struggled at times with teachings that were at variance with it. 


Reverend James F. Jaques, a Methodist minister said that, after hearing him preach in 1839 on the text, 'Ye must be born again,' Lincoln visited him to talk and pray with him concerning his soul's salvation. "I have seen hundreds brought to Christ," said Mr. Jaques, "and if ever a person was converted, Abraham Lincoln was."


Dr. W.E. Barton sums up his appraisal of Lincoln's religious life by saying, "Abraham Lincoln believed in God, in Christ, in the Bible, in prayer, in duty, and in immortality." 


Gratefully, 
George L. Majors

A President's Day Sermon

Lincoln, A Man of God

Sermon by Rev. George L. Majors

February 9, 1958

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:1-16 kjv
"My son, forget not my law; bet let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour."


"The lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time"
-Longfellow


People all across our nation, this week, will one more look into the kindly face of the gangly figure sitting in the big stone chair at the Lincoln Memorial at Washington D.C. and honor the memory of Abraham Lincoln.


What about Abraham Lincoln - What kind of a person was he?


First of all, he was greatly influenced by the teaching of the Scriptures. His parents were devout people as were his grandparents and his great grandparents. His great-great-great-great grandfather Samuel Lincoln came to America in 1637 and helped erect Old Ship Church in Hingham, Mass - the oldest church building in America in continual use. His great-great grandfather was a Baptist minister, and his grandfather gave land on his farm for the building of a church in which his parents worshiped. He was raised in a home where the blessing was asked before meals and where the Scriptures were read, and oft quoted - especially by his mother. No wonder he said later, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother."


However, he was truly human and had his shortcomings. He had a time of uncertainty in his spiritual life. But there was always manifest sights of a tender conscience.


Historian Raymound W. Settle says concerning Lincoln's religious exprience, "Although we cannot be certain what brought it about, we know that Lincoln turned away from ideas which were at variance with his early teachings. But then, the Rev. James F Jaques, a Methodist minister, said that after hearing him preach in 1839 on the text, "Ye must be born again," Lincoln visited him to talk and pray with him concerning his soul's salvation. "I have seen hundreds brought to Christ," said Mr. Jacques, "and if ever a person was converted, Abraham Lincoln was."


Dr. W.E. Barton sums up his appraisal of Lincoln's religious life by saying, "Abraham Lincoln believed in God, in Christ, in the Bible, in prayer, in duty, in immortality." He was grave, "humerous" (with very long legs!), sympathetic, a 14 year old drummer boy, honest, and sincere.


The ingredients of good character are listed in Proverbs 3:1-6
"My son, forget not my law; bet let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

In closing, let us listen to some words from Abraham Lincoln:
"I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."
"Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."
"I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
"Come what will I will keep my faith with friend and foe."
"Faith in God is indispensable to successful statesmanship"
"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with a firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
-Abraham Lincoln