Made Pure and Holy, and Sent
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 24 2024 | John 17:17-19
KEY VERSE:
¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. John 17:17-18 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 17:17-19, Jesus prays for His disciples' sanctification, asking that they be made pure and holy through God's Word. Sanctification, the process of being set apart for God's purposes, is a lifelong transformation powered by God's truth through the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:13). God's word is truth (John 17:17) and it is given to make us pure and holy. As believers apply God's Word in their lives through obedience, God's Spirit is at work to transform and shape them to be more like Jesus Christ – “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Jesus also speaks of His own sanctification in John 17:19, showing how He set Himself apart for the work of the cross to fulfil God's redemptive plan – “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!” (Phi. 2:8). His perfect obedience and sacrifice not only secured our salvation but also serves as a model for our own sanctification (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
Finally, Jesus sends His followers into the world to make a difference for those we meet and show them how they can be different from the world (Matt. 28:19-20). As believers, we are called to be set apart for God's purposes and sent into the world as His witnesses (Acts 1:8), to carry the gospel message to a world in need of redemption, just as Jesus was sent by the Father to reveal God's love and truth (John 20:21). Our mission is God-led, God-inspired, and God-willed. We are His, and our mission is His (2 Cor. 5:20).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
God’s Word is truth, given to make us pure and holy through the Holy Spirit. When we open our hearts and obey His Word, the Spirit transforms us to be more like Jesus Christ. Just as God sent Jesus to make us His children, He sends us into the world to continue His mission, showing others how to live apart from worldly ways.
PRAYER: Holy God, my loving Father, I thank You for the sanctifying power of Your Word. Help me to continually be transformed by Your truth, becoming more like Jesus Christ each day. As You have sent me into the world to witness Your love and grace, empower me to fulfil Your mission with purity, boldness, and compassion. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: SANCTIFY
The word "sanctify" (hagiazō in Greek) means to make holy, set apart, or purify. It refers to a spiritual transformation process where believers conform to God's will and purposes.
Jesus is praying for His disciples to be sanctified through God's truth, His Word. This prayer emphasises that sanctification is a continuous process driven by divine truth, making believers more Christlike and prepared for their mission in the world.
This phrase underscores that sanctification is both an act of God and a responsibility of believers. Through the Word, the Holy Spirit transforms us to reflect God’s character and prepares us to fulfil our calling. Sanctification isn’t just about moral purity but also about being equipped for God’s mission.
Reflections:
How does knowing that God's Word sanctifies you shape your approach to scripture? Are you allowing His truth to transform you daily and guide your mission in the world?
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