Sanctify the Lord in your Heart
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town. August 2015
The benefits of sanctification that helps us to be witnesses for Jesus.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

I was always curios as to what that meant. The word “sanctify” is closely related to holy – Hagios – a friend of ours called her family home hagios house. Look at the definition for sanctification.
Sanctify G37 hagiazo?
Thayer Definition:
1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
2a) consecrate things to God
2b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
3a) to cleanse externally
3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G40
Citing in TDNT: 1:111, 14

“Expiation” means: the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement.
\”an act of public expiation\” It also carries the meaning of “redemption and atonement”.

Benefits of sanctification Include:
God is in your heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to pour out God’s love in your heart

You are ready to answer people that ask you about your hope. That same Holy Spirit leads and guides you into all truth and supplies the faith and boldness required to be a witness for Jesus in every sphere of life.

Your Strength is under His inward control. When you are meek, a fruit of the Spirit, it allows God to steer your strengths in His direction, like the horse that draws the King’s carriage.

The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro_1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro_3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
Pro_8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Pro_9:10 \”The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Pro_10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Pro_14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.
Pro_14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Pro_15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.
Pro_15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Pro_16:6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
Pro_19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
Pro_22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
Pro_23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
Pro_24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;
Pro_29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

IN the Book of Acts none of the people dared to join them because they feared God and the Lord added to them daily those that are being saved.
Act 5:11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Act 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon\’s Porch.
Act 5:13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

The Wealth of the Wicked is laid up for the just
Isa 23:18 Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.
Pro 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children\’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Ways to sanctify the Lord in your Heart:

Make melody in your heart to the Lord
Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Eph 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Meditate on the things of God and His peace will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
Psa 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Psa 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psa 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Keep God’s Word in your Heart
Psa 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.
Psa 119:23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Psa 119:24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counsellors.

Let the Holy Spirit pour out God’s Love in your heart
Rom 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Abide in Him and He will Abide in You
Joh 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Joh 15:5 \”I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

It is a wonderful two way street when it comes to sanctification. You decide to sanctify or set apart your life, your home, your business for God and He does the sanctifying part! The Good news is that the hOly Spirit is already at work within you and when you pay just a little attention to His work the sanctification process is magnified! Awesome plan God! Thank You Jesus.