"Sanctified in Christ Jesus" 1COR. 1:2
I. We are sanctified by God the Father in perfect council, from before the foundation of the world.
We are sanctified in perfect council, by God the Father, before the foundation of the world. Hence Jude says, "Sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Christ Jesus, and called." And upon this ground the Holy Ghost says, "Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling." How? "Not according to our works." How then? "But according to his own purpose and grace, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."...
II. Sanctified by the bloodshedding of the Redeemer. I know not what term to give it, but I will call it meritorious sanctification, by the blood of Christ.
He sanctified them meritoriously. He magnified the law and made it honourable. Some talk about a chance of being saved. In this day there is a great deal of talk about Jesus Christ, and giving all a chance. But our blessed Lord Christ, in his finished work, only bore the church's sins in his own body on the tree. He was made sin for them, not practically, but by solemn transfer. When he stood as our Surety at the bar of Pilate, and when upon the cross, all the sins of the church were laid upon him. All the sins of all whom God would save were transferred to Christ. They were brought before him as a debt, and he has discharged that debt, and has a receipt in full, that justice is satisfied, the law magnified and made honourable, God well pleased, and the whole elect saved in himself with an everlasting salvation. I tell you what; a conditional salvation will not do for me. That Christ has done his part and I must do mine will not do; for in everything I do I find sin working m some corner or other...
III. Manifestive sanctification, by the communication and operation of God the Holy Ghost.
They are manifestively sanctified by the communication and operations of God the Holy Ghost. Hence, our Lord says, "He shall take of mine and show them unto you. When he is come he shall reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not in me."...
...When the Lord gives life, we begin to feel ; when he gives light, we begin to see; and as soon as we feel and see we feel our pollution, our wretchedness, our misery; and we conclude, instead of being a sanctified vessel, we feel we are truly wretched. But I tell you that you are a child of God, I know you won't believe me, nor do I wish you to do without a better evidence than mine; but God will make you by and by, and you will bless him for having been made so wretched...
...And I tell you what, there never will be, there never can be, a particle of creature work or merit in sanctification. Nothing will do but the finished work of Christ. The hope must go of any betterness in self before we have any manifestive hope in Christ. When the Lord is pleased to bring manifestive sanctification into your conscience,you will know something of being sanctified in Christ Jesus and that there is no holiness but in and from him...
Preached in Gower Street Chapel, London, on Lord's Day Morning, May 9th, 1841.
Sanctification In Christ. Gadsyb's Sermons. Gospel Standard Trust Publications. 7 Brackendale Grove. Harpenden, Herts AL5 3EL. England. Pages 241-246.