TOPIC: Self-Cleansing

MEMORY VERSE: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 10:19-23 (KJV) 

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God’s desire is that His. people will be clean outwardly and inwardly (Zechariah 3:4). He loves those whose hearts and lives are perfect towards Him and has made adequate provision for their all-round cleansing (Hebrews 10:22). In Psalm 51:7 David prayed for God’s cleansing. We also have a crucial role to play in this matter. Therefore, we need to examine the issue of self-cleansing carefully.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. WHAT IS SELF-CLEANSING?
2. HOW CAN A MAN CLEANSE HIMSELF?

1. WHAT IS SELF-CLEANSING?

Self-cleansing is a conscious and decisive effort put in by man to purge himself of all filthiness (2 Corinthians 7:1) to become whole and acceptable to God, through the help of the Holy Spirit. It involves the thorough sanitation of a life whose filth has been revealed through the mirror of God’s word (Isaiah 6:5). It is a renewal of one’s mind (Romans 12:2). It is putting away evil deeds (Isaiah 1:16), the wickedness of the heart and impure thoughts (Jeremiah 4:14). It is giving no room for sin in one’s life (Romans 6:12-13). It is putting off the old man with his deeds (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9) and putting on the new man in all righteousness after the image of Christ (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).

Self-cleansing makes us honourable and useful vessels – 2 Timothy 2:21. It is essential for those that have the hope of eternal life with Jesus – 1 John 3:3. It provides a platform to appear before God blameless and to obtain answers to prayers – Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 4:6.

2. HOW CAN A MAN CLEANSE HIMSELF?

It is absolutely true that we are purged and cleansed through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:14,22). However, the Bible raises a fundamental question in Psalm 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

“The Bible also provides the answer, “…by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Having identified the grey areas in your life, take heed’ to necessary adjustments and make changes to show that you fear God. Lay aside weights and besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1). Steer clear of the appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Wash thoroughly in the water of God’s word Ephesians 5:26; Ezekiel 36:25; Hebrews 10:22). Mortify (crush, degrade, kill) the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5, 8-9) with the help of the Holy Spirit and draw near to God (James 4:8).

CONCLUSION: If you are indeed in Christ and His Spirit is in you, self-cleansing will not be an uphill task.

QUESTIONS:

1. In your own words, describe self-cleansing.
2. Is self-cleansing possible? How?

Monday: 2 Timothy 2:21 (KJV) – If a man, therefore, purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Tuesday: Hebrews 4:6 (KJV) – Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Wednesday: Isaiah 1:16 (KJV) – Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Thursday: Revelation 7:14 (KJV) – And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Friday: Malachi 3:3 (KJV) – And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Saturday: Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) – Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Sunday: 1 John 3:3 (KJV) – And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

ASSIGNMENT: List five (5) things that can make a child of God unclean (2×5=10 Marks).

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?