Consecrated - Message 1
We have spend a great deal of time and effort to learn about two basic Christian experiences:
1. Salvation – the moment in time when God offered to change your nature from sinner to SAVED!
2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – the moment in timed when God offered to fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit!
Both of these experiences are the result of God intervening in your life and giving you a gift that you did not earn and cannot repay!
But, there is a third basic Christian experience that we need to encounter:
3. Consecration – the moment in time when you offer your life fully back to God as an expression of gratitude to Him!
Consecration is what Paul writes about in Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Paul – urges the believers – because of the mercy they have received… SALVATION and the BAPTISM OF THE Holy Spirit – to respond to God by offering… your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…”
The word ‘HOLY’ – hagios – literally that which is set-apart as special for a higher purpose! When we consecrate – or make holy – our lives – we are setting our lives apart from the ordinary way of living and beginning to live for a higher purpose!
The Lord is saying to us: “I have called you out of your sin, and out of this broken world – and I’ve brought you into my family, forgiven and freed – heaven is guaranteed – I’ve given you the power to live as overcomers – the power to have victory over the flesh, over your soulish nature and over Satan – therefore – dedicate yourself to Me – live to bring me glory! Be holy!”
Romans 12:2 tells us what the result of living consecrated to the Lord is:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
As we yield self-will to His will - we will – personally experience – the goodness of God’s will! His plans will be lived out in our lives and we will say: “Yes! This is exactly what I wanted – even though I didn’t know it!”
Consecration is allowing the same Christ who Saved you and who Sent His Holy Spirit into your Spirit to become LORD and KING over our lives!
TURN TO 1 CHRONICLES 29:
In 1 Chronicles 29 – David is approaching the end of his life. God has revealed that David’s son, Solomon, will be the next King of Israel and will be given the task to build the Temple of God in Jerusalem. He makes a public pledge to give amazing amounts of his personal wealth to the building of the Temple and then David appeals to the people of Israel, and says…
“Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?” 1 Chronicles 29:5
Notice the word: “Willing” – Willingness is the result of a decision in your soul. Will you, David ask, make a choice – make a decision – to consecrate yourself to the LORD?
And we read in verses 6-8 their decision:
“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave towards the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.” 1 Chronicles 29:6-8
We see here a willing giving of self, to the work of the Lord! They didn’t hesitate… “in view of God’s mercy…” – they had experienced the mercy of God – and they realized that in the giving of themselves that they had nothing to lose!
Again, martyred missionary Jim Elliot’s famous quote fits: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!”
Now, look at verse 9:
“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” 1 Chronicles 29:9
“The people rejoiced…”
This illustrates a very important principle: JOY always follows consecration!
There is something about participating in something far larger than self, that brings joy! These people saw the godly leadership of their nation – and their willingness to give – to serve – to sacrifice for the greater good – and they couldn’t help rejoice!
“for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. “
And the second principle that I want you to see in verse 9 is this: Consecration will heal your broken heart!
Notice – they gave freely and “wholeheartedly” to the Lord! The consecrated person is wholehearted! They are not headed in two directions at the same time! Their heart is whole because it is focused! They are living with a singular vision: My life matters – My life counts – My life belongs to God!
If there is brokenness and confusion: Consecrate your life to Christ! He will heal your heart!
God promises you this:
“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead,” Ezekiel 11:19 NLT
Now – skip down to verse 14 – for I want you to see the source of consecration. Where does the ability to be consecrated come from?
The Source
David says to the Lord:
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
“Everything comes from you…” Even the ability to consecrate yourself to Christ – comes as a gift from Christ! He provides for every need – even the need to follow! He is a far better leader than we are followers – so place your trust in His ability to lead!
Just as we received salvation as a gift – once for all time and yet, we must walk in our salvation daily – and just as we received the Holy Spirit as a gift – once for all time, and yet, we must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us on daily basis – in the same way – we must make an initial act of consecration and then walk daily in it!
Yet, we realize in our lives that even though we earnestly desire to be consecrated to the Lord, there are parts of us that aren’t in full agreement with that desire. That’s why Jesus said …
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Self- refers to the old nature – and it doesn’t want to die. Self wants to rule. But for the Christian – we know that when self rules, trouble follows! So Jesus teaches us to deny the old nature, kill it off – daily – and follow Him!
And the longer we do this – the longer we deny the old nature it’s ways, and the more we allow Christ to lead us, transform us and mature us – the more consecrated our lives will become!
So what is consecration?
• Consecration is choosing to walk with Jesus daily.
This is what Jesus means when He says:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Now, we know that Jesus has promised to be with us – every day of our life. And that promise is inviolate. He keeps His word.
However ---
The unconsecrated believer says: “This is where I’m going and this is what I’m doing – please come with me!”
While the consecrated believer says: “Lord, where would you have me go and what would you have me do today?”
How do I live consecrated to Christ? How do I learn how to do it?
One of the best ways to learn how to live consecrated to Christ is to grow in your understanding of the difference between soul, spirit and body.
• The Spirit of man is the innermost part of us which was created to have fellowship with God.
o It was dead in sin, but came alive when we became Christians.
o It is the home of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
o It is designed by God to rule over our soul and body.
o Your spirit is the most important part of you.
• The Soul of man is the part of man that has ruled ever since our fall into sin.
o It is comprised of three parts: Intellect, will and emotions.
o For the Christian, the soul is being transformed from evil to good.
o A soul yielded to God is wonderful – one that is not is a serious blockage to spiritual growth!
o As your soul is cleaned up by God – you are being ‘sanctified’
o The soul is a battleground!
• The Body of man is the area of the five senses: taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing.
o The body is where the soul and the spirit live.
o For the Christian, the body becomes the ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’
Now – here’s where it gets interesting: Your spirit in union with the Holy Spirit is supposed to be the CAPTAIN of your soul – and the submitted soul is supposed to direct your body.
I want you to look at the front of your bulletin – the picture of the ship.
• Where is says: CAPTAIN – I want you to write: “Spirit” – Now – what does a CAPTAIN do? He is the supreme authority over the Crew and the Ship!
• Where is says: CREW – I want you to write: “Soul” – The Mind, Emotions and Will, submitted to the SPIRIT (Captain) directs the affairs of the SHIP.
• Where is says: SHIP – I want you to write: “Body” – The Body, under the leadership of the Soul, following the commands of the Spirit – enables the person to get to the intended destination!
God’s plan for your life is to restore ORDER. Because of SIN – there is chaos on board. And the SHIP of your life is headed anywhere but to safe harbors!
To keep your life in order – to live truly consecrated to Christ – you need to know the difference between SOUL and SPIRIT!
Check out Hebrews 4:12…
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
When God speaks – He reveals the difference from SOULISH living and true SPIRITUAL life!
Why does the word of God reveal this difference?
• Because the soul is still a mixture of good and bad!
• The Bible never tells us to ‘walk in the soul’ or ‘live in the power of the soul’
• But it does say – over and over again: ‘Walk in the Spirit!” “Live in the Spirit” “Pray in the Spirit!” “sing in the Spirit” “Be filled with the Spirit!”
And only as we learn to walk in the spirit, with our souls in a place of submission the God’s Spirit, can our souls be cleansed, healed, restored and used to His glory!
Next week we are going to look closely at how the Holy Spirit can transformed a submitted soul. But for today – it is enough to say – that as we desire to live consecrated lives to the Lord, than we are in need of an extreme makeover – in how we think, in how we respond emotionally, and in the choices we make!
CONCLUSION:
• God restores us to Himself through the gift of Salvation.
• God fills us with Himself through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• God glorifies Himself through the gift of consecration.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Let’s decide today to be holy unto the Lord!
• Who here would desire to live a life of worship unto the Lord?
• Who here today would desire to allow the Lord to change you so that your life – sacrificed to Him – will bring Him the glory He deserves?
1. Salvation – the moment in time when God offered to change your nature from sinner to SAVED!
2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – the moment in timed when God offered to fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit!
Both of these experiences are the result of God intervening in your life and giving you a gift that you did not earn and cannot repay!
But, there is a third basic Christian experience that we need to encounter:
3. Consecration – the moment in time when you offer your life fully back to God as an expression of gratitude to Him!
Consecration is what Paul writes about in Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Paul – urges the believers – because of the mercy they have received… SALVATION and the BAPTISM OF THE Holy Spirit – to respond to God by offering… your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…”
The word ‘HOLY’ – hagios – literally that which is set-apart as special for a higher purpose! When we consecrate – or make holy – our lives – we are setting our lives apart from the ordinary way of living and beginning to live for a higher purpose!
The Lord is saying to us: “I have called you out of your sin, and out of this broken world – and I’ve brought you into my family, forgiven and freed – heaven is guaranteed – I’ve given you the power to live as overcomers – the power to have victory over the flesh, over your soulish nature and over Satan – therefore – dedicate yourself to Me – live to bring me glory! Be holy!”
Romans 12:2 tells us what the result of living consecrated to the Lord is:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
As we yield self-will to His will - we will – personally experience – the goodness of God’s will! His plans will be lived out in our lives and we will say: “Yes! This is exactly what I wanted – even though I didn’t know it!”
Consecration is allowing the same Christ who Saved you and who Sent His Holy Spirit into your Spirit to become LORD and KING over our lives!
TURN TO 1 CHRONICLES 29:
In 1 Chronicles 29 – David is approaching the end of his life. God has revealed that David’s son, Solomon, will be the next King of Israel and will be given the task to build the Temple of God in Jerusalem. He makes a public pledge to give amazing amounts of his personal wealth to the building of the Temple and then David appeals to the people of Israel, and says…
“Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?” 1 Chronicles 29:5
Notice the word: “Willing” – Willingness is the result of a decision in your soul. Will you, David ask, make a choice – make a decision – to consecrate yourself to the LORD?
And we read in verses 6-8 their decision:
“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave towards the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.” 1 Chronicles 29:6-8
We see here a willing giving of self, to the work of the Lord! They didn’t hesitate… “in view of God’s mercy…” – they had experienced the mercy of God – and they realized that in the giving of themselves that they had nothing to lose!
Again, martyred missionary Jim Elliot’s famous quote fits: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!”
Now, look at verse 9:
“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” 1 Chronicles 29:9
“The people rejoiced…”
This illustrates a very important principle: JOY always follows consecration!
There is something about participating in something far larger than self, that brings joy! These people saw the godly leadership of their nation – and their willingness to give – to serve – to sacrifice for the greater good – and they couldn’t help rejoice!
“for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. “
And the second principle that I want you to see in verse 9 is this: Consecration will heal your broken heart!
Notice – they gave freely and “wholeheartedly” to the Lord! The consecrated person is wholehearted! They are not headed in two directions at the same time! Their heart is whole because it is focused! They are living with a singular vision: My life matters – My life counts – My life belongs to God!
If there is brokenness and confusion: Consecrate your life to Christ! He will heal your heart!
God promises you this:
“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead,” Ezekiel 11:19 NLT
Now – skip down to verse 14 – for I want you to see the source of consecration. Where does the ability to be consecrated come from?
The Source
David says to the Lord:
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
“Everything comes from you…” Even the ability to consecrate yourself to Christ – comes as a gift from Christ! He provides for every need – even the need to follow! He is a far better leader than we are followers – so place your trust in His ability to lead!
Just as we received salvation as a gift – once for all time and yet, we must walk in our salvation daily – and just as we received the Holy Spirit as a gift – once for all time, and yet, we must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us on daily basis – in the same way – we must make an initial act of consecration and then walk daily in it!
Yet, we realize in our lives that even though we earnestly desire to be consecrated to the Lord, there are parts of us that aren’t in full agreement with that desire. That’s why Jesus said …
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Self- refers to the old nature – and it doesn’t want to die. Self wants to rule. But for the Christian – we know that when self rules, trouble follows! So Jesus teaches us to deny the old nature, kill it off – daily – and follow Him!
And the longer we do this – the longer we deny the old nature it’s ways, and the more we allow Christ to lead us, transform us and mature us – the more consecrated our lives will become!
So what is consecration?
• Consecration is choosing to walk with Jesus daily.
This is what Jesus means when He says:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Now, we know that Jesus has promised to be with us – every day of our life. And that promise is inviolate. He keeps His word.
However ---
The unconsecrated believer says: “This is where I’m going and this is what I’m doing – please come with me!”
While the consecrated believer says: “Lord, where would you have me go and what would you have me do today?”
How do I live consecrated to Christ? How do I learn how to do it?
One of the best ways to learn how to live consecrated to Christ is to grow in your understanding of the difference between soul, spirit and body.
• The Spirit of man is the innermost part of us which was created to have fellowship with God.
o It was dead in sin, but came alive when we became Christians.
o It is the home of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
o It is designed by God to rule over our soul and body.
o Your spirit is the most important part of you.
• The Soul of man is the part of man that has ruled ever since our fall into sin.
o It is comprised of three parts: Intellect, will and emotions.
o For the Christian, the soul is being transformed from evil to good.
o A soul yielded to God is wonderful – one that is not is a serious blockage to spiritual growth!
o As your soul is cleaned up by God – you are being ‘sanctified’
o The soul is a battleground!
• The Body of man is the area of the five senses: taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing.
o The body is where the soul and the spirit live.
o For the Christian, the body becomes the ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’
Now – here’s where it gets interesting: Your spirit in union with the Holy Spirit is supposed to be the CAPTAIN of your soul – and the submitted soul is supposed to direct your body.
I want you to look at the front of your bulletin – the picture of the ship.
• Where is says: CAPTAIN – I want you to write: “Spirit” – Now – what does a CAPTAIN do? He is the supreme authority over the Crew and the Ship!
• Where is says: CREW – I want you to write: “Soul” – The Mind, Emotions and Will, submitted to the SPIRIT (Captain) directs the affairs of the SHIP.
• Where is says: SHIP – I want you to write: “Body” – The Body, under the leadership of the Soul, following the commands of the Spirit – enables the person to get to the intended destination!
God’s plan for your life is to restore ORDER. Because of SIN – there is chaos on board. And the SHIP of your life is headed anywhere but to safe harbors!
To keep your life in order – to live truly consecrated to Christ – you need to know the difference between SOUL and SPIRIT!
Check out Hebrews 4:12…
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
When God speaks – He reveals the difference from SOULISH living and true SPIRITUAL life!
Why does the word of God reveal this difference?
• Because the soul is still a mixture of good and bad!
• The Bible never tells us to ‘walk in the soul’ or ‘live in the power of the soul’
• But it does say – over and over again: ‘Walk in the Spirit!” “Live in the Spirit” “Pray in the Spirit!” “sing in the Spirit” “Be filled with the Spirit!”
And only as we learn to walk in the spirit, with our souls in a place of submission the God’s Spirit, can our souls be cleansed, healed, restored and used to His glory!
Next week we are going to look closely at how the Holy Spirit can transformed a submitted soul. But for today – it is enough to say – that as we desire to live consecrated lives to the Lord, than we are in need of an extreme makeover – in how we think, in how we respond emotionally, and in the choices we make!
CONCLUSION:
• God restores us to Himself through the gift of Salvation.
• God fills us with Himself through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• God glorifies Himself through the gift of consecration.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Let’s decide today to be holy unto the Lord!
• Who here would desire to live a life of worship unto the Lord?
• Who here today would desire to allow the Lord to change you so that your life – sacrificed to Him – will bring Him the glory He deserves?
posted by Doug Love at 8:31 AM
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