Consecration
Consecration
INTRODUCTION The word "consecration" is an Old Testament word meaning to devote, separate, dedicate or set apart for the service or glory of God. The word occurs twice in the New Testament, Hebrews 7:28 and Hebrews 10:20.
Hebrews 7:28, "... maketh the Son (Jesus), who is consecrated for evermore." Hebrews 10:20, "By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil. "
Consecration does not mean conversion or a state of sinless perfection.
Consecration is not necessarily a sudden impulse or emotion developed in excitement. Consecration is simply the soul trusting wholly in Jesus--no holding back in reserve.
It is giving ourselves up to Christ forever as bought with a price-no longer my own.
It is not necessarily volunteering for full time service, though that might develop.
1 Chronicles 29:5, "... who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? "
Service is definitely one aspect of consecration. Basically, it should be worship.
"Who is willing? "-God presents an opportunity to use to offer ourselves to Him.
God will never cross the threshold of human responsibility.
"Willing to consecrate "-consecration is an act of the will. I must make a decision. Consecration is abdicating the rulership of our lives in favour of King Jesus. The "I" yields to the authority of Christ as Master. Who is boss in your life? My personal consecration came as a result of four sermons on the four surrenders of Abraham:
To leave country and kindred, Genesis 12:1.
Separation from Lot, Genesis 13:9.
Cast out Hagar and Ishmael, Genesis 21:10.
Offering of Isaac, Genesis 22:1-24.
WHAT IS CONSECRATION?
Consecration involves two acts:
Yielding my will to God-the presentation of myself to Christ for His glory.
Consecration is the act of God when He accepts the sacrifice that I make.
The priests did not consecrate themselves. Aaron and his sons merely yielded. Consecration involves devoting myself to God (Micah 4:13); it involves separation unto God (Numbers 6:12); it involves filling (Exodus 29:33)--be filled with the Spirit; it also involves being set apart for God’s service (Exodus 28:3).
WHO CAN BE CONSECRATED?
Those that are cleansed by the blood of Christ may be eligible for consecration.
Those who are members of God’s family are invited to consecrate themselves.
Consecration is not exclusive to the great, mighty or talented, but open to every believer. Paul says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies. . ." Romans 12:1.
THE APPEAL TO CONSECRATION-Romans 12:1, "By the mercies of God." We are not commanded to come by force or authority but by His mercies.
Our consecration is not prompted by fear, but by love and mercy.
Some of God’s mercies: justification, identification, sanctification, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, no condemnation, daily help, heaven after death, health, friends, church.
THE ACT OF CONSECRATION-
Romans 12:1, "present your bodies."
It is voluntary. Paul makes a beseeching, pleading call or invitation.
It is like giving a present. We are not forced to do it.
It is personal, "Your bodies, "-This means our lives, everything that we have.
It is sacrificial, "a living sacrifice." It is putting our lives on the altar, as Abraham presented Isaac.
This presentation of ourselves to God surely delights the heart of our Father. The earthly father is hurt if the child reluctantly draws back from him. The child accepts the father’s protection, food and clothes, but the father also desires the child’s intimate fellowship.
believe this act is a supreme act of worship. Genesis 22:5, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. "
THE ARGUMENT FOR CONSECRATION-
Romans 12:1, "Reasonable service." If we have been truly redeemed, then it is only reasonable that we give Him our puny service.
Intelligent Christianity lends itself to service, gladly and unreservedly.
Billy Sunday said, "God’s service is not unreasonable. It is the only sensible thing to do." If we consider it for a moment, there can be no other conclusion.
Maybe we say that it is too hard. It was hard for the Father to part with the Son.
It was hard for Abraham to offer Isaac. The life of Joseph was hard. It was hard for Moses to leave the comforts of Pharaoh’s palace. It was hard for Job to lose all. It was hard for Paul to witness at Rome and Ephesus, but it was the will of God, and they accepted it.
VI WHAT AM I TO C ON SECRATE? –
Romans 12:1, "Your bodies."
My body must be given to Him to use as He desires, whereby He may get more glory.
Our bodies are not our own. They have been redeemed by Christ with His blood
Give Him our physical strength.
Praise God for health and use it for Him.
Give Him our feet to run errands of mercy-to take the Gospel to someone.
Give Him our hands to do works of benevolence and lift the fallen.
Give Him our eyes to seek out the needy and the perishing.
Give Him our ears to hear the cry of the distressed and seek them for Him.
Give Him my time. He must govern the use of my time. Let Him arrange the program. Interruptions then will come from Him. My study time, my work time, my play time, must be counted as sacred. Let Him guide you moment by moment in this matter.
Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5, "redeeming the time."
Give Him my talents. Whether I have one or two or five or ten talents, let them all be for HIM.
Ability to speak, to preach, to teach, to minister the Word of God
Ability to sing, play an instrument, lead a choir or orchestra for His Glory.
Ability to write books, poems, articles, Christian stories. Write for HIM.
Ability to pray, to be an intercessor, a prayer warrior. One of the greatest talents.
Ability of leadership and organization. This is much needed in the church today.
Ability to be a good follower, to assist others, to carry out programs.
Ability as manifested in my vocation: nurse, teacher, electrician; shopkeeper.
Give Him my possessions.
We gladly present to Him our gold, silver, all that we possess. Not only give Him the tithe but give Him everything.
Give Him my heart. This is what He wants more than anything else.
The heart is symbolical of the inner man, the real self.
1 Corinthians 8:5, "... but first gave their own selves to the Lord. . ." Consecration means giving everything that I have to the Lord, but giving myself first.
THE RESULTS OF CON SECRATION -Romans 12:2
A life that is not conformed to this world. It is not a worldly, selfish life.
A life that is transformed by the renewed mind. The renewed man thinks as God thinks, with eternity and eternal values in view.
A life lived harmoniously in the will of God-happily following His plan for me.
A life that is acceptable. God’s will is never obnoxious. This life will surely be acceptable both by God and by man.
A life that is good. It will be beneficial. Never fear the consequences of consecration. Men and women will rise up and call you blessed because you obeyed God.
A life that is happy, joyous, victorious, because it was lived in the perfect will of God, the One who created me and redeemed me with His precious Blood.
CONCLUSION Consecration is a process. It is daily, and moment by moment yielding in the daily crisis. The daily renewal of our consecration is not by the flesh but by the indwelling Spirit as a supreme act of worship. Even now, consecrate your all to the Saviour.
Caution: Never take it back. A gift is given to be reclaimed no more.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What do we learn about consecration from 1 Chronicles 29:5?
What is the basic purpose of consecration?
Name the two acts involved in consecration.
Who is eligible to make an acceptable consecration?
What is the New Testament appeal to consecration based on?
What 3 things do we learn about consecration from Romans 12:1?
If consecration is difficult does that mean that it is unreasonable?
Why?
How does God propose to use the consecrated bodies of saints?
List some things that might be included under the general topic of presenting our bodies to Him?
Name 5 results of consecration.