Finding Your Way Back To God (Part 3) Series

VI. Relinquish to God the Control of Your Life

CONSECRATION — the act of setting apart, or dedicating, something or someone for God’s use. In the Old Testament, the Temple and its trappings were the most important objects consecrated to God (2 Chr. 7:5–9; Ezra 6:16–17); and Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood (Exodus 29; Leviticus 8). But even such items as the spoils of battle (Josh. 6:19; Mic. 4:13) and cattle could be consecrated (Lev. 27:28). Before the beginning of the priesthood in Israel’s history, the firstborn of men and animals alike were consecrated (Ex. 13:2). But after the priesthood began, the tribe of Levi served as a substitute in this consecration (Num. 3:12).

In the New Testament, the supreme example of consecration is Christ himself (John 17:19; Heb. 7:28; 10:10). But believers are also consecrated by Christ (John 17:17; 1 Pet. 2:9), and are urged to consecrate themselves as well (Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 2:21). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary

• As I have matured in the faith, I have come to understand something that had missed before.

• I had always believed that you read the Word, prayed, went to church, tried to avoid sin, confessed you sin when you failed, etc.

• I still believe all of those things.

• But the Bible presents another step in finding your way back to God.

• It is a consecration to God!

• I had always assumed that this just happened automatically when you did the other public and private duties.

• But the Bible is clear!

• It calls for us to make up our mind in a once and for all decision to follow Christ completely!

A. Consecration in the Old Testament

1. A Choice - An Act of the Will (Judges 5:1)

Judges 5:1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 2 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

2. A Commitment (Ps. 37:5)

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

ILLUS: Pig and chicken looking at a breakfast sign advertising ham and eggs. The pig says to the chicken, “For you that is a donation. For me that is a COMMITMENT!”

3. A Capacity (Ps. 40:6)

Psalm 40:6 (AV) Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

• Lit, you have dug ears for me.

Psalm 40:6 (AMP) Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.

4. A Completeness (Ps. 86:1)

Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

• Unite my heart!

• Give me a single focus!

• Take the parts that have been withheld from You and Your will.

• May my whole being be united in service to You.

B. Consecration in the New Testament

1. By Presenting Ourselves (Rom. 12:1)

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present [aorist] your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. By Yielding Ourselves to God (Rom. 6:13-19)

Romans 6:13-19 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

3. By Mortifying Our Flesh (Col. 3:5; Rom. 6:11)

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.