Consecration: A Loving Commitment to God

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of consecration, a term that may seem foreign outside of religious contexts but holds significant spiritual weight. Consecration is about setting ourselves apart for a holy purpose, aligning our lives with God's will. It's not merely about abstaining from certain actions or behaviors but is an act of love and devotion towards God. This act of consecration is akin to the covenant of marriage, where both parties commit wholly to one another. Just as in marriage, where the focus is on giving all of oneself to the other, consecration involves offering our full attention and devotion to God.

We delved into Joshua 3, where the Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves because God was about to do amazing things among them. This call to consecration is not about fear or guilt but about preparing our hearts to witness and participate in God's work. It's about removing distractions and hindrances that prevent us from fully engaging with God. In the same way, a healthy marriage requires intentional focus and the removal of barriers that hinder intimacy, our relationship with God demands the same dedication.

The analogy of marriage was used to illustrate the depth of commitment and love required in our relationship with God. Just as a marriage thrives on mutual devotion and the willingness to put aside personal distractions, our spiritual lives flourish when we prioritize our relationship with God above all else. This consecration is not a burdensome obligation but an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and presence.

As we continue in this season of consecration, let us embrace it as an opportunity to renew our commitment to God, seeking His presence with a heart full of love and devotion. May we be reminded that our relationship with God is not about the tasks we perform but about the love and attention we give to Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consecration as an Act of Love: Consecration is not about fear or guilt but an act of love and devotion towards God. It involves setting ourselves apart for His purposes and aligning our lives with His will. This act is akin to the covenant of marriage, where both parties commit wholly to one another. [51:03]

2. Removing Hindrances: Just as a healthy marriage requires removing barriers that hinder intimacy, our relationship with God demands the same dedication. We must identify and remove distractions that prevent us from fully engaging with God, allowing us to experience His presence more deeply. [01:11:44]

3. The Power of Covenant: The covenant relationship with God is about giving all of ourselves in return for all of Him. This commitment is not based on fear but on love and trust, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. [01:02:12]

4. Intentional Focus: Our spiritual lives flourish when we prioritize our relationship with God above all else. This requires intentional focus and the willingness to put aside personal distractions, much like the dedication required in a thriving marriage. [01:16:17]

5. Invitation to Fullness: Consecration is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and presence. It's not about the tasks we perform but about the love and attention we give to Him, allowing us to witness and participate in His amazing works. [01:30:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [46:08] - Gratitude for Prayers
- [46:51] - Time for a Funeral
- [48:50] - The Bible and God's Presence
- [49:27] - Aligning with God's Will
- [51:03] - Understanding Consecration
- [52:07] - Joshua 3: Context and Meaning
- [53:20] - God's Presence in the Old Testament
- [55:01] - Following God's Lead
- [56:14] - Consecration Misunderstood
- [58:13] - Marriage as a Covenant
- [59:54] - Consecration as Love
- [01:02:12] - The New Covenant
- [01:10:56] - Throwing Off Hindrances
- [01:30:15] - Invitation to Consecration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Consecration and Commitment

Bible Reading:
- Joshua 3:1-5
- Hebrews 12:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. In Joshua 3:5, what specific instruction does Joshua give to the Israelites, and what is the reason for this instruction? [52:07]

2. How does the sermon describe the concept of consecration in relation to the covenant of marriage? [58:13]

3. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do in order to run the race set before them?

4. What analogy is used in the sermon to explain the depth of commitment required in our relationship with God? [59:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of consecration, as described in Joshua 3:5, prepare the Israelites for witnessing God's work? What might this imply for believers today? [52:07]

2. The sermon compares consecration to a marriage covenant. How does this comparison help us understand the nature of our commitment to God? [58:13]

3. Hebrews 12:1-2 speaks about "throwing off everything that hinders." What might be some modern-day hindrances that believers need to address in their spiritual lives?

4. The sermon mentions that consecration is not about fear or guilt but an act of love. How does this perspective change the way we approach our relationship with God? [58:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there any distractions or hindrances that you need to remove to fully engage with God? How can you address these this week? [01:11:44]

2. The sermon uses marriage as an analogy for our relationship with God. In what ways can you renew your commitment to God, similar to how one might renew their commitment in a marriage? [59:54]

3. Consecration is described as an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love. What practical steps can you take to embrace this invitation in your daily life? [01:30:15]

4. Consider the concept of "intentional focus" mentioned in the sermon. What specific actions can you take to prioritize your relationship with God above other commitments? [01:16:17]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of love and attention in our relationship with God. How can you demonstrate this love and attention in your spiritual practices this week? [01:05:22]

6. Reflect on Hebrews 12:1-2. What is one specific "weight" or "sin" that you feel called to lay aside in order to run your spiritual race more effectively?

7. The sermon encourages believers to see consecration as an act of love. How can you shift your mindset from viewing spiritual disciplines as obligations to seeing them as expressions of love for God? [58:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Consecration as a Covenant of Love
Consecration is not about fear or guilt but an act of love and devotion towards God. It involves setting ourselves apart for His purposes and aligning our lives with His will. This act is akin to the covenant of marriage, where both parties commit wholly to one another. In this sacred relationship, the focus is on giving all of oneself to God, just as in marriage, where the commitment is mutual and complete. Consecration is a profound expression of love, where we willingly choose to dedicate our lives to God, seeking to fulfill His purposes and experience His presence in our lives. [51:03]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life can you set apart for God today as an act of love and devotion?


Day 2: Removing Barriers to Intimacy with God
Just as a healthy marriage requires removing barriers that hinder intimacy, our relationship with God demands the same dedication. We must identify and remove distractions that prevent us from fully engaging with God, allowing us to experience His presence more deeply. This involves a conscious effort to eliminate anything that stands in the way of our spiritual growth and connection with God. By doing so, we create space for God to work in our lives and draw us closer to Him. [01:11:44]

"Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction or hindrance in your life that you can remove today to deepen your intimacy with God?


Day 3: The Power of Covenant Commitment
The covenant relationship with God is about giving all of ourselves in return for all of Him. This commitment is not based on fear but on love and trust, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. In this covenant, we find security and assurance, as God promises to be with us and guide us through every season of life. Our response to this covenant is to live in a way that honors God, trusting in His faithfulness and love. [01:02:12]

"And I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me." (Jeremiah 32:40, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your commitment to God today, trusting in His everlasting covenant with you?


Day 4: Intentional Focus on God
Our spiritual lives flourish when we prioritize our relationship with God above all else. This requires intentional focus and the willingness to put aside personal distractions, much like the dedication required in a thriving marriage. By intentionally focusing on God, we open ourselves to His guidance and presence, allowing Him to shape our lives according to His will. This focus is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to seek God and align our lives with His purposes. [01:16:17]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to intentionally focus on God and prioritize your relationship with Him?


Day 5: Invitation to Experience God's Fullness
Consecration is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and presence. It's not about the tasks we perform but about the love and attention we give to Him, allowing us to witness and participate in His amazing works. This invitation is a call to deepen our relationship with God, to seek His presence with a heart full of love and devotion. As we embrace this invitation, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and the joy of living in His presence. [01:30:15]

"And you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you respond to God's invitation today to experience His fullness and participate in His amazing works?

Quotes



Consecration is a tricky word. And actually, to let you in on a little bit of a behind the scenes, as pastors, when it came to setting out Consecrate, again, we did it last year. We did it last year. We used to call it prayer and fasting, which it is. But we had a bit of a conversation about whether to still use the word Consecrate because we try not to use overtly churchy words, a bit like you have to come in here and you have to get given a little guide book for what does that word mean, what does that word, you know, that. Consecrate, you don't really hear the word Consecrate very much outside of, let's say, a religious setting, do you? Does anyone? Has anyone heard the word Consecrate this week in any setting other than a church setting? [00:49:52]

So it refers to the act of setting apart a person, object or time for a holy purpose dedicated entirely to God. It is a response, and this is the key, to God's holiness and a commitment to live in alignment with his will. [00:51:03]

Consecration is an act of love that doesn't come out of fear. Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow God is going to do amazing things among you. Oh God, oh no, what's he seen? What does he know? Is there going to be a prophetic word from the front about my hidden sin? What about this? What about that? Does it mean I'm actually going to have to give up my entire toy car collection that no one really knows I have and I'm embarrassed that I'm 67 and still got a toy car collection, or whatever it is? [00:58:18]

What Richard and Francis are celebrating is 50 years of all of me in return for all of you forever. It's a covenant relationship. All of me in return for all of you forever. Now, some people have amazing marriages. Most people work at their marriages. Many people have failed marriages behind them. Like, I know. Just because we screw it up or we've been on the receiving end of something screwing it up, it doesn't make it bad. Marriage is amazing. Partly, I'm married to Nick. It's amazing. There we go. Nick, I love you. You're amazing. I love being married to Nick. I genuinely do. But the reason marriage isn't amazing isn't because of Nick. The reason marriage is amazing is because God designed it, and he doesn't create junk. [00:59:56]

Consecration, it comes as an act of love and devotion towards the other person. I'm going to give you an example as best I can. Keep holding. The reason we went to this Joshua 3 verse 5 is because I want you to, to keep holding that. This is what we're talking about. And the whole thing about marriage is an analogy that I'm trying to show you. [01:00:20]

So if I were to re-consecrate myself to Nick, I'm going to say that, that language, which essentially, well, hang on. You're already married, aren't you? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I am. Well, I'm already with God too, but actually it's good to have that. It's a specific intentional time where you say, no, no, no. I'm bringing myself afresh. I'm bringing myself afresh. I'm coming in. I'm all in, God. I'm all in. Some of us, some of us could do with doing that in our marriages too. [01:00:51]

Covenant is all of me in return for all of you forever. That's what covenant is. That's the deal that God has made with us. The New Testament is the new covenant. Now, for a covenant to be established, there have to be witnesses present and there has to be bloodshed. There has to be bloodshed. I don't know why. That's just the rules of covenant. [01:01:51]

So Jesus shed his blood to establish the covenant where God, I personally think this is nuts looking at some of you, where God says, I want all of you and I'm going to give you all of me. And this goes on forever. And nothing will separate us from the love of God. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor demons, nothing above, nothing below. Literally nothing can separate us. [01:02:12]

If God were only interested in the stuff you do for him, he'd just get himself a home help. What Nick needs from me is a home help. This is my attention. Not because she's needy, but because that's where relationships are forged. You actually need to put your phones down. You actually need to look into each other's eyes. You actually need to hold hands. You actually need to breathe the same air. Spend that time together. Am I talking about marriage or am I talking about God? Yes. [01:04:51]

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And here's the thing about consecration. I think most of you would know that actually when you're married and you're making out with someone down the street that's not your spouse, I think most people would know this is not right. I think that's pretty flaming obvious, right? I think the equivalent would be to be saying, Jesus, I follow you. And then you whip your crystals out and give them a little wave. [01:10:19]

God is inviting us to use the marriage analogy to say, will you just come after me? Some of you, some of you have let bitterness come into your marriage. to your marriage, to the point you don't even want to give yourself physically to the other person anymore. There's a bit of a... I've had a long, many, many conversations around marriage in the past. [01:13:24]

Jesus cannot be based on that I've got a certificate that on the 31st of January I said yes to him that's not what my relationship with him supposed to be about that's not what your relationship supposed to be about sometimes you say to people tell me something about Jesus and they say well in 2001 you're like 2001 what's been happening for the last 24 years what do you love about Nick oh I could tell you a stack of things because having screwed up one marriage I've worked much harder as is Nick at the second one and there's been one thing that we've developed in our marriage and it's like a hyper focus I will not look at any other one at any other person and be interested in them I guard my heart I I've given my heart to Nick and if any of you have ever been through a divorce once is plenty right I feel the same about God God's inviting me and this is what consecration is into hyper focus Chris don't get distracted don't look to your left don't look to your right keep your eyes fixed on me I know you do other things during the day I know you look at other things during the day of course you do straight back in straight back in there are loads there are plenty of beautiful women out there but there's only one Nick and I will never as long as she's alive I will never give my heart or my focus or my affection to another because I've made that decision out of that affection comes the fact I do the bins [01:17:04]

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Transcript
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