From Indulgence to Consecration: Embracing Spiritual Renewal

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey from indulgence to consecration, emphasizing the transition from feasting on worldly pleasures to feasting on Jesus. This shift is not merely about abstaining from food but about setting ourselves apart for God, aligning our hearts with His, and preparing for a spiritual revival. As we enter this new year, we are called to consecrate ourselves, to be set apart as living sacrifices, and to seek a deeper relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and worship.

The essence of revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. Revival begins within us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. Jesus exemplified this through His life, demonstrating that His ministry was empowered by His intimate relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We, too, are invited to cultivate this intimacy, to abide in Him, and to bear fruit through His Spirit.

As we consecrate ourselves, we align with the rhythm of heaven, allowing God's presence to permeate our lives. This alignment is crucial for experiencing the supernatural, as consecration precedes the miraculous. We are reminded that our role is not to seek miracles but to seek God Himself, trusting that as we lift Him up, He will draw others to Him.

This week, we are invited to enter a time of consecration, to recalibrate our spiritual lives, and to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, we prepare for the amazing things God will do among us, believing that revival will come as we align our hearts with His. Let us embrace this call to consecration, knowing that on the other side lies renewal, transformation, and the fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consecration as a Living Sacrifice: Consecration involves setting ourselves apart for God, presenting our lives as living sacrifices. This act of dedication aligns us with God's heart and prepares us for His purposes. It is a call to surrender our desires and embrace His will, allowing His Spirit to transform us from within. [01:02:42]

2. Revival Begins Within: Revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. It starts with us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. By cultivating intimacy with God through prayer and fasting, we become vessels of His revival, impacting those around us. [01:01:38]

3. The Power of Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit and experiencing the fullness of His Spirit. As we remain in Him, we are empowered to live out His purposes and see His kingdom come on earth. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual growth and effectiveness. [01:04:31]

4. The Role of Prayer and Fasting: Prayer and fasting are vital for spiritual growth and consecration. They help us let go of worldly attachments and draw closer to God, aligning our hearts with His. Through these disciplines, we create space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. [01:18:27]

5. Lifting Up Jesus: Our focus should be on lifting up Jesus, trusting that as we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself. This is the key to seeing transformation in our lives and communities. By prioritizing His presence, we become conduits of His love and power. [01:21:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:49] - The Joy of Being Together
- [03:15] - Family and Fun Times
- [06:45] - Transition from Feasting to Fasting
- [10:30] - The Power of Consecration
- [14:00] - Revival Starts Within
- [18:22] - Thrive in 25
- [22:00] - Jesus as Our Example
- [26:38] - The Secret Place of Prayer
- [30:42] - Consecration Precedes the Supernatural
- [34:31] - Seeking the Breaker for Breakthrough
- [38:27] - The Call to Prayer and Intercession
- [42:09] - The Table of Consecration
- [46:03] - Dedication and Commitment
- [50:27] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 5:19 - "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does."
2. Joshua 3:5 - "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'"
3. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when he says, "The Son can do nothing by himself" in John 5:19? How does this relate to the concept of consecration discussed in the sermon? [01:01:38]

2. In Joshua 3:5, what is the significance of the command to "consecrate yourselves"? How does this prepare the people for what God is about to do? [01:02:42]

3. According to John 15:5, what is the result of abiding in Christ? How does this concept of abiding relate to the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual growth and effectiveness? [01:04:31]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between consecration and experiencing the supernatural? [01:04:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that Jesus' relationship with the Father serves as a model for our own spiritual lives? What practical steps can be taken to cultivate this kind of intimacy? [01:01:38]

2. The sermon emphasizes that revival begins within us. What might this internal transformation look like in a believer's life, and how can it impact those around them? [01:02:42]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer and fasting help us align our hearts with God's? How might these practices create space for the Holy Spirit to move in our lives? [01:18:27]

4. The sermon mentions that lifting up Jesus will draw others to Him. How can this principle be applied in our daily interactions and community involvement? [01:21:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you feel called to consecrate yourself more fully to God? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [01:02:42]

2. Consider the idea that revival starts within. What specific changes or commitments can you make to allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in your heart? [01:02:42]

3. How can you incorporate more intentional times of prayer and fasting into your routine to deepen your relationship with God? What might be a realistic starting point for you? [01:18:27]

4. Think about a situation in your life where you are seeking a breakthrough. How can you shift your focus from seeking the miracle to seeking God Himself? [01:04:31]

5. Identify one way you can lift up Jesus in your community this week. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions point others to Him? [01:21:27]

6. Reflect on the concept of abiding in Christ. What distractions or habits might be hindering your ability to remain in Him, and how can you address these obstacles? [01:04:31]

7. As you enter this new year, what is one specific area of your life where you desire to see transformation? How can you align your heart with God's to prepare for this change? [01:02:42]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Consecration as a Living Sacrifice
Consecration involves setting ourselves apart for God, presenting our lives as living sacrifices. This act of dedication aligns us with God's heart and prepares us for His purposes. It is a call to surrender our desires and embrace His will, allowing His Spirit to transform us from within. As we consecrate ourselves, we are not merely abstaining from worldly pleasures but are actively choosing to feast on Jesus, aligning our hearts with His, and preparing for a spiritual revival. This process of consecration is essential for experiencing the supernatural, as it precedes the miraculous. [01:02:42]

Leviticus 20:26 (ESV): "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you feel God is calling you to be set apart for Him? How can you begin to consecrate this area to Him today?


Day 2: Revival Begins Within
Revival is not an external event but an internal transformation. It starts with us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in our hearts. By cultivating intimacy with God through prayer and fasting, we become vessels of His revival, impacting those around us. This internal revival is about aligning with the rhythm of heaven, allowing God's presence to permeate our lives. As we seek God Himself, rather than miracles, we trust that He will draw others to Him through our transformed lives. [01:01:38]

Psalm 85:6 (ESV): "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to ignite a fire in your heart today? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God?


Day 3: The Power of Abiding in Christ
Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit and experiencing the fullness of His Spirit. As we remain in Him, we are empowered to live out His purposes and see His kingdom come on earth. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual growth and effectiveness. Jesus exemplified this through His life, demonstrating that His ministry was empowered by His intimate relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We are invited to cultivate this intimacy, to abide in Him, and to bear fruit through His Spirit. [01:04:31]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What does abiding in Christ look like in your daily life? How can you intentionally remain in Him throughout your day?


Day 4: The Role of Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are vital for spiritual growth and consecration. They help us let go of worldly attachments and draw closer to God, aligning our hearts with His. Through these disciplines, we create space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. As we enter a time of consecration, we are invited to recalibrate our spiritual lives and seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This preparation is crucial for experiencing the amazing things God will do among us. [01:18:27]

Isaiah 58:6 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine this week? What worldly attachments do you need to let go of to draw closer to God?


Day 5: Lifting Up Jesus
Our focus should be on lifting up Jesus, trusting that as we exalt Him, He will draw others to Himself. This is the key to seeing transformation in our lives and communities. By prioritizing His presence, we become conduits of His love and power. As we consecrate ourselves and align our hearts with His, we prepare for the renewal, transformation, and fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives. Let us embrace this call to consecration, knowing that on the other side lies the fulfillment of His promises. [01:21:27]

John 12:32 (ESV): "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Reflection: How can you intentionally lift up Jesus in your interactions with others today? What practical steps can you take to prioritize His presence in your life?

Quotes



See, Jesus' consecration empowered his ministry. It was his consecration. It was the secret place. And yes, we're going to study it. We're going to start there again. The secret place again. Because maybe like you, like me, the secret place has been a little wobbly through the holidays. [01:02:42] (17 seconds)


See when we want to see god do amazing stuff what we do is we seek that stuff we seek his hands see we seek the stuff we want that stuff lord we want that breakthrough we want that thing we want that thing on that thing and jesus says you got the wrong way around because the way the breakthrough is going to come the way the miracles are going to come is actually through me. [01:04:31] (24 seconds)


God rules the world and his church through the prayers of his people. God calls intercession and prayer. And in his grace, he has made his work. He has made his work dependent on it. Guys, the work of God is dependent, dependent on our prayers. [01:18:27] (18 seconds)


Pour out even more of your love on us. Reveal more of your kindness. And restore us back to you. Oh, Jesus, we want to be restored back to you. The fullness of what it means to be passionate in love with you. Father, today. Today, I pray that you restore first love, that you will restore passion, that you will restore joy in our lives, Lord Jesus. [01:19:50] (24 seconds)


Revive us again, O God. I know you will. Give us a fresh start. Then all your people will taste your joy and gladness. [01:19:50] (12 seconds)


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Transcript
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