Setting Apart: The Call to Consecration
Summary
In the message delivered by Joe Insell, the focus is on the biblical concept of consecration, which is the act of setting oneself apart for God's special use and purpose. The message begins with an analogy of a toothbrush, which is set aside for a specific use and not to be used for common purposes. This analogy is used to illustrate the idea that individuals should not treat themselves as common but should dedicate themselves to God.
The message draws parallels between the Old Testament and the New Testament, highlighting God's desire to dwell among His people. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle so that He could reside among the Israelites. However, due to sin, which separates humanity from God, there were strict guidelines on how and who could approach God's presence. Only certain individuals, under specific conditions, could enter the presence of God, and failure to approach correctly could result in death.
The message then transitions to the New Testament, where believers are seen as the new temples of the Holy Spirit. The blood of Jesus cleanses individuals from sin, allowing God to dwell within them. However, the message challenges listeners to consider whether they have truly consecrated themselves to God, as ongoing sin can hinder their ability to be used by God for His purposes.
Joe Insell emphasizes that consecration is not about earning salvation through good works but about allowing the Holy Spirit to work in one's life to set them apart for God's use. He uses the metaphor of a large house with different types of vessels to explain that some are for special purposes while others are for common use. The message encourages listeners to cleanse themselves from common things so that they can be instruments for special purposes, made holy and useful to the Master.
The message also addresses the consecration of various aspects of life, including one's body, mind, time, talents, possessions, and finances. It suggests that by consecrating these areas to God, individuals can honor Him and be used for His glory. The act of consecration is presented as a choice that each person must make, deciding whether to dedicate themselves to God or to common, worldly pursuits.
The message concludes with a call to action, asking listeners to consider what God is asking them to consecrate to Him. It emphasizes that consecration is not about getting something from God but about getting closer to Him. The act of fasting is presented as a means of seeking God, not for material benefits but for a deeper relationship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Consecration is about setting oneself apart for God's special use, much like a toothbrush is set aside for a specific purpose. This act of dedication is a personal choice that reflects a desire to be used by God rather than for common, worldly purposes. The analogy of the toothbrush serves as a simple yet profound reminder of the sanctity of consecration in one's life. [05:11]
- The Old Testament tabernacle was a physical space where God's presence dwelled among His people, but in the New Testament, believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit. This shift underscores the personal and intimate relationship God seeks with each individual, highlighting the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice. [22:03]
- True consecration involves more than just a verbal commitment; it requires the cleansing of one's life from sin and the things of the world. This cleansing is not self-generated but is a process facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live a life set apart for God's glory. [14:14]
- The message challenges listeners to consecrate not only their spiritual lives but also practical aspects such as their bodies, minds, time, talents, possessions, and finances. By dedicating these areas to God, individuals can live out their faith in tangible ways, impacting the world around them. [25:10]
- Consecration is not a means to an end but an end in itself. The goal of consecration is to draw nearer to God, not to receive material blessings. This perspective shifts the focus from what one can gain to what one can give up in pursuit of a closer relationship with the divine. [39:01]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV)
"Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I show you."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
3. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV)
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
Observation Questions:
1. What were the materials and instructions given by God for the construction of the sanctuary in Exodus, and what was the purpose of this sanctuary?
2. According to 1 Corinthians, what is the significance of our bodies in relation to the Holy Spirit, and what implications does this have for how we should treat our bodies?
3. In 2 Timothy, what distinction is made between different types of articles in a large house, and what does it mean to be an instrument for special purposes?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the detailed construction of the sanctuary in Exodus reflect God's desire for holiness and order in the spaces where He dwells?
2. What does it mean to honor God with one's body, and how might this contrast with common cultural practices?
3. What are some examples of things that might need to be cleansed from one's life in order to become an instrument for special purposes, as described in 2 Timothy?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily habits and routines. Are there any that might be considered 'common use' that you feel called to change in order to honor your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit?
2. Identify one area of your life (e.g., time, talents, possessions) that you have not fully consecrated to God. What is one specific step you can take this week to consecrate this area to Him?
3. Think about the last time you faced a decision that involved your finances. In what way can you ensure that your next financial decision reflects a heart of consecration to God?
4. Consider your thought life over the past few days. What is one thought pattern you need to cleanse in order to renew your mind according to Romans 12:2?
5. Is there a specific talent or skill you possess that you have been using primarily for personal gain or recognition? How can you redirect this talent to serve others and bring glory to God this month?
Devotional
Day 1: Sanctity of Personal Consecration
Consecration is a personal act of setting oneself apart for divine purposes, akin to how a toothbrush is reserved for a specific use. This intentional dedication signifies a commitment to be utilized by God, distinguishing oneself from worldly engagements. It is a deliberate choice to live a life of distinct purpose and spiritual significance. [05:11]
2 Timothy 2:21 - "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."
Reflection: What common uses are you engaging in that might be preventing you from being set apart for God's special purposes?
Day 2: The Believer as God's Temple
The transition from a physical tabernacle to believers as temples of the Holy Spirit signifies a deeper, more personal communion with God. This transformation is made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus, which allows the divine presence to dwell within, calling for a life reflective of this holy indwelling. [22:03]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: How does understanding your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit change the way you live your daily life?
Day 3: Cleansing for Consecration
True consecration requires a cleansing from sin and worldly distractions, a process not achieved by one's own strength but through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This divine assistance enables a life set apart for God's glory, reflecting His holiness in every action. [14:14]
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Reflection: What areas of your life need cleansing in order to be fully consecrated to God?
Day 4: Holistic Dedication to God
Consecration extends beyond spiritual commitments to include the dedication of one's body, mind, time, talents, possessions, and finances. This holistic approach to consecration allows believers to honor God in all facets of life, serving as tangible expressions of faith. [25:10]
Romans 12:1-2 - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what practical ways can you consecrate your talents and resources to God this week?
Day 5: Consecration as Relationship with God
The essence of consecration is not to gain from God but to grow closer to Him. It is a pursuit of intimacy with the divine, prioritizing the relationship over material blessings. This focus on spiritual nearness is the true heart of consecration. [39:01]
James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What can you forgo in your pursuit of a deeper relationship with God?
Quotes
1) "We are not meant to be common, we are not meant to be like everybody else. We are not just to use our bodies and our lives to do whatever we want but we need to consecrate ourselves to him so that we can be used by him." [15:21] (Download)
2) "If I want to be used by God then I need to consecrate myself to him. If I'm going to be used by God I need to allow him to clean some stuff out of my life." [15:57] (Download)
3) "Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work." [14:14] (Download)
4) "We need to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship." [27:39] (Download)
5) "We don't consecrate to get something from God, we consecrate because we want to get closer to him." [39:01] (Download)
6) "If God is our Lord, if he is my master, then I don't own anything. I don't own my body, my time, my talent, my possessions. It all belongs to God." [31:47] (Download)
7) "We are to be stewards over what God has given us and part of that stewardship is giving back to him." [32:27] (Download)
8) "You can't outgive God. If you're willing to give away what God asks you to give away, he's going to supply back to you everything that you need." [33:39] (Download)
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