Consecration and prayer – Sunday April 30, 2017
This is an audio recording of a house church message. Unedited notes used as a guideline for the message follow the audio player below.
By God’s reckoning, Christians are privileged greatly in this “better covenant with better promises” (Heb. 8:6) to be priests dedicated to God’s service. This is not speaking of “priests” as the Roman Catholic or any other orthodox system means it, but as the Bible speaks of the priesthood of all believers.
The term for being given to God’s service is “consecration.” This is a one-time dedication to God first typified in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament all Christians are called to be “kings and priests.”
Rev 1:5,6 – and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
This is true, that is, if one has his or her spiritual eyes opened to the realities of the new creation. Many Christians are familiar with the injunction to “present your bodies a living sacrifice,” (Rom 12) but this is not written to the old man in Adam, but the new man in Christ.
One thing unfortunately not clearly stated in the message is that so much hinges on a true and complete consecration. The Holy Spirit is promised to those who obey the Father. He is there so we may serve, and since consecration means to be at God’s service, the basis of His empowerment and filling of us is to be so we may be disciples who please God.
Those who are lukewarm, or carnal, or self-focused, or otherwise not clearly dedicated to God may wonder why some of the promises of Christianity may not happen for them in experience.
This said, flesh, the carnal self, has nothing to do but be crucified with Christ and it is the new man made alive who is commanded this. Dedication to God in Romans 12 follows the realities outlined prior, especially in Romans 6-8. Romans 12 is a continuation of the thought of Romans 8.
In short, this audio message packed in a brief overview of what the Christian life is supposed to be – consecrated as a servant of God in Christ – and began to delve into the practical issues of prayer.
Prayer is so vital, arguably the greatest work by those who are truly in line with the will of God, and practically speaking, it is needed to get to a place where we may be truly consecrated as God would have it.
That is, we seek God’s face, and to know Him, His love, and His promises so that we may be in such a place as to be spiritually useful to Him.
Obviously this is a word to those who want all of God, and who are willing to seek God’s face, find and exercise the faith to follow Him into all things.
The grace of God is far more than “unmerited favor.” The grace of God also buys God’s children the space to come to Him boldly, and to be empowered by Him so as to keep His will.
This is all true in outline, but to be more than a mere theory, the reality of it comes from actually seeking Him, avoiding pitfalls of potential error and deceiving spirits, and having the true God keep us on the narrow road of a life in Christ.
May God keep you and draw you fully into His will.
Lesson Notes
Who wants all of God? –
Who wants authentic Christianity?
Consecration, prayer, self-deliverance
COUNT COST – Lk 14:25-33 – Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Crucified, raised to newness of life, seated in Christ, walk in Spirit. Etc …
Those are conditional promises – just live by faith.
Household of Aaron out of Levites Ex 28:41 – So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. Num. 18:7 – death to outsider who comes near…
CHURCH OF PRIESTS — 1 Pet 2:5 – you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:9-10 – But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Rev 1:5,6 – and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed[a] us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings[b] and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Cor 16:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Rom 12 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
LOVE OF CHRIST – 2 COR 5:14,15 – 14 For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Disciples -Goal: Become like Jesus
Rom 8:29-30 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
God sovereignly works in us to will and do. Breaking of Holy Spirit.
Is Consecration OPTIONAL? — NOT FOR ME – BUT BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU UTTER.
Love the Lord, love all.
Obedient to death of cross
Spiritually useful ———– to wait upon = consecration
Yielded to His will – Absolute surrender
Seek first kingdom of God …
Needed is full abiding relationship through HS – WHY SOME MAY NOT RECEIVE
Acts 8:14-17 – Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Hear voice, spiritual gifts, know His will.
FRUIT OF SPIRIT?
RIGHTEOUSNESS – PEACE – JOY – KNOW VOICE
A TREE KNOWN BY ITS FRUITS – are the fruits EVIDENT?
GET TO KNOW GOD – SEEK UNITY OF WILL – SEEK DELIVERANCE AS NEEDED.
God’s part, man’s part. – hunger and thirst, trust / obey
Little child truth on inward parts
The discipline of the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is meted out to us according to our need as seen in God’s own light. He knows our special need, and so by His Spirit He orders our circumstances in such a way as to bring about the breaking of the outward man —– discipline of the Holy Spirit
Although difficulties with thoughts and emotions are quite common, the greatest and most prevalent difficulty is with the will. Our emotions run wild because our wills have not been dealt with. The root is in our will. The same is true with our thoughts. Only after being dealt with by God do we really see how hard we are and how ready we are to have our own opinion. God must deal with us to make our wills tender and docile. Strong-willed people are convinced their feelings, ways and judgments are always right.
On Prayer – rhetorical
Is not God omniscient as well as omnipotent? He waits for us to pray. Why?
Since He knows all, why must we tell Him everything?
Being almighty, why does God not just work directly?
Why is it only those who ask receive, seek find, knock have it opened to them?
Mt 7:7 – Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
You have not because you ask not. Why?
Jas 4:2 – You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet[a] you do not have because you do not ask.
Principle – God never does anything against His own will.
If opening doors is His will, why does He wait for us to knock?
What advantage does our knocking give to God?
Will God open the door if we do not knock?
Would He rather have His will and righteousness delayed?
Can God be limited by us?
Ps 78:40-41 – How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,
And grieved Him in the desert!
41 Yes, again and again they tempted God,
And limited the Holy One of Israel.
If He is almighty, why can’t He open doors by Himself?
Can God accomplish His own will?
Principles of Prayer
Prayer is God talking to God through us. – valid prayer of highest order.
Rom 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
We are co-laborers.
Who we are in Christ – Identity — Our life is dead to self; alive to God. Rom 6, Eph 2
• Only valid prayers are ones that ask God to do His will.
• Low value prayers are ones not mindful of God’s will.
1 John 5:14 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
God will hear anyone, but He wants mature sons to get in line with His plan.
Is His will hit or miss? Pure guesswork?
God has all power; we have none.
Highest Value Prayers God originated
All spiritual works
1) God conceives a thought (will)
2) Reveals to His children by His Spirit
3) God’s children return His will by prayer (if they are one in heart with Him)
4) God will accomplish this very thing.
Prayer must originate from God. Matt 15:13 – But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
Low value = soulish (self will / of old creature.)
Rails and train
Locomotive full of power
Rails must be laid.
We may limit God.
Most important work: Prepare the way for the Lord.
Pray exhaustively – through in all directions.
Prepare the way for His will.
Rev 22:20 – John – come quickly Lord Jesus He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Highest motive: not get answer, but joining our will with God’s.
1 John 5:14 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
1 Thess 5:16 – Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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Pray for self, and all will of God
Give no ground to enemy – evil spirits are legalists.
Take back ground. Ask God. Draw near to God (devil flees)
Align will. Pray against counterfeits. Tell God you want to know Him.
Pray to have His heart like David …
Acts 3:26 – To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Some common iniquities: Pride, self satisfaction, lust, rebellion, independence, depression, apathy, laziness, unbelief, lack of trust in God.
Or, do not know Him. Insecurity – all forms.
Psalm 34:19 – The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Phil 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Ask God along these lines often — Ps 19:12-14 – Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer
Come to Father through Christ in boldness
Hebrews 4:14-16 – Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Cast your cares up Him who cares for you
1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Wisdom, direction – James 1:5-8 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
2 Tim 2:25– “…if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Acts 3:19 – Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
James 5:13-20 – Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 1Confess your trespasses[e] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul[f] from death and cover a multitude of sins.
