Living the Spirit Filled Life

Consecration-Are You Willing?

 

As Paul instructed the Ephesians, it is God’s will for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Ephesians 5:17-18:   amplified

 

James 1: 21-22

Put away wickedness and be doers of the Word.

We have to obey God and truly understand His will, which is to live a spirit filled life, to be a doer of the word.

The Amplified Bible tells us to be “ever filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit.”

 

How do you do that?

 

1. James 1:5 Ask God for wisdom, and He will give it to you.

Wisdom to understand His Word and do the things He wants you to do.

 

2. 2 Tim.2:15 Be diligent, Rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

 

God will give you the knowledge and wisdom to understand the things of God.

He will do it in many way,

Through your personal time with Him, including bible study

Through books by scripture based authors,

Through anointed teachers and preachers.

The first thing we need to do, however, is consecrate ourselves to the Father.

Consecrate means dedicated or set apart for God.

 

John 17:17-19

We are consecrated by Christ

1Peter 2:9

To be a royal priesthood, nothing stands in our way to the holy of holies.

 

But we must also consecrate ourselves:

 

Romans 12:1-2

We present ourselves,  we lay down our lives on the altar, we give up things.

To be holy and acceptable.

 

2Timothy 2:12

We cleanse ourselves of dishonor

 

 Romans 5:21  tell us that through faith in Jesus we were made our righteous.

Christ’s righteousness is transferred to us because we trust in Him

 

Romans 4:3-8

We are covered and made righteous but then we must learn to live in that righteousness.

To live a life acceptable to God.

To Consecrated ourselves!

 

2Timothy 2:5

We are running the race of righteousness and we have to follow the rules.

What rules,  The rules laid down in God’s word.

This is not legalistic, we are not getting ready to give you a list of “do’s and don’t”

It is running the race with the wisdom, love and understanding of God, being guided by the Holy

Spirit, to complete that work in you.

 

2Cor.13:9

Philippians 1:3-7

 

Jesus gave us the ultimate example:

 

Matthew 26:42

Not my will….

 

God is looking for believers who will do the same, seek and do His will throughout your whole life.

It is a decision you make.

 

2Cor. 5:9 -10:  be willing and pleasing to God, for we will be judged.

 

It is an act of faith to say to God: “I am willing to do your will, not mine!”

 

We have to lay everything on the altar, to make sacrifices to make this happen. Everyday

We need to reverence, fear God and the Things of God.

 

2 Cor. 6:4:  by purity, kindness, knowledge, longsuffering, sincere love etc.

 

How do you seek God’s will, and dedicate yourself to it?

 

1. The basis of many of our classes.

Joshua 1:8   “meditate on the word daily.”

Romans 12:2   “constantly renewing your mind.”

 

 

2. Be Willing to do God’s will no matter what!

 

Matthew 26:42 - Jesus prayed “thy will be done.”

Psalm 40:8 - delight to do His Will.

Psalm 143:10 - Ask God to teach you His will.

Matthew 7:21 - do the will of God and will receive your reward.

 

John 6:38  Jesus was sent to do God’s will, this is our example.

Acts 22:14- Ananias told Paul He was appointed to know God’s will, and so are we.  We are joint heirs and recipients of the promise.

His will is for us to have everlasting life.

To live life to the fullest in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, to walk in it and to do what He tells you to do!

 

2 Cor.8:12;  You have to have a Willing Heart and a Willing mind!

 

1Chron 29:1,4 - David is asking for people to rebuild the temple, and to consecrate himself to the Lord in the undertaking.

 

Isaiah 1:18-20 - If you are willing you will eat the good of the land, there is reward with obedience.

 

Nehemiah 11:2 - Nehemiah has sought the Lord and now has chosen men to go dwell in destroyed, captive Jerusalem.  Our Jerusalem is the spirit filled life, are you willing to dwell in it?  For these men to go and dwell in Jerusalem, was a sacrifice, as it was destroyed. But they were willing and dedicated to do it.

We have to be willing to lay aside earthly things, to be consecrated to the Lord.

 

Look at Matthew 11:28-29:

The yoke is the first part is the yoke of religiosity as demonstrated by the Pharisee’s.

Burdened by sin and oppression.

He will deliver you, But His yoke -the Spirit filled life - is not a “cake walk”

You don’t become saved and then stay where you are. You don’t become a child of God and not have trials, we are told we will have trials, because the enemy comes to kill and destroy what is God’s and that is you! 

The “yoke “ in the New Testament refers to someone becoming a pupil of a teacher or rabbi.

Jesus is inviting us to come into His life, sit at His feet and learn but it is not a heavy burden to serve the Lord.  We accept that yoke.

 

Will - noun - the mental power or capacity to choose or decide.

Making a deliberate choice, exercising control over yourself. 

It is a determined purpose or desire.

 

Willing - means you choose readily, voluntarily.   You are favorably inclined to do it.

You are ready- to act promptly!

 

You should not hesitate to consecrate yourself, to dedicate yourself to following a spirit filled life.

 

2Cor. 7:1    cleanse ourselves, perfecting holiness.

 

It is fairly easy, just follow a few simple steps:

 

Love the Lord thy God with all your heart.

Serve Him with gladness and joy.

Love thy neighbor

Do unto others.

 

This builds a willing heart!

 

You have to lay all on the altar.

That means crucifying your flesh and giving up things to do the things of God.

One of the greatest things you will give up, is time.

You will have to take the time to pray and study,  to seek the face of God.

You will have to rearrange you life, schedule to have time for God.

You will have to tithe your time as well as your money.

 

Stay focused on God!

 

Seek to practice Righteousness

1John 3 17-18

We love the brethren and give of ourselves etc to meet their needs.  We love in deed and truth.

 

1John 3:22-23

We receive because we follow God’s commandments and love one another.

This is not “Loving You in Jesus”

This is truly loving and caring about others, no matter what.  It also involves forgiveness.

 

Deut. 4:9  tells us to diligently keep ourselves.

 

Deut. 4:239;  If we seek after god with all our heart, we will find Him.

 

Deut. 6:24  We do these things for “our own good.”

 

Prayer of Dedication*

 

Lord, I present myself unto You.  May Your will be done in my life.

May I never forget that I have surrendered all I am to You.

I commit myself to be one whom You can use - consecrated and separated unto Your purposes.  I’ll pay the price by denying the flesh.  If You call me in the nighttime, I’ll get on my knees and pray.  If I am never seen of men, and if I always work behind the scenes, still I will be faithful.

 

I lay aside all personal ambition. I’ll be one who walks in the Spirit and in Your perfect will.  In Jesus’ Name, Your will shall be wrought in my heart, in my life, and in my ministry.

 

Amen.

 

“Following God’s Plan For Your Life.”  Kenneth E. Hagin    Pg 60.

 

Living the Spirit Filled Life

Consecration-Are You Willing?

Study Notes

 

1. Be Doers of the Word:

 

2. Consecrate Ourselves:

 

3. Seek Righteousness:

 

4. Have a Willing Heart: