CONSECRATION – OFFERING THE FAT AND BLOOD

  • Luke 17:7-10
    • Ministry in field is different than ministry in the house (v. 7)
    • FIRST question: Is your Lord satisfied? (v. 8)
      • “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9)
      • Romans 12:1-2: must present bodies as living sacrifices to satisfy the Lord
      • Word search for God being satisfied: only one place in Scriptures does it mention God being satisfied – Isaiah 53:11 (God’s satisfaction is found in His work on the Cross)
  • Ezekiel 44:4-31
    • 44:9 – you cannot enter house with any flesh (Philippians 3:3)
      • 44:11 – those of the flesh could only “stand before” the people (wait for man’s commands)
    • Ezekiel 44:15: “they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood”
  1. COME NEAR – it is not possible to minister to the Lord at a distance (although we can follow at a distance (Mt. 26:58))
  2. STAND BEFORE ME – Must stand and wait for Lord’s commands (Ex. 40:34-38)
  3. OFFER THE FAT – consecrate resurrected life (Romans 6:13)
    1. fat is excess life, surplus life…points to resurrected life?
    2. Exodus 29:10-14 –  consecration of priests: blood poured out at base (v. 12); fat burned on altar (v. 13); flesh burned outside camp as sin offering (v. 14)…sin offering
  4. OFFER THE BLOOD – blood forgives sins (Heb. 9:22)
    1. Pouring out blood = pouring out natural life (Lev. 17:11,14)
    2. Offering blood speaks to pouring out of natural life (Luke 24:39…Jesus had no blood after pouring out natural life) 
  • 44:17-18 – they could not wear clothes that made them sweat
    • sweat = work; consequence of the curse (Gen. 3:19)
  • 44:20 – hair must be short
    • a man’s short hair is a symbol of glory to God (1 Cor. 11:3,14)
    • ministry inside the house involves giving glory to our Head (Christ)
  • 44:21 – can’t have wine
    • wine is symbolic of the fruits of service to man (compare Song of Solomon 1:2 with 1:6 and 7:12), and the pleasures of the world (Ecclesiastes 10:19)
    • “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – For your love is better than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2)
  • Romans 6:7,10-19
    • 6:7 – first, know that you have already been crucified with Christ
    • 6:11 – second, reckon yourself crucified (this is seen in resting in God’s finished work, and choosing to walk by faith rather than sight)
    • 6:13 – third, present your resurrected life to God (consecration)
      • the word translated present has “an active sense for which the R.V. translation [King James Version] ‘present’ is greatly to be preferred.  ‘Yield’ contains a passive idea of ‘surrender’…which is not in keeping with the context here in Romans” (Normal Christian Life).
      • Presenting relates to members of your body (6:13,19)
        • God requires that all your members belong wholly to Him
      • “alive to God” (6:11), not to ourselves
      • Ex: “On one occasion a Chinese brother was traveling by train and found himself in a carriage together with three non-Christians who, in order to beguile the time, wished to play cards. Lacking a fourth to complete the game, they invited this brother to join them.  ‘I am sorry to disappoint you,’ he said, ‘but I cannot join your game for I have not brought my hands with me.’  ‘Whatever do you mean?’ they asked in blank astonishment.  ‘This pair of hands does not belong to me,’ he said, and then there followed the explanation of the transfer of ownership that had taken place in his life.  That brother regarded the members of his body as belonging entirely to the Lord.  That is true holiness.” (Normal Christian Life, 102)
      • “present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (6:19)
        • holiness = being separated unto God (even animals and things were said to be sanctified)
        • giving yourself wholly to Christ = holiness
      • ROMANS 12:1-2 – presenting our bodies is ministering to God!
    • 6:16 – “SLAVES”
      • slave = possession of another (Jesus purchased you by His blood, and you present your members to Him)

An Example of Consecration…

  • Mark 6:38-44
    • Loaves and fishes were presented wholly to Jesus (v. 41)
    • Jesus blessed and broke the loaves (v. 41)
    • After the breaking and blessing, the food satisfied about 5,000 people (v. 44)
    • Jesus commanded nothing to be wasted (John 6:12)

Old Testament Example…

  • Exodus 12 – PASSOVER FEAST
    • Ex. 12:1-2 – The calendar changed so that the month of Passover became the first month of the year (symbolizing a new beginning)
    • Ex. 12:3 – Lamb chosen 4 days before slaughter (Jesus chosen 4 days before His crucifixion…John 12)
    • Ex. 12:5 – Lamb must be perfect
    • Ex. 12:7,13 – blood put on outside of house, spares firstborn from dying
      • Blood is atones our sins to allow new life
    • Ex. 12:8,11 – they consumed (in haste) the perfect lamb that had been slaughtered
      • Romans 6:6 – we died with Christ
    • Ex. 12:29-30 – only Israelites (who had blood of lamb) were able to have the new life that came from their body (the first born)
      • Romans 6:11,13 – we receive new life
  • Exodus 13:1-16 – CONSECRATION OF FIRSTBORN
    • Ex. 13:1-2 – all new life was to be consecrated to the Lord
    • Ex. 13:11-12 – consecrated when you are in Canaan, the land of Rest (Ps. 95:11; Hebrews 3-4)
    • Ex. 13:16 – mark on hand and forehead is sign that you belong to the Lord