## Consecration

## I Chronicles 29:1-9

It is a great privilege to be able to serve God. No matter what the service may be. There is no service to god that is not important or worthwhile. In Mark 12 you will recall that Jesus commended the poor widow who gave two mites, not because of how much she gave, but because of her attitude in giving. She was consecrated in her service to God. In v5, David sends out a call for consecrated service. "and who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the lord?"

Consider with me the:

I. The work v1

A. It was great

1. David had desired to build the temple for God, but this was not permitted because he was a man of war.

2. The task was committed unto his son Solomon, who was young and tender.

3. David knew it was too great a work for one man.

4. We have been commissioned to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.

5. This is a great work, too great for just one!

6. We have consecrated service from each of us in order to accomplish this great work.

B. It was not for man.

1. For identification purposes, it was often referred to as Solomon's temple, but that was not correct.

2. It wasn't built for Solomon: it was not built for his glory, but for the glory of God.

3. The service we give, the work that is accomplished is for God's glory...not ours!

4. Our motivation to build the church shouldn't be so we could brag about how many we had in Sunday school or how large an offering we received, or what a beautiful building we have.

5. All too often churches are built for the glory of man rather than the glory of God!

C. It was for the Lord!

1. Unless a work is built for the glory of God it is of no eternal value.

2. Many times churches reach the point where they think they no longer need the Lord (perhaps this-is never expressed verbally, but by their actions they say it)

3. Note: Rev. 3:17-20

4. The missing ingredient in many churches today is Jesus Christ!

II. The example v2-5a

A. David doesn't ask his people to do anything that he isn't willing to do first.

1. He says, "I have prepared with all my might for the house of God."

2. "I have set my affection to the house of my God."

3. David's private gift amounted to millions of dollars by today's standards.

4. His example was one of sacrificial giving out of a heart of love.

B. Christ never asks more of us than He was willing to give.

1. Ephesians 5:25, "He loved the church and gave himself for it."

2. He wants us to be willing to give ourselves to him

(ROM 12:1-2) "I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. {2} AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD." [4]

3. He left us an example of whole-hearted service to follow.

(JOHN 6:38) "FOR I CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, NOT TO DO MINE OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF HIM THAT SENT ME."

III. The Call. V5b

A. It is a call for consecrated service.

1. "Consecrate" is made up of two Hebrew words: the literal meaning is to have full hands.

2. Full hands and willing hearts will be needed to accomplish the great work of building God's temple.

3. The same is true today: but we cannot serve Him with half-hearted empty hands.

B. It is a voluntary call.

1. "who then is willing..."

2. God will never force us to serve him- such would be unacceptable

3. "God loveth a cheerful giver." 2Co 9:7

4. That applies to everything that we do for him - it is not to be done grudgingly or of necessity. Time - talent - wealth

C. It is an urgent call.

1. "Who then is willing ... This day?"

2. The time to serve God is right now - not tomorrow too many say someday...

3. One day the opportunity for service will be gone.

4. Ecc. 9:10, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest."

5. God wants our consecrated service right now!

IV. The Response v6-9

A. The people willingly gave their service to accomplish the work.

1. The work was too great for one or two - they all needed to help

2. The same is true of our task - it must be a corporate effort

3. The gifts were different in value, but all were necessary and acceptable.

4. Everyone is not the same...their service will differ.

B. The people rejoiced

1. It is a great to serve the Lord.

2. Nothing that this world has to offer can compare with the joy of serving Christ.

C. The king rejoiced.

1. Nothing could have made David happier than to see his servants willing to work together to build the house of God.

2. Christ has no greater joy than to see his children working in harmony to accomplish the task that he set before us.

3. To the one who offers consecrated service Jesus will say "well done!"

We have a great work to be accomplished. We have a great example of whole-hearted consecrated service. We have an urgent call from the King. What will be our response?

Jesus Christ is worthy of our best. He wants us to yield to Him and allow Him to use us to reach this world with the Gospel.

Consecration = Full Hands

Will we stand before Him empty handed? Why not come today and dedicate yourself...willingly offer up yourself...your time...your wealth...your talents...to be used of God to reach others for Christ.