The House of God V: HOUSE DEDICATION

The House of God V: HOUSE DEDICATION

Exodus 40:33-35; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Learning to completely handover your life and issues to God is the secret to victory and fruitfulness. Handing over to God is always a gain. The principle is what you handover you gain enriched.  Anything you hold back from God is bound to be lost eventually. You are, and are a part of, God’s house. This message is about complete house handover for a glorious divine takeover. 

The Godhead has appointed the Holy Spirit to be in charge of the affairs of God’s house. He works through humanity to execute God’s business on earth, you therefore handover yourself to the Holy Spirit. He relies on the freedom and tools of the word and faith you provide to accomplish God’s wonderful purpose in and through your life.  When he takes over you become powerful for God (Acts 1:8).  He makes you an agent for revival and mighty works.  Are you maintaining your first love for Christ? Are you hungry to know him more? Are you humble enough to acknowledge you need him? Then ask him to fill you, that is let him have more of you. Handover all to the Holy Spirit and let him guide and direct your life. (Refer to http://spform.blogspot.com/2012/10/receiving-fullness-of-holy-spirit.html.)

The story of some people who occupied houses they found already built illustrates human life.  The people had no clue where the houses came from. They came up with outrageous theories to explain the origin of the houses. One explained that a thunder mysteriously produced the house. Another thought a wind must have blown some stones in a manner that produced the houses. And so on.

Eventually the builder appeared. By this time, the houses were dilapidated and could collapse anytime. Poisonous snakes, scorpions and bats had made parts of the houses their home. The builder offered to rebuild the houses at no charge. He also highlighted that their need was urgent because the houses would collapse, the snakes were a danger and a tsunami was on its way. He could make the houses tsunami proof again.  Some were humble enough to call for help. Others scoffed at the offer arguing that they had lived with the mess all along and so had their ancestors.

He reconstructed the houses offered to him. When he had completed the new houses, the master builder handed the houses to their occupants and said, “You will not be able to look after the new houses. On your own, you will reduce them to the state I found them. Can I maintain and supply for your needs in the houses? I will garnish, furnish and flourish the houses. I will not infringe on your freedom in the house. You will also use my name and goodwill with the bankers. I will underwrite all your bills and guarantee all your supplies. However, for me to be able to serve you well, dedicate/ handover the houses by giving me the house keys.”

People responded differently to the offer. Some rejected the offer outright.  Many only handed over keys to the gate and said you are welcome to come and keep us safe, and make us look good. Then there were those who handed over the kitchen keys and said come and feed us. Yet others gave the keys to the lounge and said please come and entertain us. Some surrendered keys to the bathrooms and said you are welcome to come and sort up our mess.  None handed over keys to the bedrooms and inner closets instead; they said please keep your distance and our private lives have nothing to do with you.  Before long, they raised an outcry about dissatisfaction with the work of the master builder in the house. The builder explained that according to the building’s design, the treasures he needs to do all his work are in the inner closets of the house.  Without access to those, he was unable to do much. For what he managed to accomplish with the keys he had, he deserved compliments not complains.

That is like the story of our lives as believers. Are you sensing there must be more God should be doing in your life? We are the house God has restored. Will you handover the house keys. Often all we want is to be fed, groomed and entertained. Where are the keys to the inner closets of life? God is waiting for the handover of the full set of keys. In the tabernacle and temple built in the Old Testament the ark was located in the most private areas of the houses. The best comes from total openness and a sincere relationship. You hold the keys God needs to unlock all his promises. You have the power to determine the measure of God’s dealing with you. Joyfully handover all the keys back to him, hold nothing back. If you do not handover, you will not receive the full benefit and enjoyment of the house. If you do not handover, you will not cross over you. You cannot make it with human strength.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).   Caleb commended himself for wholly following God (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14). The commendation was confirmed by both Moses and God (Deuteronomy 1:35, 36).  As a result, he received a special inheritance in God. You can only receive more of him by giving more of yourself to him. He has already given everything of himself. The reason we hold back is ignorance of the love and ability of God. Seek to know him better in order to let go more of you into his hands. Do you not handover your cases to the lawyers and to the medical doctors because you trust their expertise. How much do you trust God?

Time for joyous house dedication is now. Adam and Eve lost dedication and forfeited glory (Genesis 3). Surrender is what you to do under force. Dedication is what you do by choice.

Dedication to God is inviting God to take over. It is committing yourself or something to God’s purpose. The tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament were joyfully dedicated to God and his glory came over them. ‘So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled (Ex. 40:33-35).’ When Solomon worshipfully and joyfully dedicated the temple, the cloud filled the Lord’s temple.  The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

In the same way, you need to dedicate yourself to God. Without dedication, there is no glory.

Handing over to God is the answer when you face your problems and enemies (James 4:7). Do not just hand over your problems hand yourself over. When you do so, you find peace and freedom. House dedication is complete house handover for glorious divine takeover.  His glorious takeover distinguishes the house of God from other houses. Whatever is dedicated to God attracts his blessing and glory. Without dedication, what you have is only tradition and a form of religion without power.  Pronounce the dedication with words of your mouth and with joy. Then receive the glory from above by faith.

[This message is the fifth among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa