Devoted

Introduction: We become devoted to what we are passionate about. Illustration: Honor Civics in high school.

CTS: Devote every part of your life to the Lord our God.

I. Be Consecrated (1-16)

A. Everything is the Lord’s (1-2)

Everything is the Lord’s. Consecration is a simple definition that it means dedication to the Lord. And this introductory verses set the tone for the rest of the text. To say that the firstborn is his is in essence saying that everything a family is is mine. I have redeemed every bit of who you are, your lives, and now it is to be lived for me.

We are consecrated and dedicated to God; therefore, we may not hereafter think, speak, meditate or do anything but with a view to his glory. We are God’s; to him, therefore, let us live and die.

John Calvin

B. Remember what the Lord has done (3-10)

Remember the Gospel

We look back at salvation. The Gospel should be preached to ourselves daily. We preach it daily through the Word being read and studied. We remember through constant approach to God in prayer.

Remember by ritual

Some don’t like the idea of ritual, but ritual is something that can and should spur our devotion and consecration to the Lord. Habit forming is evident in our own lives. Why would habits formed around the Gospel be too ritualistic when we live in a very ritualistic secular society. One commentator said that many of us could probably remember 10 commercial jingles and start to sing them easily, but we would be lacking if we were asked to recite 10 Psalms.

The Lord’s Supper is ritual, as this Feast points us toward that we partook of. It was commanded by Christ, to do this in remembrance of Him, and to experience his presence with us every time we partake.

Every Sunday is ritual, and yes, sometimes rote can sink in, but if our hearts are consecrated towards that end, repeating and reminding of ourselves of the Gospel through singing, preaching, and reading of the Word. We are reminded that we are not our own, but we are Christ’s. We are a body of believers, a community, a church, corporate.

Remember to be holy

God’s people were also to live holy, ready to follow the Lord. The unleavened bread was a reminder that they were on a journey, ready to follow the Lord wherever he led them.

Paul makes a spiritual application to this unleavened bread in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 5:7–8 ESV

7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

What is Paul saying? Leaven represents sin, and for us as redeemed believers, delivered from slavery from sin, we no longer live with malice and evil (sin), but now live in sincerity and truth because we have been transformed, consecrated to the Lord’s purposes rather the the Serpent’s, whom was crushed by Jesus.

C. The firstborn is God’s (11-16)

The firstborn motif is strong through these first chapters of Exodus. Remember that God called Israel his “firstborn” in Exodus 4. The firstborn of Israel’s homes were saved by the Passover. The firstborn of the Egyptians were killed because of their insistence on enslaving and killing God’s firstborn. Now as a reminder of the deliverance of God, Israel was to consecrate their firstborns to the Lord of everything that had. But why the firstborn?

The firstborn had a particular importance and position in the life of ancient families, and still do in lot of cultures today. They would inherit the family as the father died. This in essence means that when God asks that the firstborn be consecrated to him, this includes everyone in the household. In other words, everything is God’s.

Redemption as firstborn sons

That consecration though is only made possible by redemption. The consecrated firstborn must be bought with a price, to pay a debt that cannot be owed or paid on his or her own. Hence the need for a substitute Lamb.

We are to be consecrated to the Lord, but only by first being redeemed as firstborn children of God. That is made possible by the Firstborn Son, Jesus. And what we mean by firstborn Son Jesus is not that he was created and didn’t exist for eternity, but rather, his position as firstborn as inheritor of all that is God’s, because He is God!

Colossians 1:15 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:18 ESV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Hebrews 1:6 ESV

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Revelation 1:5 ESV

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

And he gives himself as the Passover Lamb to make us his firstborn. To inherit the kingdom of God, eternal life found in Him. We also are predestined as His children, the firstborn, and the firstfruits of his resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Consecration as firstborn sons

And because of Jesus, the firstborn who has made us firstborn sons, we are now called to live a life consecrated to him. That means everything belongs to him. Every part of my being and my life is now the Lord’s. There is no sphere for which doesn’t belong to him. So we consecrate ourselves. The two-fold part of God’s working includes his consecration, but also, our responsibility to devote ourselves to the things of God.

Individual life: killing sin, dedicating ourselves to the Word, prayer, and the spiritual disiplines.

Family: Are we giving everything over to the Lord? Devoting our households, our children, our marriages, everything to the Lord.

What does this look like? Time and devotion is dedicated to the Lord’s purposes first and foremost. This may mean some sacrifices that are hard to do in our culture.

Work: devoting my work, how hard I work, the workplace where I am a witness and light, the people are a mission field.

What does this look like? Actions are reflection of my love for Christ and for others. Speech reflect Jesus? Do not participate in how everyone else speaks and jokes. Share the gospel in word and in deed.

Church: devoting all aspects to the glory of King Jesus. The church isn’t about me, it’s about Jesus and others.

What does this look like? My focus is not on my own preferences and self, but rather, worshiping Jesus. This includes a heart towards pleasing the Lord alongside my church family. Loving my church family. Provoking one another to good works. Discipling young and old.

School: devoting all my work and my witness to Jesus. The school is a mission field and I am not too young to be used by the Lord to make an impact.

What does this look like? Working hard in school. Respecting teachers and authorities. Getting involved in the lives of your friends and classmates. Befriending all people, including the outcast and unloved. Sharing the Gospel in word and deed.

Culture: My words and my actions reflect a kingdom mindset, a consecrated mindset.

What does this look like? Does a party platform define your worldview, or does the kingdom of God, revealed through the Scriptures, define it? Influencing culture through a kingdom mindset. Vote well, but also love our “enemies” with the gospel, being consistent in how we point out sin of our leaders.

II. Follow the Lord (17-22)

As Israel was commanded to be consecrated, there is also an essential part of the life of consecration, the journey to the promised land. We are in essence in the very same place ourselves. We have received salvation from our slavery to sin, and we have indeed inherited eternal life, the kingdom of God. But we have not found our final place of rest. That promised inheritance of glorification.

Israel would need a guide. None other than the one who redeemed them would be the one who would lead them home. Here are some truths we need to see about how he led them. Leland Ryken gives three truths from this part of the text that I think are really helpful, so I’m going to use them.

Divine Guidance (Leland Ryken)

God always knows which way is best (17-18)

God knew full and well that if they went the way that was shortest, it would be disastrous for them. They were not prepared. They would face war immediately, and they would return to Egypt.

We may not understand why, and it may not make sense, but God’s path is always the best path. That path may include some difficulties, it may include some pain, but it is always the best way forward. The things God will have for you to do may make an impact you never will even see. God will bring you into the lives of people that you never knew you would ever make a difference in. Illustration about Adam preaching in Alaska and the couple whose marriage was mended because of it.

2. God is always faithful to help his people (19-20)

God also reminded the Israelites of a crucial truth. He always keeps his promises to be with his people and to help his people. As Joseph desired to have his bones buried in the promised land, God ensured that they would be. Joseph was confident that Egypt was not the resting place for God’s people. And God ensures that he will be faithful to help his people. The very act of carrying Joseph’s bones should have been an incredible illustration of his help and presence.

We can be confident that God helps his people. This is why we love and should love to share the testimonies of God’s people, his faithfulness to each other. We should be the first to tell of God’s goodness through our lives. Whether its the blessings, or his faithfulness through the trials (And I think those are even more powerful by the way!). We need those markers and reminders of God’s faithfulness.

3. God is always present to guide his people. (21-22)

And the pillar of cloud and fire. A constant reminder, a constant guiding light to God’s people as they traversed the wilderness. He is present. The presence of God is necessary. God’s people could not have gone where they needed to go, been redeemed without it, and certainly would not be distinct as his people without.

Presence does two things: It guides God’s people where they need to go. And it sets God’s people apart as His own.

Those two things are vitally important. God is the one who knows where to go and where it will lead. He has revealed this to us in clearest form in the person of His own Son Jesus Christ. His will is revealed in clearest form by the Bible, which is the innerrant Word that is given to us, inspired for our good and for us to know God’s salvation and transformative kingdom life.

And his presence is vital for people to know that we are His. If we go throughout life without His presence, it is a useless endeavor. Jesus makes this clear:

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The church, His people, without the presence of God are nothing. So how do we have the presence of God with us? In the person of the Holy Spirit. He indwells his people. He empowers his people. He guides His people. He bears fruit in His people.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

It is possible to quench the Spirit. This will cause individuals to be a hindrance to the gospel message. It will cause local churches to die who refuse to obey His commands to love Him, love each other, and to go and make disciples. Vital to our mission is the presence of God, whom He gives in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion:

Our utmost desire, the call today is that you and all of us together as a church would be consecrated, devoted to the glory of the one who redeemed us out of slavery of sin and death through His Son Jesus. Now our lives are dedicated to one end. Be reminded of the words from Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

May this prayer of Charles Spurgeon be our hearts today.

Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to thy service.”

Charles Spurgeon