PURSUE CONSECRATION

As I was praying about the message for today the Spirit of God reminded me of a story, what I thought was a story or an illustration. One I used some years ago. I went searching for that story and realized it was actually a vision and interpretation that was given to Bill Britton some years ago…

I want to open this morning by reading this to you...

Bill Britton: "I Saw the King's Carriage!"

​On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in gold, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses' heels, working on something between the front wheels of the carriage. I thought, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid, for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of the Master. There were two young colts in the field. As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us." And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. They knew nothing of harnesses, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. They stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master. Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." The horses answered them with not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

Colts in the Master's Corral

And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts, and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them, with his whip and His bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known. ​

Submission and Rebellion

​One of the colts rebelled under the training, and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. The training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. ​For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.

Into the Harness

​Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still. The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage, drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, nor pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about me the golden harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."

A Famine in the Land

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. One day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. Seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother, where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry." ​ And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended.

Interpretation of the Vision

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Habakkuk 2:2) "Harness the horses: and get up, ye horsemen" (Jeremiah 46:4). I'm sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit saith to the Church, have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough. While we were children, young, undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures, (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road", they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time, with great purpose, and great responsibility. And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. And they could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship, so he let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for the end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they are the Chosen ones with the many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the Age. And He showed me that though the chastising seemeth grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all, and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training, yet they will share alike in the glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not, saints of God, for it is the Lord that doth bring thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He hath counted thee worthy to share His glory! Fear thou not the whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that thou mightest come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that Hour. Rejoice thou in thy trials, in all thy tribulations, and glory thou in His cross, and in the confining limitations of His harness, for He hath chosen thee, and He hath taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping thee strong and well fed, so lean thou upon Him, and trust not in thin own ability and thine own understanding. So shalt thou be fed, and His hand shall be upon thee, and His glory shall overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord, He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He bringeth to pass in your life. ​

Plenty in the Time of Famine

For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness shall not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might, and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour. The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures means nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the King's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have thought of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the movings of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then shall we abide in His house forever!"  ​-Bill Britton

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. -1 Corinthians 9:19, ESV

To be CONSECRATED is to be set apart and made ready for the Lord’s service!!!!

To be used by God!

Oxford American Dictionary defines consecrated as - make or declare something (typically a church)sacred; dedicate formally to a religous or divine purpose

Devote exclusively to a particular purpose

YOU ARE THE CHURCH and YOU are called to be set apart for the LORD’s purpose!

The story of the two colts shows us that the Lord has given us a will to surrender or rebel against HIS PURPOSES in our lives - but as we are in PURSUIT OF HIS PLAN FOR EACH OF US - for that something BIGGER...

We go from pursuing conviction to pursuing communion to PURSUING CONSECRATION

Yes, pursuing the YOKE OF CHRIST upon us to receive HIS PREPARATION FOR OUR LIVES TO BE USEFUL FOR HIM!!!

We read of consecrating things, animals, vessels for use in the temple, our own lives mainly in the OT to be put aside for the Lord’s use, but there is a passage in the book of Timothy where Pau illustrates to Timothy about being consecrated for the Lord...

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:19–22 NLT

19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

PURSUE righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace and fellowship with those who have pure hearts… make your life a pursuit of what is honorable and ready to be used by the Master!

1. God Sets Vessels for Honor

Timothy says here that the Lord has vessels set apart for HIMSELF.

There are those in this world who will allow their lives to just be used in the ordinary dirtiness of a sinful world, using their abilities and vessel for whatever the world wants to use it for in its own enjoyment and pleasure.

So many people whom God has saved never move on from the grace received to be used by the Lord for HIS PURPOSES.

We all loved the PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH when Rick Warren talked about our purpose and meaning, but still today a majority of the church use their lives for whatever pleases themselves and this world. The common everyday stuff. We allow sinfulness and our own wild wills to run and play and never stop and think that God may want us to prioritize SERVICE FOR HIS KINGDOM AND HIMSELF with our lives.

The common bowls and utensils for everyday use. It could also be taken as vessels used for less glorious needs - like the outhouse bucket or bedpan!

Face it - there is porcelain that Grandma sets on display in her china cabinet and it is costly and refined and special

and there is a big porcelain bowl that every family has in a private room that is less stellar though commonly used daily...

One feeds the Master of the house and the other takes away the waste...

Those that PURSUE CONSECRATION our those willing to yield to the preparation of the KING for HIS USE!

2. SOME Vessels are Kept on a Special Shelf and Kept for Intended Purposes

What makes the two different - is that one is kept for intended purposes.

When we live our lives for ourselves we are not being kept for HIS INTENTIONS

When we use our talents and abilities only for ourselves we are not saving them for HIS INTENTIONS

IF we are always using these vessels - our lives for what we want we may leave ourselves cracked, dirty or unusable for what HE WANTS!

I heard a message by Priscilla Shirer this week and she spoke of when they were searching for a woman to play the part of Aunt Clara in the War Room - the older woman who was a prayer warrior!!!

They did not want an actress who had compromised her life in any way or previous role to play the part so it would not cast reproach on the film.

That is pretty hard to find in Hollywood! They eventually reached out to churches for an actress --- Karen Abercrombie came forward...

There was an actress, who had continuously turned down roles because she was unwilling to compromise her convictions before the Lord for a role, who eventually left Hollywood and moved to Tennessee and raised her family and served the Lord, but was prepared for this role of her life — set apart on the shelf awaiting the time the Lord was ready to use her - that does not mean she was not used or useful, but in the area she dreamed of she was unwilling to compromise and allow herself to be used for something that would not HONOR GOD.

2 Chronicles 16:9 M:BCL

9 God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”

The Lord looks for those who are fully committed to Him - even if that means setting their dreams on a shelf to be consecrated for His GLORY AND HONOR...

There is joy in being set apart and consecrated for the Lord’s purpose!

3. Ready for the Moment

God wants vessels that are ready for the moment. Have you ever watched a period film set in the grander days of the aristocracy. The help was always shining the silver and buffing the china!

Think Downton Abbey

WHY?

So when the company came it was ready for use!

This past year at Christmas was one of the first years the majority of my wife’s family came together for Christmas.

On Christmas day my mother in law took her fine China off the shelf and prepared it for use by the family for the first time since my father in law had passed away.

It was readied for the moment.

Just a few verses away in chapter 4 Paul tells Timothy

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

In other words - TImothy, make sure your vessel is always prepared and ready to be used! Consecrated and prepared...

Not, oh my I am needed or have to do something for God, I better start to pray, or read my Bible, or stop doing this behavior for a couple of weeks before God wants to use me...

The King’s Carriage was pulled by horses that were trained and ready and prepared at a moment’s notice...

They were instruments of honor for the King’s glory!!!! and they were well taken care of for their service!!!!

CONCLUSION

Church, God wants you to be set apart --- consecrated

Are you pursuing consecration...

ONe thing I hear a lot of these days is there is no time or energy to do something for the Lord because our time and energy has been so spent up doing things for ourselves or family or employers or the things of this world....

Little is set aside and prioritized for the KING!!!

We don’t want to be hemmed in the corral and trained - but by not pursuing consecration we are not available to be used..

God is searching for those HE can use!!!

Will you pursue consecration?