KEYS TO DEDICATION II CORINTHIANS 6:14-18

What words come to mind when you think about being faithful to the Lord. Dedication—To set apart; to devote. God’s people are to be set apart. I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; As Christians we need to dedicate ourselves to the Lord. What are some keys to dedication? CommitmentEndurance Steadfastness

Deny Yourself Luke 9:23 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” The person who is unwilling to deny himself will not allow the Lord to take control of their life. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. A sacrifice is where you give-up something.

The Christian is to give-up their life. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. We must allow the Lord to take control and lead us because we do not know the way. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Be Born Again John 3:3-5 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'' Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Until you are willing to do this you cannot even think about dedicating your life to God. To be able to dedicate your life the Lord you first must comply with His commands.

Unless you are willing to submit to the commands of God, Jesus cannot be your Lord. Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” Baptism is a command Acts 2:38 Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 22:16 `And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

Crucify The Old Person Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Once we become Christians we must not go back into the world. II Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit,'' and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.''

Luke 9:62 "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'' When we become a Christian we die to our old self and become a new person. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Ephesians 4:22-24 That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.

Depend On The Lord We need to depend on the Lord for our very lives. Acts 17:24-26 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.

We depend on the Lord for the things of life. Matthew 6:31-34 "Therefore do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We show our dedication by putting our faith and trust in Him. Psalms 37:3, 5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. We need to depend on Him and trust in Him in the good times and the bad.

Keep Yourself Pure II Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. I Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.

How can we say we are dedicating our lives to God and still be living sin and not keeping ourselves pure? Deny Self Be Born Again Crucify Yourself Depend in the Lord Keep Yourself Pure THESE FIVE KEYS ARE A MUST IN DEDICATING OURSELVES TO THE LORD Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

HOW DEDICATED ARE YOU TO THE LORD?

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ