The term “set apart” is intriguing. The definition is simple: “separate something and keep it for a special purpose.” Occasionally, Carah goes grocery shopping, and when she gets home, she tells me that the goat cheese is being used for a special meal she has planned. She has informed me so I will not ruin her meal plans. That goat cheese has been “set apart” for a particular purpose.
Adam and Eve were set apart in the garden, Noah and his family were set apart in the Ark, Daniel was set apart, and Sampson was set apart. Do you know that you, too, were set apart? 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
You have been set apart for a purpose, but sin gets in the way. Sin easily entangles us; it is so gradual and so regular in society that most of us have no idea we are in sin. Do you remember that scene on the cross where Jesus cries out to the Father, asking why he has been forsaken? Mark 15:34 “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Why did God forsake His own Son? God is too Holy to be around sin, and in that moment, Jesus had the sin of the world upon Him, and God had to turn away.
So, let me ask you a question: if God had to turn away from Jesus due to sin, do you think God is close to us in our sin? The answer is a yes and a no. We know God will never leave or forsake us, but we also know from this scene at the cross that God does turn away. So the question for each of us is simple: how close do we want to be to God? I can only answer that question for myself, and I long to be very close. I often beg Jesus to show himself to me and to use me.
For the past two weeks, we have heard from Margie and Charlene about their encounters on the Maundy Thursday worship night. Why do you think that happened? Do you believe Jesus loves them more than us? I’m convinced it is because they “consecrated” themselves as they came into the foyer before entering the sanctuary.
1 Peter 1:15-17 “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Holy means to be “Set Apart.” Not because you can make yourself Holy but because of what Jesus has done for you on the cross. But sin separates us, and this is why we want to consecrate ourselves. In an article on the Jesus Restores website, I read this quote: “Consecration is the antidote to forgetting God is the Giver of all these ‘things’ and turning them into idols. Consecration is an act of worship; it is rooted in humility.”
This Thursday at 6 PM is The Well and a Night of Worship, Prayer, & Pursuit. Why not come and go through the Consecration Room and empty yourself before we worship Jesus? We pray that Jesus meets us all in a way none have ever encountered.
Romans 12: 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. 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
See you Thursday at 6 PM and Sunday at 9:30 AM.
In Him,
Pastor Chris