Christian Message for House Dedication

Author:

Kerala Home, from keralahomedesign.blogspot.com

Message for House Dedication

This is a message given by the senior-most elder of our church, Bro KVP, at a house dedication, i.e. a believer dedicating his new house/new apartment to the Lord by way of holding a meeting of the saints, and having a message given, having prayers in each room (including the kitchen), and bringing the whole house under the protection of the Blood and claiming God's peace/prosperity for the home and the family therein.

There were four points in the message:
i. Protected house
ii. Pilgrim house
iii. Priestly house
iv. Permanent house

i. Protected house. Exodus 12:5. The house was protected by the blood of the Lamb. When the Angel of Death passed through Egypt, it could not enter the houses that were under the blood of the Passover Lamb. The Israelite father of the household, following the commandment of God given through Moses, applied the blood of the Passover Lamb to the two doorposts and lintel of the door of his house, thereby bringing his entire family and the inhabitants therein under the protection of the Blood. The Blood of the Lamb points to the Blood of Jesus Christ, because He is the Lamb of God according to John 1:29. Heb 9:14 says the blood of Christ cleanses (frees) our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 1 John 1:7 says the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from every sin.

(Bring your house and family under the protection of the Blood!)

ii. Pilgrim house. 'Thy statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.' Ps 119:54. We belong to the Lord. He purchased us with His precious blood. We have a citizenship in heaven, and we no longer belong to this world. We are but strangers and pilgrims passing through this planet. 'The world is passing away, and its lusts...' 1 John 2:17. We are on a journey to Zion, Ps 84:5. We remember how Abraham passed through Canaan as a stranger and pilgrim. He did not settle down anywhere, and the only plot of land that he purchased was for a tomb for his wife. This earth is merely a tomb or grave for our dead body; one day we will be raptured to dwell with Christ in heaven. We all belong to the Heavenly City, the new Jerusalem.

(Be thankful for the shelter you have, but don't get obsessed with investing in things on earth, by purchasing lands and buildings and apartments and whatnot.)

iii. Priestly house. 1 Pet 2:5 says that, 'We, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood...' Our home should be a home of prayer, thanksgiving, worship, service to God and hospitality to His saints. We should maintain the family altar in our home, having family prayers both morning and night. We must also open our homes for cottage ministry, inviting the people of God to come over for prayer and intercession; and we must invite friends and relatives (who are non-believers) to our homes for meetings where the gospel is given, so that they too might be saved and receive the gift of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Make your home a house of prayer and worship. Open the doors of your home for cottage meetings, for prayer meetings, and for thanksgiving meetings, and Bible studies. Let God be glorified in your home.)

iv. Permanent house. John 14:2-3 speaks of the Father's house in heaven, where there are many mansions or dwelling-places. The Lord Jesus is telling His disciples that He is going to heaven to prepare a place for them. At the time of His Second Coming, He will receive them to Himself, so that where He is, there they may be also. Yes, our permanent home is in heaven. God is our dwelling-place, Ps 90:1. While we live on earth, we must prepare ourselves for our heavenly home, having nothing of worldly ambition or earthly interests, but always seeking the things that are above. Godliness with contentment is great gain, 1 Tim 6:6. We must be satisfied with our food, clothing and shelter by way of whatever God has given us; and instead of seeking earthly things (more material possessions), we should invest in heaven. How can that be done? By the word of God, by prayer, by fellowship with God's children and by partaking regularly in the Lord's Table, Acts 2:42. All our time, talent and treasure must be invested for the things of God.

(Remember, we are heavenly people, and our home is in heaven. We must remember the four anchors of our faith (Acts 2:42), and practice these four principles regularly: the Word of God, prayer, fellowship with the saints, and taking part in the Lord's Table/Holy Communion. We thereby testify that we are walking in the footsteps of Christ our Lord.)

(This message was given by K.V.P. at the dedication of a new apartment on 27th April, 2010.)