I have waited to post until late in the week because I have tried to reconstruct the message from last week Sunday. Let me explain.
During the week I start early to do work in the actual text of Scripture...usually some Monday and most of Tuesday. Wednesday is devoted to other lessons and such. Thursday I usually hit the transfer from text to sermon. Last Thursday was unique because nothing happened. I sat and stared at paper most of the day. Friday came and went and still no sermon. I pretty much got sick to my stomach and thought ok...what's going on. Saturday passed and I got sicker. It is very unlike me to step in the pulpit without a reduced sermon text biut Sunday morning came and I had my text work notes and that was it. So I openend my mouth and the sermon came out.
I trust it goes without saying but here I am saying it...I called upon the Lord much from Thursday through Sunday...and was trusting Him as best I knew how. I have no idea what most people thought of the message. I did recieve some feedback and was grateful for it.
As I have tried to reconstruct what was said I can't. I could post my text notes but that probably wouldn't make sense. So I am going to leave this entry blank.
The long and short of it is that as we follow Christ our lives are characterized by a continual and consistent separation unto God in all areas and aspects of life. This is the way the King intended His citizens to be and it flows from His complete 'otherness.'
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 18th, 2009..."One Year: Leviticus - Sacrifice"
Introduction: Sometimes we slip into a comfortable place and begin, unfortunately, to take certain things for granted. The use of our vehicles, a working furnace a friend who is always willing to lend a hand. Many things and people in our lives can fall inadvertently into this category. Sometimes we even become complacent when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. We take Him for granted and forget just how awesome, how holy He is. Holiness has a basic meaning of ‘separate from’ or ‘other’.
Essential Impact: God’s ‘otherness’ demands our ‘careful’ consideration.
Because God is holy and has revealed Himself to us, Creator, Ruler, Initiator, Covenant Maker, He has every right to declare to us the conditions of our approaching Him in the relationship we have with Him. Not in some malicious series of hoops that we must jump through but because He is completely unlike anyone / anything we have ever encountered.
We can divide the book of Leviticus in two parts that help us to further understand our relationship with God, this holy = completely ‘other’ God. The first half, chapters 1-17 we will consider this morning and chapter 18-27 will be next time.
The first 17 chapters show us the way to approach God.
You may recall that when Moses approached the burning bush in Genesis the voice of God came to Moses and said, “Take off your shoes for the ground upon which you are standing is holy.” God prescribes for us the way to approach Him. We see three pieces to that approach through Leviticus.
1. The approach to God must be made by / with sacrificial offerings.
2. The approach is mediated by the Priest.
3. The approach can only be made after purification.
As you read Leviticus you probably have had the experience of getting bogged down very quickly in the details of the sacrifices and the kinds of animals and what to do with the fat portion and so on and so forth. All of those details serve, in one sense, as a reminder the entire time of the seriousness of the approach to God who is holy.
1. The approach to God must be made by / with sacrificial offerings. [Chapters 1-7]
1a. As these sacrificial offerings are listed and explained we do well to relate them to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is a savior who not only died for our sins but His sacrifice fulfilled the requirement of the Levitical Laws that governed the approach to God.
i. the burnt offering of Leviticus One demonstrates / symbolizes Christ’s total submission to His Father’s will.
ii. the meal offering of Leviticus Two relates to Christ’s sinless service
iii. the peace offering of Leviticus Three brings the believer into fellowship with God through Christ’s cross.
iv. the sin offering of Leviticus Four typifies Christ as our guilt bearer.
v. the trespass offering of Leviticus Five links for us an understanding of Christ’s payment for sin…our sins.
2. The approach is mediated by the Priest. [Chapter 8-10]
The meaning of “mediation.” Illustration from Peace makers Ministry. A third party that brings warring factions to the table for reconciliation and restoration of relationship.
In chapter 8 the priest…Aaron and the Levites chosen…are consecrated in order to perform the duties that they have before the Lord on behalf of the people. They are anointed, their hands are filled and they are consecrated with blood. This sets them apart for their work. In a sense they are ordained for ministry. In chapter 9 they must be made clean before they can serve before the Lord. As they serve as mediators between God and man they must make sacrifice for themselves. Moses gives them instruction and three times the chapter records that the Lord would appear to them…4, 6, 23. In chapter 10 there is a vivid illustration of how not to approach God with the two sons of Aaron, priests who were consecrated and set apart for ministry before the Lord brought “strange fire” and they were struck dead by God. Disobedience and departure from the directly prescribed revealed way of approach to God had catastrophic results.
Christ is our mediator and our high priest. Hebrews 3.1; 7.27; 8.6; 9.15; 10.5-22; Ephesians 2.13-18; 1 Timothy 2.5.
3. The approach can only be made after purification. [Chapter 11-17]
But what about all the people? How can they approach God? They too must be pure…and their purity comes in diverse laws and codes. The Laws of Leviticus 11-15 deal with issues of diet, issues of blood, issues of disease, and issues of bodily function. Hardly any of which have what we would consider “moral” outcomes. They occur as the normal course of live transpires. And as such we become “unclean” before God because of them. That is why there is the Levitical Law governing how to become “clean” again. However, that does not negate or absolve us from the “moral” commands of God. We too violate those aspects of approach to God and also must be cleansed. Thus, chapter 16 and 17 outline for us the most special day of the Jewish calendar. The Day of Atonemanet. YOM KIPPUR…September 28th 2009. The day the high priest went into the Holy of Holies and sacrificed before the Lord for the sins of the people.
Jesus Christ is our high priest and sacrificed the perfect sacrifice for sin on the cross. Hebrews 9.8-14.
APPLICATION: In our approaching God…
OFFERINGS: a. religious offering by way of ritual and or tradition amongst themselves are not appropriate nor adequate to approach a holy God. Tradition, regardless of it’s source, where it comes from, no matter where it is found…communion, hymnody, baptism, alter calls, Free Church congregationalism…do not make us acceptable before God in order to approach Him in worship. The Jews had their Levitical Laws and they could approach…believers have Jesus and are free to approach Him.
MEDIATION: Chapter 10 shows us the danger of approaching God on our own term and in our own merits. Disastrous results. Nabab and Abihu… Acts chapter 5 where Anninias and Saphira die because they lie to the Holy Spirit about their offerings.
1. My tithes make me acceptable because I’m obedient. Tithes and obedience are not mediators
2. I sing this type of music because it is so meaningful. Music is not a mediator.
3. I serve in the church as a Sunday School teacher, board member, choir director, host family, etc. Serving is not a mediator.
4. NO church “thing” is a mediator.
If we mix any thing with the sacrifice of Christ we are bringing strange fire before the Lord. And we should repent while we still can. Recall the warnings to the churches of Revelation where Christ warns them to repent of their sins unless He remove their lampstand.
PURITY:
Coming to Christ for salvation. Illustration of going to court where you are charged with a crime and you get all cleaned up and put on your best clothes to go before the judge. Coming to Christ is not like that in the particular aspect of getting cleaned up and wearing the best clothes. We come before the Lord with our sin and, through Jesus’ completed work on the cross, God forgives our sin as we trust in Christ. Let me ask it this way, “Do you have to get cleaned up to take a bath?”
Psalm 66.18-19 = Purity in prayer
~It isn’t about any of our ‘stuff.’ Any denominational distinctive, traditions, nor works allows us to approach Almighty God. It is about our relationship with Jesus…because Calvary covers it all.
Essential Impact: God’s ‘otherness’ demands our ‘careful’ consideration.
Because God is holy and has revealed Himself to us, Creator, Ruler, Initiator, Covenant Maker, He has every right to declare to us the conditions of our approaching Him in the relationship we have with Him. Not in some malicious series of hoops that we must jump through but because He is completely unlike anyone / anything we have ever encountered.
We can divide the book of Leviticus in two parts that help us to further understand our relationship with God, this holy = completely ‘other’ God. The first half, chapters 1-17 we will consider this morning and chapter 18-27 will be next time.
The first 17 chapters show us the way to approach God.
You may recall that when Moses approached the burning bush in Genesis the voice of God came to Moses and said, “Take off your shoes for the ground upon which you are standing is holy.” God prescribes for us the way to approach Him. We see three pieces to that approach through Leviticus.
1. The approach to God must be made by / with sacrificial offerings.
2. The approach is mediated by the Priest.
3. The approach can only be made after purification.
As you read Leviticus you probably have had the experience of getting bogged down very quickly in the details of the sacrifices and the kinds of animals and what to do with the fat portion and so on and so forth. All of those details serve, in one sense, as a reminder the entire time of the seriousness of the approach to God who is holy.
1. The approach to God must be made by / with sacrificial offerings. [Chapters 1-7]
1a. As these sacrificial offerings are listed and explained we do well to relate them to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is a savior who not only died for our sins but His sacrifice fulfilled the requirement of the Levitical Laws that governed the approach to God.
i. the burnt offering of Leviticus One demonstrates / symbolizes Christ’s total submission to His Father’s will.
ii. the meal offering of Leviticus Two relates to Christ’s sinless service
iii. the peace offering of Leviticus Three brings the believer into fellowship with God through Christ’s cross.
iv. the sin offering of Leviticus Four typifies Christ as our guilt bearer.
v. the trespass offering of Leviticus Five links for us an understanding of Christ’s payment for sin…our sins.
2. The approach is mediated by the Priest. [Chapter 8-10]
The meaning of “mediation.” Illustration from Peace makers Ministry. A third party that brings warring factions to the table for reconciliation and restoration of relationship.
In chapter 8 the priest…Aaron and the Levites chosen…are consecrated in order to perform the duties that they have before the Lord on behalf of the people. They are anointed, their hands are filled and they are consecrated with blood. This sets them apart for their work. In a sense they are ordained for ministry. In chapter 9 they must be made clean before they can serve before the Lord. As they serve as mediators between God and man they must make sacrifice for themselves. Moses gives them instruction and three times the chapter records that the Lord would appear to them…4, 6, 23. In chapter 10 there is a vivid illustration of how not to approach God with the two sons of Aaron, priests who were consecrated and set apart for ministry before the Lord brought “strange fire” and they were struck dead by God. Disobedience and departure from the directly prescribed revealed way of approach to God had catastrophic results.
Christ is our mediator and our high priest. Hebrews 3.1; 7.27; 8.6; 9.15; 10.5-22; Ephesians 2.13-18; 1 Timothy 2.5.
3. The approach can only be made after purification. [Chapter 11-17]
But what about all the people? How can they approach God? They too must be pure…and their purity comes in diverse laws and codes. The Laws of Leviticus 11-15 deal with issues of diet, issues of blood, issues of disease, and issues of bodily function. Hardly any of which have what we would consider “moral” outcomes. They occur as the normal course of live transpires. And as such we become “unclean” before God because of them. That is why there is the Levitical Law governing how to become “clean” again. However, that does not negate or absolve us from the “moral” commands of God. We too violate those aspects of approach to God and also must be cleansed. Thus, chapter 16 and 17 outline for us the most special day of the Jewish calendar. The Day of Atonemanet. YOM KIPPUR…September 28th 2009. The day the high priest went into the Holy of Holies and sacrificed before the Lord for the sins of the people.
Jesus Christ is our high priest and sacrificed the perfect sacrifice for sin on the cross. Hebrews 9.8-14.
APPLICATION: In our approaching God…
OFFERINGS: a. religious offering by way of ritual and or tradition amongst themselves are not appropriate nor adequate to approach a holy God. Tradition, regardless of it’s source, where it comes from, no matter where it is found…communion, hymnody, baptism, alter calls, Free Church congregationalism…do not make us acceptable before God in order to approach Him in worship. The Jews had their Levitical Laws and they could approach…believers have Jesus and are free to approach Him.
MEDIATION: Chapter 10 shows us the danger of approaching God on our own term and in our own merits. Disastrous results. Nabab and Abihu… Acts chapter 5 where Anninias and Saphira die because they lie to the Holy Spirit about their offerings.
1. My tithes make me acceptable because I’m obedient. Tithes and obedience are not mediators
2. I sing this type of music because it is so meaningful. Music is not a mediator.
3. I serve in the church as a Sunday School teacher, board member, choir director, host family, etc. Serving is not a mediator.
4. NO church “thing” is a mediator.
If we mix any thing with the sacrifice of Christ we are bringing strange fire before the Lord. And we should repent while we still can. Recall the warnings to the churches of Revelation where Christ warns them to repent of their sins unless He remove their lampstand.
PURITY:
Coming to Christ for salvation. Illustration of going to court where you are charged with a crime and you get all cleaned up and put on your best clothes to go before the judge. Coming to Christ is not like that in the particular aspect of getting cleaned up and wearing the best clothes. We come before the Lord with our sin and, through Jesus’ completed work on the cross, God forgives our sin as we trust in Christ. Let me ask it this way, “Do you have to get cleaned up to take a bath?”
Psalm 66.18-19 = Purity in prayer
~It isn’t about any of our ‘stuff.’ Any denominational distinctive, traditions, nor works allows us to approach Almighty God. It is about our relationship with Jesus…because Calvary covers it all.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 11th, 2009...One Year: The Exodus and The Law
Introduction: Do you know anyone who is dedicated and loyal almost to a fault? Think of people you know who are like that. A good example may be the men and women of our military, as a whole. Or policemen or firefighters…to serve and protect. All of these individuals train and practice and serve each day in order to achieve a goal. Different goals to be certain but each is committed beyond what we might consider “normal.” They go to extremes, sometimes even laying down their own lives to fulfill [achieve] their goals.
Essential Impact: God goes to extreme lengths to create / produce / cause to exist, for Himself a people through which His promise to Abraham will be fulfilled.
Scripture records this extreme type of work that God does. Exodus is completely dedicated to it…and we see it in the first half when God moves His people out of Egypt in chapters 1 through 18...
Main 1: Appreciate what it means to be redeemed
…and in the process, of redeeming, God shows us three aspects of His being, 3 characteristics…
I. Guidance:
a. their increase: in Exodus 1.7 reminds us what was said to Abraham in Genesis 12.1-3 and the promise of the descendants is being fulfilled…
but they find out that things aren’t always roses because of their numbers the Egyptians become afraid of them and so they are enslaved but even in their slavery God continues to fulfill His promise and they continue to increase even when things are made harder at work. And so finally the Pharaoh has a plan to stop this population growth…He plans their limited extermination by declaring all Hebrew males must be destroyed at birth. But we must recall all of Genesis 12.1-3 ‘Curse those who curse you’…ooops Pharaoh…
if all males die then there will be no nation
if all males die the Messiah will not be born
…Ooops Pharaoh has a problem because now he has placed himself in the “curse Israel” category and God speaks Exodus 4.21-23.
b. Eventually Israel calls on God for deliverance from the fairly oppressive hand of Pharaoh. God hears their cry and God calls on Moses. [Illustration: You call 911 = dispatch for help…dispatch calls County EMS = rescue] During the Divine commissioning, so to speak, God reveals to Moses a personal, significant detail about who He is…when Moses asks whom shall I say sent me…God replies, “Tell them ‘I am’ sent you.”
II. Deliverance:
c. The plagues come and the people are set free…redeemed. Moses is given the job of going to Pharaoh to secure the release of the Jews so that they may worship God freely. You have seen and have read and know the progress of the ten plagues that come upon Israel. The “wise men/magicians” of Egypt recognize God after the first few but Pharaoh continues upon the path of being an enemy of Israel and therefore an enemy of God. And so finally God moves to deliver His people through an incredible act of judgment upon Pharaoh’s house…* Passover * And the people are set free.
III. Preservation / Protection:
d. While they are leaving Egypt and in the wilderness God moves in many ways to preserve them and to protect them…some of the high points are…
1. from Egyptian military [chapter 14]
2. from thirst [chapter 15]
3. from hunger [chapter 16]
4. from defeat [chapter 17]
Before we move on to the second half of Exodus we need to pause and look a bit more closely at the idea of redemption and how this theme winds its way through the entire Bible…after all this is a sermon series on the entire Bible and we will meet redemption again and again.
Main 2: Redemption through the Bible
In today’s Christian culture the term redemption has come to be equated with God’s plan and work of salvation but Biblically speaking it is only one aspect of the whole plan and work of salvation. The idea / process of redemption involve the release of people and / or things from bondage / tyranny / oppression with the necessity of an outside agent / source. This is commonly achieved by a financial interaction. [Illustration: redeem your prize] Redemption cannot be achieved under one’s own auspices. “God helps those who help themselves”…not when it comes to redemption. [Illustration: Scene from Star Wars where Padmay, Annikan, and Obewan are prisoners in the gladiator ring and about to be devoured by monsters. They do pretty well in fighting the monsters but then as the other Jedi arrive to rescue them all the Jedi are in trouble and about to be destroyed but at the last second Yoda arrives with the clone army…the outside source of rescue.]
Exodus is the paradigm of redemption as to the work of God. First, God intervenes to free slaves from under Pharaoh who holds them against their will. Second, He breaks the cruel oppressive grip of Pharaoh upon Israel not by a monetary repayment but simply by force. Finally, God acts because of His prior relationship with Israel, “The God of your ancestors Exodus 3.6, 15-16. This role of God is echoed through the Psalms 19.14, 78.35. Isaiah and the Prophets use this picture repeatedly for the exiles and those Israelites who are judged of God.
Redemption can also simply mean to rescue from danger / death. And in Scripture not only does God do this: 2 Samuel 4.9, Job 5.20, Psalm 103.4, 25.22, 31.5, Lamentation 3.58 but friends may also “redeem” from danger as rescuers; 1 Samuel 14.45 and Job 6.23.
Before we turn to redemption in the NT there is one more thing to consider about redemption in the OT. Although limited in references there is the idea that redemption is also from sin. Psalm 130.7-8 have the most far reaching example but Isaiah 44.22-23 and 59.20 support this aspect of redemption as well.
In the NT the Gospels are quite sparse with reference to redemption although Mark 10.45 ransom is directly related to financial redemption Luke is the only other Gospel writer to use the idea of redemption. [Luke 1.68, 2.38, 24.21] Redemption is, on the other hand, prominent in Paul’s writings. Galatians 3.13 and 4.5 are particularly strong in this regard. See also 1 Corinthians 6.20 and 7.22. A final note comes from Revelation 5.8-9 and 14.3-4 where these two songs incorporate redemption as part of the praise of God.
Returning now to the Exodus and the way in which God goes to extreme lengths…
Main 3: Develop in your relationship with God as He reveals Himself through the Covenant Law
a. Why God gave the Covenant [19.3-6] 3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
b. The Big Ten plus other regulations
c. God is revealed [24.9-11] 9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.
d. Where to meet with God [Tabernacle]
e. a rough start where the people don’t do it
f. a better progress
*** g. God fills the Tabernacle 40.34-38
APPLICATION:
1. The extreme length of revealing Himself personally. Believers are God’s children…when He tells Moses His name, YHWH, He is revealing something personal about Himself. There is much to His name but one thing is for certain, there is an implication that we know God personally. Do you know Him personally. Do you relate to God in a personal way? Talking with Him, finding out about Him, listening to Him…
2. God’s promise to Abraham…curse those who curse you…Pharaoh puts himself in that position. The permanence of this promise can be watched from a believers perspective in History and in Modern Times.
3. The Passover is the divine act of redemption [rescue from death and danger as well as bondage] = Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Direct link and we need to understand the redemptive work of Christ. Those in bondage to sin can only be redeemed by Christ.
4. As God filled the Tabernacle with His presence what would your response be to such a magnificent display of His glory? What is your response to the display of His glory in Christ today in this place. We will be singing a song about redemption in just a moment…consider all the extreme lengths that God has gone to in order to redeem a people, you, unto Himself and respond appropriately in song.
5. Develop your relationship with God on His terms; as He has revealed Himself to truly be.
6. God reveals Himself and brings a people unto Himself to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Do you know the main function of ‘priests’?” Priests serve.
7. God has revealed Himself here in Exodus and ultimately in the person of Jesus. Read all about it…pick up and read.
Essential Impact: God goes to extreme lengths to create / produce / cause to exist, for Himself a people through which His promise to Abraham will be fulfilled.
Scripture records this extreme type of work that God does. Exodus is completely dedicated to it…and we see it in the first half when God moves His people out of Egypt in chapters 1 through 18...
Main 1: Appreciate what it means to be redeemed
…and in the process, of redeeming, God shows us three aspects of His being, 3 characteristics…
I. Guidance:
a. their increase: in Exodus 1.7 reminds us what was said to Abraham in Genesis 12.1-3 and the promise of the descendants is being fulfilled…
but they find out that things aren’t always roses because of their numbers the Egyptians become afraid of them and so they are enslaved but even in their slavery God continues to fulfill His promise and they continue to increase even when things are made harder at work. And so finally the Pharaoh has a plan to stop this population growth…He plans their limited extermination by declaring all Hebrew males must be destroyed at birth. But we must recall all of Genesis 12.1-3 ‘Curse those who curse you’…ooops Pharaoh…
if all males die then there will be no nation
if all males die the Messiah will not be born
…Ooops Pharaoh has a problem because now he has placed himself in the “curse Israel” category and God speaks Exodus 4.21-23.
b. Eventually Israel calls on God for deliverance from the fairly oppressive hand of Pharaoh. God hears their cry and God calls on Moses. [Illustration: You call 911 = dispatch for help…dispatch calls County EMS = rescue] During the Divine commissioning, so to speak, God reveals to Moses a personal, significant detail about who He is…when Moses asks whom shall I say sent me…God replies, “Tell them ‘I am’ sent you.”
II. Deliverance:
c. The plagues come and the people are set free…redeemed. Moses is given the job of going to Pharaoh to secure the release of the Jews so that they may worship God freely. You have seen and have read and know the progress of the ten plagues that come upon Israel. The “wise men/magicians” of Egypt recognize God after the first few but Pharaoh continues upon the path of being an enemy of Israel and therefore an enemy of God. And so finally God moves to deliver His people through an incredible act of judgment upon Pharaoh’s house…* Passover * And the people are set free.
III. Preservation / Protection:
d. While they are leaving Egypt and in the wilderness God moves in many ways to preserve them and to protect them…some of the high points are…
1. from Egyptian military [chapter 14]
2. from thirst [chapter 15]
3. from hunger [chapter 16]
4. from defeat [chapter 17]
Before we move on to the second half of Exodus we need to pause and look a bit more closely at the idea of redemption and how this theme winds its way through the entire Bible…after all this is a sermon series on the entire Bible and we will meet redemption again and again.
Main 2: Redemption through the Bible
In today’s Christian culture the term redemption has come to be equated with God’s plan and work of salvation but Biblically speaking it is only one aspect of the whole plan and work of salvation. The idea / process of redemption involve the release of people and / or things from bondage / tyranny / oppression with the necessity of an outside agent / source. This is commonly achieved by a financial interaction. [Illustration: redeem your prize] Redemption cannot be achieved under one’s own auspices. “God helps those who help themselves”…not when it comes to redemption. [Illustration: Scene from Star Wars where Padmay, Annikan, and Obewan are prisoners in the gladiator ring and about to be devoured by monsters. They do pretty well in fighting the monsters but then as the other Jedi arrive to rescue them all the Jedi are in trouble and about to be destroyed but at the last second Yoda arrives with the clone army…the outside source of rescue.]
Exodus is the paradigm of redemption as to the work of God. First, God intervenes to free slaves from under Pharaoh who holds them against their will. Second, He breaks the cruel oppressive grip of Pharaoh upon Israel not by a monetary repayment but simply by force. Finally, God acts because of His prior relationship with Israel, “The God of your ancestors Exodus 3.6, 15-16. This role of God is echoed through the Psalms 19.14, 78.35. Isaiah and the Prophets use this picture repeatedly for the exiles and those Israelites who are judged of God.
Redemption can also simply mean to rescue from danger / death. And in Scripture not only does God do this: 2 Samuel 4.9, Job 5.20, Psalm 103.4, 25.22, 31.5, Lamentation 3.58 but friends may also “redeem” from danger as rescuers; 1 Samuel 14.45 and Job 6.23.
Before we turn to redemption in the NT there is one more thing to consider about redemption in the OT. Although limited in references there is the idea that redemption is also from sin. Psalm 130.7-8 have the most far reaching example but Isaiah 44.22-23 and 59.20 support this aspect of redemption as well.
In the NT the Gospels are quite sparse with reference to redemption although Mark 10.45 ransom is directly related to financial redemption Luke is the only other Gospel writer to use the idea of redemption. [Luke 1.68, 2.38, 24.21] Redemption is, on the other hand, prominent in Paul’s writings. Galatians 3.13 and 4.5 are particularly strong in this regard. See also 1 Corinthians 6.20 and 7.22. A final note comes from Revelation 5.8-9 and 14.3-4 where these two songs incorporate redemption as part of the praise of God.
Returning now to the Exodus and the way in which God goes to extreme lengths…
Main 3: Develop in your relationship with God as He reveals Himself through the Covenant Law
a. Why God gave the Covenant [19.3-6] 3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
b. The Big Ten plus other regulations
c. God is revealed [24.9-11] 9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.
d. Where to meet with God [Tabernacle]
e. a rough start where the people don’t do it
f. a better progress
*** g. God fills the Tabernacle 40.34-38
APPLICATION:
1. The extreme length of revealing Himself personally. Believers are God’s children…when He tells Moses His name, YHWH, He is revealing something personal about Himself. There is much to His name but one thing is for certain, there is an implication that we know God personally. Do you know Him personally. Do you relate to God in a personal way? Talking with Him, finding out about Him, listening to Him…
2. God’s promise to Abraham…curse those who curse you…Pharaoh puts himself in that position. The permanence of this promise can be watched from a believers perspective in History and in Modern Times.
3. The Passover is the divine act of redemption [rescue from death and danger as well as bondage] = Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Direct link and we need to understand the redemptive work of Christ. Those in bondage to sin can only be redeemed by Christ.
4. As God filled the Tabernacle with His presence what would your response be to such a magnificent display of His glory? What is your response to the display of His glory in Christ today in this place. We will be singing a song about redemption in just a moment…consider all the extreme lengths that God has gone to in order to redeem a people, you, unto Himself and respond appropriately in song.
5. Develop your relationship with God on His terms; as He has revealed Himself to truly be.
6. God reveals Himself and brings a people unto Himself to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Do you know the main function of ‘priests’?” Priests serve.
7. God has revealed Himself here in Exodus and ultimately in the person of Jesus. Read all about it…pick up and read.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 4th, 2009...One Year: Covenant
Introduction: In Genesis 3, in one fell swoop, all of humanity is lost. Granted it was only two people but the entire human race was condemned to death. God had created Adam and Eve to tend the Garden and to enjoy a relationship with Him. They were the first citizens of God’s Kingdom. They were to fill the earth with more people but when sin entered the world through their disobedience paradise was lost and God set into motion the restoration of the relationship through the process of redemption. In some small but significant ways God shows His grace towards Adam and Eve at first and then to other humans. Even though sin increases tremendously God continues to move towards salvation and reconciliation. From chapters 3-11 of Genesis the promises that God makes and keep come in general and somewhat universal terms. As we enter into God’s Holy Word in Genesis 12 He zooms in with a very specific person and a specific promise. Whereas the door of redemption was only a crack open in chapters 3-11 now it is swung wide and we see through the threshold a journey of epic proportions. The door is open and we see with a wide angle lens all of the Bible accounts we have ever learned in Sunday School…look there is Adam and Eve, Noah and the Ark, Abraham with his son Isaac walking up a mountain, there is David standing over a dead giant, Ezekiel looking up in the sky at some fantastic wheel spinning, Ezra building a wall, Queen Esther outside the King’s door, Joseph with Mary riding a donkey, Jesus speaking with Peter James and John in a garden, Paul preaching on Mars Hill, John alone on an Island. And then we turn and focus on Genesis 12 and the wide angle lens moves into a close up where everything else is blocked from our view. Zooming in we see a man??? Not exclusively, for the man is not the main character, God is the main character and God speaks to a man…because
Essential Impact: God is the one who takes the initiative in the story / chronicle / account / narrative / history / journal / saga of redeeming a people unto Himself. Redeeming a citizenship of His Kingdom.
How He does this is by instituting a pledge [covenant, promise, assurance, guarantee, vow, oath, word of honor, security, sworn pronouncement] with one man whose name is Abram.
We know virtually nothing about Abram for the first 75 years of his life and then again virtually nothing about the last 75 years of his life. The information we have and are deeply interested is, where God is decidedly at work in his life, from the time he is 75 until he is 100.
Genesis 12-50 covers the “lives” of four people Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. We will cover Isaac and Jacob briefly but most of our time this morning will be spent with Abram and Joseph.
Main 1: God initiates with Abram and reveals how He works to bring about faith / faithfulness.
a. Genesis 1-11: examples galore of faithlessness
b. Contrast with Abram: Human attempt11.4 “name for ourselves”
God’s initiative 12.2 “I will make a name for you.”
c. The Covenant begins specifically:
1. Go
2. “I will…” 5 times the Lord takes action upon Abram et. al.
3. Genesis 12.2-3: “All the families of the earth will be blessed…”
Illustration: 1988 My call to ministry because God is still taking the initiative. Thus, when God made this covenant with Abram my future, our future, was set into motion in the past. Interesting food for thought.
d. Redemptive history begins with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but does not end with them. They stand for us with an emphasis upon the Divine Promise maker, God
e. We see in Abram both faith, which leads us to applaud Abram, and folly which moves us to applaud God for continuing to keep His promise.
f. Genesis 12.1-3 = Divine Initiative
Genesis 12.4 = Faith response…if it was recorded before the promise then it would indicate that the promise was made based upon obedience…and then works would take center stage in salvation but God’s initiative work is at the center of salvation by grace through faith. Important truth.
g. David Clines outlines 19 passages in Genesis where Divine promises are involved. 13 of them towards Abram, 3 towards Jacob, 2 towards Isaac, and 1 towards Hagar.
h. When we actually look at the content of the promise made to Abraham we see that their fulfillment is mostly future. Abraham didn’t “get” the promise kept it’s it fullness. So what did he get? He got the God of the promise…Friend of God.
i. Not all lollipops and gummi bears. There were lapses in faith for Abraham.
1. Has his wife lie to Pharaoh to save his own life
2. Employs the same tactic with the Philistines
3. He goes to be with Hagar and Ishmael is born
j. But there is ample evidence of faith as well
1. chapter 12 = hears voice of God and goes
2. chapter 13 = when in Egypt he asserts his own thinking and strife ensues but when it comes to Lot and the land he trusts the hand of God
3. chapter 14 = militarily defeats the big guns…
“I will curse those who curse you…”
4. chapters 15 + 17 = Conversation with God where Abraham speaks very little…God speaks…inititative
5. chapters 18 + 19 = He intercedes for the wicked
6. chapter 20 = prays for his wife’s barreness.
Main 2: God initiates with Isaac and reminds us the He will fulfill His promise.
a. Human fulfillment is Hagar + Ishmael
b. Son of Promise is still God’s prerogative…Isaac is born when it’s physically impossible
c. Chapter 26 God reiterates His promise…Abraham and Isaac.
Main 3: God initiates with Jacob and shows us the need for divine change / transformation.
The Need for Transformation…
a. from the very beginning…the struggle in the womb and God explains…at birth he grabs at his brothers heel.
b. exploits his brother and gains Esau’s birthright…family strife
c. deceives his father and gains a blessing.
The Preparation for Transformation…
a. at Jacob’s first meeting with God at Bethel he wakes and is afraid…he has a guilty conscience…unlike Abraham, Isaac and even Lot who all welcome the Lord. Jacob is like Adam who hid because he was afraid.
b. God shows Himself to Jacob at Bethel then God show Jacob himself through Laban and all of the trickery and deceit…
c. then when returning home Jacob tries to manipulate the meeting with Esau…who would you say Jacob truly needs to meet Esau or God?
The Transformation…
a. at Bethel 20 years earlier Jacob was alone and afraid of God
b. Jacob once again finds himself alone and wrestles with the messenger of the Lord. He is weak and clings on for dear life as they wrestle. Where he once was the “winner” by his deceit and manipulation now he is the “losing” party but holds on.
c. Asks for a blessing
d. “What is your name?” = Jacob = supplanter, trickster…
d1. Given a new name = transformed = Israel = strives with God
c1. Given a new blessing = 32.29
b1. Left with a reminder = bum hip
Main 4: God initiates with Joseph and shows us how He works all things for good.
a. Joseph the dreamer makes his family jealous…his father didn’t help
b. He was sold into slavery and his brothers were content to treat him as dead
c. Rises to prominence in Potiphar’s house…enter the wife
*importance of his purity*
d. Placed in prison and used but forgotten again.
e. Was remembered and able to interpret dreams for Pharaoh
f. Position of power given to him to save multiple thousand
g. Which include his own family and the line of the Messiah
h. After Jacob dies the brothers fear retribution and from the mouth of Joseph we get the jewel of God’s machinations and the results of His initiatives. Genesis 50 15-20
APPLICATION:
God initiates to bring about faith:
1. The distinct voice of God.
For me it was my call to ministry and then a 7 year wait.
Maybe God is / has / will call you to vocational ministry.
2. God’s promise(s) to His children
Has He promised you Health? Wealth? Forgiveness? His presence?
3. Life’s rhythms, trouble and our attempts to fulfill His promises…WAIT and let God fulfill His promises.
God initiates transformation
1. Who are you? Ask your self the question and look deeply at yourself. Are you a worrier? Are you a fabricator? Do you manipulate to get your way? Do you stack the deck in your favor?
2. God has shown you Himself, in His Son Jesus Christ. Have you come to Christ? Do you know Him? Have you trusted Him for the forgiveness of your sins?
3. If you have faith in Jesus can you identify the transforming effect of His life in yours? For Jacob his name was changed. Can you look at your life and point to the places where He has cause transformation.
God initiates and shows His goodness
1. The hardships of your life are the crucible of God’s goodness.
2. What others mean for evil…God is meaning for good? Can you get your hands on that? It really boils down to your view of God. How big? How faithful? How trustworthy? How able? How good? How loving? How just? How whatever…is the God you believe in?
Conclusion: As we prepare to participate together in the celebration of communion we are reminded of the words of Christ recorded in 1 Corinthians, “This is the cup of my blood the blood of a new covenant.” As it is that God initiated with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph the ultimate expression of His initiation is seen in His Son whom He sent to establish the new covenant in His blood. Each week we’ll be seeing more and more and hopefully your view of God will get bigger and more refined and as you think about Him, in His presence, you will understand and know Him so that you will love Him and worship Him more than you did before.
Essential Impact: God is the one who takes the initiative in the story / chronicle / account / narrative / history / journal / saga of redeeming a people unto Himself. Redeeming a citizenship of His Kingdom.
How He does this is by instituting a pledge [covenant, promise, assurance, guarantee, vow, oath, word of honor, security, sworn pronouncement] with one man whose name is Abram.
We know virtually nothing about Abram for the first 75 years of his life and then again virtually nothing about the last 75 years of his life. The information we have and are deeply interested is, where God is decidedly at work in his life, from the time he is 75 until he is 100.
Genesis 12-50 covers the “lives” of four people Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. We will cover Isaac and Jacob briefly but most of our time this morning will be spent with Abram and Joseph.
Main 1: God initiates with Abram and reveals how He works to bring about faith / faithfulness.
a. Genesis 1-11: examples galore of faithlessness
b. Contrast with Abram: Human attempt11.4 “name for ourselves”
God’s initiative 12.2 “I will make a name for you.”
c. The Covenant begins specifically:
1. Go
2. “I will…” 5 times the Lord takes action upon Abram et. al.
3. Genesis 12.2-3: “All the families of the earth will be blessed…”
Illustration: 1988 My call to ministry because God is still taking the initiative. Thus, when God made this covenant with Abram my future, our future, was set into motion in the past. Interesting food for thought.
d. Redemptive history begins with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but does not end with them. They stand for us with an emphasis upon the Divine Promise maker, God
e. We see in Abram both faith, which leads us to applaud Abram, and folly which moves us to applaud God for continuing to keep His promise.
f. Genesis 12.1-3 = Divine Initiative
Genesis 12.4 = Faith response…if it was recorded before the promise then it would indicate that the promise was made based upon obedience…and then works would take center stage in salvation but God’s initiative work is at the center of salvation by grace through faith. Important truth.
g. David Clines outlines 19 passages in Genesis where Divine promises are involved. 13 of them towards Abram, 3 towards Jacob, 2 towards Isaac, and 1 towards Hagar.
h. When we actually look at the content of the promise made to Abraham we see that their fulfillment is mostly future. Abraham didn’t “get” the promise kept it’s it fullness. So what did he get? He got the God of the promise…Friend of God.
i. Not all lollipops and gummi bears. There were lapses in faith for Abraham.
1. Has his wife lie to Pharaoh to save his own life
2. Employs the same tactic with the Philistines
3. He goes to be with Hagar and Ishmael is born
j. But there is ample evidence of faith as well
1. chapter 12 = hears voice of God and goes
2. chapter 13 = when in Egypt he asserts his own thinking and strife ensues but when it comes to Lot and the land he trusts the hand of God
3. chapter 14 = militarily defeats the big guns…
“I will curse those who curse you…”
4. chapters 15 + 17 = Conversation with God where Abraham speaks very little…God speaks…inititative
5. chapters 18 + 19 = He intercedes for the wicked
6. chapter 20 = prays for his wife’s barreness.
Main 2: God initiates with Isaac and reminds us the He will fulfill His promise.
a. Human fulfillment is Hagar + Ishmael
b. Son of Promise is still God’s prerogative…Isaac is born when it’s physically impossible
c. Chapter 26 God reiterates His promise…Abraham and Isaac.
Main 3: God initiates with Jacob and shows us the need for divine change / transformation.
The Need for Transformation…
a. from the very beginning…the struggle in the womb and God explains…at birth he grabs at his brothers heel.
b. exploits his brother and gains Esau’s birthright…family strife
c. deceives his father and gains a blessing.
The Preparation for Transformation…
a. at Jacob’s first meeting with God at Bethel he wakes and is afraid…he has a guilty conscience…unlike Abraham, Isaac and even Lot who all welcome the Lord. Jacob is like Adam who hid because he was afraid.
b. God shows Himself to Jacob at Bethel then God show Jacob himself through Laban and all of the trickery and deceit…
c. then when returning home Jacob tries to manipulate the meeting with Esau…who would you say Jacob truly needs to meet Esau or God?
The Transformation…
a. at Bethel 20 years earlier Jacob was alone and afraid of God
b. Jacob once again finds himself alone and wrestles with the messenger of the Lord. He is weak and clings on for dear life as they wrestle. Where he once was the “winner” by his deceit and manipulation now he is the “losing” party but holds on.
c. Asks for a blessing
d. “What is your name?” = Jacob = supplanter, trickster…
d1. Given a new name = transformed = Israel = strives with God
c1. Given a new blessing = 32.29
b1. Left with a reminder = bum hip
Main 4: God initiates with Joseph and shows us how He works all things for good.
a. Joseph the dreamer makes his family jealous…his father didn’t help
b. He was sold into slavery and his brothers were content to treat him as dead
c. Rises to prominence in Potiphar’s house…enter the wife
*importance of his purity*
d. Placed in prison and used but forgotten again.
e. Was remembered and able to interpret dreams for Pharaoh
f. Position of power given to him to save multiple thousand
g. Which include his own family and the line of the Messiah
h. After Jacob dies the brothers fear retribution and from the mouth of Joseph we get the jewel of God’s machinations and the results of His initiatives. Genesis 50 15-20
APPLICATION:
God initiates to bring about faith:
1. The distinct voice of God.
For me it was my call to ministry and then a 7 year wait.
Maybe God is / has / will call you to vocational ministry.
2. God’s promise(s) to His children
Has He promised you Health? Wealth? Forgiveness? His presence?
3. Life’s rhythms, trouble and our attempts to fulfill His promises…WAIT and let God fulfill His promises.
God initiates transformation
1. Who are you? Ask your self the question and look deeply at yourself. Are you a worrier? Are you a fabricator? Do you manipulate to get your way? Do you stack the deck in your favor?
2. God has shown you Himself, in His Son Jesus Christ. Have you come to Christ? Do you know Him? Have you trusted Him for the forgiveness of your sins?
3. If you have faith in Jesus can you identify the transforming effect of His life in yours? For Jacob his name was changed. Can you look at your life and point to the places where He has cause transformation.
God initiates and shows His goodness
1. The hardships of your life are the crucible of God’s goodness.
2. What others mean for evil…God is meaning for good? Can you get your hands on that? It really boils down to your view of God. How big? How faithful? How trustworthy? How able? How good? How loving? How just? How whatever…is the God you believe in?
Conclusion: As we prepare to participate together in the celebration of communion we are reminded of the words of Christ recorded in 1 Corinthians, “This is the cup of my blood the blood of a new covenant.” As it is that God initiated with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph the ultimate expression of His initiation is seen in His Son whom He sent to establish the new covenant in His blood. Each week we’ll be seeing more and more and hopefully your view of God will get bigger and more refined and as you think about Him, in His presence, you will understand and know Him so that you will love Him and worship Him more than you did before.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sons of God and Daughters of man?
The "riddle" of who these individuals are is quite perplexing and different authors offer different support and objections to each proposal. There are basically four possibilities.
ONE: The sons of God are identified as the descendant of Seth and the daughter of man are identified as the descendant of Cain.
Support: a) It fits the surrounding context with respect to the previous chapters genealogies of each of those lines of descent. b) there are a couple of direct parallels i.e. the sons of God "took wives" parallels Lamech "taking two wives."
Argument against: For this to be possible then we have to take the meaning of "man" is 6.1 as different than in 6.2
Response: 2 Samuel 7 uses the word "house" to mean four different things; temple, palace, dynasty, and status.
TWO: The sons of God are identified as ancient dynastic rulers and the daughters of man are identified as their royal harems.
Support: there is some sources outside the Bible that does use the phrase sons of god to identify ancient rulers.
Argument against: a) sons of god has not been used up to this point in Scripture for this particular identification b) why then is the judgment against all of mankind? This is possible since 70,000 because David took a census. [2 Samuel 24]
THREE: The sons of God are identified as Angels and the daughters of man as human female.
Support: a) In other places in Scripture Angels are referred to as "sons of God" [Job 1, 2, 38] b) Jude 6 and 7 seem to support this interpretation.
Arguments against: Jude 6 and 7 may refer to similar sexually based sin, one of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other of angelic unnatural lust of angels. However, if the intent of Jude 6 and 7 is to provide two examples of divine judgement upon sin period one angelic and the other human than Jude has no import upon Genesis 6.
FOUR: the sons of God are identified as aliens...that's just one I threw in for those of you who are all confused and need a laugh.
POINT: The Biblical text introduces us to the sons of God and the daughters of man without any kind of roll call where we might know of whom God is referring to specifically but is this the point of the text? It seems that the judgment of God takes front and center albeit delayed, as evidence of His grace. It also appears that the reason for the judgement is upon illicit marital unions between God's children and others...read: believers and unbelievers, which has other Biblical support.
It is a wonderful exercise to think critically upon such issues but simply because we, at the end of the day, cannot say definitively one way or the other does not mean that we aren't able to decipher what God wants us to know about Himself. Here we need to focus upon the differentiation of flesh and spirit and the grace of God.
ONE: The sons of God are identified as the descendant of Seth and the daughter of man are identified as the descendant of Cain.
Support: a) It fits the surrounding context with respect to the previous chapters genealogies of each of those lines of descent. b) there are a couple of direct parallels i.e. the sons of God "took wives" parallels Lamech "taking two wives."
Argument against: For this to be possible then we have to take the meaning of "man" is 6.1 as different than in 6.2
Response: 2 Samuel 7 uses the word "house" to mean four different things; temple, palace, dynasty, and status.
TWO: The sons of God are identified as ancient dynastic rulers and the daughters of man are identified as their royal harems.
Support: there is some sources outside the Bible that does use the phrase sons of god to identify ancient rulers.
Argument against: a) sons of god has not been used up to this point in Scripture for this particular identification b) why then is the judgment against all of mankind? This is possible since 70,000 because David took a census. [2 Samuel 24]
THREE: The sons of God are identified as Angels and the daughters of man as human female.
Support: a) In other places in Scripture Angels are referred to as "sons of God" [Job 1, 2, 38] b) Jude 6 and 7 seem to support this interpretation.
Arguments against: Jude 6 and 7 may refer to similar sexually based sin, one of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other of angelic unnatural lust of angels. However, if the intent of Jude 6 and 7 is to provide two examples of divine judgement upon sin period one angelic and the other human than Jude has no import upon Genesis 6.
FOUR: the sons of God are identified as aliens...that's just one I threw in for those of you who are all confused and need a laugh.
POINT: The Biblical text introduces us to the sons of God and the daughters of man without any kind of roll call where we might know of whom God is referring to specifically but is this the point of the text? It seems that the judgment of God takes front and center albeit delayed, as evidence of His grace. It also appears that the reason for the judgement is upon illicit marital unions between God's children and others...read: believers and unbelievers, which has other Biblical support.
It is a wonderful exercise to think critically upon such issues but simply because we, at the end of the day, cannot say definitively one way or the other does not mean that we aren't able to decipher what God wants us to know about Himself. Here we need to focus upon the differentiation of flesh and spirit and the grace of God.
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