February 9, 2013
This chapter describes God’s instructions to Moses for consecrating and ordaining Aaron and his sons as priests. The detail is somewhat overwhelming to read, but it leaves us with a few lasting impressions: 1) Worship is work. 2) Worship is for God, not us. 3) Making unholy things holy is hard, bloody work. And 4) I’m glad that Jesus came to fulfill and replace this temple worship. Jesus is our Passover Lamb and our High Priest. He has done all the work. Now, we can offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” to Him (Rom.12:1) in true worship that pleases God.
February 7, 2013
This oil was used to keep the 7 light, golden candle stand ever-burning in front of the table with the 12 loaves of bread (testimony). An Aaronic priest had to work the night-shift to keep it burning. Jesus is the fulfillment of this temple worship. He is both Light of the World and Bread of Life. And we are to keep the light shining on His Testimony in a dark world.
February 1, 2013
The Red Sea crossing showed God’s miraculous saving power to both the Israelites and the Egyptians. News of the crossing also struck fear into the peoples of Canaan. It represents the moment of Israel’s believing and salvation. They will continue to struggle with wanting to go back to their old way of life, but they have been brought out by God and He will not let them turn back. God was preparing a people to recognize and receive His true salvation through His Son, Jesus the Christ.
January 30, 2013
The Lord instructed Moses to have the people kill a male lamb without blemish and spread its blood on their doorposts, so that the angel of death would pass-over them. The Passover was to be a on-going remembrance and reminder of how God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Passover clearly prepared them for its fulfillment in Christ, who is the Lamb of God without blemish and whose blood was shed, so that we might be delivered from sin’s slavery and from death unto eternal life. The Passover pointed forward to Christ, as the Lord’s Supper now points back to Him. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.
January 27, 2013
How many have felt like Moses, having no self-confidence to speak or witness for God? Yet, God cares not about our ability, but our availability. If we give him our mouth, He will fill it. If we answer His call, He will empower us and fulfill His calling in us. God is not looking for the confident and gifted. He is looking for those who will say as Isaiah did, “Here am I, send me.” When we are willing to answer God’s call we cannot fail, for God Himself is our success. Today, Christ commands: “Be My witnesses.” Are you available?
March 18, 2012
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Exodus 33
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evangelism
Pastor Gary Combs continues his message series entitled “WITNESS.” In this message, he focuses on the second important step in being an effective witness: “Look for God’s Presence.” In the book of Exodus, Moses understood that the Israelites could only carry out God’s commission to take the promised land when empowered by God’s presence. We can understand that God’s people can only do God’s will when empowered by God’s Presence. The text gives three steps for how we can look for God’s presence and so join the Father’s work in our neighbor’s life.
February 15, 2012
What gets inspected doesn’t get neglected. Good leaders know that delegated tasks aren’t complete until inspected. And wise leaders know how to give out a blessing to those who have served well. Leader tip: Inspect and bless.
February 12, 2012
May we all on this Lord’s Day gather together with unveiled faces reflecting God’s glory as we worship and hear His Word. Lord, make our faces radiant with your glory (2 Cor. 3:18).
February 10, 2012
The Spirit gives differing gifts, but all for the glory of God and edification of His people. Bezalel was uniquely gifted to fashion the Temple furnishings. His work was as important to God as the priest’s and prophet’s. How has God gifted you?
February 8, 2012
God told Moses to set Aaron and his sons apart for the ministry. God still calls people to be set apart for Him. When we see God’s calling on someone, we acknowledge it by the laying on of hands. But we cannot call. A true calling comes from God alone.