Proverbs 9:9-10
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Exodus Review
In Exodus 25–27 Moses carefully recorded the blueprints God gave him for the design of the tabernacle and its furnishings. Now Moses describes the construction of the tabernacle and repeats, almost word for word, material in the earlier chapters. The repetition serves as a reminder. The tabernacle, and the sacrifices offered there, were central in Israel’s faith. They spoke then and today of worship, and of access to God even for those who had sinned.
Here then we find again Sabbath regulations (35:1–3), a list of materials (vv. 4–29), enablement of gifted craftsmen (35:30–36:7), construction of the tabernacle (vv. 8–38), the ark (37:1–9), the table for showbread (vv. 10–16), the lampstand (vv. 17–24), the altar of incense (vv. 25–29), the altar of burnt offering (38:1–8), the courtyard (vv. 9–20), and finally, a summary of the materials used (vv. 21–31).
Key verse. 36:1: The Lord must give us not only directions, but also the ability to do His work.
Personal application. It is important to know exactly what God wants. It is even more important to do it!
Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (73). Wheaton: Victor Books.
“From what you have” (35:5). Sometimes I fool myself by saying, "Lord, if I had this much money I could do so much more for you...I would do this and this and this." When ALL HE is looking for is a willing heart and to freely give from what we have.
“More than enough” (36:6). The invitation to give was extended to all. The response was so great that Moses had to stop the outpouring of gifts. Could you imagine if the body of Bellevue was filled with God's children with "willing hearts" to give from what they have and one Sunday Brother Steve has to get up and say, "Hey everyone, we need to restrain your giving, you are giving too much...please, no one give more than 20%." Please here me, I am always blessed how our church family responds to invitations to give, we are a generous people, BUT we have never had to say, STOP GIVING, STOP GIVING!
“The Spirit of God.” (35:31)Those chosen to serve God were equipped for service by the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit is not an “influence,” but a Person. Jesus used the personal pronoun “He” in speaking of the Spirit (John 14:17, 26; 16:13–15). Scripture tells us that the Spirit knows and understands (Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:11), acts and chooses (12:11), loves (Rom. 15:30), teaches (John 14:26), intercedes (Rom. 8:26), convicts (John 16:7–8), bears witness (15:26), and guides (16:13).
As God's children we can be confident that if HE prompts and moves us to serve HIM and minister in HIS name HE WILL equip us for the job! Checkout 2 Co 3:4-6 Paul tells us that, "We have this kind of confidence toward God through Christ: 5 not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God. 6 He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life."
I don't mind telling you that as God began to call us into the ministry I pulled a Moses, remember, "here I am Lord, please send someone else." Then like Moses I had a long list of reasons why it would not work, why I was not qualified, why I was not competent, capable etc...and then HE did something that was NOT FAIR! HE PASSED MY EYES, THE EYES OF MY HEART OVER HIS WORDS IN VERSE 6 He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant. And then I heard the Spirit of God say...not in an audible voice, LOUDER THAN THAT:)...Mark, you are right in every way, you are not qualified, competent, capable or anything of the sort...BUT...I HAVE MADE YOU COMPETENT TO BE A MINISTER OF THE NEW COVENANT! HE is so awesome! Do you see what HE did? HE took away ALL POSSIBILITY OF BOASTING FROM ME AND GAVE ME ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE AT THE SAME TIME...THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT...THAT IS WHY PAUL WOULD ONLY BOAST IN THE CROSS...I HOPE YOU SEE HOW HUGE THAT IS...HOW HUGE THAT IS WHEN HE PROMPTS YOU TO MINISTER IN HIS NAME!
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? WELL...THE GREAT COMMISSION, HIS WORDS IN MATTHEW TODAY ARE A COMMAND TO EVERY CHILD OF GOD...EVERY CHILD, BUT MARK...EVERY CHILD...IT IS A COMMAND...YOU DON'T HAVE TO WONDER IF GOD WANTS YOU TO PARTICIPATE...YOU ARE COMMANDED TO...WILL YOU OBEY...WHAT MUST YOU AND I DO TO OBEY THIS COMMAND?
Mt 28:18-20
The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Remember Jesus authority is universal and HE has a plan and a purpose in using HIS authority. HE has authority over, disease, demons, sin, suffering, nature and the nations...what does this mean as we seek to obey this command? IT MEANS THAT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY FREE TO PURSUE HIM IN RADICAL, YES RADICAL OBEDIENCE TO THIS COMMAND...HE HAS ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY AND HE HAS PROMISED HIS PRESENCE, REMEMBER THAT WAS WHAT MOSES WAS AFTER, THE PRESENCE OF GOD...AS HIS CHILDREN WE ARE FREE TO RADICALLY OBEY, TO MAKE DISCIPLES, TO BRING OTHERS OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGIT, TO BRING THEM FROM DEATH INTO CHRIST AND ETERNAL LIFE. We are free to risk everything to obey as HE LEADS US because HE is in control of EVERYTHING...HE IS ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN. GO THEREFORE...AS YOU ARE GOING...make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Father in heaven,
enable me to walk in obedience to love you, to love others...thank YOU, that YOU have made me (us) to be competent ministers of the new covenant and to go and make disciples for your glory and our joy.
love,
M