Consecrate Me to Thy Service
SERMON REVIEW FOR WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2008
CONSECRATE ME TO THY SERVICE
LEVITICUS 8:1-22
LEVITICUS 8:1-12 J LEVITICUS 8:1 AND THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING: 2 "TAKE AARON AND HIS SONS WITH HIM, AND THE GARMENTS, THE ANOINTING OIL, A BULL AS THE SIN OFFERING, TWO RAMS, AND A BASKET OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; 3 "AND GATHER ALL THE CONGREGATION TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING." 4 SO MOSES DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM. AND THE CONGREGATION WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING. 5 AND MOSES SAID TO THE CONGREGATION, "THIS IS WHAT THE LORD COMMANDED TO BE DONE." 6 THEN MOSES BROUGHT AARON AND HIS SONS AND WASHED THEM WITH WATER. 7 AND HE PUT THE TUNIC ON HIM, GIRDED HIM WITH THE SASH, CLOTHED HIM WITH THE ROBE, AND PUT THE EPHOD ON HIM; AND HE GIRDED HIM WITH THE INTRICATELY WOVEN BAND OF THE EPHOD, AND WITH IT TIED THE EPHOD ON HIM. 8 THEN HE PUT THE BREASTPLATE ON HIM, AND HE PUT THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM IN THE BREASTPLATE. 9 AND HE PUT THE TURBAN ON HIS HEAD. ALSO ON THE TURBAN, ON ITS FRONT, HE PUT THE GOLDEN PLATE, THE HOLY CROWN, AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES. 10 ALSO MOSES TOOK THE ANOINTING OIL, AND ANOINTED THE TABERNACLE AND ALL THAT WAS IN IT, AND CONSECRATED THEM. 11 HE SPRINKLED SOME OF IT ON THE ALTAR SEVEN TIMES, ANOINTED THE ALTAR AND ALL ITS UTENSILS, AND THE LAVER AND ITS BASE, TO CONSECRATE THEM. 12 AND HE POURED SOME OF THE ANOINTING OIL ON AARON'S HEAD AND ANOINTED HIM, TO CONSECRATE HIM.
INTRO:
AT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TRIENNIUM IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, IN JULY 1980 PROFESSOR BRUCE RIGGINS OF MCCORMICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WAS SHARING WITH THIRTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ATTENDEES THAT HE HAD MET A VERY DEDICATED CHRISTIAN WORKING IN AN AMAZING WAY WITH THE UNDERPRIVILEGED PEOPLE IN LONDON, ENGLAND. HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT INSPIRED HER CHRISTIAN FAITH AND ACTION. SHE SHARED HER STORY OF HOW SEEING ANOTHER CHRISTIAN'S FAITH CONVERTED HER: SHE WAS A JEW FLEEING THE GERMAN GESTAPO IN FRANCE DURING WORLD WAR II. SHE KNEW SHE WAS CLOSE TO BEING CAUGHT AND SHE WANTED TO GIVE UP. SHE CAME TO THE HOME OF A FRENCH HUGUENOT. A WIDOW LADY CAME TO THAT HOME TO SAY THAT IT WAS TIME TO FLEE TO A NEW PLACE. THIS JEWISH LADY SAID, "IT'S NO USE, THEY WILL FIND ME ANYWAY. THEY ARE SO CLOSE BEHIND." THE CHRISTIAN WIDOW SAID, "YES, THEY WILL FIND SOMEONE HERE, BUT IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE. GO WITH THESE PEOPLE TO SAFETY--I WILL TAKE YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND WAIT HERE."
THE JEWISH LADY THEN UNDERSTOOD THE PLAN; THE GESTAPO WOULD COME AND FIND THIS CHRISTIAN WIDOW AND THINK SHE WAS THE FLEEING JEW.
AS PROFESSOR RIGGINS LISTENED TO THIS STORY, THE CHRISTIAN LADY OF JEWISH DESCENT LOOKED HIM IN THE EYE AND SAID, "I ASKED HER WHY SHE WAS DOING THAT AND THE WIDOW RESPONDED, 'IT'S THE LEAST I CAN DO; CHRIST HAS ALREADY DONE THAT AND MORE FOR ME."' THE WIDOW WAS CAUGHT AND IMPRISONED IN THE JEWISH LADY'S PLACE, ALLOWING TIME FOR HER TO ESCAPE. WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE CHRISTIAN WIDOW WAS DEAD IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMP.
THIS JEWISH LADY NEVER FORGOT THAT. SHE TOO BECAME A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST AND LIVED HER LIFE SERVING OTHERS. SHE MET GOD THROUGH THE GREATEST LOVE A PERSON CAN GIVE--PERSONAL SELF-SACRIFICE. IN FAITH, AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIVES HIS LIFE SERVING OTHERS, SAYING, "THAT'S THE LEAST I CAN DO CONSIDERING WHAT GREAT SACRIFICES CHRIST HAS ALREADY MADE FOR ME."
EXPL: FOR FROM THE OFFERINGS OF LEVITICUS THEY HAVE ALL POINTED TO THE LORD;
THE BURNT OFFERING – HIS PERFECT COMMITMENT
THE MEAL OFFERING – HIS PERFECT CHARACTER
THE PEACE OFFERING – HIS PERFECT COMMUNION
THE SIN OR TRESPASS OFFERING – HIS PERFECT ATONEMENT
THE GUILT OFFERING – HIS PERFECT PAYMENT
WHEREBY AS BELIEVERS WE ARE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF FAITH, WE ARE THE CHURCH, IN CHRIST AND WHAT A BLESSING TO PRAY; “CONSECRATE ME TO THY SERVICE LORD.
PROP: CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO SERVE CHRIST.
INTER: WHAT CAN WE LEARN SO THAT GOD MIGHT DO HIS WORK THROUGH ME?
TS: AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE WE WILL SEE THE BLESSING IN GOD COMMANDS US TO SERVE IN MINISTRY...AND HOW WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.
I. WE SERVE UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE COMMUNITY V1-5. - 1 AND THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING: 2 "TAKE AARON AND HIS SONS WITH HIM, AND THE GARMENTS, THE ANOINTING OIL, A BULL AS THE SIN OFFERING, TWO RAMS, AND A BASKET OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; 3 "AND GATHER ALL THE CONGREGATION TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING." 4 SO MOSES DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM. AND THE CONGREGATION WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING. 5 AND MOSES SAID TO THE CONGREGATION, "THIS IS WHAT THE LORD COMMANDED TO BE DONE."
MINISTRY IS NOT DONE IN ISOLATION BUT DONE IN COMMUNITY. MOSES CALLED THE REPRESENTATIVE HEADS OF THE NATION; AND THEY ASSEMBLED AT THE EAST SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE. AARON AND HIS SON COME BEFORE ARE PARADED BEFORE THE PEOPLE AS GOD COMMANDED. GOD BADE, GOD, SET IT IN ORDER, GOD GAVE ORDERS AND LAY CHARGE TO MOSES.
IMP. THE APPOINTMENT WAS NOT BY MOSES, BUT BY GOD HIMSELF. GOD PLACES PASTORS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL. AND GOD GIVES HIS ORDERS WITH EXACT SPECIFICATION OF WHAT HE WANTS, AND WHO HE WANTS. THE IMPLICATION IS THE GOD COMMANDS PRECISE OBEDIENCE TO GOD. THUS THE ASSEMBLY REMINDS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHY? WE MUST REMEMBER THE INCIDENT OF THE GOLDEN CALF; LAST TIME WE SAW AARON WAS HE WAS SCARED AND NOW HE IS ORDAINED TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE OF THE LAND. AND NEEDED TO KEEP UP AND HELP US IS SOMEONE TO KEEP US ....
PRO. 27:17 AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO A MAN SHARPENS THE COUNTENANCE OF HIS FRIEND. PROV. 27:17
WHY? IN THE NT. PETER SAID I WILL NEVER DENY HIM...AND BEFORE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, THRICE HE DENIED HE NEVER EVEN KNEW THE MAN...AND WITH THE HEARTBREAK OF FAILURE; WE NEED SOME ONE TO POUR OUR HEARTS OUR TO AS OUR EYES MEET JESUS IN A MOMENT OF FAILURE.
KJV GALATIANS 6:1 BRETHREN, IF A MAN BE OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT, YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED. 2 BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST. 3 FOR IF A MAN THINK HIMSELF TO BE SOMETHING, WHEN HE IS NOTHING, HE DECEIVETH HIMSELF. 4
NKJ HEBREWS 10:24 AND LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS,
THE APPLICATION IS THAT WE ARE CALLED TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE; HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIPS. ACCOUNTABLE TO PRAY; READ MORE OF THE BIBLE; HABITS; THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY. IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE WE CAN GIVE AN ANSWER TOO AND NOT BE CONDEMNED. AND AGAIN, NOT THE SACRIFICES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THE SERVICE...THEY REMINDS US THAT SACRIFICE RESTORES THE ORDER OF THE WORSHIP.
AND COMMANDED TO WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER. WE ARE CALLED TO WATCH THE GOOD AND THE BAD; THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS AS WELL AS THE WOLVES. MINISTRY IS DONE WITH A SENSE OF FELLOWSHIP, OR AS IT IS CALLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, KOINONIA.
ILL: BOB WEBER, PAST PRESIDENT OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL, TOLD THIS STORY. HE HAD SPOKEN TO A CLUB IN A SMALL TOWN AND WAS SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH A FARMER ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE COMMUNITY. HE HAD JUST RELAXED ON THE FRONT PORCH WHEN A NEWSBOY DELIVERED THE EVENING PAPER. THE BOY NOTED THE SIGN PUPPIES FOR SALE. THE BOY GOT OFF HIS BIKE AND SAID TO THE FARMER, "HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT FOR THE PUPS, MISTER?" "TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, SON." THE BOY'S FACE DROPPED. "WELL, SIR, COULD I AT LEAST SEE THEM ANYWAY?" THE FARMER WHISTLED, AND IN A MOMENT THE MOTHER DOG CAME BOUNDING AROUND THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE TAGGED BY FOUR OF THE CUTE PUPPIES, WAGGING THEIR TAILS AND YIPPING HAPPILY. AT LAST, ANOTHER PUP CAME STRAGGLING AROUND THE HOUSE, DRAGGING ONE HIND LEG. "WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THAT PUPPY, MISTER?" THE BOY ASKED. "WELL, SON, THAT PUPPY IS CRIPPLED. WE TOOK HER TO THE VET AND THE DOCTOR TOOK AN X RAY. THE PUP DOESN'T HAVE A HIP JOINT AND THAT LEG WILL NEVER BE RIGHT." TO THE AMAZEMENT OF BOTH MEN, THE BOY DROPPED THE BIKE, REACHED FOR HIS COLLECTION BAG AND TOOK OUT A FIFTY-CENT PIECE. "PLEASE, MISTER," THE BOY PLEADED, "I WANT TO BUY THAT PUP. I'LL PAY YOU FIFTY CENTS EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS IS PAID. HONEST I WILL, MISTER." THE FARMER REPLIED, "BUT, SON, YOU DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND. THAT PUP WILL NEVER, NEVER BE ABLE TO RUN OR JUMP. THAT PUP IS GOING TO BE A CRIPPLE FOREVER. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WANT SUCH A USELESS PUP AS THAT?"
THE BOY PAUSED FOR A MOMENT, THEN REACHED DOWN AND PULLED UP HIS PANT LEG, EXPOSING THAT ALL TOO FAMILIAR IRON BRACE AND LEATHER KNEE-STRAP HOLDING A POOR TWISTED LEG. THE BOY ANSWERED, "MISTER, THAT PUP IS GOING TO NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS HIM TO HELP HIM IN LIFE!"
CRIPPLED AND DISFIGURED BY SIN, THE RISEN, LIVING CHRIST HAS GIVEN US HOPE. HE UNDERSTANDS US--OUR TEMPTATIONS, OUR DISCOURAGEMENTS, AND EVEN OUR THOUGHTS CONCERNING DEATH. BY HIS RESURRECTION WE HAVE HELP IN THIS LIFE AND HOPE FOR THE LIFE TO COME.
II. WE SERVE UNDER THE HAND OF HUMILITY V.6-9.
LEVITICUS 8:6 AND MOSES BROUGHT AARON AND HIS SONS, AND WASHED THEM WITH WATER. 7 AND HE PUT UPON HIM THE COAT, AND GIRDED HIM WITH THE GIRDLE, AND CLOTHED HIM WITH THE ROBE, AND PUT THE EPHOD UPON HIM, AND HE GIRDED HIM WITH THE CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD, AND BOUND IT UNTO HIM THEREWITH. 8 AND HE PUT THE BREASTPLATE UPON HIM: ALSO HE PUT IN THE BREASTPLATE THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM. 9 AND HE PUT THE MITRE UPON HIS HEAD; ALSO UPON THE MITRE, EVEN UPON HIS FOREFRONT, DID HE PUT THE GOLDEN PLATE, THE HOLY CROWN; AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
WASHED WITH WATER – THE PRIEST WERE WASHED WITH WATER; TO WASH OR WASHING POINTS US TO CLEANLINESS, PERSONAL HYGIENE AND PURITY. WHEN MOSES WAS DISCOVERED IN THE BULRUSHES PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER HAD COME TO THE NILE TO BATHED. BEFORE RUTH WENT TO MEET BOAZ, SHE BATHED. AND REMEMBER ABRAHAM OFFERED TO WASH HIS DIVINE VISITORS FEET AS A SHOW OF HOSPITALITY. HERE IT IS A SHOW OF HUMILITY; WE HAVE TO HUMBLE OURSELVES IN ORDER TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO WASH US.
WORK OF THE WATER (BAPTISM) – MOSES AT THE LAVER..THIS BIG WASH BASIN.....WAS TO WASH THEM SO THEY COULD BE BROUGHT INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD; MOSES WASHED THE PRIEST. THEY WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY WASH THEMSELVES BEFORE THEY ENTERED THE TABERNACLE BUT IN THE ORDINATION AND CONSECRATION SERVICE THEY HAD TO BE WASHED. WE MUST BE WASHED BEFORE WE WASH; AND AGAIN...WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES IN ORDER TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO WASH US.
WASHING OF DAVID – WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MINE INIQUITY, AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN .V. 2
V. 7 PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP, AND I SHALL BE CLEAN; WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW. PS 51.
WASHING OF PETER – JESUS TOOK THE TOWEL AND BASIN; PETER REJECTED CHRIST WASHING HIM... JOHN 13:1-9 NOW BEFORE THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER, WHEN JESUS KNEW THAT HIS HOUR WAS COME THAT HE SHOULD DEPART OUT OF THIS WORLD UNTO THE FATHER, HAVING LOVED HIS OWN WHICH WERE IN THE WORLD, HE LOVED THEM UNTO THE END. 2 AND SUPPER BEING ENDED, THE DEVIL HAVING NOW PUT INTO THE HEART OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, SIMON'S SON, TO BETRAY HIM; 3 JESUS KNOWING THAT THE FATHER HAD GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HANDS, AND THAT HE WAS COME FROM GOD, AND WENT TO GOD; 4 HE RISETH FROM SUPPER, AND LAID ASIDE HIS GARMENTS; AND TOOK A TOWEL, AND GIRDED HIMSELF. 5 AFTER THAT HE POURETH WATER INTO A BASON, AND BEGAN TO WASH THE DISCIPLES' FEET, AND TO WIPE THEM WITH THE TOWEL WHEREWITH HE WAS GIRDED. 6 THEN COMETH HE TO SIMON PETER: AND PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, LORD, DOST THOU WASH MY FEET? 7 JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT I DO THOU KNOWEST NOT NOW; BUT THOU SHALT KNOW HEREAFTER. 8 PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT NEVER WASH MY FEET. JESUS ANSWERED HIM, IF I WASH THEE NOT, THOU HAST NO PART WITH ME. 9 SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, LORD, NOT MY FEET ONLY, BUT ALSO MY HANDS AND MY HEAD.
WASHING OF CHRIST – REMEMBER HE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE JORDAN; AS JOHN PROCLAIMED BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD...BUT JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST.....HE WAS WASHED US....IN HIS BLOOD, AND BY HIS SPIRIT.
TITUS.3:5 NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US...BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST.
APPL: - APPRECIATE YOUR NEW BIRTH AN D APPRECIATE YOUR BAPTISM; YOUR WASHING, YOUR CEREMONY WHERE YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITH CHRIST...HIS LIFE, HIS DEATH AND HIS RESURRECTION; THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE GOODNESS OF THE GOSPEL UNDERSTAND WASHED ONE IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE BUT THEN WE WASH DAILY ....IN THE WORD OF GOD; WASH WEEKLY IN AS THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FLOWS OVER YOU, AND THROUGH YOUR HEAD, HEART AND HANDS AND FEET. YES..WASH AND THEN GET DRESSED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
ILL: WARDROBE OF WONDER – CLOTHED IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST. YES, THERE IS VERSACE, CALVIN KLEIN, ARMANI, GUCCI, PHAT FARM AND BABY PHAT, BALLY, CHANEL, BURBERRY, DKNY, COCO CHANEL, HUGO BOSS, J.LO, LAGERFELD, LANE BRYANT, KENNETH COLE, SEAN JOHN, BILL BLASS AND BOB MACKIE. BUT WHEN YOU ARE DRESS IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST YOU ARE “BEST DRESSED”.
AFTER THE WASHING THEY WERE GIVE A WARDROBE OF WONDER; TUNIC, SASH, EPHOD, BREAST PLATE AND A TURBAN WITH A GOLDEN PLATE IN FRONT...WITH THE WORDS...HOLINESS TO THE LORD. THIS TAKES US BACK TO EX. 28....
IMP. AARON AND HIS SONS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF GOD IN THE NATION OF ISRAEL. THEY SERVED AS MEDIATORS BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. AND THEY POINT TO JESUS...
TEXT: 1 TIM. 2:5 – FOR THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.
1 JOHN 2:1 ....AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS....
APP; PUT OFF UNCLEANNESS AND PUT ON JESUS.
ILL: REMEMBER JESUS PUT NO ..’YOU’. HE ROBE HIMSELF IN HUMAN FLESH TO SAVE US.
ON MARCH 5, 1994, DEPUTY SHERIFF LLOYD PRESCOTT WAS TEACHING A CLASS FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN THE SALT LAKE CITY LIBRARY. AS HE STEPPED INTO THE HALLWAY HE NOTICED A GUNMAN HERDING 18 HOSTAGES INTO THE NEXT ROOM. WITH A FLASH OF INSIGHT, PRESCOTT (DRESSED IN STREET CLOTHES) JOINED THE GROUP AS THE NINETEENTH HOSTAGE, FOLLOWED THEM INTO THE ROOM, AND SHUT THE DOOR. BUT WHEN THE GUNMAN ANNOUNCED THE ORDER IN WHICH HOSTAGES WOULD BE EXECUTED, PRESCOTT IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A COP.
IN THE SCUFFLE THAT FOLLOWED, PRESCOTT, IN SELF-DEFENSE, FATALLY SHOT THE ARMED MAN. THE HOSTAGES WERE RELEASED UNHARMED. GOD DRESSED HIMSELF IN STREET CLOTHES AND ENTERED OUR WORLD, JOINING US WHO ARE HELD HOSTAGE TO SIN. ON THE CROSS JESUS DEFEATED SATAN AND SET US FREE FROM THE POWER OF SIN.
-- GREG ASIMAKOUPOULOS, CONCORD, CALIFORNIA. LEADERSHIP, VOL. 15, NO. 3.
III. WE SERVE UNDER THE POWER OF THE ANOINTING. V.10-13 FF. I
AND MOSES TOOK THE ANOINTING OIL, AND ANOINTED THE TABERNACLE AND ALL THAT WAS THEREIN, AND SANCTIFIED THEM. 11 AND HE SPRINKLED THEREOF UPON THE ALTAR SEVEN TIMES, AND ANOINTED THE ALTAR AND ALL HIS VESSELS, BOTH THE LAVER AND HIS FOOT, TO SANCTIFY THEM. 12 AND HE POURED OF THE ANOINTING OIL UPON AARON'S HEAD, AND ANOINTED HIM, TO SANCTIFY HIM. 13 AND MOSES BROUGHT AARON'S SONS, AND PUT COATS UPON THEM, AND GIRDED THEM WITH GIRDLES, AND PUT BONNETS UPON THEM; AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
ANOINTING FOR SERVICE – MASHACH – MEANS TO SMEAR, OR TO PAINT; TO RUB SOME LIQUID OVER SOME PERSON, PLACE OR THING.
IMP. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SERVE, WE NEED TO BE EMPOWERED TO SERVE. THE ANOINTING SYMBOLIZED AN AUTHORIZED SEPARATION TO GOD FOR SERVICE WHICH CARRIES WITH IT INCREASE RESPONSIBILITY. THUS WE HAVE HERE HOLINESS AND AUTHORITY...AND WE ACT AND SERVE ON BEHALF OF GOD. THUS WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING.
TEXT: PSALM 133:1 A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID. BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY! 2 IT IS LIKE THE PRECIOUS OIL UPON THE HEAD, RUNNING DOWN ON THE BEARD, THE BEARD OF AARON, RUNNING DOWN ON THE EDGE OF HIS GARMENTS. 3
APPL: ALLOW YOUR BLESSING TO BLESS OTHERS...
BE THE GOD VOICE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE ...TELL THEM
BE THE HAND OF GOD IN SOMEONE’S LIFE ... HELP THEM WITH A CUP OF WATER
BE THE FEET OF GOD IN SOMEONE’S LIFE ...GO TO THEM WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
BE THE HEART OF GOD IN SOMEONE’S’ LIFE ...LOVE THEM WITH THE LOVE OF GOD...
MT. 25 AND THE KING SHALL AWN. AND SAY UNTO THEM, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, INASMUCH AS YE HAVE DOE IT UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO E.
ILL: GOD VOICE, GOD’S HANDS AND GOD’S FEET - "A TRAVELER WAS JOURNEYING IN THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT ALONG A ROAD THAT LED TO A DEEP AND RAPID RIVER, WHICH, SWOLLEN BY SUDDEN RAINS, WAS CHAFING AND ROARING WITHIN ITS PRECIPITOUS BANKS. THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSED THE STREAM HAD BEEN SWEPT AWAY BY THE TORRENT, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW IT. A MAN MET HIM AND SAID TO HIM IN AN INDIFFERENT WAY, 'ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE BRIDGE IS GONE? I HEARD SUCH A REPORT THIS AFTERNOON, AND THOUGH I AM NOT CERTAIN ABOUT IT, PERHAPS YOU HAD BETTER NOT PROCEED.'
"DECEIVED BY THE HESITATING AND UNDECIDED MANNER IN WHICH THE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, THE TRAVELER PUSHED ON IN THE WAY OF DEATH. SOON ANOTHER CAME ALONG AND CRIED OUT IN CONSTERNATION, 'SIR, SIR, THE BRIDGE IS GONE!'
"'OH, YES,'" REPLIED THE TRAVELER. "'SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT STORY A LITTLE WHILE AGO, BUT I'M SURE IT IS AN IDLE TALE.'"
"'OH, IT IS TRUE!' EXCLAIMED THE OTHER. 'I BARELY ESCAPED BEING CARRIED AWAY WITH IT MYSELF. YOU MUST NOT GO ON.' IN THE EXCITEMENT OF HIS FEELINGS, HE GRASPED THE TRAVELER BY THE HANDS, BY THE ARMS, BY THE CLOTHES. CONVINCED BY THE EARNEST VOICE, THE EARNEST EYES, THE EARNEST GESTURES, THE TRAVELER TURNED BACK AND WAS SAVED.
"SO IT IS ONLY THROUGH A BURNING ZEAL FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LOST--A ZEAL GLOWING IN THE HEART AND FLASHING OUT IN LOOK AND ACTION AND UTTERANCE--THAT THE CONFIDENCE OF UNBELIEF CAN BE OVERCOME AND THE HEEDLESS TRAVELERS OF THE BROAD WAY WON TO THE PATH OF LIFE AND HAPPINESS. LOVE IS THE MOST POTENT LOGIC: INTEREST AND SYMPATHY ARE THE MOST SUBDUING ELOQUENCE."
n CHRISTIAN WORK
I USED TO ASK GOD TO HELP ME. THEN I ASKED IF I MIGHT HELP HIM. I ENDED UP ASKING HIM TO DO HIS WORK THROUGH ME. -- HUDSON TAYLOR, LEADERSHIP, VOL. 5, NO. 2.
CLOSE: THE SACRIFICES, THE WATER, THE OIL AND BLOOD....POINTS TO..MY
ANOINTED SAVIOR – AND SO HE WHO IS PRIEST, PROPHET AND KING IS THE CHRIST....AND CHRIST MEANS....CHRISTOS MEANS...MESSIAH, THE ANOINTED ONE.
THE REMAINDER OF THE TEXT POINTS TO CHRIST...THE ANOINTED ONE...
OIL – VESSELS AND AARON
OIL – HIS SON
BLOOD – ON THE RIGHT EAR, THUMB, BIG TOE
THE BLOOD CLEANSED US, ONCE AND FOR ALL AND THE OIL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLS US AND CONTINUE TO FILL US FOR THE TASK AT HAND. JESUS DIED, AND THE BLOOD CAME STEAMING DOWN; AND 90 DAYS LATER THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED TO EMPOWER THE DISCIPLES TO BOLDLY, LEAD, GUIDE AND SERVE.
V. 14-17 – THE SIN OFFERING – UNINTENTIONAL SIN OF THE HIGH PRIEST – BULL
V. 18-21 – THE BURNT OFFERING – INTENTIONAL SINS OF THE HIGH PRIEST - RAM
V. 22-30 – THE PEACE OFFERING – THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR FELL
V. 31-36 – 7 DAYS IN THE DOORWAY - FINAL INSTRUCTIONS MORE OIL, SPRINKLING OF BLOOD; STAY THERE AND FEAST.
QUARANTINED FOR 7 DAYS UNTIL ORDINATION TIME WAS COMPLETE; WHAT DID THEY DO IN THE OUTER COURT – THEY STAYED IN HIS PRESENCE, IN AN ATTITUDE OF OBEDIENCE AND LIFE.
CLOSE: SOMETIMES DOESN’T MAKE SENSE; WATER, OIL AND BLOOD....
FIGURE WATER, BLOOD AND THEN OIL..
IN THE MOVIE THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, THE OCEAN LINER S.S. POSEIDON IS ON THE OPEN SEA WHEN IT HITS A HUGE STORM. LIGHTS GO OUT, SMOKE POURS INTO ROOMS AND, AMID ALL THE CONFUSION, THE SHIP FLIPS OVER.
BECAUSE OF THE AIR TRAPPED INSIDE THE OCEAN LINER, IT FLOATS UPSIDE DOWN. BUT IN THE CONFUSION, THE PASSENGERS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY SCRAMBLE TO GET OUT, MOSTLY BY FOLLOWING THE STEPS TO THE TOP DECK. THE PROBLEM IS, THE TOP DECK IS NOW 100 FEET UNDER WATER. IN TRYING TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE SHIP, THEY DROWN.
THE ONLY SURVIVORS ARE THE FEW WHO DO WHAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THEY DO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING AND CLIMB UP INTO THE DARK BELLY OF THE SHIP UNTIL THEY REACH THE HULL. RESCUERS HEAR THEM BANGING AND CUT THEM FREE.
IN LIFE, IT'S AS IF GOD HAS TURNED THE SHIP OVER AND THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO FIND FREEDOM IS TO CHOOSE WHAT
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE: LAY DOWN OUR LIVES BY SERVING, SUPPORTING, AND SACRIFICING FOR OTHERS. -- MEN OF INTEGRITY, VOL. 1, NO. 2. SEE: JN 13:1-17: PHP 2:5-7.
ONE FRIDAY;
IT WAS THE BLOOD AND THE WATER..AS HE DIED ON THE CROSS....THEN ‘
IT WAS HIS RESURRECTION WE SEE HIM CLOAKED IN CELESTIAL GLORY
IT WAS HAS ASCENSION THAT THEN BLESSED US WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE MIGHT REJOICE IN BEING SAVED TO SERVE.
WE ARE SAVED, SANCTIFIED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
SO WE CAN SERVE TO THE GLORY OF GOD.