February 2, 2014
The day, the month and the year are all times determined by man’s observations of the heavenly bodies. But the Sabbath is a gift from God given by revelation. The 7-day week is not determined by the sun and moon, but by God’s Word. In it He reminds us that He created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh. He wants us to rest one day out of seven to remind us of His creation and care, showing our ultimate dependence on Him. The Sabbath not only points to God’s past creation, and His care for His people in the wilderness; it also points to Christ’s fulfillment. For Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He was crucified on the sixth day, rested on the seventh and rose again on the first day of the new week. Now those who place their faith in Christ may enter His Sabbath rest. He has finished the work of salvation and there is nothing left for us to do, except to rest by faith in it.
January 31, 2014
God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to put its blood over their door frames, so that the angel of death would “pass over” them. This became an annual festival of remembrance that was fulfilled in Christ, who became our Passover Lamb. Those who have received Him have His blood spread over their heart’s door, so that they have been forgiven of sin and will never die.
January 27, 2014
God rebuked Moses for claiming lack of ability to obey His call. God knew the abilities that He had given Moses. Yet, Moses was afraid. He had already “tried” to free his people 40 years earlier when he murdered the Egyptian for beating his fellow Israelites. Moses, the prince of Egypt, was now a lowly, defeated shepherd working for his father-in-law. The truth was, Moses was making an excuse. He was afraid and didn’t want to obey God’s call. But Moses would learn that whomever God calls, He also enables. Moses would also learn that God cares less about your ability than your “availability.” Make yourself “available” to God. Just show up! And God will give you the ability to obey Him.
January 26, 2014
God revealed His Name to Moses at the burning bush. The Name was so holy to the Jews that they didn’t say it aloud. In the Hebrew Bible it was written YHWH but they said “Adonai” (Lord) when reading. The four-letter Name was called the “tetragrammaton” and was probably pronounced “Yahweh.” English speaking Jews today will often write the Name like “G-d” to continue their tradition of respect. Notice that God’s Name is “I AM,” not “I WAS,” or “I WILL BE.” His Name reveals that He is eternally present, outside of time, and self-existent. God introduced Himself to Moses through a burning bush. Today, He introduces Himself to us through His Son, Jesus.
June 23, 2013
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Exodus 33:7-34:16
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character study, worship
Justin Norden kicks off our TRUE WORSHIPERS sermon series by looking at worship in the life of Moses. John 4:23 says “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks”. Throughout this sermon series, we’re going to look at worship in the life of various characters in the Bible to learn how we can worship God in spirit and truth.
February 15, 2013
As soon as the tabernacle was finished, the cloud of the Lord filled it. From that day on, the people of Israel moved out when God’s glory moved out of the tabernacle. And stayed put as long as the glory remained. God taught them to depend on Him for daily direction. Where is the glory of God staying or moving in your life today?
February 11, 2013
God agreed to show Moses His glory, but had to hide him in the cleft of a rock so he wouldn’t die. Whenever I read this passage, I always find myself singing, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” Whatever Moses saw, it must have been amazing because even those who saw Moses’ face later were struck with awe and fear. The mere residual reflection of God’s glory on Moses’ face was so terrible that he had to wear a veil.
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.