4 posts tagged “gospel”
"So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave the
Gershonites two carts and four oxen, and gave the Merarites two carts and
eight oxen, corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar
son of Aaron the priest. But he did not give any to the Koathites, since
their responsibility was service related to the holy objects carried on
their shoulders." Numbers 7: 6-9
There are many different tasks involved in running a church. It's not all
preaching and bible study, you know. Whenever a church grows, so do the
tasks. The other morning, I came to work and one of the maintenance guys
was adjusting the lock on our office door. It may not seem very pious, but
if we can't get in the front door, our ability to minister inside severely
diminishes!
Each church employee has a task, and often they need specialized tools. It
doesn't make sense to give the janitors a laptop computer, although I'm sure
they'd each like one. It also doesn't make sense to give socket wrenches to
the teaching staff. We give each staff member what he/she needs, to
accomplish their specific tasks.
On the day the Moses dedicated the temple, the tribal leaders donated 6
carts and 12 oxen for the service of the tabernacle. The Levites divided
the gifts among themselves, except for Aaron's family, the Koathites. Why?
The Koathites were to carry holy objects on their shoulders. It seems
really inefficient to carry things, when you have free carts and oxen. Why
would God disallow them this labor-saving gift?
Perhaps, it is because the most holy things in our lives must also be the
most personal. Some ministry tasks can be accomplished with time-saving
gadgets, but the most important task…our efforts towards discipleship
through personal interaction with God, must be done on our own.
I love to hear great preaching and read encouraging books and bible
commentaries, but nobody can pray for me, or read the bible for me. I must
"shoulder" the responsibility myself.
Furthermore, it is our personal dedication to the Lord which will carry the
gospel…no TV program, hit song, or Hollywood blockbuster will impact the
lives of those close to you more than your personal dedication (or lack
thereof) to God.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
Exodus 40
“Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him. The Tabernacle was set up in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month. Moses set up the Tabernacle: he laid its bases, positioned its planks, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. Then he spread the tent over the Tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Exodus 40: 16-19
In most Christian circles, “tent making” is synonymous with not charging a fee for preaching the gospel. The reason for this saying is because the apostle Paul chose to support himself by making tents. Acts 18: 2. He didn’t want anyone to accuse him of preaching for profit.
“So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way . . . And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.’ 2 Corinthians 11: 7-12
We also know that Paul was also a highly trained and qualified religious teacher.
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.” Acts 22: 3 “I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees…” Acts 18: 2
Of all occupations to support his ministry, why would Paul choose “tent making”? For that matter, why would God call a “tent maker” to expand His church by preaching to the Gentiles? I don’t believe Paul’s occupation was an arbitrary coincidence. In a similar way, God chose a shepherd to “shepherd” His people, Israel.
If you look at a map of Paul’s missionary journeys, you’ll notice that Paul was planting churches like tent panels, radiating around Jerusalem. In the days of Moses, all of the tent panels came together to form a single unit, called the Tabernacle. Today, millions of congregations, built on Paul’s foundational teaching of Jesus, fit together as a single unit called “the Church”.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
Exodus 8
“Pharaoh responded, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness, but don’t go very far. Make an appeal for me.” Exodus 8: 28
The plagues were disciplinary chastisements of God. Instead of annihilating the tyrant by one stroke, God, in His divine forbearance, inflicted 10 successive plagues to break his pride.
Notice how different the ways of God are from the ways of man. Human warriors attack by surprise; they don’t space out their blows; and when he has him beneath his feet, he makes an end of him. But God warned Pharaoh 10 times, and each time the Lord gave Pharaoh the opportunity to repent. Before punishing him, God showed him mercy.
There is grace and merciful forgiveness for all who repent; but there is unsparing punishment for those who, hardening their hearts to the voice of God, continue in their stubborn ways.
But what is repentance?
Repentance is more than lip service. It is more than praying a prayer, walking an isle, donating money, etc. Repentance is complete surrender, giving-over of your life to the Lord. Anything less falls-short of what the Lord requires.
Here in verse 28 of Exodus 8, Pharaoh seems to have repented. But Pharaoh is not repenting. He is negotiating.
For a moment, try thinking of Egypt as representative of “the world”. Pharaoh can represent a personal demonic bondage holding you captive, threatening you against trusting the Lord. Imagine yourself as being so valuable that two warring kingdoms would fight to the death to obtain you. One wants to exploit you, while the other wants to lavish its love upon you.
Now, imagine yourself hearing the truth of the gospel, about Jesus’ offering of grace, mercy and forgiveness for all who would repent. Imagine a growing desire in your heart, to obey the God’s voice...to trust Jesus.
The enemy senses you are about to be won by the Lord, so it offers a compromise: follow God, but not completely.
Don’t buy the lie. Anything less than completely surrendering to follow Jesus is not true repentance. Ask yourself: Have you surrendered your life to the Lord, or are you still in negotiations?
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
