Free Will Giving

Freewill Offerings Exodus 35.20-29 Giving to the LORD is not complicated. It is a privilege and a blessing. It brings joy to the soul and help to others. It is connected directly to Heaven To think that the Creator of the Universe would let me have part of His Eternal Work thrills me beyond measure. What an awesome invitation. To know that I can store up treasures in Heaven is amazing. I do not understand it but I do believe it. One of the cool surprises there will be is seeing what that is! Matthew 6. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Here at this point in Exodus they were getting ready to build the Tabernacle. God could have rained down the materials like He did with the Manna and not involved His people to the extent of their giving. He could have sent it to them complete, like He will the New Jerusalem. However He chose to involve them. What is more it was free will giving. That is the way the work of God is done. God does not need our gifts. The Earth is His and everything in it! Psalm 24.1 He allows us to give so we can be blessed. This is not a message to get you to give more money to this church. We do not even take offerings here as you well know. You can give but that is totally between you and God. In fact I believe that is how God determines what work survives, what work thrives and what work closes. Man can try to prop up the work but unless the LORD builds the house it workers labor in vain. It is either sweet and inspiring or it is hard and perspiring. Friend, who was a pastor, looked so tired. I asked him if he was alright. He said, “We have been trying to raise money for the new building. You know how hard it is to get people to give…” He was beat up. Today, he is not the pastor there. They spent $25,000 just on each window! They are still millions in debt. There are properties that have been sold, whole so called Christian theme parks that are empty today. Sad how the Church in America lost its way. These disasters, unfortunately, were built on Free Will offerings of our day. There is a huge difference between feeding hungry children in Bangladesh and giant water slides for the saints. God help us! Back to the legitimate work of God… What are the lessons about free will offerings here, about giving to God. * They had to be willing. v.29a God will not force you to give. II Corinthians 9. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Not reluctantly Causing sorrow, pain, grief, Annoyance giving should not upset us. Oh I have to give so I do not feel guilty God does not want people giving to Him who are going to be thinking, “Oh I could have done this if I had not given to the LORD.” When Jesus said, “ 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6. I believe He was saying in part, “Keep your giving to the needy quiet. Even within yourself. Give and forget about it. Wait until you get to Heaven.” Mom’s Prudential Policy in the bottom of a drawer. My Nana took it out after she lost a child during the depression and did not have enough money for a casket. I believe it was a Nickel a week. Paid it off, gave it to my Mom. Ended up being three thousand dollars. My Mom cashed it in, tithed on it to Haiti and we used it to put a bathroom in the church. Similar to our giving to the LORD. Don’t mull it over in your mind. Give and let it go. This will result in two blessings. Here on Earth, from time to time, people will remember the kindness you did for them. It is a pleasant surprise because you forgot. Then in Heaven, you will live the rewards of your giving forever. Things done for Him are eternal. It will surprise you when you see it and stay with you always through Eternity. affliction it should not put us in a place where we cannot pay our bills… however… I have never fallen behind because of my giving to God. Not under compulsion Imposed by the law Saying God needs your money or we will go under is never right. Grief, Distress When we give to God we should not feel we are being forced to. When we help the needy it should because we see the need and God moves on our heart to help a poor soul. The way needs are advertised you think God needs our help, or is facing imminent bankruptcy! That will never happen. To those who make decisions do you think you are greater than God or that He is unable to move on human hearts?! Our giving is to be out of love. We give to God because He first loved us. He has been good to us. We see each meal and the clothes we wear as coming from Him. We see this earth and all that He has given to us to enjoy. Went to the Marina last week. Free. The air was fresh, the birds were singing. My favorite vacations have been in nature, climbing mountains, swimming in oceans, sitting in the sun, getting Vitamin D. It had to be from the heart. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give This is between you and the LORD. Do you pray about what you are going to give? One time I did. Faith Promise in Bible College $10 a month to missions. Wrote it down. That next week my landlord came by. We had a nice three bedroom ranch. Relatively new. The backyard faced the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Nice fenced in yard… sod in… rocks brought in for a cactus bed. Ted Raybol said, “I have been thinking about your rent.” I thought, “Here it comes…” He went on, “You guys have been taking such good care of the house and property that I am going to lower your rent beginning this month by $10.” That was the exact amount I had promised to give to Missions! That would be like $50 today. Giving to the LORD should lift us up, not drag us down. It should be looked at as a blessing not a burden. But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to make this claim, Jeremiah 23.38 Do not bad mouth the ministry. Do not talk about the burden of the LORD. His yoke is easy and His burden light. Those who complain about the work of God are doing God a disservice. I have seen some like this. They get people to feel bad for them. They like the attention. I have received so much more than I could give. There have been times when some might say, “He is sacrificing,” but I have never had to miss a meal or been without life’s necessities. God’s true servants, who are burdened with His word, right willingly and cheerfully carry that burden. Free will Offerings are * To the LORD Not to the church I think we miss the point if we think we are giving to the church. We may give through the church but it is to the LORD. To the LORD We see it spelled out for us here. They “brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work…” There is a difference, a big difference The church cannot do what God can do. One guy was complaining about all the work he was doing for a church in California. The pastor heard about it. He wrote a check for what he thought was appropriate and said to the man, “Now keep your mouth shut!” Freewill offerings are not announced with trumpets. They are given in secret. Giving to God does not see an end. We give to Heaven. We know God is able to bless us beyond measure. We know He keeps perfect records. II Corinthians 9. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for foodwill also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. There is such an adventure to be had when we give freely to the LORD! My Dad and Mom were audited by the IRS after they had moved to upstate NY. The agent looked at their returns and said, “There is no way that you gave this much to the Church! They had canceled checks and a giving statement from the church. It was not enough. He required a letter from their pastor. He wrote. The agent accepted it. * God commanded the work for the Israelites to do. I am convinced that some work that is supposed to be for the LORD has nothing to do with Him. I have watched so called works fail miserably. If He directs a work it will be supported by Him. If we “fund raise” we decide. If it is freewill He decides. It is His problem. We can see a work of God because He provides. You will not hear a lot about money. You will see miracles, unexplainable things happen. If you are not seeing that I seriously doubt if it is God’s work at all. It is interesting to note that these freewill offerings that went to build the Tabernacle were given by people who would see it used in the Wilderness but never in the Promised Land! This brings up two issues: * You can give to God and not live to see the complete result of your giving because of disobedience. That is a sobering thought. They saw the completed tabernacle but never in the Promised Land. * You can give to God and see the results of your giving here and throughout Eternity! Take the children we have been feeding in Bangladesh under Liton Roy. Under the Old Testament it was for the upkeep of a physical structure tent/ temple. Now it is for spiritual building, people. Giving to the needy people, many of whom we cannot see. Under the Old Testament you could look at the gold for instance and say, “Some of that came from me,” Under the New Covenant there is this mystery, you cannot see it now but one day you will! Let me go back to cheerful giving as we close… God loves a cheerful giver. Joyful. Prompted to do anything. Hilarious… laughing so hard you lose control of some of your faculties.

The Character of the LORD God Exodus 34.4-7 How would you describe God? If someone asked you, “What is God like?” What would you tell them? We are given a description here by Moses, who knew Him better than anyone on Earth at this point. He gives us a detailed description of the LORD. We’re thinking about how small we are when we need to be thinking about how great God is! It is interesting to hear people describe us. Some have described me as a jolly soul, a teddy bear… others well… If you want the truth ask my grandkids… or my niece, Marlee, “Uncle Larry, your belly is like a nice soft pillow.” Moses talks about God. It is based on his experience. God inspired. As he held the chiseled tablets with the Law, the Ten Commandments, or if you are a scholar, The Decalogue… God revealed Himself to Moses and in writing it down to Israel and us. * Compassion Merciful While many view God as a harsh Judge He delights to show mercy. Psalm 103.13-14 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. My daughters are fine young (although they say, “Dad, I am getting old). They are good Moms. I never had to go to court or bail them out because they committed crimes. I have seen them put their kids first. I have seen them tired. It is not easy raising kids these days. I pray for them each day. I used to babysit the grandkids. I offered them nights out with their husbands with free babysitting. They took me up on it. I love the time I watched 5 of them (2 of their cousins). My daughter, her husband and her brother-in-law and his wife pulled up to her house. It was quiet with only one light on. Her brother-in-law comes from a country where the kids stay up very late. He was concerned that something happened. They walked in. I was reading. They asked about the kids and I said, “They are all sleeping.” They could not believe it. They were especially surprised about their son. He was tired. I let him sit next to me and he went out. Many times my brother and I fell asleep in the car when we were young. My parents would wake us and help get us in the house. I have compassion on them. God sees your work. He sees when you choose to do what is right, He hears your prayers. He sees your concern for others. He loves you deeply. Hebrews 6. 10 God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Tony, Jeff, Nancy and William work the food ministry in all kinds of weather. Have tender affection God has this for you. This is a family thing as well. There are those in my family whom I would like to help. They are often the ones with young children. Young children require a lot of care and attention. It can be joyful and exhausting at the same time. Two mothers with young children with the toilet paper pulled all out. “I wanted to see how long it was.” First mother scolding, crying. Second mother, “You know I was always wondering about that too.” She and her child go throughout the house stringing it up, laughing * Grace Show favor One of the things kids say to their parents to get to them is, “You love them (speaking about their brothers or sisters) more!” Tommy Smothers made a fortune on that one line, “Mom loved you best.” My brother said to my parents one time, “You must be more pleased with Larry because he is a pastor.” My parents corrected him. I love taking my grandkids out to eat. I tell them to get whatever they want. I tell them to get dessert first. They all know I love them. Pity When my girls have had their hearts broken or when someone was mean to them I came to the rescue. One time my oldest daughter told me this kid on her bus kept knocking her books out of her hands. She would come home crying in tears. Now I know that sometimes boys get frustrated when they like a girl and she doesn’t return attention. So they call attention to themselves by acting like a jerk. I had enough. This kid’s father ran a business which I used frequently so I told my daughter to get in the car with me and off we went. I can still see this poor kid’s face when we walked in the door. He said my daughter’s name in disbelief. He knew what I was going to do. I told his father what was happening. He said his son’s name several times. We left. Problem solved! As a father I had pity on her. Our Father in Heaven does the same. He comes to our rescue. He troubles those who trouble us. * Slow To Anger Patient Thankfully the LORD has enabled me to obtain this quality. As my youngest daughter said, “My Dad is a very patient man. Just do not back him into a corner or you will be sorry.” God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Psalm 103. 10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. My Dad and the Hot Tub * Abounding in Love Great goodness, kindness, faithfulness God is good. Look at how He takes care of this Earth and its creatures! Psalm 104. 10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. 11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of His work. 14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. 16 The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. 17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. 18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax. 27 All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time. 28 When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Thy loving kindness is better than life. The LORD is faithful to all His Promises and loving to all He has made. * Abounding In Faithfulness Firmness Malachi 3. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever. Reliability Depend upon it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He will meet all your needs. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will watch over your life. Whatever need you have brought this morning, our God desires to meet it. * Forgiveness * * For Wickedness * Rebellion * Sin This brings us to His Table. To do what He directed us to do. To recognize His Body, His Blood. All that we talked about this morning is summed up in this. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. His body was beaten,was mutilated. His blood flowed for you and I. The punishment that bought us peace was upon Him. Come to the Table. David Solo

The Character of the LORD God Exodus 34.4-7 How would you describe God? If someone asked you, “What is God like?” What would you tell them? We are given a description here by Moses, who knew Him better than anyone on Earth at this point. He gives us a detailed description of the LORD. We’re thinking about how small we are when we need to be thinking about how great God is! It is interesting to hear people describe us. Some have described me as a jolly soul, a teddy bear… others well… If you want the truth ask my grandkids… or my niece, Marlee, “Uncle Larry, your belly is like a nice soft pillow.” Moses talks about God. It is based on his experience. God inspired. As he held the chiseled tablets with the Law, the Ten Commandments, or if you are a scholar, The Decalogue… God revealed Himself to Moses and in writing it down to Israel and us. * Compassion Merciful While many view God as a harsh Judge He delights to show mercy. Psalm 103.13-14 As a father has compassion on his children,     so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. My daughters are fine young (although they say, “Dad, I am getting old). They are good Moms. I never had to go to court or bail them out because they committed crimes. I have seen them put their kids first. I have seen them tired. It is not easy raising kids these days. I pray for them each day. I used to babysit the grandkids. I offered them nights out with their husbands with free babysitting. They took me up on it. I love the time I watched 5 of them (2 of their cousins). My daughter, her husband and her brother-in-law and his wife pulled up to her house. It was quiet with only one light on. Her brother-in-law comes from a country where the kids stay up very late. He was concerned that something happened. They walked in. I was reading. They asked about the kids and I said, “They are all sleeping.” They could not believe it. They were especially surprised about their son. He was tired. I let him sit next to me and he went out. Many times my brother and I fell asleep in the car when we were young. My parents would wake us and help get us in the house. I have compassion on them. God sees your work. He sees when you choose to do what is right, He hears your prayers. He sees your concern for others. He loves you deeply. Hebrews 6. 10 God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Tony, Jeff, Nancy and William work the food ministry in all kinds of weather. Have tender affection God has this for you. This is a family thing as well. There are those in my family whom I would like to help. They are often the ones with young children. Young children require a lot of care and attention. It can be joyful and exhausting at the same time. Two mothers with young children with the toilet paper pulled all out. “I wanted to see how long it was.” First mother scolding, crying. Second mother, “You know I was always wondering about that too.” She and her child go throughout the house stringing it up, laughing * Grace Show favor One of the things kids say to their parents to get to them is, “You love them (speaking about their brothers or sisters) more!” Tommy Smothers made a fortune on that one line, “Mom loved you best.” My brother said to my parents one time, “You must be more pleased with Larry because he is a pastor.” My parents corrected him. I love taking my grandkids out to eat. I tell them to get whatever they want. I tell them to get dessert first. They all know I love them. Pity When my girls have had their hearts broken or when someone was mean to them I came to the rescue. One time my oldest daughter told me this kid on her bus kept knocking her books out of her hands. She would come home crying in tears. Now I know that sometimes boys get frustrated when they like a girl and she doesn’t return attention. So they call attention to themselves by acting like a jerk. I had enough. This kid’s father ran a business which I used frequently so I told my daughter to get in the car with me and off we went. I can still see this poor kid’s face when we walked in the door. He said my daughter’s name in disbelief. He knew what I was going to do. I told his father what was happening. He said his son’s name several times. We left. Problem solved! As a father I had pity on her. Our Father in Heaven does the same. He comes to our rescue. He troubles those who trouble us. * Slow To Anger Patient Thankfully the LORD has enabled me to obtain this quality. As my youngest daughter said, “My Dad is a very patient man. Just do not back him into a corner or you will be sorry.” God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Psalm 103. 10  He does not treat us as our sins deserve     or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,     so great is His love for those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west,     so far has He removed our transgressions from us. My Dad and the Hot Tub * Abounding in Love Great goodness, kindness, faithfulness God is good. Look at how He takes care of this Earth and its creatures! Psalm 104. 10  He makes springs pour water into the ravines;     it flows between the mountains. 11  They give water to all the beasts of the field;     the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12  The birds of the sky nest by the waters;     they sing among the branches. 13  He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;     the land is satisfied by the fruit of His work. 14  He makes grass grow for the cattle,     and plants for people to cultivate—     bringing forth food from the earth: 15  wine that gladdens human hearts,     oil to make their faces shine,     and bread that sustains their hearts. 16  The trees of the LORD are well watered,     the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. 17  There the birds make their nests;     the stork has its home in the junipers. 18  The high mountains belong to the wild goats;     the crags are a refuge for the hyrax. 27  All creatures look to You     to give them their food at the proper time. 28  When You give it to them,     they gather it up; when You open Your hand,     they are satisfied with good things. Thy loving kindness is better than life. The LORD is faithful to all His Promises and loving to all He has made. * Abounding In Faithfulness Firmness Malachi 3. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever. Reliability Depend upon it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He will meet all your needs. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will watch over your life. Whatever need you have brought this morning, our God desires to meet it. * Forgiveness * * For Wickedness * Rebellion * Sin This brings us to His Table. To do what He directed us to do. To recognize His Body, His Blood. All that we talked about this morning is summed up in this. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. His body was beaten,was mutilated. His blood flowed for you and I. The punishment that bought us peace was upon Him. Come to the Table. David Solo

If Jesus Goes With Me, I Will Go Anywhere

Exodus 33.12-23 God was testing Moses. He told him to go but He would not go with him. He was going to send an Angel. Moses was not a man who would volunteer for such a task. Go without God? That would be disastrous. He asked the LORD when told to go to Pharaoh, “Whom shall I say sent me?” Because Moses had a speech problem, God sent Moses his brother, Aaron to be his mouthpiece. He knew firsthand that he would not be free from Egyptian Bondage without God making it so. He knew firsthand Who fought for them in the Red Sea battle. He knew the people were led by God, Fed by Him every morning with Manna. How I long for the Church in America to come to this point, their need of God. What a difference that would make! Upper Room over Supper Room Without God they would perish. * We never find this in the New Testament. What we do find is Paul writing about his challenges: II Corinthians 1. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, Who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (Intercessory Prayers) Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He also told us that in this world we would have trouble. We can depend on this. Peter addresses this suffering. He tells us not to think that when we go through it something strange or unusual is happening to us. We are getting answers to prayers to be more like Jesus. When I started on the cross country team in 1971 we began running in the heat of August. The Coach let us go into the streets to run. He was the first in the country to do this. Now it is commonplace. He learned this from the Kenyans. We would see kids heading to the beach, kids on bikes, people walking, hearing kids jump into backyard pools, ice cream trucks going by. Then we would come by them, all sweating… the last 10 days of summer were cut short and filled with strenuous running. It seemed all we did in those days was run, shower, eat and sleep. Two practices a day, running to the practices then home. It was easy to see the other kids hanging out, having fun. We were suffering. They were not. Coach would be there when we got back, encourage us, laugh with us. Telling us after the morning practice, “Go home, swim in the pool, have lunch, take a nap… see you back here at 4.” We knew we would see him at the end. He would also be yelling while we were running. , “You are getting stronger and stronger!” May we hear that word from Jesus today! . * It is obviously as we look back on it now a test. He said this only to test him for He already had in mind what He was going to do. It was not for Moses. He could not imagined it. Moses knew where his strength was. He would not go without God. This was a little like the Road To Emmaus Luke 24. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on His way as if He were going farther. Sometimes He does that so we will call on Him, urge Him. David thought of this possibility and he prayed in Psalm 51. 11 Do not cast me from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. The very thought of that brings the anointed to shake. I have watched men who lost the anointing. It is not a pretty sight. They can talk but not speak with authority. I have also watched singers, anointed ones, lose that thing that enabled them to touch hearts. It sends chills up and down my spine. God help us! As with Samson, the Spirit departs and they do not realize it until after they attempt something for God. They lost the power. * Moses had a desire to become closer to the LORD. This is a good thing. What we do not realize is that it can result in pain. Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross. Philippians 3. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. There ought to be a deep desire to get close to Jesus, so close we become like Him. I have one deep supreme desire, that I may be like Jesus. To this I fervently aspire, that I may be like Jesus. I want my heart His throne to be  so that a watching world may see His likeness shining forth in me.  I want to be like Jesus. 2.     He spent His life in doing good;  I want to be like Jesus. In lowly paths of service trod;  I want to be like Jesus. He sympathized with hearts distressed,  He spoke the words that cheered and blessed; He welcomed sinners to His breast.  I want to be like Jesus. 3.     A holy, harmless life He led;  I want to be like Jesus. The Father's will, His drink and bread,  I want to be like Jesus. And when at last He comes to die,  "Forgive them, Father" Hear Him cry For those who taunt and crucify. I want to be like Jesus. 4.     O perfect life of Christ, my Lord!  I want to be like Jesus. My recompense and my reward,  That I may be like Jesus. His Spirit fill my hungering soul,  His power all my life control; My deepest prayer, my highest goal,  That I may be like Jesus. Oh To Be Like Thee! Goodness is its own reward. * God rewarded his desire with a wonderful experience. This didn’t come off the top of his head. This came through deep struggle with man and God. Just look at his history. Some have divided Moses life into three 40 year periods, 40 being a number of Judgment. First 40 in Pharaoh’s Palace Next 40 on the backside of a desert Last 40 in the wilderness leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land Hebrews 11. 23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him Who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyerof the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. Exodus can be divided up into three parts. Chapters 1-18 The Exodus out of Egypt Chapters 19-24 The Law Given Chapters 25-40 The Tabernacle Plans and Construction At Sinai he got to see the LORD pass by. Think with me about the Mount of Transfiguration Mark 9 Moses was there. I wonder if Moses asked Jesus about the disciples They spoke of His departure (His Exodus) Luke 9. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about His departure, which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. II Corinthians 3. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate/ reflect the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, Who is the Spirit. On Mount Nebo God buried him. He was with Elijah talking with Jesus! Let’s keep talking about Jesus as we go through Exodus Let’s keep following Jesus. Anywhere He leads

Moses, The Intercessor

Moses, The Intercessor Exodus 32.1-14 Moses was faithful in all of God’s house. Hebrews 3.5 Moses was the meekest man on earth. Numbers 12.3 He was also an intercessor. He is responsible for standing in the gap and convincing the LORD not to wipe out Israel. He was concerned about the LORD’s reputation and honor. Throughout the Bible there are a variety of examples of intercessory prayer, but one that stands out among them is the story of Moses. Moses is seen throughout Exodus as an intercessor, taking the needs of his people before God, asking God to change His plan to destroy them. What brought Israel to this place of needing this intercessory prayer? * Impatience is never good spiritually vs.1-2 It always leads to evil and foolishness Be aware of it. Do not give into it. You will regret it. Proverbs 19. 2  Desire without knowledge is not good—
    how much more will hasty feet miss the way! Notice there is no record of Aaron consulting the elders. He did not take time to think. He did not pray. He acted impulsively to please the people. He almost wiped out the whole nation by his quick and wrong response. People pleasing is not good. Learn to wait for the LORD. Find godly counsel. Place your hope in Him * Weak Leaders make bad decisions vs.3-4 Spiritual Leaders Must Be Strong This is a quality that is non negotiable when it comes to choosing a leader. They must know their strength is from the LORD. Moses did. Aaron failed. Ephesians 6. 10 Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I heard of Pastors who brazenly said that they only read the Scriptures when preparing for a sermon. Bad choice. No wonder they failed! They were not taking time to feed themselves, to watch over themselves. Acts 20. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. Keep watch over yourselves… a former Pastor I knew, who did not do this fell into a trap of making money, lots of it. He soon was paying more attention to his accumulation of wealth, to the Stock Market, than he was his own soul and he was out. He lost his way. It is noteworthy to see that Aaron had them bring their gold. 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.”3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He involved the children. You cannot serve both God and money. God or gold. * Spiritual Leaders Must Stand Alone At Times Aaron should have led the people in waiting. He would have had to do this alone. I can tell you from experience that it is not a pleasant experience. It is interesting that my parents moved in 1973 to a place where they had found a church with a large youth group for my brother and I. My memories are not of sweet fellowship but two years of contending for the faith. Mercy! There was a lot of immaturity in that group. My parents thought, “This will be good. They will have a lot of Christian friends.” Many of those kids headed down the wrong path. Many shipwrecked their faith. Some have died of alcoholism. It is not over yet, sad to say. Some who opposed Christ have repented and come to Him but they are in the minority. I remember running after kids, confronting others. I did not know at the time but the LORD was preparing me for my life’s work. To this day there are some advocating things against the LORD and His Word. I remember times of repentance, when I cried, as kids I prayed for, surrendered to Jesus. I remember the loneliness I felt as I stood for what was right. * Spiritual Leaders Cannot Please The Crowds. Pilate tried Elijah stood alone and got depressed. He believed he was all alone. I Kings 19.3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. 9 And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” Depression can come from being alone. It can result in a loss of perspective. It does not necessarily mean you have sinned. Elijah didn’t. Standing alone can drain you and at the same time fill you with strength from the LORD. If God calls you to be a shepherd, you must be ready at times to stand alone. Another question I would ask would be pastors, “Tell me about times in your life when you have had to stand alone.” Whether we are shepherds or not, there will be times when we have to stand alone, against the crowd, against the majority, who Al though they rule, are seldom right! * Mixing Faiths Result In Compromise vs. 5-6 Aaron was violating the first two commandments God has always asked for 100% This is His Holiness Syncretism cannot be embraced. He will not share His Glory with another This is a huge problem today! Accommodating other faiths into ours. I have heard idiots say to young people, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something.” God help us! * Moses’ Conversation with the LORD vs. 7-14 God knows the hearts of all people The LORD’s offer to Moses was rejected by him. vs. 11-13 He was concerned with God’s reputation. We are as well. The LORD Relented He was moved to pity and compassion We can move the Hands of God through prayer. Young Lady on the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday. My prayer before we went. Arts text: It’s was good. A little ambitious,🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♂️ perhaps, 😂 but fun. I haven’t seen anything about the bridge jumper so she probably is ok. We saw a LOT yesterday! 😰 “At this very moment someone is dying just next door…” Phineas Bresse What is Intercessory Forgiveness. It is Jesus saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” It is praying forgiveness for people who do not ask, on the contrary are currently causing pain. We can only do this through Christ. When we intercede we feel what the people we are feeling feel. We put ourselves in their shoes Be an intercessor

The Sacred Anointing Oil

The Sacred Anointing Oil Exodus 30.22-33 Consecration Set aside Items People Aaron and his sons for generations forever Sacred for the sacred * The Items: The Tent of the Meeting- where all the sacred activities took place under The Ark of the Testimony- containing the Two Tablets, Manna, Aaron’s Rod The Table which contained 12 loaves of the Bread of the Presence The Lamp Stands remained lit all the time The utensils and accessories * The People: Aaron, the brother of Moses, the first High Priest Aaron was being set apart for God’s service. His life was not his own. He would serve the LORD. He was the go between for God and the Israelites. He would go into the Most Holy Place once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, celebrated by the Jewish people around the world a week from tomorrow. Hebrews 5.1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. He would be seen throughout the day, each day, in his garments, carrying the people on his shoulders and his heart, listening to their burdens. This was his work. He and his sons were to be set apart for God’s purposes. The mark of their consecration was the stains the oil made on their garments. The anointing was a public thing. People would see the oil (and smell it) when it was poured out. Psalm 133 A song of ascents. Of David. 1 How good and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows His blessing,
    even life forevermore. This oil was not allowed to be used for any other use. verse 33 It was for Aaron and his sons. Family portraits show amazing things. My Dad was an only child. We took a family portrait on his 80th birthday, then one on my Mom’s 80th, 2 1/2 years later. Grandsons had been added to the family. Even more since then. In fact at this current time he has 4 grandsons 10 great grandsons and possibly another soon. One man, 2 sons, 4 grandsons, 10 great grandsons, 16 all together. Numbers 1.1-4 2 years, one month after they left Egypt the census took place. Since Levi went down with his brothers over 400 years ago, only God knows how many they became. They were the only tribe not verses 47-49 They could begin serving at 20 until 50. Then they were put on modified service. Aaron was a Levite. When Aaron’s sons turned 20 something happened to them. They served as priests. This was going on until Jesus’ time, 1,500 years later! Luke 1.5-25 Zechariah and Elizabeth were descendants of Aaron. Zechariah was a priest. He had this special anointing oil poured on on him and his robes. In fact every time a descendant of Aaron reached 20 years of age this oil was brought out and poured over him! He was ordained a priest. The fragrance filled the air and remained on his garments. So there is this similarity with the Spirit. My daughter, Theresa, is more like my Nana than any of her descendants, along with my cousins, Lee. They are quiet and contemplative women. They seldom begin conversations but will respond if you talk to them. I, on the other hand, was told by my Dad that I reminded him of his father, a pastor. God works, not exclusively, through family lines. My son-in-law is an example. My friend, Doctor Mark Weinberg, comes from a family of Doctors as does his wife. Both of their daughters are doctors. What does oil do? Sweetness Lessens Friction Causes things to run smoothly Prevents things from burning up Powers Gives light Fuels Cleans Cools Prevents rust (Stay under the spout where the Glory comes out) Jesus has become our great High Priest. Hebrews 8.1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the LORD, not by a mere human being. 3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If He were on earth, He would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. Jesus was anointed. Matthew 3. 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit descending on Him in the form of a dove was His anointing.. He also read in Nazareth, 18 “The Spirit of the LORD is on Me,
    because He has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, 19      to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. 20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4 His anointing was from above, of the Spirit. John writes in I John 2.20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” I Peter 2. 4 As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The precious oil has been poured out on us, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are priests in God’s House. That is why we intercede for people. We offer up praise. We bring sacrifices. Our lives are all for Him. I Peter 2. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Jesus is our Great High Priest. Martin Luther talked about this verse and called it, “The Priesthood of all Believers.” We serve as priests as we intercede for others. The Holy Spirit helps us. Jesus listens Pleads our case before the Father. This is the Holy Spirit. You received the Holy Spirit when you believed. He takes up residence within. You have been born of the Spirit, born from above. As you walk with the LORD you find you need more of God. Then in a call to God you ask Him for the fullness of His Spirit. When my Nana knelt in her apartment in Brooklyn back in the 1930’s she asked for this, although she didn’t know anything about it. She knew God had answered her prayer. Then shortly after she heard a pastor on the radio proclaim this truth, this anointing and she said, “That is what God did for me!” I didn’t know what to call it. We sense the anointing within. Our spirit moves. We honor Christ. There are mockers and there are worshippers. One anointing, many fresh infillings Are you in need of a brand new touch?

The Dignity And Honor Of The High Priest

The Dignity And Honor Of The High Priest Exodus 28.1-21 Dignity= glory, honour,, abundance Honor= beauty, splendour, glory The High Priest was to have these things on the sacred garment. His clothing spoke of spiritual things, things of Heaven and Earth. They foreshadowed Jesus. Photo of High Priest Jesus has become our Great High Priest. Hebrews 8.1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the LORD, not by a mere human being. 3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If He were on earth, He would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. The dignity of Jesus is seen in His humble life, His loving treatment of all people, and His Divine Authority. He showed honor and worth to the broken and the poor, the defiled and demon possessed, defining true Majesty through service rather than earthly power. Rather He had power over disease, demons and death. Being the High Priest was an honor to a chosen few. It was also a very humbling experience. Colossians 2.17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Jesus as our Great High Priest is an honor that is His alone. We honor Him. He experienced humility beyond measure. * The High Priest Carried the people on His heart and Shouldered Their Burdens. We see this in the onyx stones and the breastplate. vs.9-12, 15-21 He was available during the day in the Temple Courts to listen to the people’s requests. He would walk through the courts of the Temple. His residence was in sight of the temple. The High Priest carried out some duties of the shepherd/pastor. A shepherd who does not carry the people on his heart and shoulder their burdens is not a true shepherd. For this is part of shepherd’s work. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd of the sheep. He is our Great High Priest. He is King of kings and LORD of lords. He is the Chief Shepherd. I Peter 5.1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. The Priestly work of sacrifice and being a mediator has been done and is being done by Jesus, our Great High Priest. The Sacrifice of Himself was a one time act. The bearing of our burdens is ongoing until we all get to Heaven. Christ Jesus Who died—more than that, Who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8.34 * The High Priest’s Garments Spoke Of His Work Beautiful Stained with oil. He was anointed with very special scented olive oil. This was to show he was set apart for the people. God’s hand was upon Him. Roman’s 8. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. The High Priest would do his best to help the people. Coach and Miss Adler Jesus Hebrews 4. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest Who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. He serves as the ultimate mediator who bridges the gap between a holy God and humanity Stained with blood The blood of sacrifices he made would be all over his garments. This was from the blood of animals. Hebrews 9. 11 But when Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands,that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciencesfrom acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Think of the Humility of Jesus: Philippians 2. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; 7 rather, He made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    He humbled Himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
    and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. He continues His High Priestly role today. He hears our sins and forgives them. He bears our burdens. He heals our diseases. He listens to us all the time. He is the Beautiful Savior Hymn #240 Fairest LORD Jesus

Keep Those Lamps Burning

Exodus 27.20-21 Remember from two weeks ago the Lamp Stand was and is the Church. The Tabernacle and later the Temple contained the Golden Lamp Stands. In Revelation the Church are the Lamp stands. No mention of the building. We, God’s people, are it. Revelation 1.19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstandsis this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Luke 12.35 Jesus said, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” This an exhortation from the LORD. Be dressed Be ready to serve Stay awake Let your light shine He gave this to His disciples at a time when persecution would break out against the church. By the end of the century Christians would be burned, beheaded, band to Islands like Patmos. Wherever they were, they were to keep those lamp stands burning. This is true for us in 2026, here in America and in all other 195 nations. Pray that as a House of Prayer for all nations. How we need to keep the eternal perspective. This life is a mist, a vapor, like the grass of the field, it is soon past. Eternity is forever. Suffering must be seen from an eternal perspective. Riches too. Evil as well. It will not be much longer. Now to the lamps on those stands. * The lamps were fueled by Olive Oil. Olive oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The light of the church is fueled by the Holy Spirit. He is the breath of the church. There is no substitute. If you try you will soon find the lamps burning out. To be fueled by the Spirit we need to be filled with the Spirit.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5.18 Be filled and keep on being filled. This was to be a daily filling. In the Word and in prayer. Praying, “Fill me this day, LORD, with Your Holy Spirit.” He knows what is ahead for each day. We do not. May Your Spirit gush like torrents of living water from within me. Help me to yield to Your Spirit, not my flesh. Again the focus was to keep them filled so they would not go out Before my Dad would go to bed he would bring in enough wood for the fireplace. That fire would heat the house. He saw to it that it would not out. In the middle of the night he would get up and put in a few more pieces of wood. Wood fueled the fire. Wax and a wick light a candle. Oil fuels a lamp. It was golden, unlike the brick fireplace and the glass candle. * They were to burn through the night. In our darkest moments we can be assured that He will fill us with His Spirit. Songs in the Night Job 35.10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,     Who gives songs in the night, Proverbs 24. 10  If you falter in a time of trouble,     how small is your strength! Night time. When sin is the greatest. In the darkness of night the lamps filled brightly burned. Keep those lamps filled with oil so when the night comes you can see. Matthew 25.1 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Notice they were all virgins. Blameless character. They all went to meet the Bridegroom. Could be that the foolish virgins never had the Holy Spirit. Could be that they did not attend to their own spiritual lives. * This was a lasting ordinance. It was not just for biblical times. It is for today. How we need the Light today! In these confusing and dark times, the Light shows us the way. The Holy Spirit gives us direction: From the God breathed Word From Within If you don’t have the Word hidden deep within your heart you can mistake emotions or your understanding for the Holy Spirit. The Light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. In this time, when we need it, the Light is shining. It is for today and until Jesus returns.

The Lamp Stand: The Church

The Lamp Stand: The Church Exodus 25.31-40 We are seeing the beginning of the building plans for the Tabernacle. This was the earliest form of organized worship of the LORD. The second was the Church as we will see this morning. The Lamp Stand was to remind the priests that Israel was to be a light to the world. God was shining His light through them. There would be a place for prayer for all the nations called The Court of the Gentiles. When the Temple was built this was the place to meet with God, Jew and Gentile. This was to be made precisely to the specifications God gave Moses. The Church is shown to be the Lamp Stand in Revelation 1.20 …the seven lampstands are the seven churches. This is NOT a denomination. This is not an association. This is definitely not a Headquarters or Satellites. It is not a fixed system of theology, beyond what we all agree on. It is not church government. These are individual churches, as in the Book of Revelation with an Angel, Messenger or Pastor. This is the Body of Christ Matthew 5.14 You are the light of the world Ephesians 5.8 Live as children of the Light Philippians 2.15 Shine like stars in the universe I John 1 Walk in the Light So what are the specifications for the Church? Jesus addresses the ills in the messages letters to the 7 churches There were issues of forsaking their first love, persecution, idolatry, tolerating false teachers, spiritual death, little strength, and dependence upon riches. Molly Kathleen Mine, Cripple Creek Colorado, 1000 feet down One of our relatives, a Lawrence, died out there, digging for gold! On When the Lampstands shine bright… All of these would be light in the dark world: * First, Jesus said He would build it. Built with Light Bright Illumination Build= erect a building, restore a building Equip= set broken bones, mend ripped nets He is speaking of a spiritual building Psalm 104.2 The LORD wraps Himself in light as with a garment; Jesus is His own witness. * Second, the Holy Spirit brings people in. They come in when they are born of the Spirit. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6.44 How is the Lamp Stand powered? By olive oil, symbol of the Holy Spirit Zechariah 4.6 Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the LORD. They would come to the Light. Let your light shine! * Third, There are activities of the Church: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Spiritual Activities No mention of board meetings or committees No mention of offerings or worship music. No mention of age group ministry Spiritual Building not physical Devoted To * The Word of God Lights are going on all time as we read, study and meditate upon the Word Growing in understanding as the lights go off in our minds! When we walk with the LORD’s, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! There is a glory, an illumination as we read the Word. Luke 24. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Psalm 119.105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a Light for my path. * Fellowship There is something different about fellowship with the Church. It is fellowship of light. You will not hear foul language here. You will not hear dirty jokes. You will have understanding given and received. You will be blessed by it You will be strengthened by it. You will help others in it. I saw it last Sunday when we took the LORD’s Supper together. If Jesus is present then we will exclaim, “God is with us.” Emmanuel * Eating Together and Taking the LORD’s Supper This too is a time of joyful illumination. This is a time of Spiritual Nourishment Good Digestion Lights should go on as we take it. As we get nearer to Heaven this makes it clearer. * Prayer You leave these prayer meetings with brightness and glory. Shekeniah Glory Light comes to people from prayer meetings when their prayers are answered. We are leaving to be lights. Shine brightly. If you follow Jesus you will.

The Sprinkling of Blood on the People

The Sprinkling of the Blood On The People Exodus 24.1-8 From the beginning, from Genesis 4.4 blood sacrifices were made to the LORD, before the law has been given. In Exodus the Covenant is being instituted. The Old Covenant was by the blood of lambs, bulls and goats. There were all kinds of sacrifices. There were morning and evening ones. There were ones for Holy Days. There was the Passover when huge amounts of lambs would be slaughtered, one for every 10 people in Israel. The last census by Josephus estimated that 250,000 were slaughtered for the Passover in Jerusalem. In this case here the blood was sprinkled on the people. Beautiful robes/ garments were made for the High Priests, only to be stained by oil and blood, from the anointing and the sacrifices. * The Blood Reminded The People That A Sacrifice Had To Made For Sin. This morning as we take the LORD’s Supper and we take the cup in our hands it reminds us of our sin. Jesus shed His blood. The sprinkling of blood showed everyone sinned. When they saw the High Priest walking among them, they would see the breastplate with the 12 stones, one for each tribe, a son of Jacob/ Israel. He carried the people on his heart They would see the two stones, one on each shoulder, inscribed with six of the tribes. He shouldered the people’s burdens. He served until he died. Then his eldest son would take his place. When they saw the oil and blood stained garments it reminded them that this anointed individual made sacrifices for their sins. * The Blood Showed That God Provided For Atonement For The People’s Sin From the beginning we were told that without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission for sins. Hebrews 9.22 * The promise to Abraham when he offered up Isaac. Genesis 22. 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven,“Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD’s it will be provided.” * The Promise of the Sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus. John 3.16 Isaiah 53 Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the cityof the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. * The Sprinkling of Blood Showed Cleansing Was Provided For All Christ died for the whole world.. John 3.16 God loves this world, every person. All 196 Nations All 8.3 Billion People From India’s 1.48 Billion to Pitcairn Islands with its 35 people * Now, Under the New Covenant We Drink the Blood! Mark 14. 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many,” He said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” Now we come to the Table Now we remember His Body and His Blood We are not just sprinkled. We are washed in the blood of the Lamb Hymn #259 Are You Washed In the Blood of the Lamb? The Lamb Who had been slain Revelation 4-5 What was going on with John in Patmos? What is going on all over the Earth now? What is going on now in Heaven? We are joining in the worship as we remember the Lamb that was slain and is alive forevermore.

The Wonderful Ability of Standing Alone

Exodus 23.2-3 2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit. Remember when we were kids and we wanted to do what everyone else was doing we were asked, “If everyone was jumping off a bridge, would you? The ability to stand alone and stand up for what is right is wonderful. Before you can stand alone you have to learn how to stand. Human beings are the only species where we do not stand at birth. It takes many months. I remember when my grandchildren learned how to walk. We bought bumper pads for the edges of the coffee table! It was a whole new ball game when they went from crawling to walking. My grandson Timmy took years off my life, or at least it felt that way. I had him in my study. He was playing on the floor, while I worked on my computer and made phone calls. He was three. I kept an eye on him. Once when I turned around he was gone! I started calling him all throughout the house. I could not find him. Then I went out in the backyard. There he was watching the workers put in a new fence. I yelled, “Timmy, do not ever do that again!” Whew! When he became mobile my world changed! He knew how to stand. How do we stand spiritually? We are exhorted to do this in Ephesians 6. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm To continue safe and sound, upholding the authority of what we believe * We have the ability in Jesus to continue safe and sound against the devils’s schemes. Jesus told us that all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him. The devil is the accuser. He accuses us before the LORD day and night. He accuses us of serving God just for what we can get out of Him. We say, “No matter what we will serve Him.” He is able to deliver us from the furnace but even if He does not we will not bow down to a golden image! That is standing! Job saying, “Though He slay me I will praise Him,” is standing firm Jesus being taunted on the cross, “If you are the Christ, come down and save Yourself,” is the ultimate of standing your ground. He could have! But He did not. * With the full armor of God we can stand our ground. Guarding our hearts and minds, letting the Word Of God dwell in us, praying in the Spirit all work in concert to make us unmovable. Stubborn Sanctified Commitment. We have to have the helmet of salvation to guard our thoughts We have the breastplate of righteousness to guard our hearts. I remember running cross country. Your insides would be turning, sweat running down your back and your heart being pushed and you kept going. It was not easy but it paid off in the long run. Back in that time I can remember being the only one in my Homeroom Class who stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Miss Bororian and I would say it together. She recommended me for Boy’s State. I was moving over that summer and part of the program was to bring back what we learned the next fall. I went down to my guidance counselor and told him it would not be right for me to go. He said, “Larry, thank you for just affirming why we picked you.” In Bellmore, where I grew up, there was a church of my grandparents denomination. Brother Terry was the caretaker and only member left. It was a beautiful brick building. He lived meagerly, out of his garden. My folks would go over and bring him food and money. He lived all alone. He stood alone. We invited him to come to our church for fellowship but he was faithful to those grounds and opened the church in case anyone visited. They never did. Let me say at this point that there is a difference between standing alone and being lonely. Feeling lonely is a growing state of Americans. We can have people around us and still be lonely. * After we have done everything we are still standing. Ephesians 6 We have read the Word. We have prayed. We have fought the devil. We have meditated on the Scriptures. We have kept the faith. We have obeyed the LORD. Now we are able to stand alone. We are not in a popularity contest. We are standing for the Truth. I know this is not easy. It never is pleasant to stand alone. Daniel is a good example of standing alone. Daniel 6. 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attentionto you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. What would you do in a land where it was against the law to pray to the LORD? What are you doing in this land where it is okay to do it? Praying with our Pakistani Brothers and Sisters in Thailand on Friday. Told them they were part of the Daniel Band. Daniel did not allow the change in the law to change his prayer habits. He was standing firm. He was not intimidated. He knew God would be with him in the lion’s den. He was. He was delivered. He had stood alone. Moses stood alone before God. When king Saul was chasing David he had to stand alone and run alone. The prophets had to stand alone Jeremiah Paul and Jesus had to stand alone. Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy, “ II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Stand alone and the LORD will stand with you! In the fire, in deep sorrow, in prisons, on the run away from spear wielding men. I Corinthians 15.58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Things The 70 Years On Earth Has Taught Me

Things The 70 Years On Earth Has Taught Me Philippians 3.4-16 Life is a journey. I have made my 70 Trip around the Sun this past week. It has been amazing journey. How God used a kid who had a lisp, was in remedial reading and was frightened to stand up and speak in a class amazes me more than I can express. I remember those days. People and their spiritual need has always been a part of my heart. I grew up caring about people, surrounded by those who did. My journey began not far from here, in Queens. I always felt God has His Hand upon me, guiding me. I look back today, this week and can say, “All the way my Savior has led me.” Along the path I have learned lessons. I have also gained some wisdom, although I am still learning each day. For the past nearly 42 years of my life I have been blessed to shepherd the flock here, the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene. My friend, Art Alexander made this observation this past year. He said, “When I pastored in Valley Stream, I ministered to that flock, of 750-1,000 souls. You however have had a much smaller church but probably have 4,000 souls or more you have minister to.” They all look to you as their pastor. I see it every time I come to Bay Shore. Now over 8,000 around the world. I just wrote down all 196 nations in my Bible yesterday. I believe it is significant that I served 40 years as a shepherd with Pastor Johnson before he came here. As I stated I have known him for 42 years. We shepherded our flocks peacefully for 40 years, a very significant number. You remember Lot and Abraham… Genesis 13. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” That never happened to us! We worked side by side, 6 blocks from each other. The past 12 years I very close association. Psalm 133 He used to love to say that between the two of us we had over 100 years combined experience in the ministry. I have laid to rest nearly everyone that was here that first Sunday in 1984. Some have moved. Most are in Heaven. Many laid to rest in the place where we will lay Pastor Johnson Tuesday Morning, Oakwood Cemetery. The other is Calverton where some of our veterans are laid to rest. I have done approximately 200 funerals these past 42 years. I love what I do. Shepherding eternal souls. C.S. Lewis say man lives 100 years. The combined Dynasties of China are 5,000 years. You would conclude that the combined Dynasties of China are 50 times greater than a man. But suppose that man is eternal, his soul lives on forever. You would have to conclude that a single soul is infinitely greater than the combined Dynasties of China. The LORD has me in an Eternal Work. It is hard for me to relate to those colleagues of mine who are retiring. It is even harder now that there are some who are younger than me retiring. Now as my retirement benefits kick in it is still in my heart to serve as your pastor. Charles Jefferson, pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle in the city, 100 years ago, gave lectures to Yale Divinity School, and asked, “What dunce of a man goes into the ministry to make money?” Money has never appealed to me. If I had food to eat, clothes to wear and a place to lay my head I was content, still am. I love what God has done here, what He is doing here. I told Jeff last week that when I came here, in those early days, after the service, the lights went out, the congregation emptied out within about 3 minutes. Not so now. Where God is taking this little flock here around the world is truly amazing to me. Here is what I have learned in my 70 years, 47 as a pastor, 42 here. * The Bible Is The Word of God. Your Word stands Eternal in the Heavens. Psalm 119.111 Depending upon its promises brings great joy. Living out its directions gives you a good life. There are mysteries along the way. Like my 40 year old brother who loved the LORD, was definitely more sweeter than I and yet 26 years ago God did not heal him but took him home to Heaven, leaving a 12 year old and 10 year old son and a 5 year old little girl. 26 years later they are all serving Jesus! I love the old hymn, written by a Nazarene Pastor. It is called, The Bible Stands. The Bible stands like a rock undaunted 'Mid the raging storms of time; Its pages burn with the truth eternal, And they glow with a light sublime. Chorus: The Bible stands tho' the hills may tumble, It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble; I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, For the Bible stands, The Bible stands. 2 The Bible stands like a mountain tow'ring Far above the works of man; Its truth by none ever was refuted, And destroy it they never can. (Chorus) 3 The Bible stands and it will forever, When the world has passed away; By inspiration it has been given, All its precepts I will obey. (Chorus) 4 The Bible stands every test we give it, For its Author is divine; By grace alone I will expect to live it, And to prove it and make it mine. (Chorus) Secondly * More is Wrought By Prayer Than This World Dreams Of. -Tennyson Pray without ceasing. If you are not there keep seeking. -John Wesley Let your prayer life become a source of joyful fellowship with Jesus. This little church here has indeed become a House of Prayer For All Nations. One blessing is that the nations are praying for us! I fell in love with the Prayer Meeting as a young teen. It was at 8pm on Wednesday Night. It was required we attend if we wanted to serve on the District Impact Team (Immediate Personal Action For Christ). So I got picked up every Wednesday Night by our Pastor’s Wife. My Dad was not home from work yet. In the back of that little church was a tract rack. It contained Gospel Tracts, little booklets. One of them was The Power of Prayer by E.M.Bounds. I took it home and read it. It got into my heart. I am still part of the Wednesday Prayer Meetings in this church at noon. A handful of us meet in the Conference Room. A thousand join us each week from around the world. Many in Uganda, Pakistan, India, Kenya and dozens of other places join us. It is glorious. Be faithful in prayer. Be faithful in the small things and you would not believe what God will do even if you were told. * Be Thankful For All The Blessings From The LORD. He grants sleep to those He loves. He feeds us with the finest of wheat. He overflows our cup. He directs our steps. My journey has been marked with His direction, daily. I am amazed often at the end of a day what God has had me involved in. He watches over us. In Temptation He is a strong and mighty tower. His goodness and mercy has followed me all the days of my life. All this and Heaven ahead! Thank You Father! * Those Who You Do The Most For Will Often Turn on You. Love them anyway! Do regret what you have done. It is the LORD Jesus Christ You are serving! Psalm 55.12 If an enemy were insulting me,     I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me,     I could hide. 13 But it is you, a man like myself,     my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship     at the house of God, Leave them with the LORD. Be like Jesus. * People Have Treated Me Far More Graciously Than I Deserve. I have been humbled by their generosity, their prayers and their love for me. Always be grateful. Having traveled around the world I can tell you we are very blessed to be Americans! Clean water, food, clothes, education, opportunities Freedom Life, Liberty and the ability to pursue happiness. I know there are those who seems to revel in America’s faults and we have many. However the generosity of Americans has astonished me wherever I have gone. When I have seen what God has done through His Church I am so blessed! Alabaster The Unisphere Photo * Serve the LORD with gladness There will be disappointment There will be times of testing But here will always be blessings to be thankful for. I think it is inappropriate to serve the LORD with a bitter spirit, a resentful disposition, a judgmentmental attitude. If you cannot be glad… not sure what questions they get asked for ordination. It has been 44 years ago I was questioned, probably 18 since I asked questions. I would interview neighbors. I would ask children what kind of a character is this person? Do they keep their word? Do they bless you? What kind of a relationship do they have with you? Are they a positive force in your life? I would ask for references where an individual has done business, been treated by doctors and had car service. Is he known by paying his bills? Have you had problems with him paying? * Be Content With What You Have Been Given from Heaven. John 3.27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” John’s disciples were concerned over people leaving him and following Jesus. I have been and always will be a shepherd. I am not an administrator, so I have people that are helping me. I am so glad I am not a DS, a GS, or any denomination executive! I have friends that are. They have my sympathies and my prayers. * God is good. God loves me, God is in control. * One Day All the Stuff I have accumulated is going to be rummaged through. That is okay. I will not be here for that. I will be home. My heroes are not pastors of large churches like it was when I was young. My heroes are those with more to give step aside to care for an ailing wife with Alzheimer’s, the wonderful devotional writer who spent the last decade of his life caring for mentally handicapped adults… the pastor who could have ease in his 80’s but chooses to continue to shepherd that flock. These are my heroes. I have told you often of that young doctor I met in the Port Au Prince Airport. We were both waiting for persons there. Mine was coming in from the South of Spain, an internist coming to serve in a medical clinic Yelssy Manza put together from Metro NY District. This young doctor, still in scrubs was picking up a friend who was ready to make tenure as a teacher in California. She came at the invitation of her doctor friend to see about opening up a school there. I asked this young vivacious doctor what made her leave and come to Haiti. She told me. “The thought of making a lot of money, driving an expensive car, and living in a large home did not appeal to me. I wanted to help people who were sick and didn’t have money to pay for their healthcare.” She overflowed with hope. She told me that she told her pastor in Southern California about her dream. The next thing she knew her church there was paying her Medical School debt so she could go follow the dream the LORD gave her for Haiti. She is a hero of mine. These are the souls that inspire me! More than anything I want to hear those words from Jesus, “Well done good and faithful servant.” The longing to hear them is growing intensity these days.

Property Rights In The Kingdom of God

Property Rights In The Kingdom of God Exodus 22.1-4 Property Rights can be a sticky situation. Who owns the land has been a subject of debate in Israel as the descendants of Ishmael grew along with the descendants of Isaac for almost 4,000 years. , and continue to make headlines today. How about personal property today in 2026, here in America, in the world? As believers we know that everything belongs to God. We just sang about it, This Is My Father’s World I had a friend who was the Soccer Coach at Alfred University. He resigned it to buy a Christian Bookstore in the town where I was pastoring. He had his pastor come and do a dedication service for the newly open store. At the service the pastor said, “When you have had a rough day go back into the office and say the Lord let’s talk about what happened in Your store today.“ So if we dedicate something to the LORD it belongs to Him. Are there such things as property rights in the land in which we live? Constitution property rights are primarily protected by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which ensure that no person is deprived of "life, liberty, or property without due process of law". Additionally, the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause prohibits the government from taking private property for public use without providing "just compensation". As a church we experienced this issue 60 years ago when they enlarged Sunrise Highway. Government seized our land. We took them to court. They gave us $20,000 which went to buying the property we are on now. This property is deeded to the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene. What about personal property rights today? Take the property my Dad and Mom purchased in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. My Dad had to hire a surveyor when they built their house there. He came with his Equipment and dropped stakes. They are there now 53 years later. * There are laws of the land and there is the Kingdom of God. If someone steals according to the law of the land and here in Exodus, they must repay. The penalty is not just returning the stolen property but more to instill fear and respect. Jesus said, “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” Matthew 5.40 This is a radical, non retaliatory action, and generosity. This can fall under the same category as plucking out your eye. Was this to be taken literally? Or was Jesus speaking in these terms to help us understand the attitude we should have? One of being dead to this world. Stealing is wrong, very wrong! Angry attitudes towards those who sin against are as well. The Kingdom trumps everything in our lives. Paul elaborates on this by saying, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3.8 Our Kingdom attitude ought to be dead to things we have stolen or lost. Under the law of the land a crime has been committed. In the Kingdom of God what does it really matter? Stealing is in the Ten Commandments. It is wrong. Without this in our Constitution we would have pandemonium and anarchy. Personally, Les Miserables helps us. Jean Paul The Bishop and The Candlesticks The Bishop's Candlesticks is a famous one-act play by Norman McKinnel, adapted from a scene in Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables. It tells the story of an escaped, hardened convict who breaks into a kind bishop's home, only to be completely reformed through an act of profound compassion. The Plot Unfolds * The Break-in: A starved and angry convict breaks into the bishop's cottage, threatening him with a knife and demanding food. Instead of panicking or calling for the guards, the bishop treats him with immense kindness, giving him a warm meal, wine, and a place to sleep. 
 * The Betrayal: While the bishop and his sister sleep, the ungrateful convict steals the bishop's cherished silver plates and flees into the night. 
  * The Arrest: The police catch the convict and bring him back to the cottage. To protect the man, the bishop lies to the authorities, stating that he gave the silver plates to the convict as a gift. Grace is the basis of the New Covenant. We will take the LORD’s Supper in a few minutes. Is there anyone who can say, “I am without sin?” We all have things to confess to the LORD: an unkind attitude, a struggle with envy. Are we policemen or paramedics? Police are concerned with who to fault. Paramedics just saving lives. There must be traffic laws or we would all be running red lights, not the few who do now. There must be personal forgiveness or we would all be thrown into jail. And we would be carrying around bundles for too heavy for us to make any progress. I love the version of the LORD’s Prayer. Praying for God’s Kingdom to come… Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We see Jesus risen and talking with His disciples after a totally un faith, unjust trial. He isn’t saying, “Let’s go and round up all those involved. Let’s give them what they gave Me.” They would be crucifying thousands! He has every right to do i! He did not come to condemn the world but to save it. What if the local government is opposed to the Kingdom of God? Persia, bulldozing Carmen’s father’s work China My neighbor, Peter, came to me Monday, after I the bulk of this message written, and confessed, “I stole some of your stones.” After the south side of the front yard had been rearranged by the sewer installation I noticed some border stones missing. I figured they got buried. I told him, “Thank you! You are giving me a great illustration for my Sunday Morning Message. I explained that if we were under the law of Moses he would have to me the stones and then double for my trouble. He asked, “Do you want them back?” I answered, “No, Jesus told us that if someone asks for our shirt, give him your coat as well.” Besides I have been witnessing to him for 40 years. I want to see him come to Christ. He has been a good neighbor, has put up with me all these years. What are a few stones compared with an eternal soul. He confessed this after he admired the Daylilies and I said, “Whatever you like, tag it and I will split them after they bloom.” I love how God tests us. How He brings us in on His Word as we teach if. I love what I get to do and how simple it is to witness for Jesus. I thought as the people began to sit in the shade on the lawn about 4pm on Monday, to get food later, how some of you here give up your Monday Evenings to share God’s Love how Diddi and her Sister flew to the Dominican Republic to be with a mother and her son, who was having surgery, how Mary Burke has helped elderly friends get to Doctor Appointments, grocery shop, and listened and carried them on her heart!…. how you guys are living in Kingdom Come! Feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, taking care of widows and orphans here and in Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan… doing it unto Jesus! Visiting that mystical Presence of Jesus in each person. We ought to be thankful for property rights in America. Hebrews 10.34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. * It is okay to “own” property on Earth so long as we realize it ultimately belongs to the LORD. We have no power after we are gone. We need laws to govern but it is ultimately the LORD Whom we must consider decides. Our Home is in Heaven and we await a Savior from there. Surrendering our lives (and our rights) to God, our Father is our way to peace and security. David walked away from the Kingdom so not to split it. Absolom. Cory Ten Boom, The Hiding Place Used that house in Holland to rescue Jews in WWII * Property we “own” should be used for the Eternal Kingdom. Paul, the Apostle rented hiss house in Tarsus out. This provided him an income as he did his world mission work. One of the things that emerged in my Mom’s Celebration of Life was the use of that property and house for the Kingdom of God. Feasts were held there. Teenaged boys camped in those hills. Christian workers found refuge there. Bible Studies were held there. And now we wait to see what is next. Have people over. Invite people into your home. Remember Fiza, the Pakistani young lady wanting to come from Thailand to open a work among the growing Muslim Urdu speaking people. Pray over taking her in, her Dad and Mom. God will use to launch an outreach to the Muslim people. They need Jesus as well. Be ready this week for insurmountable opportunities!!! They are all over! Just next door! In a time when property belonging to the church is being sold, let’s see how God can use that which He has entrusted to us. This building has always done that since 1984. We are doing it with the parsonage now. My kids are bivocational pastors here on Long Island. It’s all about the Kingdom of God! We are going to come and take the LORD’s Supper. Jesus poured out His life for us. We should do the same for Him.

A Servant Forever

Make me a servant, humble and meek LORD, may I lift up those who are weak And may the prayer of my heart always be, Make me a servant, make me a servant, today A Servant For Life Exodus 21.1-7 Servanthood was to pay off a debt. If you didn’t have the money you worked for the person you owed turn the money to. They didn’t pay you. Your labor was your wages and it retired your debt. Once the debt was paid off or at the end of 6 years the servant was free. However…But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master…’ He has been treated well. I lost my keys 10 days ago. We have searched where I dropped them, emptied out the Jeep and my backpack. In the Hotel last Friday night in upstate New York I reached into my backpack to charge my phone and I pulled out my keys! Wow! They were not there before. I had said to the LORD (as His servant), “When You are ready, You will show me where the keys are.” He did. I am having such a great time with Jesus these days. Serving Him is being respectful of His time and timing. I didn’t want to His time so I waited for Him and went on. He sees his prospects are better than going out from his master’s house. He feels secure there. He delighted in doing the Master’s will. Mr. Gulden, attorney, Binghamton, his wife would come out with good crystal, serving iced tea or lemonade, similar to Bob Pawson, when he worked at Mrs. Joan Payson’s home, the original owner of the New York Mets Go to the New Testament. This is a foreshadowing of our relationship with Christ. It is refreshing to serve Jesus. The Bond Servant is a picture of what we are to God. * When we commit our lives to Christ we become servants of God This is a high honor to be a servant of God. Jesus set the example John 13. 12 When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. 13 “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Jesus did what no one else wanted to do. We should be like that! There is a blessing in serving. Co-laboring with God. It is an awesome thing to have the LORD work through you. Knowing here is a word that means much more than head knowledge.it means to perceive, to discern, discover. You are doing what Jesus did! Transformation from being a slave to sin to a servant of God. Romans 6. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Sin is a hard task master. Egypt God is a loving Heavenly Father Who will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. Israel Isaiah 42.1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me. John 12.26 * A Bondservant Submits to the Will of His Master We give up our plans to be God’s servants. We are looking for His will in our lives. Roman’s 12.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. * A Bond Servant is one who willingly stays with His Master Because He loves him. Leaving loved ones is hard. My niece, Marlee, lives on the other side of the globe. It was wonderful to her and sad to say goodbye. Hoping to go next year for a while to serve her. Photo Servants that complain are unseemly. They do not honor their Master. Good and faithful servant are the ones who get into Heaven and receive commendation from Jesus as they enter. That is the most desirable thing of a true servant. We want to please our Master. Psalm 123. 1  I lift up my eyes to You,     to You who sit enthroned in heaven. 2  As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,     as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God,     till He shows us His mercy. Because He loves His House. * A Bondservant is for Life The bondservant is serving with no thought of leaving. He is content. He is not looking for better opportunities. Godliness with contentment is great gain. His pleasure is not in sin but in continuing to do his Master’s will. Relationships are often short term in this day. As we have shared the average marriage lasts 8 years. Pastors total of ten years. The average time a person stays at their job is 3.9 years according to the United States Department of Labor Statistics. The average American moves about 11 to 12 times in their lifetime. On a macro level, this means a household relocates roughly every 5 to 7 years. In times of great change in life… Being a Bondservant is a permanent relationship. If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom, learn to be the servant of all. For Life Forever

The Fear of the LORD

Exodus 20. 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear.They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. What Does The Fear of God Mean? It is not what the Israelites experienced. They were terrorized. You cannot have a loving meaningful relationship with someone who holds a gun to your head, saying, “I love you. Do you love me?” God is not looking for that with us. He is looking for us to revere Him, Respect Him, to honor Him, be in awe of Him. Fear of God is to treat Him as He deserves. To honor Him because He is worthy. David and I singing on Friday, “This Is My Father’s World” Honoring Him as Creator, Father Isaiah 44.9 Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’? Romans 9. 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Anger at God, rejecting His plan is not respecting Him. God’s plan was for Israel to draw near. They wanted Moses to do that. Avoiding an invitation from the LORD ends in disaster. This begs a question worth asking. How on earth did they go from this to killing Jesus? Had they no fear?! * Their Religion! They did not want Him messing up their religion, having a form of godliness but no power. They had their rituals. They were so steeped in them and their traditions that they did recognize God when He was standing besides them, talking with them. * Their Building. They were afraid He would be the cause for their temple being taken away. . John 11.48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” When a buiding becomes more important than loving God that group is in deep trouble. That generation did not pass until they saw the Destruction of the Temple and all of Jerusalem. * The Money. He upset the whole of Israel by cleansing the Temple of business: buying, selling, money exchange. Mark 11. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as He taught them, He said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching. The Laodecian Church had put Jesus out because their wealth made them feel they didn’t need Him. Now they never said that per se, but their actions and their independence spoke loudly. Photo * There is a great need today to drive the merchandising, the business model, out of the church! * Finally He made sense. He spoke with authority. He pointed out their pride and the need for repentance. Repentance among religious leaders does not come easy. We have seen a few exposed for elaborate spending in the past 40 years but many go on without any concern for them becoming rich and the poor paying their way. We even see this outside of the TV preachers. (Not all are evil) I implore you today that if you are giving money to any of them, ask for a detailed financial statement. If they do not give it to you I can assure you that you are being ripped off! This includes denominations. Local pastors can do this as well. I know of men who made millions in managing their property investments while their flocks suffered due to their attention to business ventures. This is so wrong! Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? Ezekiel 34.2 God help us. Shepherds are to take care of the flock:feeding, leading, protecting, guiding, healing, loving Go back again with me to the thunder and lightning v.18 Remember Matthew 12. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 But He replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, 40 because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look—something greater than Jonah is here! I believe they were bringing Him back to Sinai and this chapter. Let us see some lightning, some thunder. Jesus said I will give you one sigh. It will be on Earth. I will rise again but you still will not believe. He did give a sign in the Heavens, but it was only to His disciples. It was not creating a storm but muzzling one. Mark 4. 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” He did not create a storm this time but stilled it. It had the same effect. They were terrorized by His power. Old Testament whole nation New Testament to His Followers Old Testament they knew it was God. New Testament they are wondering, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” They became His witnesses. Jesus prayed, in Matthew 12. 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what You were pleased to do. He still is! The Fear of God Keeps Us From Sinning v.20 We need this in the United States today. We have lost the fear of the LORD! I remember a time when saying, “O God” was a sin. Today even kids say it. Even when my kids were young. My youngest learning the chorus, Unto The O LORD, when we came to the line, “Oh my God, I trust in Thee” gasped with horror. Look at the government with lies and corruption. We do not know who is telling the truth. Accusations fly. I remember Watergate. We were all in shock when we found out about a cover up. Today insider trading, tax evasion, leaking classified information is not a big thing. I had a fear of the consequences of sin. I was afraid because I knew God was watching. 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. I was not afraid of being with the LORD. I have often told you how I wanted to go to Heaven as a kid. So I didn’t run from the LORD. I wanted to be with Him. Now when I wake up in the morning I cannot wait to get down into my Study for Quiet Time. I have begun praying over the whole family before I get up. My Quiet Times have become a time of communing with the LORD, prayer, reading His Word and writing in my journals. Prayer I prayed July 1, 2004 for Art Alexander, after he became DS Your words this morning were restorative! The Fear of the LORD is The Beginning of Wisdom Proverbs 9. 10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,     and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Now we are getting somewhere! We say today, “How foolish can they be!” If a person does not have the fear of the LORD, they will not have wisdom. They will live like there is no God. A person can say anything. The issue is how do they live? If they are living in sin then they have no fear of the LORD. Excuses have been made for inexcusable actions. Dr. Karl Menninger’s book, What Ever Became of Sin, was written in 1973, explores how modern society erased the concept of personal sin, replacing it with therapeutic or clinical terms like "sickness" or "dysfunction" to evade moral accountability. The words, what right do you to have to say, “This is wrong?” were heard throughout the 1970’s. In the 1980’s when making money was rampant, the concept of sin was being erased as the Health and Wealth Gospel proliferated. Fast forward 40 plus years and whole churches are falling apart because they do not stand for anything. What happened to Paul’s words to the Ephesian Church. Ephesians 6. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, It is not how “successful” you are for a season but after years have past are you still standing? What is the Fear of the LORD Today? Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. We are in a place of Communion. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Jesus broke down the barrier, opening up the Holy of Holies where we can go right into the Presence of the LORD. We are in a Place of Joyful Assembly. Not dark, not frightening but with Angels singing. We are in a place of rejoicing our that our names are written down in Heaven. For too long we have been celebrating our successes. If we are not careful Life can become one large scoreboard where someone is listing the points to measure our worth. And before we are fully aware of it, we have sold our soul to the many grade givers. In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes we allow our accomplishments to become the criteria of our self-esteem and our self-worth. Do not rejoice how many come to your church or how many baptisms you have but rejoice that your name is written down in Heaven. We are in a place of Rest from trying to please God. It is finished. We are in fellowship with Jesus. He has forgiven us! Feeling At Home in the Presence of Jesus