“Enough Already!” Exodus 35:30-36:7 Bible Study 10/29/17

This morning we conclude our series of lessons from the book of Exodus. Our text concerns the construction of the tabernacle. The LORD gives specific and detailed instructions and the workers use their diverse talents in conforming to the divine specifications for the structure. Additionally, the people, so richly blessed by the Lord, respond with a display of overwhelming generosity. All of these factors lead to the fitting conclusion of Exodus in Exodus 40:34-38, where the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle.

I. Assessing the Building

-a clear case of post-calf grace
-a dwelling designed by the LORD
-constructed to communicate
-attention to the LORD’S instruction
-“It is possible to believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God—yet neglect it and effectually repudiate it just because we think that it is not great enough for today’s tasks.” (Boice)

II. Embracing the Beauty

-Why not just throw a few boards together?
-empowered artistry: Bezalel and Oholiab
-objective standard of excellence

III. Experiencing the Blessing

-voluntary offering: an “art” form in itself
-Before you render, you receive. (35:1-3)
-time, talent and treasure (35:4-29)
-The people were restrained!

IV. Making the Application

-When you are instructed by God’s principles and inspired by His presence, you pursue lavish participation in His work.
-from the portable to the permanent (1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:21; 1 Cor. 6:19)
-Breathtaking “Beauty” has visited us. (John 1:14)
-Your use of His resources should reflect the depth of His rescue.
-divine artistry to the glory of God!

“Don’t Have a Cow!” Exodus 32:1-6 Bible Study 10/22/17

Beginning with Exodus 24:12, we find Moses meeting with the LORD on the mountain in order to receive the tablets of stone which contained the law and the commandments. With Exodus 32, the scene shifts from the mountain to the encamped Israelites in the valley. This shift sets the stage for the account of Israel’s idolatrous rebellion in the making of and worship of a golden calf. In a real sense, the LORD’S covenant people, rather than trusting the LORD, proceeded to “have a cow.” Today, the hideous practice of idolatry remains a threat for God’s people. Our text today offers a solemn warning for us not to “crave” evil things (1 Cor. 10:6-7).

I. Beware of Disobeying the LORD’S Revealed Will

-violation of at least three commandments
-the major issue in Exodus: worship (24:3, 7)
-“God created man in His image and ever since, man has been trying to return the favor.” (Chesterton)
-“The mind is a perpetual idol factory” (Calvin)

II. Beware of Doubting the LORD’S Sufficiency

-impatience with the LORD’S timing
-disrespect for the LORD’S representative (Acts 7:39-40)
-a hostile “takeover”

III. Beware of Distorting the LORD’S Purpose

-the LORD’S reputation (9:16)
-a self-serving mentality
-a demonstration of depravity
-idolatry leading to immorality
-“What we revere, we resemble, either for our ruin or our restoration.” (Beale)

IV. Beware of Discounting the LORD’S Activity

-the misuse of the LORD’S gifts
-a case of spiritual amnesia (Psa. 106:19-22)

V. So What?

-Knowing that God abhors idolatry, repudiate it and replace it with holy intoxication.
-battling infidelity with intoxication (Eph. 5:18)
-“As A. W. Pink has written: ‘Man must have an object, and when he turns from the true God, he at once craves a false one.’ But this statement can also be reversed. The way to reduce our craving for false gods is for our minds and hearts to be intoxicated with the Spirit of the one true God.” (Ryken)
-Don’t have a cow! Rather, have the conquering King of the Ages who comes to you in the person of Jesus Christ.

“The Lord’s Dress Code” Exodus 28:31-43 Bible Study 10/15/17

The greatest need of sinful humans is the perfect righteousness of Christ. Long ago, in his detailed description of the priestly wardrobe, the Lord pointed to this essential truth. Far from being an exercise in mere minutiae or a catalog of irrelevant information, the specific instructions regarding priestly garments remind us of the awesome responsibility and privilege of a relationship with the Lord. His wardrobe requirements are not optional but essential. It takes a holy priest to make a holy people.

I. Discern the Details

-the robe
*seamless
* bell and pomegranate

-the headgear
*turban
*diadem
*inscription

-the underclothes
*waist to thigh
*a striking contrast

-the High Priest adorned with holy majesty: magnificent clothes/magnificent ministry

II. Depend on the Right High Priest

-savoring the sense of the sacred
-“Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His duration, but holiness is His beauty.” (Charnock)
-sobering yourself with the stress on the suitable
-refusing to minimize sin
-Zechariah’s vision in Zech. 3:1-5
-“I am convinced that the first step toward attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.” (Ryle)
-relying on the accepted priest (Heb. 7:23-28; 12:14)
-reflect on John 19:23

III. So What?

-Because God is holy and you are not, your greatest need is to claim the “wardrobe” of holiness that only He can provide.
-“Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die; another’s life, another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” (Bonar)
-“When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.” (Mote)

“The Ten Commandments” Exodus 20:1-17

Exodus 19:2-6

This is the core of God’s covenant with Israel.

The Ten Commandments are still the core of what morality is.

Jesus, instead of taking from them, actually added to them, raising the bar as it were.

Much of the immorality in America today is because our people don’t know the Ten Commandments.

Deuteronomy 30:10

Three things that the ten Commandments provide:

“Bread from Heaven” Exodus 16:1-36 Bible Study 10/01/17

After the Lord’s miraculous deliverance of His people (Exodus 14:1-15:21), the narrative of Exodus turns our attention to practical matters related to survival in the wilderness (Exodus 15:22-16:36). The people needed water and food. Despite their grumbling irreverence, the Lord graciously provided both. In every age, He shows Himself to be an all-sufficient provider for His people.

I. The Congregation’s Complaints Convey Its Condition

-from refreshment to reentry
-repeated refrain
-comprehensive involvement
-unrealistic perspective
-misplaced assault

II. The Lord’s Provision Conveys His Commitment

-promise of satisfaction
-prescription of dependence
-proclamation of motivation

III. The Lord’s Provision Culminates in Christ

-purposes of sustenance and sanctification
-preaching Christ from Exodus (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:1-4, John 6:28-51)
-from the Exodus to the Cross

IV. So What?

-Knowing that the Lord’s provision is rooted in His steadfast love, view your trials as opportunities to grow in dependence on Him.
-“It takes a heavenly appetite to enjoy a heavenly diet.” (Swindoll)
-Determine to feast continually at the table of grace.
-“Come then, O holy Christ, feed us, we pray; touch with Your pierced hand each common day, making this earthly life full of Your grace, till, in the home of heaven, we find our place.” (Hoyt)