• 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)

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

• 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!

• 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. (Kirk, “Our Best”)
• divine artistry to the glory of God!

• 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)

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

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

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

• Knowing that God abhors idolatry, repudiate it and replace it with holy intoxication.
• battling infidelity with intoxication (Eph. 5:18)
• “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.” (Pink)
• “The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be, help me tear it from Thy throne, and worship only Thee.” (Cowper, “O, For a Closer Walk with God.”)

• the robe
• the headgear
• the underclothes
• magnificent clothing for magnificent ministry

• savoring the sacred
• sobering yourself with stress on the suitable
• refusing to minimize sin
• Zechariah’s vision (3:1-5)
• relying on the accepted priest (Heb. 7:23-28, 12:14; John 19:23)

• Because the LORD is holy and you are not, claim the wardrobe of holiness that He alone provides.
• “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)
• “…dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne…” (Mote, “The Solid Rock”)

• gracious address
• gracious activity
• torah: instruction

• first commandment
• “before My face”
• creation and covenantal claims
• sets the stage for the vertical/horizontal

• SOM (Matt. 5:17-20)
• RYR (Matt. 19:17)

• Because the LORD communicates His commands in a context of redeeming grace, obey them enthusiastically!
• Dismiss the notion that idolatry is only an ancient issue.
• Reflect on John 14:15 and 1 John 5:3.
• “Trust and Obey” (John Sammis)

• from miraculous deliverance (14:1-15:21) to sustenance in the wilderness (15:22-16:36)

• repeated refrain
• unrealistic perspective
• misplaced assault

• promise of satisfaction
• prescription of dependence
• proclamation of motivation

• objectives of sustenance and sanctification (Dt. 8:3, Matt. 4:1-4, Jn. 6:28-51)
• from the Exodus to the Cross

• Knowing that His provision flows from His steadfast love, view trials as opportunities to grow in dependence on the LORD.
• “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)

• Herod harasses the church.
• James, the brother of John, is executed.
• Peter is arrested and imprisoned under heavy guard.
• God orchestrates finite details to accomplish His purposes.

• Peter is sleeping and an angel rescues Peter from prison.
• Peter arrives at the house where the church is praying.
• Peter recounts his miraculous deliverance.
• God is worthy of our trust.

• The guards are executed for Peter’s escape.
• Herod revels in praise and dies.
• No matter the circumstances, God is always in control.

• Abraham: descendants, Moses: redemption, David: kingdom

• the nature of apocalyptic literature
• the sovereign tranquility of the Ancient of Days
• the throne of God and one like a son of man
• coronation of the king (Psa. 2:6-7)

• many ethnicities and one king
• praising God as priests
• unifying factor: supremacy of their one king
• slain…every creature…throne
• glorious, universal and everlasting

• Because Christmas reminds you that God is in charge, proceed accordingly.
• Count on the King to reign and commit yourself to rely on Him (Col. 3:1-4)
• “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.” (Watts)
• “All is well. All is well. Lift up your voice and sing. Born is now Emmanuel. Born is now our Lord and Savior. Sing Alleluia. Sing Alleluia. All is well” (Smith)

• David wants to build a house
• David is going to die
• the element of an extended telescope
• promise of a king and a kingdom that last forever (Isa. 9:6-7)

• an angelic announcement to Mary
• clued in to the identity of Jesus
• God Himself comes as King (Acts 2:29-35, John 1:1,14)
• and He shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15; 22:16)

• Because God keeps His promises forever, entrust your destiny to His designated King.
• “The King of Kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone Him.” ( Dix, “What Child Is This?”)
• “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.” (Watts, “Joy to the World”)
• “Man’s Maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that the Truth might be accused of false witness, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.” (Augustine, 354-430).

• cries of bondage
• call of a deliverer
• climactic plague
• application of blood

• immeasurable valuation
• eternal origination
• divine certification
• timeless indication

• Because of the Lord’s merciful and ultimate deliverance through Jesus, rely and rejoice this Christmas.
• “Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, and hear your servants when they call.” (Neale, “Creator of the Stars at Night”)
• “Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king. Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.” (Wesley, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”)

• name change: “exalted father” to “father of a multitude”
• from looking back to looking forward
• verification that seems to lag grievously

• Abraham’s justification (Gen. 15:6; 17:23-27)
• sheer grace for both Jew and Gentile
• fully persuaded

• the old, old story (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:5)
• the good news of forgiveness and eternal life (Gen. 22:8, 5)
• “…so let’s all praise the Lord!” (L. Loeb)

• Because the symphony of Scripture reaches its ultimate crescendo in Christ, worship His majesty and magnificence this Christmas.
• Treasure the accuracy of God’s revelation regarding the advent of atoning and resurrecting power through the person and work of Jesus (Gal. 4:4).
• “O tell me the story that never grows old, the story of One whom the prophets foretold; The horn of salvation, the Sceptre and Star, the Light in the darkness they saw from afar. It never grows old, it never grows old. The story of Jesus will never grow old!” (J. Gray)