SERMON STUDY NOTES – AUGUST 29, 2010

OVERVIEW

Exodus 29 – Instruction on the priests

Exodus 30 – Instructions on the altar of incense, bronze laver, anointing

oil, incense, etc.

Exodus 31 – Laborers for the building of the tabernacle

Today’s Scripture: Exodus 31

Background:

o The people of Israel are still encamped at Mt. Sinai.

o Moses is up on the mountain all alone for forty days.

o While up on the mountain, Moses receives detail instructions about the construction of the

tabernacle and its furnishing.

o And then God talks about how Moses is to accomplish this construction.

o From these instructions in Exodus 31, we gain insights on….

What God Wants Us To Know About Serving Him

All tasks are sacred when serving God. (Vs. 1-4)

Exodus 31:1-4 (NIV) 1Then the LORD said to Moses,

2“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the

son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God [When we think of

the O.T. filling of the Spirit, we think of kings (David), prophets, and judges (samson) but also this

craftsman], with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 4to make artistic designs for

work in gold, silver and bronze, 5to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds

of craftsmanship.

Also, little did Bazalel know, he was overseeing the making of the symbols of Jesus.

o Some of these conclusions are speculations, some are clearly identified.

Hebrews 10:19-20 (NIV)

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy

Place by the blood of Jesus, 20

by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is,

his body,

John 6:51 (NIV)

51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread,

he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

John 8:12 (NIV)

12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 8:34 (NIV)

34Who is he that condemns? 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.

Hebrews 9:11 (NIV)

11When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he

went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a

part of this creation.

Hebrews 9:12 (NIV)

12He 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, having obtained eternal redemption.

You see these laborers weren’t just building some tent with strange furniture. They were

constructing a beautiful masterpiece that would symbolize the life and ministry of Jesus

Christ.

There seems to be a tendency to separate ministries as sacred and “necessary”.

o We need to broaden our understanding of service to God.

o For those who are serving “behind the scenes” – I am grateful for you. And your

service is known by God and it brings Him pleasure.

God uses all people, from the “greatest” to the “least”. (V. 1-2, 6a)

“Greatest” and “least” from the world’s perspective.

o Not so with God!

Exodus 31:1-2 (NIV) 1Then the LORD said to Moses,

2“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the

son of Hur , of the tribe of Judah, [Judah was a prestigious tribe. Later the kings will come from it.

Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. Also, Jewish tradition says that Hur (Bezalel’s grandfather was

the husband of Miriam, Moses’ sister.) Bezalel seems to be an easy selection. Kind of a celebrity

or superstar.]

Exodus 31:6 (NIV) 6

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to

help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

[From the tribe of Dan, one of the smallest in population, and least influential. Later they couldn’t

even keep their land and had to migrate to the north. There they steal and idol and religious shrine

and practice idolatry.]

Do you ever feel the like the “least” of all people?

o Maybe it’s a moral weakness, emotional, physical (explain each of these)

o God wants to use you, regardless of your weakness! In Him, we can conquer our

weaknesses.

o This is what separates Christianity from the rest of the world.

God wants us to give our weaknesses to Him so He can empower us to serve

Him in ways we never dreamed possible.

There’s no moral issue that God can not give you freedom from.

o And He’ll likely lead you back to help out those that are struggling

with the same issue.

o No matter what your weakness or hindrance is, God wants to use you to serve people.

o If you feel weak, you are in good company – The Apostle Paul.

o Ephesians 3:8 (NIV) 8

Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace

was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

o 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV) 15

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16

But for

that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus

might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on

him and receive eternal life.

The goal is for lots of people to serve together. (Vs. 6b-11)

Exodus 31:6-11 (NIV) 6

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab[a HOE lih ab] son of Ahisamach

[a HIS ah mack], of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to

make everything I have commanded you: 7the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the

atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8the table and its articles, the pure

gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering and all its

utensils, the basin with its stand— 10

and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for

Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11

and the anointing oil

and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

“[God] seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He

commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of

an eye.”

- C.S. Lewis

Finally, God wants us to be refreshed in serving Him. (Vs. 12-17)

Exodus 31:12-17 (NIV) 12

Then the LORD said to Moses, 13

“Say to the Israelites, „You must observe

my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may

know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. 14

“ „Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you.

Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off

from his people. 15

For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to

the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16

The Israelites are to

observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17

It will be a

sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the

earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.‟ ”

I don’t believe this is the next instruction. I believe it’s in the context of building the

tabernacle.

o God is saying, “Even though you are doing a sacred work on building the tabernacle,

you need a day of rest.

Serving God is intended to challenge us but never to drain us dry.

o Old saying, “I’d rather burn out, than rust out for God.”

Both aren’t what God desires.

o Overdoing it in service is often not out of spirituality, but out of guilt.

Ultimately, I believe it’s wise for me to live my life from eternity backward.

o What do I mean?

o It’s simple. I try to think about what will matter a billion years from now when I am

in the presence of God.

Then I live my life backward from eternity.

And however I look at it, it’s about serving God and people.

Don’t miss out on serving God, His people, and His world.

o All you have to do is mark that you are willing to serve on the “White Communication

Card” in the bulletin.

o Someone will be in touch with you.

o Also, you can write on the card an area of ministry you’re interested in.

“Father God, Thank You for sending Your Son, not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life

as a ransom for me. Please give me the same selfless heart. I need confidence that You can

change lives through my acts of service. Remind me it is You working though me that makes the

difference. I praise You for Your Holy Spirit who gives me the power to fulfill Your calling on my

life. In Jesus‟ name, Amen.”

For further study - A more detailed copy of this sermon, the “Expedition A.B.F.” notes, and maps/charts/photos can

be found at www.thebibleexpedition.wordpress.com

(Posted by 4 P.M. today)

THIS WEEK’S STUDY: EXODUS 32

Life Application

This Week’s Prayer