What were the duties of the priests who served God in the Tabernacle, and what can those duties teach Christians today? In this Sunday School lesson, Pastor Ed examines the responsibilities associated with the Old Testament priesthood and shows how they point to important principles of Christian service. The priests were called to approach God on behalf of the people, provide spiritual leadership, encourage God's people, deal with uncleanness, call the people together, and serve according to God's instructions. The lesson challenges us to consider an important question: If God has called us to serve Him, what does faithful service actually require? Join us as we study Numbers 4:47-49 and related passages and examine the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and their lessons for believers today. Topics: The Tabernacle, Old Testament priesthood, Christian service, spiritual leadership, holiness, worship, and our responsibilities toward others.

This week, we'll work through one of the shortest passages that you'll probably hear me preach: just one sentence, in one verse, in Judges 3:31 (it would be hard to find a shorter passage to preach, after all). Many sermons would pair Shamgar together with Ehud before him, but we'll be looking at Shamgar in a standalone sermon, since Scripture emphasizes him in his own right. And I want to give you a brief word of context for that—the sort of "how do we preach" context that we don't typically have time for on Sunday mornings. I hope Judges is an encouragement to you. I pray Shamgar, with his brief account, directs your eyes to Christ. We need a King, a Deliverer, a true and faithful Judge. And Christ is everything God's people could ever hope for—and infinitely more.

Hebrews 9:15–22 reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Mediator of a new covenant, and that this covenant was established through His death. Under the old covenant, sin required the shedding of blood because sin brings death and separates humanity from God. But the blood of animals could only point forward to something greater. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, giving His own life so that those who believe in Him could receive forgiveness and the eternal inheritance promised by God. His death was not an accident or a defeat; it was the very event through which the new covenant was inaugurated. At the cross, Jesus paid the price that humanity could never pay, opening a new and living way for us to come into relationship with God. The message of this passage is therefore both sobering and hopeful: **the covenant we enjoy with God was sealed by the death of Christ.** His blood speaks of forgiveness, redemption, and a restored relationship with God. We do not approach God because of our goodness or religious works, but because Christ has already offered Himself on our behalf. His death calls us to appreciate the seriousness of sin, but even more, to appreciate the depth of God's grace. The cross reminds us that our salvation came at a great cost, and therefore we should live as people who belong to the One who died for us. The old covenant pointed toward Christ; Christ's death inaugurated the new covenant; and through Him, we receive forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

This sermon explores the Olivet Discourse, focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ as King and the subsequent final judgment. The preacher emphasizes that while interpretations of end-times events vary, believers must remain vigilant and faithful rather than divisive. Using the parable of the sheep and goats, the message highlights that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, evidenced by compassionate service to others. It warns that those who reject Christ face eternal punishment for their lack of faith, not merely their sins. The conclusion urges listeners to repent and live in anticipation of Christ's return, remembering His first coming as a Savior.

This sermon examines the progression of sin as described in James 1, emphasizing that temptation originates from human desire rather than God. It illustrates how lust conceives and gives birth to sin, which ultimately leads to spiritual and physical death. The preacher warns against blaming external forces for sinful actions and highlights the inevitability of consequences for both believers and non-believers. By analyzing biblical examples such as David and Joseph, the message underscores the necessity of fleeing temptation through reliance on Christ. Ultimately, it offers hope that victory over sin is found only in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Trials are not evidence of God's absence or hostility but the very means by which He proves and matures genuine faith, promising the crown of life to those who endure out of love for Him. Sin and death arise not from God but from our own desires, so we must never blame Him for our failures. Instead, we should recognize every good gift - especially the gift of failures. Instead, we should recognize every good gift - especially the gift of new life - as flowing down from the unchanging, generous Father of lights.

Finding Delight in the Lord Isaiah 58:1-14 9/6/26 Sunday PM Sermon

Holy Baptism #1