The Tabernacle Today

Say What You Mean - Matthew 5:33-37

"The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost; For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended By the Author."

“I have seen your Epitaph…Believe on Jesus, and get a feeling possession of God in your heart, and you cannot possibly be disappointed of your second edition finally corrected, and infinitely amended.”

Consider that a recent poll found that 63% of Americans said religion was somewhat or very important in their lives. But over half of them who said that do not go to religious services more than once a year. And this is actually truer of older conservatives than younger people.

In today’s passage we are going to see Jesus command His disciples to say what they mean and do what they say without making excuses.

Read Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be like the Pharisees, who obeyed outwardly but didn’t have real relationship with God. They had even added silly loopholes to commands, setting aside the “spirit” of full obedience.

Jesus brings two commands together - V. 33

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. - Ex. 20:16

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. - Numbers 30:2 (see also Deut. 23:21)

Notice there it speaks of two things: an oath made with the Lord, and bringing God into YOUR oath with somebody else.

One thing I told you a few weeks ago is that sometimes in the Old Testament God regulated what he didn’t endorse, and I think that applies to flippantly bringing God into YOUR vows with others.

Don’t misuse God’s name when making promises to others - V. 34-36

The leaders in Jesus’ day didn’t want to blaspheme, but they did want to leave themselves wiggle room to break their word. And so they said it was okay to swear by lesser things. Jesus rejects all that as sinful duplicity.

What Jesus was forbidding here was duplicity – especially religious duplicity – using God or things of God as an excuse.

Just say what you mean and do what you promised! - V. 37

The precept in this passage is keep your word; the principle is people need to be able to count on you to have healthy relationships; The person is that we can count on God to keep every promise He has made!

How to make good decisions (Informed ‘yeses’ and ‘nos’):

1. All important decisions should invoke a 1-day waiting rule, particularly those that involve a lot of money.

2. Pray about every important decision.

3. Analyze your decision with scripture.

4. Grow close enough to God that you heed Holy Spirit ‘red flag’ warnings.

5. Seek godly counsel rather than making decisions in isolation.

Keeping our word is the default setting of believers – but there are times you do need to break your word, especially when God is convicting you about something you never should have said yes to. In those cases you may want to talk with a strong believer about the best strategy going forward.

Did you catch what Jesus said at the end of verse 37? – Not keeping your commitment is evil.

In the Time We Have Left

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. -Psalm 90:10 (Moses)

Currently, the average life expectancy in Virginia is 79.1 years (76.8 for men, 81.3 for women); in North Carolina it is 77.6 years (75.0 for men, 80.1 for women).

“I have heard that if we remain healthy, that our most productive decade is in our sixties and our second most productive decade is in our seventies. The Bible doesn’t say anything about retiring. I am a big believer in Ephesians 2:10, which says, ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ I want to be able to stand before the Lord and hear him say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’” -Christian Philanthropist Dr. Terry Douglas, inventor of the PET Scan

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God.

For the Good of your fellow man.

For the Growth of your fellow believers.

To get the Gospel to non-believers.

With a Grateful heart.

Ephesians 4:11-16

God gifts the church with leaders to equip us for ministry V. 11-12

Notice something profound from verses 11-12: It is not the job of church leaders to do the work of the ministry; no, their ministry is to equip their church members to do the work of the ministry.

Biblically speaking, how many ministers does a church have?

According to Ephesians 4, a church has as many ministers as it has members!

The mission of the Tabernacle is to reproduce faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus Christ. We seek to do this through:

Teaching the Scripture

Adoration and Prayer

Baptist Principles

Evangelism and Missions

Radical Generosity

Nurtured Partnerships

Age-appropriate Ministries

Congregational Love and Encouragement

Leadership Development

Excellence and Fun

The first big result of letting yourself be edified and equipped is growth!

There is growth in doctrinal understanding.

When the New Testament says “the faith” it is referring to the biblical doctrines that define true Christians. True believers are united on the essentials of “the faith.”

There will be growth in our personal relationship with Jesus.

The second big result of letting yourself be taught and equipped is impact!

There will be impact as we speak.

There will be impact as we serve.

Notice the implication if you as a member fail to do your part – if every member doing their part means the church will grow, what will happen if you don’t do your part? The growth of the church will be hindered.

But notice also for each church to have full impact each member needs not only to be working at their part but working properly. In the context of this passage that means with true love for their fellow members (v. 16) and under the leadership of their God-given leaders (v. 11).

Since January 1st, our members have spent over 2,750 hours in community ministry engagement (outside the church walls).

Here at the Tabernacle, we’re glowing, we’re growing, and we’re going into our community and around the world! What do you have your name on as part of the Tabernacle ministry?

Psalm 62 Worksheet

There are 3

The main

The 2

God keeps

What 3

What kind of

In contrast

What

God will

Verses 1-2

When you

Like David

David calls

The ___________________

In verse 9

David has

Wicked

Note the

David

Notice the

Honoring Marriage

Every time I preach I want people to think and feel love, truth, and hope.

Jesus always extends kindness and grace to repentant sinners desiring to build and rebuild their lives around faith and the Bible’s truth. But He also allows unrepentant sinners to continue in their sin and experience the built-in consequences each sin has.

Matthew 5:27-32 Honoring Marriage

Josh McDowell taught us that behind every precept is a principle based on God’s Person.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. -Genesis 1:27

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. -Genesis 2:24-25

The biblical plan for human flourishing includes the home as the foundational unit for the entire earth. Sex is only supposed to happen between a husband and his wife for bonding and possible procreation.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU. BUT YOU WERE WASHED, you were sanctified, your were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. -1 Cor. 6:9-11

All sexual sin dishonors marriage V. 27-28

The other commands spoke of the external things you can make a law about. But the 10th command and Jesus’ words here focus internally on what only God can see – what’s going on in your heart.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for Gods holy people. -Eph. 5:3

Get serious about fighting sexual sin at its root V. 29-30

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. -1 Cor. 6:18

“You must always be a killin’ sin, or sin will always be a killin’ you.” -John Owen (1616-1683)

Don’t take a casual attitude about divorce V. 31-32

Sometimes in the Old Testament God regulated what He didn’t endorse so the most vulnerable in Israel would be protected by the hard-hearted actions of others.

The marriage vow is serious enough that you should not divorce your spouse and marry another unless your spouse committed adultery (Matthew 5, 19), has abandoned you (1 Cor. 7:15), or abused you.

I love the wisdom found in Philippians 3:13 & 16. Verse 13 says “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Verse 16 says “Only let us live up to what we have attained.”

3 Tips to bolster your marriage/ friendships:

“We” before me.

Wag.

Work.

Psalm 61 Worksheet

This is a simple Psalm of ________________________ and prayer

A sweet opening ________________________ V. 1-2

Synonymous parallelism like that in verse 1 is a frequent device in Hebrew _______________.

What do you think of when you think of God as a High Rock?

Verse 2 led William O. Cushing to pen the hymn “Hiding in Thee.”

O safe to the Rock that is Higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly.

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. -Psalm 18:2

Faith in Jesus and living according to His words will be a rock-like _______________________ in the believer’s life, getting us through the storms of life intact (Matthew 7:24-29).

A precious ___________________________ V. 3-5

What 4 kinds of refuge does David compare God to in verses 3-4?

Note the reflections of verse 3 lead to the ________________________ of verse 4!

God is everywhere, but these words mean even more to those who intentionally ________________ near to God and sense Him raising His “wing” to let us underneath!

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” -James 4:8a

David continues his testimony in the first person in verse 5, which is why I put it with verses 3-4 as testimony.

Vows are serious commitments made to the Lord that we want to carry out by faith in Him and through the _____________________________ of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Hebrew word for heritage is the word yerussa (H3425), and occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. It is translated as possession, inheritance, and heritage. It is used primarily of the Promised Land as _______________________’s possession.

According to Ephesians 1:3, how has God blessed believers in Jesus Christ?

With ________________________ spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

A sweet ___________________________ V. 6-8

David led a hard life and then died when he was 70 years old (2 Sam. 5:4-5). That was a long life by their standards, but I think David has in mind __________________________ life, as in Psalm 23 – I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

David asks for God’s Hesed (mercy, steadfast love) and God’s Emets (Truth, faithfulness) to be given him and ______________________ him.

AHA! Here we see that one of David’s vows was to daily ________________________ the Lord! May we make that one of ours as well!

The Heart of the Matter - Matthew 5:21-26

Introducing one of Jesus’ teaching formulas - V. 21-22

In our last message, we saw Jesus call us to proper understanding of the Old Testament’s teaching as it points to faith in Him. In the rest of chapter 5, Jesus teaches us what He means by 6 times using the formula “You have heard that it was said, but I say to you.”

The Scribes and Pharisees focused their teaching on external obedience to God’s commands, but Jesus focused His lessons on internal obedience that comes from love for God from the heart.

Josh McDowell understood this when he wrote Truth Matters: Behind every precept is a principle based on God’s Person.

Jesus makes His disciples work harder by faith than the Pharisees did – because Jesus takes you beyond checklists of external obedience and makes you as His follower deal with root issues in your heart by faith!

Heaven finds you guilty of a type of murder - V. 21-22

Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that sinful anger inside our hearts is the root problem behind outward acts of violence and murder, and that letting sinful anger go undealt with is already liable to Heaven’s judgment.

In the Greek Jesus specifically says, “Whoever calls his brother, “Raca” will be liable to the Sanhedrin. When they said the word Raca they were calling them “empty-head,” someone with nothing inside their head.

This is the first time that Jesus compares Hell to Gehenna, the place in Jerusalem they burned garbage. Jesus is essentially saying, “If you call another person garbage, you’re the person who deserves judgment.”

Our problem is that even when we are right to be angry we usually don’t handle our anger in right ways. And because of our selfishness many times when we have felt our anger was justified, it really was not – it was just a sinful outburst.

Put relationship mending ahead of even your church obligations - V. 23-24

In the spirit of Family Feud, where is the number one place that verses 23-24 need to be applied? In the Home.

Resolve conflict ASAP before the consequences get worse - V. 25-26

“Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26

If you hold on to anger and don’t try to restore broken relationships proactively, it will continue to cost you dearly, affecting spiritual health, physical health, emotional health, even financial health.

Some things are not going to get fully resolved. But we can agree to disagree on some matters and still agree in the Lord (as the 2 ladies were asked to do in Philippians chapter 4).

Practical tips for dealing with anger:

Be growing in your relationship with your Triune God. That is the only way you will have the spiritual resources to overcome sinful anger.

When you feel angry, PAUSE, count to three, and quote James 1:19-20.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” -James 1:19-20

Pray about the underlying spiritual things going on in people’s lives.

Be proactive as God leads you.

React with God’s grace rather than nurse resentments.

Jesus Christ is Raised From the Dead!

Jesus Christ is alive in Heaven right now, and can relate to your hurt, pain and longings in ways you can’t even imagine. And while on earth He did everything it would take to meet your true needs and change you forever.

Isa. 52:13-53:12

The prophesy’s overview - 52:13-53:1

The prophesy of Jesus’ life - 53:2-3

The way Jesus came made Him relatable to every one of us – don’t miss this – if you have ever felt despised, rejected, full of sorrow and grief, not esteemed as you think you should be, Jesus can relate (Heb. 4:14-16).

The prophecy of Jesus’ death - 53:4-8

Jesus was rejected and disrespected and felt distress 60 ways in the 6 days between Palm Sunday and His execution on Good Friday.

“Eli, Eli, Lama Sabacthani” – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

The question of whether or not Jesus cares for you was settled on the cross!

The prophecy of Jesus’ burial - V. 9

Believers refer to what Jesus was doing in His Spirit on ‘Silent Saturday’ as the Harrowing of Hell. Jesus ‘raided’ Sheol/ Hades, the place all departed spirits were, and brought all believers with Him to Heaven. All unbelievers were left there for the coming day of judgment (Rev. 20:13-15).

Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” In saying “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He first descended into the lower regions (of) the earth? - Eph. 4:8-9

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison. - 1 Peter 3:18-19

And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. - Matthew 27:52b-53

The prophesy of Jesus’ resurrection and its implications - V. 10-11

God made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Cor. 5:21

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. - 1 Cor. 15:20

The prophecy of Christ’s present intercession - V. 12

Jesus’ resurrection was the dawning of eternal life and light to all who repent and believe in Him!

Consequently, He (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25

Psalm 60 Worksheet

It’s to the chief musician, as ______________ total Psalms are!

There is something unique in the heading, the words “for teaching.” This is the only occurrence of that in the Psalms! I wonder based on the tone of the Psalm if David wants to teach something to _________________, the General he had a complicated relationship with!

The events referred to in the heading probably refers to events described in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18.

Victory feels like defeat when the Lord isn’t ______________________ V. 1-3

But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. -2 Sam. 11:27b

And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. -1 Chr. 21:7

Those who are especially sensitive to things that displease the Lord need to remember to always start their evaluation with __________________________.

Help us to remember we represent you, Lord V. 4-5

Those who love the Lord are called to both fear Him and revere Him. The fear of the Lord helps us repent and line up with what He wants of us. That leads to a life where others can see us _______________ God reverently.

David doesn’t want to just wear a Star of David t-shirt here – he wants Israel’s talk to _____________ their walk – he wants to worship in Spirit and in Truth like John 4:24 calls for!

Help us to remember that You gave ________________ victories, Lord V. 6-8

The entire north of the country is sometimes referred to as Ephraim because of the importance of the tribes descended from Joseph. The other tribe that overshaded them all was Judah, the Kingly tribe. David’s point is that God is over ________________ part of Israel, all 12 tribes.

Moab is a neighbor to the east of Israel, Edom is a neighbor to the southeast, and Philistia were neighbors to the southwest. All had acted out in the past against Israel, and were rightfully subdued and paying ______________________ to Israel under David’s rule.

As God’s nation, it was even more ____________ for Israel to fear and trust God than it was to be military ready.

Help us to remember that You give the __________________ victory, Lord V. 9-12

As Obadiah indicates, Edom as a nation never got over Esau’s losing the blessing to Jacob, and as a people constantly made Israel it’s _____________________. David entrusts this ongoing mess to God’s help.

David asks God here to help them overcome trouble, some of which they may have brought on themselves by acting in the _______________________.

David ends the Psalm with a great prayer for God’s help in doing God’s right things in God’s right ways, acting valiantly through faith, and leaving the _____________________ to God.

No Time for Silence!

“It is a thing most expedient for the edification of the church to sing some Psalms in the form of public prayers by which one prays to God or sings His praises so that the hearts of all may be roused to make similar prayers and to render similar praises and thanks to God with common love.” -John Calvin, Worship Leader, 1537

Luke 19: 28-40

The Old Testament prophets predicted that the Messiah would be BOTH a conquering king and a suffering servant. In Jesus day Israel’s leaders had minimized the Suffering Servant passages like Isaiah 53 & Zechariah 9 and looked for the Conquering King passages like Isaiah 9 & Zechariah 14.

Donkeys, Lambs, and God’s Suffering Servant V. 28-35

Don’t miss that the donkey was unbroken (no one had sat on this donkey). We would have to break a donkey before riding it, but not Jesus! He who calmed the Sea by speaking to it, broke this donkey without sweating!

But why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a conqueror’s white horse?

Because a donkey was a beast of burden, a working animal, and Jesus had work to do in this first coming – dying on the cross for our sins

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” -Zechariah 9:9

In His first coming Jesus was the Suffering Servant riding in on a donkey, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; At His return He will be the Conquering King riding a white horse, the Lion of the Trib of Judah.

Jesus hears the corporate praise He had experienced in Heaven V. 36-40

Think about this time of praising Jesus – I believe this is the one time a massive crowd praised Jesus on earth TOGETHER, a small picture of the way He was and is constantly praised in Heaven (see Jn. 17:5; Rev. 5:9-10).

Let me make a plea for the biblical value of congregational singing and for the appreciation of choirs!

Psalm 59 Worksheet

Psalm 59 is another Trouble and Trust Psalm within the series of 8 complaint Psalms from 52-59. This is the 3rd straight Michtam of David set to the tune “Do not destroy.”

David wasn’t going to kill Saul even though he had multiple _______________________ to do just that. He was not going to harm the ‘Lord’s anointed.’ In these unfair circumstances, David took his concerns to God in prayer.

What are the repeated verses?

First verse: Plea for God to arise and help David ____________________ V. 1-5

What vivid verbs does David use to ask for God’s help in verses 1-2?

Remember that David was a mighty warrior. He could defend himself and kill Saul. But he is ___________________________ not to act in his own strength because he believes that in this case that would be sin against God. And so he prays.

One key to understanding declarations like verses 3-4 in the Psalms is that David is not claiming to be without sin (remember Psalm 51:5), but he is stating his ___________________ in the matter at hand.

David really was powerless in this situation because of Saul’s incredible authority as king, and all he could do was ask the Ultimate Authority to _____________________.

What are the 2 things David asks God to “wake up” and do in verses 4-5?

Chorus: David compares his enemies to ____________________ dogs V. 6-7

What do you think David has in mind by saying his attacking enemies are saying, “Who hears?”

Verse 2: David’s plea for God to ______________________ this matter justly V. 8-13

What earlier Psalm does verse 8 remind us of?

Verse 8 reminds us that God will always have the __________________________ word!

What are some of the benefits of waiting on the Lord?

Verse 11 makes me think of how when Saul did die David mourned greatly for him and wrote a song about it in 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Chorus: David compares his enemies to ____________________ dogs V. 14-15

I get the feeling David is thinking here about how _____________________ Saul’s actions are when there are so many Philistines to deal with!

David’s final ________________________ of trust and praise V. 16-17