The Tabernacle Today

Christmas is for Troubled People

The word Hanukkah means “Dedication” in Hebrew. The holiday celebrates the heroic recapture and rededication of the Jewish Temple (December 25, 165 B.C.) after it had been desecrated by Greco-Syrian forces under Antiochus IV. Antiochus IV called himself Theos Epiphanes (the visible God). His opponents called him Epimanes (Madman).

It is fitting that December 25th was the day they had cleansed the Temple – because the Temple represented the place you could go to and experience God (Even Non-Jew Gentiles – see Solomon’s dedication in 2 Chronicles 6:32-33).

Read Matthew 1:18-25 Christmas is for troubled people  Let’s Pray!

There are about a dozen scenes in the 5 chapters in Matthew and Luke’s gospels that tell the Christmas story.

As we look at the Christmas passages, we hear a lot about salvation, peace, joy, commitments to live righteously and serve God. But many references also tell us that those who experienced the first Christmas were troubled and fearful.

Why was all Jerusalem troubled with Herod?

Many of them had already compromised to gain Herod and Rome’s favor – If the real Jewish God-King Messiah showed up right now, they were not spiritually ready!

The message of Christmas is meant to turn our lives upside down and bring us from fear to faith, and from troubled hearts to hearts filled with peace and joy!

Magnify the Name, Don’t Misuse It

We serve a God who works _________________________________! Often extraordinary ones happen in a spiritually dark place to prepare the way for the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Miracles _________________________ the Apostle and the Gospel   V. 11-12

Nowhere in the pages of doctrine are _______________ commanded to have sensational healing ministries and/or promote any kind of “relic” ministry.

“The signs of an apostle were performed among you in all endurance – not only signs but also wonders and miracles.” -2 Cor. 12:12

God still works miracles – He sometimes does it through humble workers who give God the __________________! But now that the New Testament is completed there are no more APOSTLES like Paul and Peter were apostles.

Spiritual warfare can ___________________ on unspiritual people!  V. 13-16

The demonic spirit recognized that these men had no _____________ over them. The Jewish exorcists had not come to faith in Christ. So they did not share in Christ’s authority through faith. The Name has power when it is spoken in faith.

Appropriate responses to the Lord V. 17-20

1. The _________________ of God

2. W_____________________ of Jesus as God

3. C_______________________ of sinful ways

4. Getting rid of sinful ways

I Repeat: Only be Ruled by JESUS!

Read Colossians 2:20-23 I repeat: Only be ruled by Jesus! Let’s Pray!

The death Christian believers have already experienced V. 20a

But beyond physical death (the first death) and spiritual death (the second death), the Bible adds that believers have died to their pre-Jesus way of living.

Before you became a Christian, you were dead to God’s ways and alive to the world systems’ ways – Jesus didn’t matter to you at all.

When you become a believer, your situation reverses – you become dead to the world system’s ways and alive to God’s ways – now Jesus is all that matters to you!

“Don’ts” didn’t save you and “don’ts” won’t sustain you  V. 20b-22

Every generation has wise guy teachers that give you extra legalistic ways to obey God’s simple and beautiful instructions in Scripture. Inevitably those teachings wind up doing harm to many people.

My point IS that in many areas we gravitate toward legalistic checklists in religion rather than what biblical discipleship is – a long walk together with fellow believers as we become faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus Christ.

The real problem when shallow legalism replaces real discipleship V. 23

The real problem with shallow legalism and rigid checklists is that they don’t work in helping you be a faithful and fruitful follower of Jesus Christ!

Are you going to be ruled by Jesus and His biblical expectations of you, or ruled by others unbiblical and/or extrabiblical expectations of you?

As your Pastor I am zealous for you and this church to keep the main thing the main thing! If you have been in the faith for 3 years or more, we should be talking together about the best way for us to impact the world for Christ!

When Religious People Get Saved! Acts 19:1-10

One of my favorite things to do is help people get the rest of the _________________ about Jesus and about how they can become born again believers!

Paul’s ________________ to minister in Asia Minor is finally realized!   V. 1

Paul waited three years for God’s timing on the matter. In these days of people having to have instant gratification, it is neat to see how Paul modeled for us how good it can be we obey God’s instructions and ____________________ on the Lord!

Paul’s teaching helps religious people get saved! V. 2-5

Many have pointed out that their answer shows they were lost. But Paul’s question shows that the apostles understood true believers ___________________ the Holy Spirit the moment they believe!

See John 7:37-39 Romans 8:9 Ephesians 1:13

Twelve new Gospel Warriors are _______ apart! V. 6-7

Narrative literature must be understood in light of clear doctrinal teaching. Narrative literature reveals the record of what happened; Doctrinal literature reveals what the Triune God ______________ us to believe and act on.

Paul’s faithfulness leads to ___________________! V. 8-10

Key Teachings about Speaking in Tongues from I Cor. 12-14

Read I Corinthians 12:7-13 and 27-31.

Here Paul says that speaking in tongues is a gift that some but not all believers get. Therefore anyone who says that speaking in tongues is the evidence of salvation or being baptized by the Holy Spirit are simply wrong.

ALL true believers receive the Spirit – SOME believers may have the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues (known languages).

The more excellent way that Paul refers to is love, which he speaks of in I Cor. 13.

Then in chapter 14 he comes back and bears down on speaking in tongues…

14:19 -Paul would rather 5 spoken words be understood than 10,000 that can’t!

14:27 –No more than 2 or 3 should speak in tongues.

14:27 – They should speak one at a time.

14:27-28 – There must be an interpreter present. If not, keep silent.

14:29 – What is said is to be evaluated (by scripture).

14:40 – Everything must be done decently and in order.

Now I have been around speaking in tongues about 30 times. Only once did I see any effort made to incorporate that clear and binding teaching on the proceedings.

Psalm Chapter 10 Worksheet

Together Psalm 9 and 10 form an alphabetic _______________ in Hebrew.

Verse ______________ is key:

Dostoevsky: “If there is no God, all things are permissible.”

Verse one is a ___________________:

“Where are you, Lord, why aren’t you here when I need you?”

David had that kind of relationship with God: Free, open, honest questioning in a _____________________ of trust and love and intimacy!

Motivation levels to serve God:

Love Higher

Hope

Faith

---------------

Gratitude Hinge

---------------

Guilt

Obligation

Fear Lower

Verses 2-11 describe in detail the devious ___________________ of the wicked.

What trait (s) of the godless do you see listed here?

Well, as David always does, he turns his complaint into a __________________ in the second half of the Psalm! In that he is a wonderful model for us!

The last three verses are a great ___________________!

Only be Ruled by JESUS

Worshipping God in spirit without truth can lead to loose living and liberalism; worshipping God in truth without spirit can lead to legalism and rigid standards. True worshippers must worship in BOTH spirit and in truth.

Read Colossians 2:16-19 Only be ruled by Jesus! Let’s Pray!

Don’t be ruled by the legalism of others   V. 16-17

The priestly law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s work as our Priest and sacrifice. The Civil law’s role as a guardian until Messiah’s coming is no longer necessary and thus non-essential, because the Messiah has now come; His indwelling Holy Spirit now helps us do what His timeless and essential Moral Law calls for.

“In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty (of thoughts and approaches), in all things charity (love)!” -Ancient Christian statement

Don’t be ruled by the vain speculations of others  V. 18

Take everything you hear to the Word of God and make sure it squares with the Bible. When people say things that don’t square with the Bible, reject it.

Do be ruled by Jesus V. 19

The Public Consequences of Private Discipleship Acts 18:18-28

Here’s the biggest problem I see in too many marriages: the couple go through life without a united ____________________, without an understanding that God intends their home to be a lighthouse for Jesus Christ.

The end of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey and beginning of the 3rd     V. 18-23

Verse 23 should be regarded as the beginning of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. He set out (over land), Travelling through one place after another in the Galatian Territory and Phrygia. In 19:1 we learn he ultimately makes it by land back to Ephesus. Along the way, he __________________________ all the disciples!

Private Discipleship has ______________________ consequences!   V. 24-28

Many people today have been in churches and heard lots about Jesus, but are not ___________ _____________. They have zeal and believe they should obey what’s in the Bible, but aren’t yet saved and don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit within.

What a great model we have in Priscilla and Aquila: God gives us in our churches the _______________________ to shape and mold future workers for God!

There’s only one thing more exciting than having spiritual children in the faith – and that’s having spiritual __________________________ in the faith.

Check out John Martin's sermon from our Sunday worship service! To view the entirety of the service, or to tune in live for next Sunday's worship service, check out our Facebook page @thetabernaclefamily.

Psalm 9 Worksheet

This Psalm shows that when God answered David’s prayer, David said, “_________________ _______________, Lord!”

When you join Psalms 9 and 10 together, they form an alphabetic acrostic – every second verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Four “I _________________” based on who God is V. 1-2

Five “You _________________” based on who God is  V. 3-6

To David’s credit, he saw God as on the throne, in control, and able to act _____________ in the time of trouble (like in 3:3), and when the trouble was past.

God will judge ________________________ V. 7-8, 15-16

If we fail to appreciate that there is a judgment each person will have __________________ this life, we will never be able to agree with verse 8, which says that God executes judgment on the people with fairness.

God will be a _______________________ to those who cry out to Him V. 9-12

David reflects on the fact that God has not forsaken nor abandoned those who were killed by the godless – God will seek an _____________________ for those who cause their bloodshed.

Revelation 3:9

David: Committing the _________________ battle to the Lord V. 13-14

David was ever aware that the next victory would only come from the hand of the Lord!

The eternal ____________________ awaiting people V. 17-18

David’s final _____________________ to God V. 19-20

Victories in Jesus

Read Colossians 2:9-15 Victories in Jesus Let’s Pray!

Born again Christians have already been spiritually circumcised  V. 11

Paul’s argument is the answer to those who said they needed to be physically circumcised this side of the cross; Paul says you have already been spiritually circumcised through faith in Christ, and are not obligated to keep OT Civil Law.

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

-Romans 2:28-29

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.

-Deuteronomy 10:16

Born again Christians have already been spiritually baptized V. 12

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and were all made to drink of one Spirit. -1 Cor. 12:13

Born again Christians have been made alive and debt-free V. 13-14

Consider Psalm 90:11 in Hebrew, which basically says it all in 2 back to back words – Yira, Ebra – the lack of fear (Yira) we should have showed YHWH will be the amount of the wrath (EBRA) we deserve.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  -1 John 2:1-2

Born again Christians are on eternity’s winning side V. 15