The Tabernacle Today

Choose Rest not Wrath - Matthew 11:20-30

When the child of God

Looks into the word of God

And sees the Son of God

They are transformed by the Spirit of God

Into the image of God

For the glory of God

-Warren Wiersbe

I brought up Warner Sallman’s “Head of Christ” to point out that our image of Christ needs to be shaped by what we read of Jesus in the Bible, not in popular images of Jesus. In today’s passage we find images that remind us that the Bible speaks of Him as being like BOTH a Lamb and a Lion.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him (the Messiah) the iniquity of us all.” - Isaiah 53:6

Jesus speaks stern words to those who won’t repent - V. 20-24

The people of this triangle of cities had seen Jesus work many mighty miracles, but Jesus denounced them because they did not repent and turn to Him. They wanted physical blessings, not Jesus’ rule in their life.

Woe is a judgment word making us think of how unbelievers will fare on the Day of Judgment. In Matthew 23 Jesus “ROARS” woe to the hard-hearted Pharisees – but here it is used of people who had more exposure to His teaching and miracles than anyone else during His earthly ministry. His ROAR still needs to be heard by those who have often heard the gospel but refused to believe in Jesus and follow Him.

The day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. - Jer. 47:4 (see also Ezekiel 26).

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and all surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. - Jude 1:7

Earlier in Matthew we saw that God promises degrees of reward for Christians who love and serve God now. Remember Matthew 6:20, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.” Now we see that there will be degrees of punishment in Hell for those who never repent based on how much teaching they rejected (Revelation 20:11-15).

Jesus speaks comforting words to those who come to Him - V. 25-30

God would rather save people than judge them. God has to judge unrepentant rebels, but He would rather transfer their sins to the cross and forgive them.

Psalm 81 Worksheet

As we read Psalm 81, look for clues about what this Psalm was written for. Also look for the place the Psalm switches to God being the one speaking.

Asaph’s call to Festival worship V. 1-3

The opening 3 verses have ______ commands calling the people to the praise of the Festival, making this a Praise psalm.

When Jacob is used for Israel instead of Israel, it is often a not so subtle _________________________ of where they came from – sinful Jacob became Israel because of what God had done in his life.

Jacob’s name can mean to be behind or supplanter. It was given to him at birth when he grabbed his twin brother’s heel in the womb as they came out; That’s a great name for one who later wrestled with God and had his name changed to Israel, which means “one who struggles with God.” The root consonant of ‘struggle’ in Hebrew is SYR; For Israel it is ‘YSR.’

Israel’s lunar calendar meant their festivals coincided with moon ________________. The new moon was by definition the first of the month.

Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifice of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the LORD your God. -Numbers 10:10

Yahweh’s _________________________ of His deliverance V. 4-7

Verses 4-5 seem to confirm the statute referred to is the ______________________ Festival, since it was actually commanded before they actually left Egypt (Exodus 12). That would mean “He” going throughout the land of Egypt would be a reference to the LORD’s judgment in the tenth plague.

The reference to Joseph in verse 5 seems to be a reference to Joseph’s role in preserving Jacob’s sons/ Joseph’s brothers in Egypt during the famine described at the end of Joseph. Alternatively, it could mean this Psalm was written with the Northern tribes in mind during the time of the divided kingdom (922-722 B.C.) That would mean the Psalm is urging the north not to reject God’s design for the entire country.

Verse 7 covers the time that Israel wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. God led them, even though they were often stubborn and ungrateful. Time after time He delivered them and answered them “thunderously.” They tested Him and He proved Himself faithful and holy. He tested them and they showed themselves ______________________ and sinful.

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people quarreled with the LORD, and through them He showed Himself holy. -Numbers 20:13

Yahweh’s ___________________________ to His people V. 8-16

In verses 8-9 God reminds Israel of the call in the 10 commands to worship Him alone, not ________________________.

In verse 10 God is telling them that He delivered them in the past, and provided for their needs – He is the _________________________ God who did that!

Verse 11 has to be among the saddest statements in the Bible. No doubt they wanted God’s protection and blessing, but they didn’t want God _______________________. I wonder how many professing Christians that is also true about.

Where in the New Testament do we read the words, “God gave them over?”

___________________________

God’s judgment of sin begins by letting people do the sinful things they are bound and determined to do, and experience the built-in ___________________________ of those sins.

Proverbs 14:12

God makes clear in verse 14 that if they return to Him He will take care of their ___________________.

Verse 15 is a good Old Testament verse for the _______________________ punishment of the those who don’t turn to God.

The Psalm ends with an additional blessing promised – If people listen to God, turn back to Him, and walk in His ways, He won’t just take care of their troubles but He will provide for their needs, fully _________________________ them.

Do Everything You Do with a Grateful Heart - Psalm 107:1-3

I am speaking of course about GRACE vision goggles! Those who have received God’s grace through faith in Jesus are able to have a constant perspective that will help them serve God with clarity and confidence.

5 G Living: Do Everything you do:

For the Glory of God

For the Good of your fellow man

To get the Gospel to non-believers

To help your fellow Christians Grow

With a Grateful Heart

The Hebrew word for Give Thanks is yada (H3034), which occurs 114 times in the Old Testament. It literally means “to throw” or “to cast.” Used toward God, it means “to praise” or “to give thanks.” But it is also used toward ourselves to confess our sins to God (Psalm 32:5).

I acknowledged (H3034) my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess (H3034) my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” - Psalm 32:5

The word benefit in Luke 6, verses 32-33, and credit in verse 34 is actually the great word charis, the word for grace and favor but also a word translated benefit, credit, thanks and gratitude in the New Testament.

The word for steadfast love in Psalm 107:1 is the great word Hesed (H2617), which occurs 251 times in the Old Testament. It is translated steadfast love in the ESV, Faithful love in the HCSB, Lovingkindness and Mercy in the KJV. It is used of God’s covenant love toward Israel. The closest New Testament word to it may very well be grace.

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace (G5485) extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving (G2169), to the glory of God. - Romans 4:15

Being grateful is all about recognizing God’s blessing in your life, from His common grace to His saving grace. A grateful heart becomes the “Night vision goggles” of 5 G Living.

I give thanks (G2168) to my God always for you because of the grace (G5485) of God that was given you in in Christ Jesus. - 1 Cor. 1:4

Thanks (G5485) be to God for His inexpressible gift. - 2 Cor. 9:15

Note that the word for grace is translated thanks in 2 Corinthians 9:15. A Grateful heart is a grace-filled heart!

As each one has received a gift (G5486), use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (G5485). - 1 Peter 4:10

For this is a gracious (G5485) thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows for while suffering unjustly. - 1 Pet. 2:19

The benefits of gratitude go beyond the spiritual to the physical, psychological, and social.

Psalm 80 Worksheet

The Heading reads “To the Chief Musician” – The Hebrew is Nasah (H5329). It occurs 65 times in the Old Testament, _____________ in Psalm Headings, reminding us the Psalms were written to be sung!

The Greek Septuagint Old Testament added to the title the words, “Concerning Assyria,” which may place it as written after the Northern Tribes of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:6).

As I read Psalm 80, look for one repeated verse that will help outline this Psalm.

The Hebrew word for “Restore” in verses 3, 7, and 19 is the word “Sub” (H7725). It occurs 952 times in the Hebrew O.T. It can also be translated return or turn back. It actually occurs as “____________________” in verse 14, helping us outline Psalm 80.

First Verse and Chorus: God, please _________________ our country V. 1-3

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” -John 10:11

What is Joseph often a reference to?

When the United Kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon became the _______________ Kingdom, there was Judah in the South and Israel in the North.

Who did Ephraim and Manasseh descend from?

In the Old Testament, sometimes the Northern Tribes are referred to by the names Joseph or Ephraim. Where does the reference to Benjamin come in here?

Second Verse and Chorus: God, please turn Your anger away V. 4-7

What a picture verse 5 paints! __________________ over the consequences of our sins.

2 Cor. 7:9-10 Psalm 56:8

What is a big thing believers are to shed tears for?

Psalm 125:5-6

Verse 6 has been true many times throughout world history as antisemitism rears its ugly head.

Third verse and “Restore” word: Reminder that Israel is God’s ‘___________________’ V. 8-14a

What two great events are referred to in verse 8?

Isaiah 5:1-7

“You don’t support the root, but the root supports you!” -Romans 11:18b

What sea is he writing about?

What river is he talking about in the context of the northern tribes?

Fourth verse and chorus: Look down from Heaven and send Your __________________ man to save us V. 14b-19

One thing about God’s great victories over bigger foes in the past is that it gives _____________________ that if you get right with God bigger foes can be defeated now!

And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. -Luke 21:24b

The times of the Gentiles are from the Fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Could have been the First Coming if Jesus Christ had been fully received when He came).

Even now God isn’t done with Israel yet!

Acts 1:6-8 Romans 9-11

Verse 17 is a clear reference to _______________________________.

Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:21-27

Do Everything for the Growth of Fellow Christians

The Normal Christian Life

The reality is that the person right next to you in church is also struggling as they grow in their faith. And God’s plan has always been for you to know you are not alone, but to grow up in the faith with other Christians in the body of Christ.

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God

For the Good of your fellow man

To get the Gospel to non-believers

For the Growth of your fellow Christians

With a Grateful heart

Ephesians 4:11-16

We each have our part to play in the body of Christ

According to Eph. 4:12, who does the work of the ministry in the church?

Not just the leaders – the saints do the work of the ministry.

According to Ephesians 4:16, what causes the growth of the body?

When every part is working properly, when every part does its share.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - I Peter 4:10-11

We are called to build each other up in the body of Christ

So the Pastor is to build us as a church with God’s truth, but church members are also called to lovingly build up themselves and each other with God’s truth.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

We are called to grow in our faith as individuals and together

“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me, it has hands, it lays hold on me.” - Martin Luther

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all our sin. - 1 Jn. 1:7

GROW UP – Godliness Ruling Over Worldliness Under Pressure

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5:16

Psalm 79 Worksheet

Psalm 79 is a ________________________ lament after an enemy incursion along with imprecatory prayers for the enemy to get what’s coming to them.

Lament over ___________________________ in Jerusalem V. 1-4

This sure seems to fit with what Babylon did to Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

2 Kings 25:8-21

What prophet wrote a book to describe his anguish after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem? And what’s the name of the book?

In verse 4, the Psalm begins to turn toward imprecatory prayer.

Obadiah

For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; As you have done, so it will be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. -Obadiah 15

The Psalmist prays the ____________________ will get what’s coming to them V. 5-7

Verse 5 is one of _____________ times in the Psalms the Psalmists cries out to God, asking “How long?” The Hebrew words are Ma Ad, which looks like our English word ‘mad.’ God allows the Psalmist to cry out to Him in anguish about perplexing circumstances in their lives, even ones brought on by their own sin.

Can you think of a place in the book of Revelation the words “How long?” appear?

Revelation 6:10 Revelation 18:19-20

The Psalmist asks for forgiveness for God’s _______________________ people V. 8-9

On what 4 grounds does the Psalmist ask for forgiveness in verses 8-9?

1 John 1:9

The Psalmist mixes the prayers for judgment to the unrepentant and mercy to the repentant V. 10-12

Verse 11 is a great verse for those of us trying to save unborn babies from ______________________.

The Psalmist ends with ____________________ to praise God V. 13

The Psalmist declares in verse 13 that God’s ____________________ people will once again give thanks and praise God.

Habakkuk 3 :17-19 Lamentations 3:19-40

Do Everything to get the Gospel to Non-Believers

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God

For the Good of your fellow man

To get the Gospel to non-believers

For the Growth of your fellow Christians

With a Grateful heart

Luke 24:44-53

Our message: We present Christ as the focal point of the Bible’s message - V. 44-45

All we like sheep have gone astray, but the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6

We present Christ’s saving work for sinners - V. 46

For God so loved the world that He gave His one-of-a-kind Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

The gospel IS Jesus Christ – Who He is and what He has done to save repentant sinners!

Run John run the law demands – but gives him neither feet nor hands. Far better news the gospel brings – it bids him fly, and gives him wings! - John Bunyan

To become a Christian you must:

1. Repent – to repent is to change your mind.

Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. - Acts 3:19

2. Believe in Jesus Christ.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other Name written under given among men by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:12

3. Receive Jesus Christ by calling out to Him.

As many as received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become a child of God. - John 1:12

For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. - Rom. 10:13

4. Commit to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior from now on.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand (or My Father’s hand). - John 10:27-29

We challenge sinners to turn to Christ for forgiveness of sins - V. 47-48

“This generation of Christians is responsible to reach this generation of lost souls around the world!” - Keith Green

We are together to take the gospel to the whole world - V. 47-48

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Acts 1:8

We rely on the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit - V. 49-53

Engel Scale of ‘Steps to Christ.’

“When we bring someone to a decision to trust Christ in the course of a conversation or two, we can be sure of one thing: considerable preparation and laboring has already occurred in that life before we arrived on the scene.” - Jim Peterson

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. - Matthew 13:23

Some thoughts on you personally reaching out:

Some thoughts on your Personal Missions Strategy

Psalm 78 Worksheet

The Hebrew word for contemplation is Maschil (H4905). It is used in the titles of _____ of the Psalms.

With 72 verses, Psalm 78 is the second longest of the Psalms. It still only has ______________% as many verses as the longest, Psalm 119 (176 verses).

Two more things we know about Asaph:

He liked his worship ___________________ (cymbals and trumpets)

He influenced _______________________ after him to worship God!

Psalm 78:1-8 is like 2 Timothy 2:1-2. There are at least ___________ generations of believers pictured in both passages.

Why are we to rise and tell our children the things of the Lord?

So they may put their __________________ in God (v. 7)

Psalm 78:9-55 is a wonderfully poetic retelling of the Exodus and Conquest of Canaan. God took His people out of Egypt and ___________________________ them to the Promised Land.

In these verses we see both God’s ____________________________ and Israel’s failures and fickleness emphasized.

Psalm 78:56-72 celebrate the emergence of __________________________ as foremost of the tribes.

Verse 59 speaks of the rejection of Israel, and abandonment of the Tabernacle at Shiloh.

What tribe is Shiloh in? _______________________

Genesis 37-50 tells the story of the 12 tribes, and why the Messiah will be from the tribe of Judah not Joseph. In the rest of the Old Testament those 2 tribes _________________________ the others.

Even before the Kingdon of Israel divided the basic division of Israel was Judah in the South and Joseph and the other tribes in the North.

In the Old Testament, sometimes the _________________________ North is referred to as Joseph or Ephraim, as happens here in Psalm 78.

Psalm 78 could also be a rationale around the time of the dedication of the Temple for why the ruling tribe is now Judah and why the Temple is ______________ Judah’s borders in Jerusalem, not Ephraim’s at Shiloh.

Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not something to be waited for, it is something to be achieved. -William Jennings Bryan

Do Everything for the Good of Others - Matthew 5:13-16

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God

For the Good of your fellow man

To get the Gospel to non-believers

For the Growth of your fellow Christians

With a Grateful heart

The power for 5 G living comes from the power of the triune God, accessed through the outlet of God’s grace when we place our faith in Christ! When we are saved by God’s grace through our faith, we get power for 5 G living.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:8-10

“Common grace includes earthly blessings all people enjoy but that are distinct from the spiritual blessings that only believers enjoy. When we speak of common grace, we are speaking of God’s kindness to all people during their time on earth, regardless of their present status with Him.” -Derek J. Brown

Three Principles of doing good for others

1. We are to act for the good of others

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:8

A phrase I love is the phrase, “Add value!”

And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. - Titus 3:14

2. We are to do good for others as able in in concentric circles

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Gal. 6:9-10

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - I Timothy 5:8

Husbands, your first neighbor is your wife. Wives, your first neighbor is your husband. The first neighbor you are to show love and respect for is your spouse. Marriage expert Dr. John Gottman says the first key to making marriage work is to “embrace each other’s needs.”

When we experience God’s saving grace, we gain the spiritual power to partake in Jesus Christ’s Great Commission given in Matthew 28 to take the gospel to all peoples. But we also gain the spiritual power to partake in God’s ‘cultural commission’ given in Genesis 1 to be stewards of the earth’s resources for God’s glory, and be agents of common grace for the good of our fellow man.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:27-28

3. We are to view all we do for others as done for God

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. -Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of an inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

There was another phrase that came out of the Reformation – all of life is to be lived Coram Deo – before the face of God!

The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head. - Proverbs 20:29

“Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.”

-John Wesley

Do Everything for God’s Glory

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God

For the Good of your fellow man

To get the Gospel to non-believers

For the Growth of your fellow Christians

With a Grateful heart

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever you do, from the simplest things to the most important, in private and public, at home, work, school, church, and in your spare time, do it all for the glory of God!

The primary O.T. Hebrew word for glory is Kabod (Strong’s 3519). It is best translated as glory, honor, or splendor. Some scholars have noted it includes the idea of weightiness, of importance worthy of reverence (a big deal!).

The primary New Testament word is Doxa (Strong’s 1391), from which we get our word doxology. It is also best translated as glory, honor, splendor, with the clear idea of praise included.

In His temple everyone says, “Glory!” -Psalm 28:9

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” - Isaiah 6:3

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. - Psalm 19:1-2

The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory. - Psalm 97:6

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. - Habakkuk 2:14

The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory. - Jeremiah 4:2

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. - Isaiah 60:1-3

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive to receive…glory! - Rev. 5:12

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. - Rev. 19:7

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light! - Rev. 21:23-24

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight." - Jeremiah 9:23-24

What does it mean to give God glory?

Acknowledge God as the source of what has been entrusted to you

Adore Him for who He is and what He has done in your life

Applaud Him in thought, word, and deed

Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” - Deuteronomy 8:17-18

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied. - Acts 12:21-24

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.- 1 Corinthians 10:31

To seek one’s own glory is not glory! - Proverbs 25:27

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth. - Proverbs 27:2

God gives grace to the humble so they can turn from pride, in which a person glorifies themselves, to the real opposite of pride, which is glorifying God!