The Tabernacle Today

Ambassadors for Christ Part 3 - Matthew 10:34-43

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. - 2 Cor. 5:20

Getting the message to people is on us as Jesus’ ambassadors – what people do with the message is on them!

“THIS generation of Christians is responsible for THIS generation of lost souls around the world.” - Keith Green

We don’t go out to engage people in physical struggle. We are in a spiritual battle to win people to Jesus who often don’t see their need for Jesus. We are going out to serve a world that doesn’t always want to be served.

Jesus is telling us to be prepared but not paranoid! Exercise prudence in actions and speaking, but don’t lose a sense of wonder at God’s ability to change hearts before your very eyes!

We see this on the pages of church history – as people have served Christ and witnessed for Him, they have often had conflicts with others. Today 1 in 7 Christians (360 million) worldwide suffer high levels of persecution.

Now the Bible makes clear that being a Christian will equip you to be a better child, sibling, spouse, parent, friend, worker, and citizen. But you will always put Christ first, and some who don’t share your faith will never understand that – and they will treat you with contempt.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

‘Persecution’ exists along a Spectrum:

Mocked Overlooked Fired Beaten Martyred

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. - 2 Timothy 3:12

“I can’t, but God never said I could – Jesus can in and through me, and He promised that He would.” - Wayne Barber

As true Christians persevere in their faith, God promises to preserve them amidst the troubles they encounter!

The main practical point is to have a sense of urgency as we witness! We want people to be right with God before He comes in judgment!

3 things to keep in mind when dealing with persecution - V. 24-31

People that don’t like Jesus won’t like His followers (v. 24-25)

If you fear God you don’t need to fear what man can do to you (v. 26-28)

Know that the God who cares for even the smallest of details cares for you (v. 29-31)

Trying to impact the world for Christ will mean trouble for us – but never conclude that God doesn’t care for you when you go through troubles as you serve Him– His loving care is with you in every circumstance!

Jesus will acknowledge all who acknowledge Him - V. 32-33

Jesus died for you, don’t be afraid to take your stand for Him, starting with baptism! - Matthew 10:34-43

“Never was there an age since the name of Christians was known upon the earth, wherein there was such a direct opposition made unto the Person and glory of Christ, as there is in that wherein we live.”

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church. - Col. 1:24

Christ’s suffering actualizes salvation for all who repent and believe; Our suffering is to give lost people access to that saving message.

Psalm 73 Worksheet

Psalm 73 is a Psalm of Asaph as are the first ________ Psalms of Book 3 of the Psalms, Psalm 73-83. Asaph also wrote Psalm 50.

1 Chronicles 15:14-28 1 Chronicles 16:1-6, 7-8, 37 1 Chronicles 25:6-7

2 Chronicles 5:11-13 2 Chronicles 29:30 2 Chronicles 35:15

Ezra 2:41, 3:10 Neh. 7:44; 11:17, 22

For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. -Nehemiah 12:46

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How each Book of the Psalm starts…

Psalm: Writer: Theme:

1 Anonymous (David) The Blessed man delights in the Bible

42 Sons of Korah My soul thirsts for the living God

73 Asaph Going to ‘church’ gave perspective

90 Moses Help us live our days out fearing God

107 Anonymous Give thanks to the Lord for Hesed

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As I read Psalm 73, look for how it builds up toward the perspective we gain when we go to the “sanctuary of God,” making this a _______________________ Psalm!

Great opening statement V. 1

Is serving God really worth it? V. 2-15

Asaph puts in a song what many followers of Jesus often think: Is serving God really worth it? We see many wicked people boasting about how well they are doing apart from God. If we are only thinking about the here and now, it is easy to ____________________ those who seem to be doing fine without God.

Compare the wicked person’s pride & violence ‘necklace’ in verse 6 with the one worn by the person who trusts in the Lord in Proverbs 3:3.

And then he amplifies the things the wicked seems to have that the righteous often don’t, starting with _____________________ (v. 7).

The wicked even brag about what they get away with (v. 8).

The wicked also ____________________ God and run their mouth without consequence (v. 9).

The wicked even get away with influencing the ________________ among us to turn from God (v. 10-11).

In verses 12-14, the Psalmist is just about to ________________________ that it has not been worth it to serve God since so many that reject God seem to be doing just fine while he is struggling to make it.

In verse 15 Asaph realizes that if he had stopped with the preceding thoughts and given himself over to sin he would have led all those he _____________________________ in Israel to sin, especially younger generations.

Everything ____________________ when Asaph went to the sanctuary! V. 16-17

Everything changed when Asaph went to where God’s voice is heard, a biblical worldview is reinforced, and holy living and service is encouraged! The same thing happens for us when we go to our Bible-believing church!

What God says is true about the unrepentant _______________________ V. 18-20

God says at any moment the unrepentant wicked could die and be cast into judgment.

The wicked’s ‘abundance’ will turn into desolation; their cockiness will turn into terror when God deals with them; their dream life will turn into an eternal nightmare. They mocked God, but God will have the __________________ word. God always has the final word!

Remember Eziekiel 18:32 – God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked – He would rather they repent and live rather than go to Hell.

Asaph is sad he was so foolish but thankful for God’s grace V. 21-28

Asaph testifies of restored confidence and ________________________ of eternal life for having faith in God (v. 23-24).

Asaph pledges to trust God no matter how _________________ he has now, knowing that after this life the wicked will ‘perish’ but he will live in abundance with his God!

Ambassadors for Christ Part 2

“Lord, we are forty who have taken a stand for Thee – grant that we be forty who are crowned with victory.”

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. - 2 Cor. 5:20

Getting the message to people is on us as Jesus’ ambassadors – what people do with the message is on them!

“THIS generation of Christians is responsible for THIS generation of lost souls around the world.” - Keith Green

Behold and Be wise - V. 16

We don’t go out to engage people in physical struggle. We are in a spiritual battle to win people to Jesus who often don’t see their need for Jesus. We are going out to serve a world that doesn’t always want to be served.

Jesus is telling us to be prepared but not paranoid! Exercise prudence in actions and speaking, but don’t lose a sense of wonder at God’s ability to change hearts before your very eyes! 
Beware and be ready - V. 17-18, 21

We see this on the pages of church history – as people have served Christ and witnessed for Him, they have often had conflicts with others. Today 1 in 7 Christians (360 million) worldwide suffer high levels of persecution.

Now the Bible makes clear that being a Christian will equip you to be a better child, sibling, spouse, parent, friend, worker, and citizen. But you will always put Christ first, and some who don’t share your faith will never understand that – and they will treat you with contempt.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

‘Persecution’ exists along a Spectrum:
Mocked - Overlooked - Fired - Beaten - Martyred

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.    - 2 Timothy 3:12

Keep calm and keep going - V. 19-23

“I can’t, but God never said I could – Jesus canin and through me, and He promised that He would.” - Wayne Barber

I think “the end” Jesus speaks of here could refer to multiple situations – the end of the assignment for the age you are in.

The word saved in verse 22 could be translated preserved. As true Christians persevere in their faith, God promises to preserve them amidst the troubles they encounter!

The main practical point is to have a sense of urgency as we witness! We want people to be right with God before He comes in judgment!

3 things to keep in mind when dealing with persecution - V. 24-31

People that don’t like Jesus won’t like His followers - (v. 24-25)

If you fear God you don’t need to fear what man can do to you - (v. 26-28)

A person who truly fears God cares more about what He thinks than what people think. If you fear God you won’t need to fear anything else!

Know that the God who cares for even the smallest of details cares for you - (v. 29-31)

Trying to impact the world for Christ will mean trouble for us – but never conclude that God doesn’t care for you when you go through troubles as you serve Him– His loving  care is with you in every circumstance!

Jesus will acknowledge all who acknowledge Him    - 32-33

Jesus died for you, don’t be afraid to take your stand for Him, starting with baptism!

“Lord, we are 39 who have taken a stand for Thee – grant that we be 39 who are crowned with victory.”
“Lord, we are 40 who have taken a stand for Thee – grant that we be 40 who are crowned with victory.”

Psalm 72 Worksheet

This is the last Psalm of Book 2 of the Psalms (Psalms 42-72).

Only this Psalm and Psalm _________________ are attributed to Solomon.

Jacob prophesied in Genesis 49:8-12 that Judah would become the ruling tribe of Israel, and that the Messiah King would come from that tribe. While David was king He was given the Davidic Covenant by Yahweh. God told David that his son Solomon would get to build the Temple, and that a _______________________ Son of David in the family line would be Israel’s Messiah King.

Some of the words in this Psalm seem to be Solomon’s prayer for himself to be a good king like his father David. Other words in this Psalm point to the only ___________________________ King, Jesus the Messiah. Perhaps this was written for Solomon’s Kingly coronation.

Do you remember what Solomon had prayed for when God came to him in 1 Kings 3 and told him to ask for anything he wanted?

____________________________ to govern God’s people.

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours. -1 Kings 3:9

Write out their own ____________________ of God’s law. Deuteronomy 17:14-20

The word judge in the Old Testament referred to those who administered the Law as rulers. The King was to lead the people to live rightly and to make sure the most vulnerable among them were not done ___________________________. Proverbs 31:1-9

Mountains are often scary places to be, and those that live there are often known for doing their own thing. Solomon prays there will even be Shalom in places not __________________ for shalom.

By the way, did you know that peace is in Solomon’s Hebrew name? Shelomo wanted to bring Shalom in

It is good for kings and those in authority to think about how God has allowed them to be in position not for themselves but to ________________________ (serve) to others. Romans 13:1-7

The __________________________ character of the Messiah’s reign V. 5-9

Temporary kings that fear God recognize who the ___________________ King is, and how His reign is eternal, not temporal! Micah 5:1-4

Like beneficial rain, the Lord ____________________________ His subjects with benevolence, with what they need to live.

Verses 7-8 definitely go beyond anything Solomon experienced to what the Bible says about the Messiah. Isaiah 9:6-7

Solomon’s rule foreshadows a ___________________________ rule to come V. 10ff

Verse 10 is Solomon’s way of speaking about the greatness of Israel and Israel’s King ___________________ north, south, east and west.

2 Chronicles 9:21 records the Tarshish tribute; 1 Kings 10:1 Sheba’s contribution.

Revelation 21:22-27

The end of verse 14 makes us think of Psalm 116:15, but these words make us think particularly of those who are persecuted and even _________________________ for their faith in God.

The things said in verses 16-18 make us think of the millennial rule to come of Jesus Christ.

Verses 18-19 fittingly end the Psalm with __________________________.

Verse 20 does not mean there are no more Psalms of David after this. But the majority of the Psalms in Book 1 and 2 of the Psalms were by David.

Book 1 - 37 of the 41 Psalms by David (90%)

Book 2 - 18 of the 31 Psalms by David (58%)

Book 3 - 1 of 17 Psalms by David (6%)

Book 4 - 1 of 17 Psalms by David (6%)

Book 5 - 15 of 44 Psalms by David (34%)

It may be as simple as that the remaining Psalms by David are not as much prayer Psalms as praise Psalms. I prefer to think that Solomon is saying we have Books 1 and 2 of the Psalms because of David writing Psalms. We are going to keep adding Psalms now that David has died. That understanding also makes it natural that they added Psalms by David as they ______________ in the later Books of the Psalms.

Ambassadors for Christ Part 1

What is the ingredient that adds fruitfulness to faithfulness? Courage to speak when others remain silent. When a faithful believer by faith presses through their fear, meets needs and proclaims Jesus, fruitfulness to some degree will follow!

Matthew 10:1-15

Three Basic Bible Study Principles (O-I-A):

Observation – What the text says – what was God saying to the first audience in their context.

Interpretation – What the text means – what is the timeless theological teaching here.

Application – How the text applies today – what God is calling us to do in our context.

Those who are called go forth to represent Christ, not themselves - V. 1-4, 7-8

We are called first to grow in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and our ministry for Him is to be the overflow from the time we have spent with Jesus, ministering to people like He would if He was physically present.

There is a word that ties together the Sermon on the Mount message and this commissioning of King Jesus’ Ambassadors message. It is the Greek word exousia, which can be translated as right, authority, and power. Chapters 7-9 established that Jesus is the Lord of all realms – the authority over the Doctrinal/ Moral realm, the Physical realm, and the Spiritual realm.

They had seen Jesus meet needs and proclaim the Kingdom – Now He sent them out to do the things that He had modeled for them. Most of us can’t work healings in this church age, but we are also called to meet needs together and proclaim Jesus!

These basic men being called reminds me that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.

Jesus doesn’t wait until you are fully ready to give you your first ministry experiences (you will never be fully ready); Your first ministry experiences make a difference now and are part of getting you more ready for later ministry experiences to come.

This particular trip was to get Israel ready for decision day - V. 5-7

The entire gospel of Matthew is building toward Matthew 28 – Jesus’ Great Commission for His disciples to go to all the people groups of the world.

Now we can surmise a practical point here – in training disciples it is probably best for them to first minister to people more familiar to them before they go outside their comfort zone to people very different than they are.

Before we get to Matthew 28 Matthew’s gospel is building toward His triumphal entry to Jerusalem in Matthew 21, and Jesus’ formal offer of Himself to be Israel’s King.

Nineveh repented when Jonah the Prophet preached; but Israel as a whole did not repent, they did not vote “Yes” to King Jesus when He came, so one coming of their Messiah turned into two with the church age we are in now between the first and second coming of Jesus.

Disciples are to trust God to meet your needs; they are not in it for the money - V. 8b-10

They were not to charge for their ministry, but they could accept basic hospitality and support and watch God meet their needs – basic reliance and trust. And the people they ministered to who appreciated their ministry would learn to support the ministry (verses 40-42). Paul later called for church saints to support their pastors financially (1 Tim. 5:17-18;1 Cor. 9:9-14).

The Disciples’ job is to meet needs and proclaim Jesus, and leave the results to God - V. 11-15

There is no doubt that God is calling you to step out in faith and boldly speak to people you come across about Jesus. Some will like it, and some won’t!

Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” - Isaiah 6:10b

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him. - Hebrews 9:27-28

The Mercy Harvest

After Matthew’s gospel house party 2 very different groups questioned Jesus’ actions; 2 very different women were healed; 2 never before done miracles were performed; and after again proving He was and is the Messiah Jesus called His followers to join His mercy harvest.

Matthew 9:11-38

Two very different groups **question** Jesus’ actions - V. 11-17

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love mercy (Hesed), and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8

If you come to church as a proud self-righteous person that doesn’t think you have a sin problem, Jesus says you have **flunked** Bible 101. But if you come to Jesus as a needy sinner, the Doctor is in!

When truly following Jesus means doing things different than your favorite preacher does, which one should you stick with – the teacher or Jesus?

There were 2 sets of Prophecies about the Messiah – the first set was that somehow the Messiah would be a Wounded Healer, a Suffering Servant. The other set was that He would be a Conquering King, throwing off Pagan Oppression and ruling physically over Israel.

In verses 14-17 Jesus gives them 3 little mind pictures to transform their understanding of what “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” truly meant.

New wine must be put into new wineskins that will expand as the fermenting gases expand. Jesus is telling them what He told Nicodemus – you **must** be born again – you need a new heart to hold Jesus, then the Spirit of Christ inside you will help you do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God!

Two very different **women** are healed - V. 18-26

Jairus knew that whoever Jesus was, He had power to heal – maybe he could even raise the dead like Elijah and Elisha the great prophets of old.

While Jesus was going with desperate Jairus this desperate woman approached Jesus. Our need as sinners **unites** us at the foot of the cross.

Why did this woman believe that touching the corner of Jesus’ garment would heal her? Because she believed that Jesus was the **Messiah**. She believed what Malachi 4:2 said about the Messiah.

But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. - Malachi 4:2

Two **never** before done miracles are performed - V. 27-34

Why did the 2 Blind men call Jesus the “Son of David”? Because they believed that Jesus was the **Messiah** (Matt. 1:1; Isa. 9:6-7). These men embraced the very thing the religious leaders denied.

Perhaps some skeptics had responded to Jesus raising the dead by saying, “Yeah but Elijah and Elisha did that also, so maybe Jesus is just a prophet.” So here Jesus opens blind eyes, which the **prophets** had said Messiah would do.

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the death unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” - Isa. 35:5-6 (see also Isa. 29:18-19)

Jesus calls His followers to His mercy Harvest - V. 35-38

When you see people what do you see? Do you have compassion on them like Jesus does?

The Lord of the Harvest asked His disciples to pray for laborers who will go out into the Harvest of lost people as Harvesters – and then He sent **them** out as those Harvesters in Chapter 10!

Psalm 71 Worksheet

This is one of the 32 Psalms without any information before the Psalm. Interestingly, it is the ____________ Psalm like that in Book 2.

As we read this Psalm, look for the Psalmist speak of trusting God at different ages in his life.

Read Psalm 71

Based on what we just read, what age of life was the Psalmist when he wrote this Psalm?

The Psalmist prays for deliverance from ____________________ troubles and enemies V. 1-4

Notice in verse 1 the Psalmist declares that his _______________________ is in the Lord. Then He asks for God to intervene in his current troubles.

I like how verse 3 is stated – God is a strong refuge we can resort to continually. Even when there is not a place of safe refuge, God is to us a _________________________ of safe refuge – our Rock and our Fortress.

The good news is that a lot of the ________________________ we made when younger were based on relying too much on what we could do physically or mentally. As we age we hopefully learn like the Psalmist to trust more in the Lord.

The Psalmist reminds himself of God’s __________________________ since conception, and commits himself to praise God no matter how he feels V. 5-8

The Psalmist realizes that God was sustaining him even before he learned to trust God, even when he was a _________________________ newborn. Now that his physical strength is failing, he is asking God to continue to sustain him so he can continue to praise Him.

What is the Psalmists desire in verse 8 as an older man with many difficulties?

To praise and glorify the Lord __________________________ each day!

The Psalmist again prays for deliverance from troubles and enemies V. 9-13

The Psalmist knows he needs God’s help as he ages. Perhaps he is also going through the inevitable __________________________ crisis that goes with not being able to do all that he used to, and wondering how he is going to make it.

A lot of what is said here in verses 10-11 makes me think of King David’s experiences. I also think of the Rabshakeh’s arrogance on behalf of Assyrian king Sennacherib against Judah and King Hezekiah that we read about during the times of the Kings and repeated in Isaiah 36-39.

The Psalmist re-commits himself to praise God no matter what he faces and expresses hope to __________________________ to the next generation V. 14-18

I have always loved the exuberance of young people when they excitedly praise the Lord. But there is something so special when we hear ________________________ praise from those who have been through life’s ups and downs!

Oh the Psalmist is just getting started! Note his commitment going all the way back to his youth to take what he has ____________________________ and declare it to others (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

We see here in verse 18 the Psalmist lived with a sense of _____________________ we should have – to continually tell those coming after us about God’s power to save and sustain!

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The Psalmist expresses confidence of ______________________ life with God V. 19-21

Life doesn’t begin at birth and it doesn’t __________________ at death. Life begins at conception and goes on forever after this life in either Heaven or Hell.

“Since the Psalmist has described his life from youth to old age, what other deliverance could he anticipate except resurrection from the dead.” -Robert L. Alden

The Psalmist makes a ____________________ commitment to praise the Lord V. 22-24

Note the Psalm begin with the prayer that the godly Psalmist would not be put to shame, and ends with the knowledge that ultimately the ungodly who have acted to hurt the godly will be put to ________________________.

Welcome to our Sunday Service! We pray that this is a blessing for you. Feel free to like, share, and comment on this post - how has the Lord been working in your life this week?

Our speaker today is Dr. Todd Wood from Center Origins Research & Education (CORE). His Biography from creation.com:

Todd Wood has a B.S. in biology and a Ph.D. in biochemistry. He has been intensely involved in baraminology research since 1996 and helped to start the Baraminology Study Group. Todd has organized two conferences on baraminology, one at Liberty University and one at Cedarville University. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Center for Origins Research and Education at Bryan College and is also active at church, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school.

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Psalm 70 Worksheet

“To bring to remembrance” is also in the title, perhaps because this Psalm repeats part of _________________ Psalm.

Where does this fit among the shortest of Psalms?

It is tied for _________________________ in Book 2 of the Psalms with Psalm 43, although that Psalm is an extension of Psalm 42. It is in a 7 way tie for 6th shortest overall Psalm (with 15, 43, 93, 100, 125, and 127). Psalm 117 has just 2 verses, Psalms 131, 133 and 134 have 3 verses, and Psalm 123 has 4 verses.

One of the interesting things about Psalm 70 is that it is almost _________________________ with Psalm 140:13-17.

Do you remember which Psalm in Book 2 is almost identical to Psalm 14 from Book 1?

Psalm ________________

A simple chiastic outline fits the 5 verses of Psalm 70.

Verses1 and 5 have similar statements and ___________________________.

Verses 2-4 have jussive, or __________________-form verbs.

Verses 2-3 are imprecations on the enemy, while verse 4 is a prayer for God’s people.

Verse 1 has the only real difference with Psalm 40 – Verse 13 there opens with “Be pleased” O Lord. Here the song just jumps into asking for ________________________!

It is okay to pray that those who have evil design toward God’s people will be confused and thwarted in their efforts and come to have shame over their behavior. Of course Jesus would also now have us pray that that shame leads to turning to Christ for ____________________________.

Notice the different use of seek in verses 2 and 4. The wicked seek the harm of the righteous but the righteous seek __________________.

Don’t miss this about so many of the prayers in the Psalms – often the Psalmist prays intensely for God to take care of the wicked, not for strength to himself ___________________ out at the wicked.

The Psalm ends where it begins – PLEASE HELP NOW, Lord! The matter is so urgent David closes with O LORD, DO NOT ______________________!

One last interesting thing to point out is that the verb ‘make haste’ occurs in the name for Isaiah’s ________________ MAHAR-shalal-hash-baz (quicken -loot-make haste- plunder.

Intended as a "part two" addendum to this morning (10/13 AM Service) due to the amount of Scripture covered. This was recorded during our Sunday Evening Bible Study on October 13, 2024. We pray this recording is a blessing for you!