A New Way To Worship
Book of Exodus Chapter 31
We should ask ourselves, what is obedient devotion?
To be obedient means to be submissive to authority and abstaining from what is forbidden.
To be devoted is to be dedicated. A yielding of the heart and affections to that authority.
How did Our Lord Jesus Christ put obedience?
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
How did the Holy Spirit put disobedience?
Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
What is devotion in the Word of God?
Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again "until Christ be formed in you",
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
It was Jehovah who began to instruct these children of Israel about devotion and obedience so, the Word of God could reach the entire world.
The key to being called of God is to realize that Jehovah will provide the needs of that person in the task He has called them to do!
*****Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Even given exact dimensions, it would take some qualified individuals to make all the things Jehovah required for the Tabernacle.
The first five verses tell us about Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah and all these in this verse would join him making these things.
That name Bezaleel means; "in the shadow of God".
How are these men described? Wise hearted. Remember what Jesus said of the wise builder. They would build their house on a Rock, and we know that Rock is the Lord Jesus Christ!
Notice that when Jehovah called these men, He called them by name.
God's call is a personal call!
God knows what we will be, and He has a purpose for us, before we leave the womb of our mothers!
Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
We know that God is impartial, what He does for one He will do for another!
Keep in mind we all have different requirements.
God begins by equipping us with the Holy Spirit and then the Holy Spirit provides the tools necessary to fulfill God's calling!
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
When God calls us for some special event, He will then surround us with others to provide support for that event.
We should understand that Jehovah left nothing to chance, everything was to be made according to His exact specifications!
*****Exo 31:7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
Exo 31:8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
Exo 31:9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
Exo 31:10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
Exo 31:11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
The greatest mistake made in the modern Church is to make changes in what God has said!
God has His own purpose, and this purpose is far greater than we think we are.
Jehovah cautioned Moses to obey His commandments.
We must never "add to" nor "take away" from the commandments of God nor any part of the Word of God.
This Book we call the Bible is not a book of suggestions, it is a book of commandments.
There is a reason and a purpose behind everything that God teaches us!
As a true Father, Jehovah wants us to be like Him.
He wants us to be as "forgiving" as He is forgiving. He did not have to forgive our sins!
He wants us to know that there is only one way to Heaven, not many ways.
He wants us to deny ourselves, our rights, our own ideas, and our own personal agenda, and obey His ways and His agenda.
He wants us to give back in proportion as He has given to us, which includes our tithes, as a show of "faith".
He says what He means, and He means what He says, and we need to get this clear in our own minds.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
God specifically says we need our rest, and we must worship Him
*****Exo 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
These Children of Israel were excited to be doing a work for Jehovah, but this did not mean that should work around the clock.
Every seventh day was still to be a day of rest.
The work on the Tabernacle was particularly important, but not so important to break the other laws of God.
We should understand that Jehovah will never go against His own Words!
He expects the same from us!
He will never give a law and then allow us to break that law, just because we think we are doing something for the good of God!
The Sabbath had been set aside for a day of rest and worship because it was a sign of God's covenant with "all humanity".
The Sabbath day was the first of the laws given to Israel and it would be incorporated into this worship system design by Jehovah.
Israel chose to do this on Saturday. The Church chose the Lord's Day Sunday.
The Sabbath reminds us all, that Jehovah is the One True and Living God!
It is on the Sabbath that we can surround ourselves with others who also have the mind of Christ, and all keep the covenant we made with Him when we said, "Save me Lord, I am a dirty rotten sinner".
Yes, a salvation request is making a covenant with God, and He will answer with redemption when we are sincere!
This relationship can never change, but we can improve on our relationship by being obedient to the Word of God and answer His calling with a "yes Lord".
It is by the forgiveness of God that we can be made Holy!
*****Exo 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
The Sabbath was not to be some temporary commandment made to Israel alone!
The Sabbath is a commandment given to this world we live in!
The Sabbath was made for all humanity and for every generation of humanity, for every man, every woman, and every child upon this earth!
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
We cannot pick and choose what we believe and what we reject in the Word of God!
Mar 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is LORD of the Sabbath!
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and "all that in them" is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
This is the day the Lord is speaking of!
We may ask ourselves, what about those who are required by their employer to work seven days each week.
The Lord said that the Sabbath was made for man so, it seems it would be wise for the Church to offer services to meet that schedule.
This is the main purpose for the Sunday evening services and the Wednesday services, so everyone has an opportunity to worship.
These people have to work out their own time to rest.
Things we must remember:
1) We must attend our worship services!
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2) We must work out our own salvation plan.
Php_2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
3) The Lord rewards effort much more that accomplishments!
1Co_3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Now the Lord speaks specifically to Moses and the Children of Israel.
*****Exo 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
We should ask ourselves just what is Divine Rest?
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Heb 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Heb 4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Heb 4:8 For if Jesus(Joshua) had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
We should clearly understand that Israel's fulfillment of the Sabbath pointed them to the Millennial Kingdom.
For the Church, the fulfillment of the Sabbath points to the "Rapture" of the Church and our permanent rest in the New Heaven.
The Sabbath is a Holy day and everyone that defiles the Sabbath would be put to death.
This may sound harsh, but Jehovah was teaching these rebellious children of Israel how to worship!
Everything that Jehovah did was showing them the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ yet, they are still blind to it.
Jehovah proved to these children of Israel that He meant what He says.
Num 15:32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
Num 15:33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
Num 15:34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
Num 15:35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
We must not mock Jehovah nor should we attempt to change what the Lord has said.
Some will say we do not see such a thing today and I say are you sure!
Many people die by unknown causes though all these may not be tied to God's wrath.
He is still the giver and the taker of life, but I also say all unbelievers are already condemned to spend eternity in a burning Hell.
The keeping of the Sabbath was a sign to the children of Israel for them to be more like Jehovah.
*****Exo 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Jehovah is serious about worship!
We need to rest at least every seven days.
The truth is, if we will honor the Lord God Jehovah at least once a week then, we are more likely to obey the other laws of God.
Do you want to see "climate change"? Then live according to the written word of God, which is actually His own voice, and maybe, we can see the harmony that existed before sin entered into this world, this earth will be restored as it was in the days of Adam.
Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
This world is aging and dying, and it is this death that is bringing about what is now called climate change, yet the world still worships sin!
The Sabbath day was not just for Israel alone, but it was to be continued.
It is a perpetual commandment.
This still does not mean it was to be every Saturday.
Sunday the "Lord's Day is much better for the Church, but there are places where this cannot take place and so those believers must choose some other day still teaching the truth of Jehovah.
In some places where the governments are so cruel, believers must gather and worship as they are able, and they will still receive a just reward, but as we are able we are to follow all the Word of God.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
In some cases where someone has decided that places of employment must run seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, the Church must provide a means for these people to worship.
In most cases, these things came about because of tax codes but few will admit this.
But the Church needs this fellowship with one another!
We must always keep in mind that the Word of God is not a book of suggestions, but is a Book of Commandments!
It was at this time that God gave to Moses those two tablets of stone written with the finger of God.
*****Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Moses had been with God for 40 days and 40 nights and it was at this time that Moses was given two tablets of stone that had written upon them the moral law the 10 Commandments.
These laws were great gifts because we all need some direction in our lives!
What is going on in the USA today? People have lost their direction and they have chosen to live in any manner they so choose, and they expect all the rest of us to bow down to their way of living or be called all kind of names and many will be threatening us.
These 10 Commandments are the foundation of the laws of God, and they should be the basis of the laws in every nation.
They were in many nations for years, but now if any nation chooses to go by these ten commandments, then the rest of the world will penalize them.
Just look at what the EU is doing to some nations today. The EU screams to us about "climate change" yet the EU is the main buyer of the illegal lumber that is harvested in the rain forest of Brazil.
We are to live righteous and pure lives as best we can, but instead this world has chosen immorality and wickedness.
The fact that the Bible is accurate in all matters in which it deals, scientific and historical as well as Spiritual and Theological, makes it a danger to this immoral world we live in today.
Even some the Church have begun to compromise, and our world just gets more-darker.
This too is written in the Scriptures.
Many look back today and ask what happened to our nation and all we need do is look back when immoral and unjust persons were allowed to destroy the Ten Commandments, just because they did not want to hear what God had to say.
As God's creation we are to obey the voice of God and He made us a copy and gave it to Moses.
Notice God gave these commandments at the same time He gave Moses the pattern of the Tabernacle and the correct method of worship!
God is leading those who love Him to the Promised Land (the New Heaven) and there is no other way to get there, but by obeying the Laws of God!
Jesus said it like this:
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. Joh 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
I choose to believe the Lord and you can call me all the names you want to, and it will not change my destination, but you on the other hand, will find yourself in Hell whether you believe there is a place called Hell or not!
Amen
