The Contents of the ARK

Hebrews 9:1-7

Inside the ARK were three things that symbolized both the problem God had with the Israelites and the promise of God to believers. There was a jar of manna. This was the food that God supernaturally provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. This was the same food that the Israelites complained about—so it symbolized their ungrateful rejection of God’s provision. The manna was God providing for His people just as God promises to provide our every need as believers. There was also Aaron’s walking stick. This stick represented God’s leadership through Moses and Aaron. Over and over again the Israelites rebelled against their leadership—so that God had to vindicate that Moses and Aaron were his chosen leaders by supernaturally causing his staff to bud. So this staff symbolized their rebellion against God’s leadership. The budding staff is a reminder that God has promised us the Resurrection. Even when things seem hopeless and dead God brings forth life. His Lordship in our life brings life to the most impossible situations. Finally, there were the 10 Commandment's—the two stone tablets that summarized God’s law. Even as Moses brought these tablets down from Mt. Sinai, the Israelites were having an idolatrous orgy. Moses furiously threw them down and smashed them—so God made another copy and told him to put them in the ark. They symbolized their disobedience to God’s law. This is not a pretty picture—and God has the same problems with us! What do we find in the meeting room with God? A record of why we deserve to be condemned by him! The Tablets remind us of Gods eternal covenant with His people. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is a God of grace and forgiveness.

The Tabernacle

2 chapters are given to creation. But there are 50 chapters that are devoted to a description of the Tabernacle and it’s related ministries. 50 Chapters! That’s a lot.

The entire tabernacle and everything in it foreshadows Jesus, His work, His People, and how His people are to do His work.

Every piece of furniture pictures Christ

Ark – mediator
Alter of incense – intercessor
Golden candlestick – light
Table of showbread – bread
Laver – cleansing
Brazen alter – sacrifice

The overall type is the cross work of Christ – the pieces of the furniture are laid out in the form of a cross.

Why study the Tabernacle ?

1) study of the Tabernacle gives an understanding of God’s redemptive plan
2) Study of the Tabernacle shows the sinfulness of man
3) Study of the Tabernacle shows the Holiness of God
4) Study of the Tabernacle shows Christ’s fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan
5) The priestly ministry in the Tabernacle reveals how sinful man can approach a holy God with acceptable worship.
6) Study of the Tabernacle priesthood will give an understanding of Christ’s priestly ministry
7) Study of the Tabernacle will give us a greater appreciation of our role as believer priests. We have access anytime.
8) The sacrifices shows the great importance God placed on the need of a blood sacrifice
9) You need a good understanding of the Tabernacle to understand much in the book of Hebrews.
10) And every piece of the Tabernacle has a timeless truth to teach us that applies today.

Drawing Closer to God

Drawing Closer to God
Hebrews 10:19-25

Quit asking God to show up, you show up “ present yourself before the Lord”

When we take a step in Gods direction God is waiting. He desires for us to draw nearer. When we draw nearer to God He makes things happen for us. Drawing closer to God gives us many things. Here are 4 things.

1.He gives us a purpose to live for
2. He gives us a self to live with
3. He gives us a faith to live by
4. He gives us a leader we can trust

Interview Serene Garcia

Q: What is your nick name?
SCG:You should know it. It's Nini
Q: What is your favorite food?
SCG: Just quess? dumplings
Last Q: What is your favorite movie?
SCG: NachOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Libre

I would like to thank Serene Celeste Garcia for this brief but very revealing interview.

Thanks Nini

Until Next Time

George

Getting on board Technologically

Some years ago I told myself that I needed to get technologically up to speed. I am now further behind. Things are moving very fast. What are the factors that keep us behind?

1. Money- new technology is expensive. For small churches these cost can be huge just to be 10 years behind the times.

2. Education- it takes time to grasp the information. Finding people who know the functions are hard to come by.

3. Using with purpose- the technology is only useful if you know exactly what you are trying to achieve through it. You have to incorporate technology with purpose.

I am convinced that using new technology is strategic and vital. I will continue to pursue this avenue with great interest. I pray I can catch up very soon.

Scrub the launch

NASA is huge. NASA has put a man on the moon. NASA has some of the greatest minds on there payroll. NASA is planning to go back to the moon and beyond. NASA has a huge budget.

Today NASA scrubbed there launch. Sometimes things just don't line up. Sometimes a little oil ring can change the agenda.

Every launch has thousands of man hours behind it and lots of money invested but it has to wait if things are not functioning correctly.

Sometimes our plans have to be scrubbed because somethings are just not right. Do you have enough courage to make the call? Scrub it.

Analog now digital

There have been over 700,000 calls asking what happened after loosing there TV signal. For years there have been announcements that the change was going to happen. The bottom line is, people weren't listening.

This reminds me of the message of the Gospel. People have been hearing that they need to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. People aren't listening and the day is coming when they will wonder what is happening.

There is still time.