Download... May 16, 2010. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Gary Kelly from Paradise Montana.
TEXT: EXODUS 25: 1, 22
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
God spoke to Moses concerning the ark of the tabernacle. This is where He said He would meet and commune with Moses. Commune means that there is a place of conversing, or talking together, an interchange of intimate communication. This is what God had ordained for all that are washed by the blood of the Lamb. Conversing with God, who knows all our past, present, and future, and always what is best for us.
The scripture tells us that God instructed that an ark be built, with a brazen altar, where the sacrifice would be laid and consumed by fire, and where God would meet His people, for worship. It represented that great sacrifice that Jesus was for us, for all our committed sins. Then another sacrifice was made in the room of Holies of Holies for that need for the sanctification of the sinful carnal nature, inherited from Adam. All the instructions are given in the old testament for the literal types, representing the present spiritual needs, of the new testament times, and henceforth. When Jesus came to Mt Calvary to the cross to willingly lay down His life in sacrifice,..He knew His hands were to be spread and each nailed, as would be his feet to that cross. That cross was elevated,.. until a thud was heard, intensifying the pain of Jesus hanging from those nails, in addition to being mocked in this condition. He endured all of this and more, that you and I might become the "sons" of God through His offering. It is the only offering that is accepted, for the salvation from sins. There was also that soldier who took his spear with such force into the side of Christ, that it touched the sac around the heart, and causing the blood and water to pour from His side,.. for all of our sins. If it wasn't for Jesus,.. where would I or anyone else be?
At the brazen altar of these old testament times, a "washing" took place, before the priest could enter the holy place. Likewise, there today has to be a washing by the Word, which is also a "mirror" to reveal all of our needs. God has never failed to reveal to each soul, their need, when they are receptive. None need to ever hesitate for the cleansing of God by His word.
Bro G Kelly testified how God exhorts us, "Don't forget Christ is the door", for this sacrifice. Some things you cannot take on this holy way. If you are all loaded down with "luggage" that you should not be carrying, you will not be able to go through "the door." Life "presents" many forms of unnecessary "baggage" that would keep us from being on the "strait and narrow way." Matthew 7:13,14 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. "Baggage" is, or can be, "attitudes, conceit, etc., which are all outside the holy path and place where God can meet us. We can't get through "the door" without the right attitude. Yet on that last day when there is no time to "mend," every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Christ is the only way. Romans 14:11,12 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. A lot of "baggage" will need to be unloaded and burnt up for the sake of Christ, and His strait and narrow way.
The shew bread was offered fresh at every weekly sacrifice. This was the old testament instruction that also included the oil with the herbs in that sacrifice. We know today the word of God or Jesus is the "bread."
How good is the word of God! "Oh taste and see the that the Lord is good." Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Also at the sacrifice, there was the candlestick representing the necessary "light." Psalms 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The word is a lamp unto our feet. Whatever your situation and needs , let the word be a lamp or light spiritually for your feet. A lamp or light for your path, for without we would be snared into traps. Snares are like the literal traps that are often set to trap animals, and can be cruel. It causes much suffering to the trapped. The literal traps use bait such as food, etc., to lure the animals. The more they pull, the stronger the snare of the trap. Spiritually, every soul needs to take the candlestick or light of God's word, to avoid the spiritual snares of this life. God's word or plan will reveal those snares.
In the ancient biblical sacrificial practices, the best was offered with herbs and spices. Likewise, only the best that we offer, will be like a sweet smelling savor to God and acceptable.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
We thank God for all the witnesses of our day, that are an encouragement and exhortation for setting aside those "weights" of distraction. There is a hymn by the title "Is Your All On The Altar", that also instructs us to lay aside every weight and anything that would distract us and control our life away from God's holy will and blessings.
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Christ wanted to know if Peter sacrificially loved Him more than anything else,... so he could be edified to feed and minister unto His sheep.
Again, Exodus 2 5:1,2 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
God needs to do the "arranging" so that we will lose our fleshly interferences. To willingly get your mentality unified with His perfect sacrifice, Christ, the holy word. Sometimes God can become tired of our monopolizing our "conversation" with Him. He wants us to take the time to also Listen, to what He has to say to our hearts. So that we can be instructed in His perfect plan. I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. God wants us to "enter" His holy place so we can be entreated in His "arrangements," or preparations. Some "help books" offer some help, but none have the spiritual help God has for us. It is wonderful to know that our trials will never be more than we can handle, if we are following His plan. God will reveal His greatness,.. and His better hope! God lovingly entreats mere man to reason and commune with Him, even in our humbled status. God would say to us "now son, or now daughter, I want to help you, ..let go of some things that are a hindrance, in order to destroy the works of the enemy."
Hebrews 4:11-13 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Two -way communion with God is our true rest. The price was paid for it through Christ being mocked, His suffering, and ultimate life sacrifice. He loved everyone of us, by His benevolent endurance shown in behalf of everyone's soul. It was so we would also be able to go through that spiritual door and "eat" from His spiritual bread and oil, ensuring that "candlestick" of light for our path.
Psalms 139: 23, 24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Search around my mind and heart, so there will not be any "hidden agendas." Check out my "foundations." In the communing at the golden altar in the most holies,... He ask us to give it All up. So that every thing can by Him be arranged,...just right.
