The feasts and the need for proper worship and justice
What are your most vivid spiritual experiences? The Israelites were called to remember the Passover and other feasts. These were to be highpoints. May the times we gather together as brothers and sisters in Christ also be highpoints in our spiritual experience.
Deuteronomy 16: Passover
1 "Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
2 And you shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the LORD your God, from the flock or the herd, at the place that the LORD will choose, to make his name dwell there.
3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat it with unleavened bread, the bread of affliction---for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste---that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.
4 No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the flesh that you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain all night until morning.
5 You may not offer the Passover sacrifice within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you,
6 but at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell in it, there you shall offer the Passover sacrifice, in the evening at sunset, at the time you came out of Egypt.
7 And you shall cook it and eat it at the place that the LORD your God will choose. And in the morning you shall turn and go to your tents.
8 For six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD your God. You shall do no work on it.
The Feast of Weeks
9 "You shall count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain.
10 Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you.
11 And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell there.
12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
The Feast of Booths
13 "You shall keep the Feast of Booths seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress.
14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns.
15 For seven days you shall keep the feast to the LORD your God at the place that the LORD will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
16 "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.
17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.
Justice
18 "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.
20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Forbidden Forms of Worship
21 "You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD your God that you shall make.
22 And you shall not set up a pillar, which the LORD your God hates.
Things to think about…
1. The Passover was to be remembered as an event that took place with haste while remembering the affliction that the Israelite slaves endured for over four hundred years. The Passover was to signify the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but also the importance of leaving without being attached to anything. We have of course been set free from the slavery of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. But how often do we remember that we are to hold everything in this life with a loose hand. This life is temporary, it is fleeting. Earth is Egypt for the Christian. Our heavenly Canaan is to be hoped for more than this temporary life in this temporary tent. The Passover Jesus is our deliverer out of the world’s slavery of sin and into His marvellous kingdom. As Christians we celebrate this event at Easter, but it also also a wonderful experience to go through and partake in a Passover festival which have many markers for the person and work of Yeshua (Jesus).
2. The Feast of Weeks, Dt 16:9-12, represented abundant blessing from the Lord who blesses, vs 10. Everyone including the servants, sojourners, the fatherless and the widow were all called to rejoice. The same was true for the feast of Booths, vss 13-17, which was kept for a further seven days celebrating the Lord’s protection in the wilderness and how the Lord brought them through to Canaan. The feast of weeks lined up with the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost seven weeks after the resurrection in the NT.
3. Dt 16:13-17 describes the Feast of Booths represented the temporary dwelling that happened in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the land of promise. They both represent the Lord’s blessing to His people, the church and the gifts that He gave to build up and add to the body of Christ while here on earth before we enter heaven. The full completion of this feast will be achieved through the Millennium. Christ’s rule and reign on the Earth while being an abundant blessing will be temporary and be a precursor for the ushering in of the New Heavens and New Earth. Let’s continue to pray for kingdom grow with the Lord’s Spirit and not our own.
4. The nation of Israel could not survive without a good judicial system, Dt 16:18-20. Judges were to be appointed in every town. In Australia we have state and federal police as well as local and state courts as well as a high court with appointed judges to make sure there is law and order in our country. The same is true within the church, faithful elders and ministry leaders need to be appointed. These are to be held accountable by the congregation to faithfully carry out their duties. The Israelites could only keep the land if justice was kept throughout the land. This is also true in the church. The church will only grow and remain faithful to God’s word as the leadership submit to God’s word and each other by leading well. We praise God for what the Lord has given at CBC with our elders and ministry leaders.
5. Symbols of foreign idols like the planting of a tree as an Asherah (pole) or pillar were not to be part of the worship of the Lord’s people, Dt 16:21&22. The same is true in the church. All forms of worldly practise should not be named among Christ’s people. Worldly words in music, a pep talk from the pulpit rather than preaching or services over to be entertainment rather than worship are all modern forms of idol worship. Let’s show appropriate reverence by showing the love and grace of Christ to each other by never allowing His name to be cheapened in any way. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, Ps 96:9.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Tad and family as they continue life after Andy. The comfort is they know where he is.
2. Pray for the Kids Klub advertising through Chaplain and RI this week. Pray this ministry builds in our community.
3. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
4. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
5. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
7. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Andrew Otte’s message. Continue to pray the word of God influences people by the Holy Spirit.
2. Praise God for new life! Jennifer has been blessed with 2 more grandchildren. Twin girls – Aurelia Rose Blackwood and Callista Lily Blackwood – 2kg each. Both healthy and mum as well. Praise the name of the Lord!
3. Great second session at alpha course last night. Had about 20 there.
4. Good start to Kids Klub last week.
5. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
6. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Alpha Course 3rd session on Wed 2nd Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
