Today’s readings show us the importance of our witness and reputation as well as listening to the Lord. Stay near the cross.
Numbers 8: The Seven Lamps
1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand."
3 And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses.
4 And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
Cleansing of the Levites
5 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
6 "Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them.
7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.
8 Then let them take a bull from the herd and its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another bull from the herd for a sin offering.
9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel.
10 When you bring the Levites before the LORD, the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the LORD.
12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the LORD to make atonement for the Levites.
13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to the LORD.
14 "Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.
15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering.
16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself.
17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself,
18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel.
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary."
20 Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the people of Israel to the Levites. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, the people of Israel did to them.
21 And the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the LORD, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22 And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Retirement of the Levites
23 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
24 "This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting.
25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more.
26 They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties."
Numbers 9: The Passover Celebrated
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
2 "Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.
3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it."
4 So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover.
5 And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did.
6 And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
7 And those men said to him, "We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the LORD's offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?"
8 And Moses said to them, "Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you."
9 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
10 "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the LORD.
11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it.
13 But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the LORD's offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
14 And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native."
The Cloud Covering the Tabernacle
15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.
16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night.
17 And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.
18 At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.
19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.
20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out.
21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out.
22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.
23 At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.
Things to think about…
1. There were lamps leading up to the main Lampstand that ultimately pointed and guided the priests to it, Num 8:1-4. We are called to be lights leading to the ultimate Light of this world, Jesus Christ. He is the One who exhibits His glory, vs 4, we merely reflect His glory.
2. The separation of the Levite men from 25 years to 55 years, Num 8:24,25, was done so they could represent all Israel in their service in the tabernacle before the Lord. Young men – those who have strength are called to serve. Continue to pray for all those who serve in leadership positions and ministries in the church. Pray for me, Jarrod and the elders as those who represent Christ, not only from the pulpit on Sundays, but also in the community. Note that these men were shaved and their clothes had to be washed, this represented a total cleansing. We have complete cleansing in Christ, we are His ambassadors/representatives in this world.
3. Look at the grace exhibited in the keeping of the Passover. It was to be kept even by those who were unclean because of contact with a dead body, they were still accepted and able to eat this meal, Num 9:10. The foreigner/stranger were also invited to keep the Passover, not only those from Israel Num 9:14. Christ is our Passover. He invites all, regardless of your background and how ‘defiled’ you have been in the past, but He also opens up the way for the Gentile to worship the God of Israel. The Passover in Jerusalem today is a very chaotic affair, with many crowding the city. Pray that the Jews in increasing numbers would see in this festival that points to Yeshua (Jesus) is their true Passover Lamb.
4. There is a significant lesson for all those who want to be led by the Lord in Num 9:15-23. The cloud covered the tabernacle when the children of Israel were to remain in one spot. It lifted when they were to move. Sometimes the cloud was there for two days, sometimes a month or longer, vs 22. They moved when and where the Lord moved, not sooner or later. This should be case for the Christian. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. I think many people when the first challenge or difficulty comes upon them – they want to move and yet God has not called them to move, but to remain. Prayer, counsel, communication, accountability and obedience to the Word of God are all required to know the mind of the Spirit to find the will of God for our lives. God is never reactionary, neither should we be.
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.
Sermon:-“Are you a good tenant” – Mark 12:1-12
a. Discuss Sunday’s sermon and your understanding of what the parable of the tenants meant for the leaders of Israel. Why were they angry?
b. We are all accountable for what talents the Lord has blessed us with. What are your talents and how are you using them?
c. As members in the body of Christ, we all have different gifts, 1Cor 12-14. How do we promote the use of these gifts under the banner of Christ’s love 1Cor 13.
d. Pray for our witness with our friends, workmates, family and neighbours who are outside of Christ.
Prayer Points
1. The two young people that broke into our church early this morning. It was the same ones that broke in 10 weeks ago. A police report with video evidence has been submitted.
2. Leaders meeting tomorrow morning.
3. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
4. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved..
5. Pray for Kids@church and our Youth group.
6. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod’s ministry. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, this week as well as the growing young adults ministry.
7. How you can serve in ministry this year.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday – Pray this continues and they get involved in the life of the church.
2. Young adults ministry is growing – keep praying as Jarrod develops this ministry.
3. Kids@Church and Youth ministries are a great blessing. Pray for Rosie and Jarrod as they start out for term 2.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Leaders Meeting this Saturday 9:00am @ the Newberrys.
2. Mother’s Day High Tea. Sat 13th May 10am Church. Speaker and pampering, 13th May RSVP Suzanne 1/5/2023. Ph:- 0418 889 683.
3. Church information session 28th May after the morning service.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters for term 2.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 8. Who are they? A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bible References – Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
