Last week we learned that Jesus is Immanuel. Everything that the Temple was created to express visibly – the necessity of sacrifice, the way of re-entry into the Garden of Eden, the pathway to fellowship with God – all these things and more reach their fulfillment in Christ. If Jesus is the Temple of God then those who are in Christ are also the Temple of God. In other words, the Church is the Temple of God, the dwelling place of God, the visible manifestation of God’s blessing, God’s favor, God’s commitment to us. It is this theme that we explore today: Immanuel in the Visible Church.
Advent 2010 Part V: Something Greater than the Temple
December 26, 2010 inWhen responding to the critique of the Pharisees on one occasion, Jesus remarks, “Something greater than the Temple is here.” In light of our discussion last week, the meaning of the Tabernacle/Temple, I would like you to notice the remarkable claim that Jesus is making: Something greater than the Temple is here – the Temple that was designed to testify that God is with us, the Temple that was designed to point Israel back to the Garden of Eden, the Temple that was designed to remind Israel of God’s promise that through them all the families of the earth would be blessed. Something greater than the Temple is here among you. What exactly is Jesus’ saying? What does He mean by this? By declaring, “Something greater than the Templeis here.” Clearly He is pointing to Himself – He is greater than the Temple. So how can that be?
Advent 2010 Part IV: Immanuel in the Tabernacle
December 19, 2010 inToday I want us to see how this picture of a return to Eden, a return to fellowship and unity with God, a return to Immanuel, “God with us”, characterizes the description of the Tabernacle and Temple in Israel. The theme of God with us is not limited to the Garden, but is expanded and developed as God’s dealings with His people continue.
Advent 2010 Part III: Immanuel in the Garden of Eden
December 12, 2010 inIn the last couple weeks, we have discovered that if we really understand what was going on in the Incarnation, then we cannot help but celebrate and feast sometime, in some way. So what was going on? What is it that we should get so worked up about? Excited about? There are myriad themes that we could discuss, numerous ways in which we could answer these questions. The one I would like us to focus upon for the next several weeks is the theme of Immanuel, God with us. Why should Jesus’ identity as Immanuel inspire us to feast?
Advent 2010 Part II: The Necessity of Extra-Biblical Feasting
December 5, 2010 inAs we enter into the season of Advent, it is appropriate to raise the question of the practice itself. Is it legitimate to celebrate extra-biblical feasts or is this a violation of God’s law? Before celebrating Advent and Christmas, we must be assured that such a celebration is pleasing to God. So let us answer two questions today: first, is it necessary to celebrate extra biblical feasts? Does obedience to God consist therein? Second, is it permissible to celebrate extra biblical feasts? If so, under what circumstances is it permissible?
Nehemiah Part XX – Ministers of the New Covenant (12:1-26, Part Two)
November 21, 2010 inAs we learned from our ealier study of Nehemiah, it is no good to have beautiful buildings if the people inhabiting the buildings are corrupt. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. And this holiness of the people must extend to every member of the community – including both church officers and congregants. Today our goal is to understand the connection between the ministers of the Old Covenant, priests and Levites, and the ministers of the New Covenant, elders and deacons – so that all members of the Church of God might be holy and blameless.
Nehemiah Part XIX – Ministers of the Old Covenant (12:1-26 Part One)
November 14, 2010 inToday in Nehemiah, the author lists the principle ministers, priests and Levites, who served in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. We are going to use this list as an opportunity to learn about the ministers of the Old Covenant. Where did the ministry originate, what were the basic responsibilities of the priests and Levites, and why is it that we no longer have priests and Levites in the Church? These are the questions we’ll answer this week, paving the way for next week examining the work of the ministry in the New Covenant.
Nehemiah Part XVIII – Valiant Men (11:1-35)
November 7, 2010 inGod’s people need leaders – leaders to speak the Word of God to them, leaders to counsel and pray for them, leaders to hold them accountable and correct them. Not only is this true of the Church; it is true of families, communities, businesses, etc. We are in need of leaders – and, what is more, we are in need of leaders who are men.
Nehemiah Part XVII – Applying the Word (10:28-39)
October 31, 2010 inTo truly understand the Word of God is not simply to know what it says but to put its wisdom into practice; to truly understand the Word is to apply it in the here and now, to apply it in our lives, in our generation. It does no good to know that God hates divorce, hates covenantal treachery, if we are divorcing our spouses. It does no good to know that God hates theft if we are embezzling from our employer. We have not truly understood the Word of God until we apply it in our lives; until it makes us change our behavior, adjust our worship, intensify our prayers.
It is this that we see happening in our text. The Word of God is changing, challenging, transforming our fathers – they are renewing covenant with God, applying the unchanging Word of God to their particular situation. As they do so, they give us some wisdom that will help us apply the Word of God today.