Sacred Furniture [45:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Exodus 37:1-29 [+/-]Exodus 37 [37:1]Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. [2]And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. [3]And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. [4]And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold [5]and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. [6]And he made a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. [7]And he made two cherubim of gold. He made them of hammered work on the two ends of the mercy seat, [8]one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. [9]The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim. [10]He also made the table of acacia wood. Two cubits was its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. [11]And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold around it. [12]And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and made a molding of gold around the rim. [13]He cast for it four rings of gold and fastened the rings to the four corners at its four legs. [14]Close to the frame were the rings, as holders for the poles to carry the table. [15]He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table, and overlaid them with gold. [16]And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings. [17]He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it. [18]And there were six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; [19]three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch--so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. [20]And on the lampstand itself were four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, [21]and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out of it. [22]Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. [23]And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold. [24]He made it and all its utensils out of a talent of pure gold. [25]He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit, and its breadth was a cubit. It was square, and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. [26]He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And he made a molding of gold around it, [27]and made two rings of gold on it under its molding, on two opposite sides of it, as holders for the poles with which to carry it. [28]And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. [29]He made the holy anointing oil also, and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer. (ESV)

Most of us have something like this in our houses: that piece or pieces of furniture that have special, almost sacred significance. In some cases it may be structure of the piece that makes it special but in most cases it is the stories behind them. We have those pieces of furniture in several places in our house and behind each one of them is a story that is rich in importance to us. Four pieces of furniture in our family have been handed down through multiple generations to the eldest son. One of those pieces is our dining room table that is by now tattered and torn but I never sit at that table without having memories both made and made up from experiences around this table. Made from what I can remember and made up from people from the past that sat at this table whom have not seen and do not know. We all have something like that in our homes that are part of who we are here and now but tie us to what has come before us. They remind us that we are not the first ones to perform upon this stage nor will we be the last; those items in our dining room will be passed on to our son.

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 Repetition and Redemption [49:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 the Kingdom Singers at FBC Waynesboro [2:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Exodus 36:8-38 [+/-]Exodus 36:8-38 [8]And all the craftsmen among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains. They were made of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked. [9]The length of each curtain was twenty- eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains were the same size. [10]He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. [11]He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set. Likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set. [12]He made fifty loops on the one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set. The loops were opposite one another. [13]And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole. [14]He also made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. He made eleven curtains. [15]The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains were the same size. [16]He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. [17]And he made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. [18]And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole. [19]And he made for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and goatskins. [20]Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. [21]Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. [22]Each frame had two tenons for fitting together. He did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. [23]The frames for the tabernacle he made thus: twenty frames for the south side. [24]And he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. [25]For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames [26]and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame. [27]For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. [28]He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. [29]And they were separate beneath but joined at the top, at the first ring. He made two of them this way for the two corners. [30]There were eight frames with their bases of silver: sixteen bases, under every frame two bases. [31]He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, [32]and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. [33]And he made the middle bar to run from end to end halfway up the frames. [34]And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold. [35]He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. [36]And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. [37]He also made a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework, [38]and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals, and their fillets were of gold, but their five bases were of bronze. (ESV)
and John 1:14-18 [+/-]John 1:14-18 [14]And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15](John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") [16]And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17]For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18]No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (ESV)

God repeats Himself. Follow the flow of Scripture and you will find that there are themes that are repeated over and over. The central theme of the Bible is the glory of God in creation and redemption; God created a world for Himself and populated it with people from whom He will redeem those who will live for the praise of His Name and with a passion for His purpose. This central theme of the Bible is found in every book of the Bible and is woven throughout its pages and passages. The Gospel is at the heart of the Bible, the good news of God’s grace and mercy to those who call upon Him for forgiveness and in faith commit themselves completely to God. The good news of God’s triumph over sin and His victory over death for all who believe is found woven throughout the Bible.

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 Faith Comes through hearing Series [25:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

from Galatians 3 [+/-]Galatians 3 [3:1]O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. [2]Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3]Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [4]Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? [5]Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith-- [6]just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? [7]Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8]And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." [9]So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [10]For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." [11]Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." [12]But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." [13]Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- - [14]so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. [15]To give a human example, brothers: even with a man- made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. [16]Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. [17]This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. [18]For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. [19]Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. [20]Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. [21]Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. [22]But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. [23]Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. [24]So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. [25]But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26]for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27]For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28]There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29]And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. (ESV)
& Romans 10 [+/-]Romans 10 [10:1]Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. [2]For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. [3]For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. [4]For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. [5]For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. [6]But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) [7]or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). [8]But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); [9]because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10]For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11]For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." [12]For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13]For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [14]How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15]And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" [16]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" [17]So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [18]But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." [19]But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." [20]Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." [21]But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." (ESV)

Faith Comes through hearing Series

 

 Celebration of Marriage [44:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Psalm 119:97-112 [+/-]Psalm 119:97-112 [97]Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. [98]Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. [99]I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. [100]I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. [101]I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. [102]I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. [103]How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104]Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. [105]Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [106]I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. [107]I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! [108]Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. [109]I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. [110]The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. [111]Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. [112]I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

This was a Celebration of Marriage for Amy Veldboom and Jason Thomas the week before their marriage.

 

 Giving, Gifting and the Glory of God [44:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Exodus 35:4-29 [+/-]Exodus 35:4-29 [4]Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. [5]Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; [6]blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, [7]tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, [8]oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, [9]and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. [10]"Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: [11]the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; [12]the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; [13]the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; [14]the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; [15]and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; [16]the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; [17]the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; [18]the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; [19]the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests." [20]Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. [21]And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. [22]So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. [23]And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. [24]Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. [25]And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. [26]All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. [27]And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, [28]and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. [29]All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD. (ESV)

There is at the very end of the Book of Exodus a marvelous manifestation of the glory of God. We will see the presence and power of God fall upon the place and its people as the Tabernacle is consecrated to God for His glory. To get there, however, requires either that we travel through some tedious turf or that we skip the tedium so that we can bask in the glory of God. Those of us who spend time in the Word of God understand the temptation of skipping over certain parts that are so painful to read so that we can get to the pleasurable parts. Who has not slid by the genealogies in the Book of Chronicles in order to get to those parts that we can read without struggling to pronounce the names. It is no wonder that somebody else and not us discovered the rich resources in the prayer of Jabez. Yet, whenever we skip over parts of the Bible that are painful to get to parts that are pleasurable we are saying some things about how we see the Bible and how we see ourselves. About the Bible we are saying that there are some parts that are more important than others and some that are more necessary than others thus revealing that we do not really believe that all of it is the inerrant, infallible Word of God…

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