Life Lessons with Dr. Steve Schell

50 - Waiting For Jesus

Humans can live without food much longer than without water, but to survive 40 days without water is inconceivable apart from a miracle. When Moses failed to return from Mt. Sinai the nation naturally assumed he had died, either from thirst or possibly he’d been burned to death by the fire which still could be seen on the mountain’s peak (24:17,18). Considering themselves leaderless they turned to Aaron who had been left in charge and demanded he make an idol. They were unnerved by this invisible God. They wanted something they could see. It’s hard to explain why they would so flagrantly overturn a covenant they had made only weeks earlier. And for Aaron to enable their rebellion by carving the image of an Egyptian god is a level of cowardice on his part that is simply shocking. Without a doubt he feared for his life as he faced the mob. To have refused may have meant he would have been beaten or executed, but his cooperation made it sadly evident he had no intention of dying for his faith.

 

In today’s lesson we’ll discover the similarities between Israel waiting for Moses to return and believers today waiting for Jesus to return. Surprisingly we can face some of the same temptations they did. So we’ll listen to biblical advice that will help us wait without losing hope.

49 - The Anointed Church

Oil had been used symbolically since at least the times of the patriarchs. In Genesis 28:18, 22 (also: Ge 31:13; 35:14) Jacob poured oil on a stone which had been his pillow during a vision of God. In this way he acknowledged that the place was filled with God’s presence. Elsewhere in the Bible the “anointing” with oil is used as a symbol of receiving the Holy Spirit (1Sa 16:13; Ac 10:38; 2Co 1:21, 22; 1Jn 2:20, 27). Priests, prophets and kings were “anointed” with oil (Ex 40:15; 1Sa 16:13; 1Ki 19:15, 16) to signify that God had set them in a special place or function, equipped them for His service, and empowered them by placing His Spirit on them (Douglas, J.D, ed., The New Bible Dictionary, Erdmans, 1962, on “anointing,” p 39). The word “anointed” means to apply an “ointment” or oil-based solution to a person or object. When used this way the oil represents the presence of the Holy Spirit coming upon and remaining on the person or object. In order to provide a special anointing oil for the priests and tabernacle the Lord instructed that aromatic oils from certain spices be mixed into a gallon of olive oil. This would produce a lovely smelling oil that left a lingering fragrance. His recipe called for four spices: myrrh is a scented resin from a desert shrub; cinnamon is a brown spice we are familiar with today; and cane and cassia are scented spices from India. If the recipe meant 50 pounds of dry powdered spices were added to a gallon of olive oil the result would have been a thick paste. So when the reference is made in verse 25 to a “perfume mixture” we are being told that a perfumer boiled the sweet-smelling essences out of this amount of spices and mixed the perfume into the olive oil. The tent, all its articles of furniture and utensils, along with Aaron and his sons were to be anointed with this special perfumed oil. This action invited the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and set apart those people and objects as “holy” (Ex 40:9-15, Lev 8:10-12).

48 - Morning and Evening

Jesus Christ has called us to be priests of God. So, as we read the instructions for the priests of Israel we find many basic principles which apply to us today. In fact, we discover that each article of the priests garments, each form of their worshipful service and each object in the tabernacle holds a remarkably clear prophetic meaning. Over the past weeks we’ve looked at the ark of the covenant in the Holy of holies, and the altar and laver in the courtyard, but today we’ll focus on a small object in the large court of the tent (“the holy place”) which was only 18 inches square by three feet high. It was called the “altar of incense” and in spite of its small size it was actually the high point of all priestly service, for it was the place where they would daily fellowship with God in prayer. The ark of the covenant represented the heart of God Himself and was the place where His presence dwelt in power. But everything else in the tabernacle complex was meant as a means to prepare people to come to this little altar. In the same room with it were two other symbols meant to remind the nation of the promises of God. On the north side was a table with 12 large loaves of bread, one for each tribe. By this table God was promising He would always provide the resources needed by His children. He would give them their “daily bread.” On the south side was a seven-branched lampstand. These lamps burned constantly as a promise that God would always light the path of His people, seven days a week, giving them revelation of His will and Word.

 

We’ll begin today by looking at the prophetic meaning of the altar of incense and then reflect on how God wants us to pray as New Testament believers.

47 - Understanding Repentance

The subject of repentance tends to bring to mind certain troubling questions. We’re always grateful to hear the truth that God forgives us when we repent, but somewhere in the back of our minds questions may lurk about certain sins or passages of Scripture we’ve read which may have left us confused. Last week we asked the questions: What is repentance? How does God convict us of sin? And, if Christ died for me, why do I still need to repent? But this week we’ll look at some of the troubling questions that may come to mind when this topic is discussed. Our goal in exploring this subject further is to prevent the enemy from stealing our confidence in the power of Jesus Christ to forgive us. Frankly, there is nothing more important if we are to be bold in our prayers, step out in ministry or find the true inner peace we long for. Knowing the answers to the questions we’ll address today will help to prevent us from becoming either careless about our sins or overwhelmed with guilt.

46 - Understanding Repentance

Beginning at the moment a child first recognizes right from wrong each of us enters into a lifetime of choices: choices whether or not to tell the truth when the truth will get me in trouble; choices to be generous or selfish; choices to indulge harmful bodily impulses or control them; choices to let my temper flare or control it; choices to play by the rules or break them; choices to promote myself or others. Over time, my choices in these and other areas fall into habitual patterns which deepen until my essential character is formed. If I choose to repeatedly violate my conscience I become a person lacking integrity and the personality God intended for me withers and distorts. If I choose to repeatedly obey my conscience I instead become a person of high integrity and my God-intended personality emerges. This conscience, when healthy, is my ability to hear the inner promptings and warnings from God. Its voice grows stronger or weaker, louder or quieter, more calloused or more sensitive with the passing of time.

 

The Christian life begins with the decision to stop resisting the voice of God which has been speaking to us through the promptings of our conscience. Awakened by the Holy Spirit to the wrongness of my previous course of life I choose instead to submit future decisions to God. I pledge to choose obedience over rebellion, and to repent as soon as I recognize I’ve failed.

45 - The Day of Atonement

Sometimes God’s grace may seem too good to be true. Our ears hear sermons and songs about His forgiveness, but doubts still linger in the back of our mind. Is that really the way God is or are people merely telling me what they hope is true? Maybe these promises of mercy have been taken out of context and really don’t mean what we think they mean. After all, it’s hard to believe anyone could forgive and forget things as awful as the ones I’ve done. So, as we look at the events which took place on the Day of Atonement those doubts should be answered once and for all. Using very powerful symbols God declared He would accept a substitute’s death, rather than punish those who repent and trust Him to forgive. That day declared that their  sins would be “ransomed” and “carried away.” And when we turn to the New Testament we see that Jesus Christ was the One to whom those prophetic symbols pointed. The blood of bulls and goats was never intended to pay the debt humans owe to God (Heb 10:4). They were meant only as symbols reminding Israel that a day was coming when Someone would die for them, and also giving them the opportunity to hear and believe afresh. They became a focal point for Israel’s faith… just as the bread and cup do for us today.

44 - The Power of Priesthood

God never asks us to do anything He will not empower us to accomplish. Christians are not simply people who are trying in their own strength to do good things for God. At least that is not what God intended. His plan has always been to work miracles through people of faith. In other words, He’s the One who does the real spiritual work. Our part is simply to obey. Not only did He give such power to the high priest of Israel, but now He intends to give it to the men and women who He’s called as priests of a new covenant. In fact, one of the most important gifts a Christian receives is the “promise of the Father.” Jesus repeatedly told His disciples to expect this blessing. And He said that when it came they would be transformed into people through whom God could minister miraculously. Just like Aaron the high priest those who followed Christ would be “anointed” with the Holy Spirit for priestly ministry. Yet because some have not been taught this truth they try to serve God without the supernatural support God has planned for them. Today we’ll start by looking at the ordination ceremony God designed for Israel’s high priest and then we’ll turn to the New Testament to hear His promise of a new ordination for those who believe in His Son.

43 - The Price of Priesthood

 

It’s beautiful to watch someone minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Everything seems to flow so easily and naturally, as if that man or woman effortlessly knew just what to say or do. But ministry is never as easy as it looks. There are many personal sacrifices and inner struggles that must take place before God can consider us fit for His service. Today as we look at the garments He designed for Israel’s high priest we’ll discover they were meant to be symbols which reminded the one wearing them of the price that had to be paid in order to serve as a priest of God. As we examine each of the seven articles we’ll be reminded of the price God still calls us to pay if we are to be in His service. In effect, every Christian has been summoned to be a “priest” of the living God (1Pe 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6), but sadly many refuse to put on the proper garments. Perhaps it’s because they decide the responsibilities are too great, or possibly they feel unworthy of such a role. But for those who do there is a “glory” and a “beauty” (v 2) with which God clothes them. And, of course, that’s why when they minister everything seems to flow so easily and naturally.

42 - The Ark of the Covenant

Now that Israel had entered into covenant with God He ordered Moses to prepare a portable tent so He could travel with the nation and dwell in their midst. But the tabernacle was not to be a normal tent. God designed it down to the smallest detail so it would teach His people essential spiritual lessons. In all there would be seven major pieces of furniture and each symbolized a truth about God, and the most important of these symbols was the Ark of the Covenant. Other objects in the complex would explain what God would do for His people and how they could draw near to Him, but the Ark with its mercy seat explained the heart of God Himself. Today we’ll look at this beautiful acacia-wood box and the gold plate resting on top of it and listen to its message. Then to confirm that we’ve interpreted these symbols correctly we’ll hear God describe Himself in His own words, first to Moses and then through His Son Jesus Christ. Then finally we’ll ask the question: What effect do these truths have on us personally as believers.

41 - The Tabernacle of God

Rather than slowing down, the demands seem to be increasing. At times I look ahead at all I have to do and fear rises up telling me there’s no way I’ll have the strength to do what’s being asked of me. But more and more I also hear the Holy Spirit, just as the panic starts to accelerate, telling me, “Don’t look at all that’s ahead. Just take matters one at a time and turn to Me for help before you start each one.” When I obey this principle I am repeatedly amazed to find I have the strength I need to take the next step. Sometimes that strength arrives only minutes before I need it, but remarkably it does arrive. I think I’m learning what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Php 4:13), and also why the Lord Jesus said, “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt 6:34). Basically God wants me to know He’s always there because He literally dwells within me. He isn’t a distant God, but His help and guidance are always near at hand.

 

No sooner had God made a covenant with Israel than He ordered Moses to “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them” (Ex 25:8). This was a portable tent which could be set up wherever the nation camped so God could dwell in the midst of His people. The construction of this tabernacle was the beginning of a great theme running through the Bible: The Lord wants to dwell in the midst of His people wherever they go. The more we learn about this truth, the more it will change our lives.