OTHER CHURCH SERVICE
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TABERNACLE
The Court The Gate The Altar Of Burnt Offerings The Brazen Laver Door Of Tabernacle Golden Candlestick Table Of Showbread The Golden Altar Of Incense The Veil The Ark Of Covenant The High Priest The Consecration Of Priests The Pure Incense Of Sweet Spices The Boards And Bars Of The Tabernacle The Curtains Of The Tabernacle Priests
Sermon transcript from church service in Malang and Surabaya, preached by Pastor Widjaja Hendra.
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Ceremony: Public Service at Surabaya
Date: Sunday, July 01, 2007
Location:
WR Supratman 4 Sby
Pastor: Pdt. Widjaja Hendra
Download file: [download transcript file] - [print version]
Release: September 07, 2008
Based on Tabernacle structure, the epistle of Jude refers to the covering of
badger skins, which signifies the protection and attention of God toward the
true church as well as the separation from the false ones, just as wheat is
separated from tares; the wheat will be gathered into the barn while the tares
will be burnt in the fire.
One of the false churches is named the fleshly church (starting vs. 8). Now
let us see its sign written in verse 12.
Jude 1:12
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without
fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about
by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the
roots;
The fleshly church is like clouds without water, carried about by the winds.
Let’s compare with Job 37:11
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright
clouds.
The true church is clouds with moisture/water. Surely we know that clouds in
the sky contain water, which then falls and becomes raindrops.
Deuteronomy 32:2
2 Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops
on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass.
The rain is the true teaching word (clouds saturated with water).
Unlike the true church, the fleshly church is clouds without water (dry) because
they reject to be filled with the true teaching word. As empty clouds will be
easily carried about and gone by the winds, so will the fleshly church fade
away and perish forever.
There are two winds by which the fleshly church is blown and carried
away:
- the wind of temptations
Mark 4:37
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that
it was already filling.
The great wave and wind of temptations in the sea of the world will fill the
ship of life, which is not filled with teaching word, with the water of problems.
Thus, we have to be careful in hearing the teaching word, lest we become boring
because the dryness and emptiness will cause the wind of temptations comes
and brings the water of unsolved problem to sink the ship into the sea.
Sinking if the ship = falling from faith and perishing.
Let us now correct ourselves. Many problems in our lives indicate our emptiness
of teaching word. If we are full of the water of teaching word, the other
water will be unable to enter.
- the wind of heresies
Ephesians 4:14
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning
craftiness of deceitful plotting,
The church of God will not grow spiritually and remain children if they reject
to be filled with the true teaching word (solid food). It thus does not mean
that the word of gospel is unimportant. On the contrary, it is very important
but we must also notice the situation and condition, that is, the word of
gospel (milk) is intended for those who have not believed in Christ yet (novices).
But those who have faith in Christ for years need the teaching word (solid
food). If a Christian rejects the teaching word, his spiritual growth will
be disturbed and remain stunted – even if he is physically twenty years
old already. Children (symbolizing Christians who reject the teaching word)
have no firmness so that they are easily deceived by the wind of heresies.
They will depart from the faith and fall away from the true teaching word.
There is nothing more than destruction in hell for them, just like empty clouds
passed by the wind and found no more forever.
In 1 Timothy 4, Apostle Paul reminds us to live in the Spirit that we may expressly
reject heresies.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot
iron,
As long as we live in the Spirit, we will be firm about the true doctrine,
which means:
- we will hold fast to the true doctrine, which has become our life experiences.
- we will expressly reject other doctrines, which are contrary to the one
that we hold.
If we hear the true teaching word with positive response, we will be seared
with the mark of the true teaching word.
Once we react to another doctrine, we let our conscience be seared with the
mark of the heresy. The deeper our conscience is seared, the harder it will
be and we will not accept the true doctrine anymore.
Let me tell you this testimony: there was someone close to me and he was very
enthusiastic about the teaching word. A long distance was journeyed still to
hear the teaching word. One day he was invited by his boss to attend a fellowship.
He then told me and mocked the fellowship. I had told him not to attend the
fellowship again, but he said that he could deal with it to honor his boss.
Now he has been caught up in that fellowship since then. We were so close but
now so distant. I have tried to bring him back to the true doctrine but he replied
simply with laughter. Now I pray for him day and night. This is a very serious
matter and I learn from this lesson. When we give a reaction to another doctrine,
our conscience is seared and hardened, and we will refuse the true doctrine
sometime. We must be careful, therefore.
The desire of God is that we are filled with the true doctrine through
the process below:
- Hearing the word of Christ / the true doctrine anointed by the
Holy Spirit.
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Indonesian:
firman Kristus the word of Christ).
By hearing the word of God under the anointing of Holy Spirit, we will be
able to:
- hear the word as a life need, so that we will never feel bored of hearing
the word of God.
- hear the word in humbleness, so that we will always appreciate the
word of God. For example, the woman of Canaan whose daughter was severely
demon-possessed. God said, “It is not good to take the children’s
bread and throw it to the little dogs.” The woman was humbled (since
Israel was the sons or sheep of God, but the Gentiles were dogs), but
in the Spirit she said: “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat
the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table." For that
reason, we need humbleness to be able to appreciate and consume the word
of God.
- hear the word unlimitedly by age, experience, intelligence, and any
other worldly things.
- Giving a response to the word that we have heard.
Romans 10:19
19 But I say, did Israel not know (Indonesian: menanggap respond)? First
Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation."
Israel responded the word of God negatively, but we will be able to respond
positively as long as we are under the anointing of Holy Spirit.
How to respond the word of God? The mind understand and the heart believes.
The mind understands but it is not enough. The word should not become only
knowledge, we have to believe it.
When we believe, the word is turned into the faith to justify and save our
souls – so that the clouds will not pass away by the wind.
- Obeying or doing the word of God.
Romans 10:21
21 But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people."
Because Israel rejected and disobeyed the word of God, the Gentiles get a
chance to hear and obey the word of God. Therefore, we should give a positive
response by obeying the word of God.
While the true doctrine is being preached, God is stretching out His Hands
to us (“All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and
contrary people.") If we are able to hear, understand, believe, and practice
the word of God, we are stretching out our hands to God and the mighty Hands
of God will hold our hands. We will not deceive and be deceived.
Why are we often tossed by the wind?
- Because we do not yet practice the word / the word do not yet become our
blood and flesh.
- Because we are not held yet by the strong Hands of God.
Whoever hear and obey the true doctrine are called the pillars of faith; they
will not fall but endure like the saturated clouds will not pass away by the
wind. There are in the court of Tabernacle sixty pillars symbolizing the sixty
heroes of faith:
- The fifty-six pillars represented the persons from Abraham to Joseph, Jesus’
father.
- The four pillars of the gate represented Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Luke 3:23-34
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being
(as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna,
the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph,
the son of Judah,
27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri,
28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam,
the son of Er,
29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi,
30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan,
the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan,
the son of David,
32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the
son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah,
34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
Matthew wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the King (the first pillar).
What is known in a king is victory over enemies.
Psalms 20:9
9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.
(save = give victory)
Thus, the first pillar is termed faith and victory, the victorious or steadfast
faith.
There are three enemies:
- world
James 4:4
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the
world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God.
We are often defeated by worldly matters, such as bustle and riches. We are
often busy with activities until we have no time to go to church; or, we often
seek money in illegal manner so the pillar falls. Let us now ask God to give
us victorious faith.
Hearing until obeying the teaching word = being the pillar of faith.
- flesh with its passions, desires, emotions, and ambitions.
Romans 8:6-7
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to
the law of God, nor indeed can be.
The desires of the flesh lead us to disobedience. If we obey the word of God,
however, we will prevail over the flesh.
- death / sins
1 Corinthians 15:26
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
In short, the victorious faith overcomes the world, flesh, and death.
Mark wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the Servant (the second pillar).
What is desired in a servant is obedience. Jesus as the Servant had become obedient
to death.
Philippians 2:7-10
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is
above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and
of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
An obedient servant has the power of the King to defeat enemies. We should
not want the power first, but the most important is to have faith and obedience.
Today many people are taught to get the power first, but if the power is gained
not by obedience, they will go in the wrong way and perish. Moses, for instance,
was commanded to speak to the rock that it would yield water for the people
of Israel to drink, but he struck it. Water then indeed came out abundantly
– but Moses had broken the commandment of the Lord. And the bad news,
people can only see the abundant water to this day – while it is not according
to the word. As a consequence, Moses went in the wrong way; he went into his
burial place and not Canaan. This is for our lesson, that we must firstly have
faith and obedience to get the right power and go in the right way.
Luke wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the suffered Man (the third pillar).
This third pillar is called faith and suffering; the suffered faith or the approved
faith. When we suffer affliction as Jesus had experienced, we must be strong
to have the approved faith. Jesus Christ is the suffered Man and acquainted
with grief, and none esteemed Him (Isaiah 53). He was despised and beaten. This
was also counted as a common thing, but Jesus accepted it all. Earthen vessel
will break if someone hits, even when it contains much money because it becomes
heavier. Nevertheless, the teaching word we have in our vessels makes us endurable/approved
as the word in 2Corinthians 4 says “we are hard pressed on every side,
yet not crushed: we are perplexed, but not in despair: persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed.”
John wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the Son of God (the forth pillar).
This forth pillar is called faith and righteousness/holiness. All life aspects
must be true both physically (marriage, finance, study) and spiritually (ministry).
Faith cannot be separated from righteousness. Faith alone is not enough as it
is said in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to
Me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven.”
Thus, these are the pillars of Tabernacle, especially the four pillars of the
gate signifying faith: the victorious faith + faith and obedience + faith and
righteousness + the approved faith. The four pillars conclude merely in those
who hear and obey the word of God.
Tabernacle was built in the desert, in which the people of Israel could neither
sow nor harvest, but they did not find it hard to live because the Lord Himself
cared them. Just because of the existence of Tabernacle, the Lord could care
the people of Israel. This gives us explanation that life is not hard as long
as we understand Tabernacle teaching. No matter how difficult it is to live
in the dessert of the world, God Himself cares for our lives.
After the four pillars were done, Moses hung up the screen of the court gate.
Exodus 40:33-35
33 And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar,
and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the
LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the
cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Let us now become saturated clouds hearing until obeying the teaching word,
lest we become empty clouds blown by the wind. In such a manner, we become the
pillars of Tabernacle. Then, the screen was hung up; meaning Christ as the Head
is responsible for and present in our lives.
When the cloud of glory (the presence of the Lord) filled the tabernacle:
- Moses could not enter into it. Also when the temple of God built by Solomon
was consecrated, the priests could not continue ministering the Lord (1 Kings
8). In the Indonesian Bible, The term “continue ministering the Lord”
is written “continue standing before the Lord”. What does it mean?
We can do nothing but God by His merciful Hands does everything in our lives.
We do not need to do any other thing, only trust in God totally. The merciful
Hands of God act, everything that is impossible to men is made possible.
We often find it hard to surrender; that’s why God lets us down for
some times that we may trust God. Seeing that, we should not be desperate
in all things, but we should give it all up to God. We will see how the merciful
Hand works to do everything in our lives.
- neither able to enter nor stand; implying the tearing of the flesh since
the flesh profits nothing. It more means the presence of God covers and changes
our fleshly being into spiritual men as perfect as Christ is. We will be lifted
up to glorious heavens / the cloud of glory.
Matthew 24:30-31
30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then
all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and
they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven
to the other.
His elect = clouds filled with the word = pillars of faith lifted up to the
cloud of glory ; from one end of heaven to the other, to the gentiles who
want to give themselves to be filled with the teaching word.
In conclusion, we should become the pillars of faith and surrender our lives
when the presence of God is real in the midst of us. God by His merciful Hands
is able to do everything that we need. We are weak and incapable, just surrender
to God. He will act and change us little by little until we become as perfect
as He is and see Him face to face in glorious heavens.
God bless you!
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