Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

Today’s Hymn

Words: Hal H. Hopson, 1972.

THOUGH I MAY SPEAK WITH BRAVEST FIRE
Click here for tune.

Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

Thought Provoker

As a family we spent 6 years as missionaries in Africa, but we can honestly say, we suffered less ‘culture shock’ than we did when, before that, we left the UK to spend a year in California! For a couple of days after arriving in the USA, we seemed to be walking around in a daze, amazed at the vastness and the ‘fastness’ of it all. Once we were settled, one of the things that made an impression upon us was how well things were done. It was particularly true in the church we attended: the building, the organization, the singing – everything was done impeccably well. However, some days, something was missing – actually, someone – the Holy Spirit.

Dad’s Study

How important it is that God’s work is done in His way, and in His time! Our dependence on the Lord to bless does not excuse sloppiness, or laziness, or not giving of our very best. As we come to the end of Exodus, the tabernacle is nearing completion. 15 times God said to Moses: Thou shalt, and Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he (v.16). – (But check out for yourself all the verses in which this phrase is repeated). He did the work God’s way. Everything was anointed and cleansed, symbolizing that the work was being consecrated to God. It was all set-apart for God & dedicated to Him. Everything was just how God wanted. But still Moses waited to erect the tabernacle just when God wanted. The great day came, a year since they left Egypt. (v.17 cf. 12:2). The Tent of Meeting was finally set up. (v.33). So Moses finished the work.

However, it would all have been in vain, and 40 chapters of Exodus would be meaningless without verses 34-38. God Himself drew near. God’s presence filled the tabernacle. Even Moses couldn’t enter because of the holy presence of God. God alone must have the honour and glory for all that was accomplished in bringing them out of slavery in Egypt. In fact the reason he brought them out was so that they could be brought nearer to God.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Yes, we need to do our best in our service for the Lord; yes, we must dedicate all we do to God; but then we must pray that God would come down and visit us with His glorious presence. God graced our world when ‘the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father)’. So we cannot rest content with outward forms of Christianity. We must pray that God would send the Holy Spirit of Christ into our lives, and upon our churches. When was the last time, if ever, an unbeliever came into our meetings, and ‘fell down on his face, and worshipped God, and reported that God was in you of a truth’? (1 Cor. 14:25). Should this modify the way you pray about the coming Sunday, and your Pastor?

The Israelites would not set out until the cloud moved (v.37). Ask each member of the family to think about the different things (tasks and trials) that lie before them today. Encourage them to take note that the Shekinah cloud of God’s glorious presence went with God’s Old Testament people, day and night, guiding them every step of the way; and that the Lord Jesus Christ, said: Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

May the following perceptive statement be true of everything we do today: ‘As the light of the moon is swallowed up by the brightness of the sun, so the shining achievements of men and women are swallowed up by the glory of God’ (Janice Wise).

Steven Green, Hitchin, England

Catechism

Question 75

Q. What is Baptism?

A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19) to be to the person baptised a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and burial, and resurrection (Ro. 6:3 Col. 2:12), of his being ingrafted into him (Ga. 3:27), of remission of sins (Mr 1:4 ; Ac. 22:16), and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (Ro.6:4,5).

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Prayer

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth (Psalm 67:1-4).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Hal H. Hopson, 1972.

THOUGH I MAY SPEAK WITH BRAVEST FIRE
Click here for tune.

Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

Thought Provoker

Some time ago I found a little prayer card that my mother had filled out nearly 25 years ago. Underneath my name were the names of my grandmother, my wife Mary, my sister-in-law, and my children. Next to each name was the date my mother had begun praying for our salvation and to the praise of our merciful God she had written the year that each one of us came to profess Christ as Lord by Gods grace. That card was such a powerful illustration of the importance of intercessory prayer that I had the card framed along with a picture of my mom. Today, may God remind each of us of the importance of praying on behalf of others before the throne of grace.

Dad’s Study

This chapter closes with the completion of the Tabernacle. Gods people liberally provided all of the supplies. Gifted and talented people faithfully served by following Gods detailed plan of construction. The place of worship is now complete and they call Moses to come and make one final inspection and blessing (vs. 32-43). What was Moses’ response (v. 43)? Earlier in this chapter God gives a second description of the priestly garments (see chapter 28). One piece of the priestly garments was the breastplate (vs. 8-21 and 28:15-30) and from it we can gather certain useful lessons about the importance of intercessory prayer. There were twelve stones in the breastplate, each one of them different, and each bearing a different name. The breastplate of the Jewish high priest can be seen as a type of intercession. When the high priest appeared before God in his full attire, there would be the twelve names upon his heart, indicative of his love and care for the whole of the people of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ has become our high priest. He is ever making intercession for His people (Heb. 7:25). God has made all of His elect to be priests. If you have been saved by Gods grace you are a priest and part of your priestly duties include praying before the throne of grace on behalf of others (1 Tim. 2:1-6). The early church interceded on behalf of Peter while in jail (Acts 4:24-31) and Paul continually prayed for the saints (Phil. 1:3-9).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Have family prayers found you interceding on behalf of others? Can you think of prayers for others that God has answered? Make a list of needs of those within your local church family. Add to your list specific prayers for missionaries that your church supports. Include in your list the names of unconverted friends and loved ones. Make it a priority this week to pray for those on your list. May God be glorified as your prayers are answered by our loving and merciful God!

Catechism

Question 75

Q. What is Baptism?

A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19) to be to the person baptised a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and burial, and resurrection (Ro. 6:3 Col. 2:12), of his being ingrafted into him (Ga. 3:27), of remission of sins (Mr 1:4 ; Ac. 22:16), and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (Ro.6:4,5).

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Prayer

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man showeth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance (Psalm 112:1-6).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Margaret Clarkson, 1980. These lyrics won a hymn writing contest in Christianity Today.

O FATHER, YOU ARE SOVEREIGN
Click here for tune.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all the worlds You made;
Your mighty Word was spoken,
And light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons
And bounds the oceans shore,
Sets stars within their courses
And stills the tempests roar.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all affairs of man;
No powers of death or darkness
Can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending,
Supreme in time and space,
You hold your trusting children
Secure in Your embrace.

O Father, You are sovereign
The Lord of human pain,
Transmuting earthly sorrows
To gold of heavenly gain,
All evil overruling,
As none but Conqueror could,
Your love pursues its purpose
Our souls eternal good.

O Father, You are sovereign!
We see You dimly now,
But soon before Your triumph
Earths every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us
Our faith springs forth anew:
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior,
We trust and worship You!

Thought Provoker

As I sit here at my computer, in my home in the country, I cant help but wonder at the temporal blessings God has provided. When I consider that many believers around the world live in poverty, with no home, not knowing where the next meal is coming from, I have to ask “Why has God blessed me so? Why has God provided me with a life of relative luxury? Discuss as a family what may be some of Gods purposes in His design regarding the provision of wealth.

Dad’s Study

Chapter 38 chronicles the completion of the tabernacle. In verses 24-31 there is a summary of the precious heavy metals that went into fixtures and accessories for the tabernacle. Scripture records the amount of gold, silver, and bronze; and these were fantastic amounts, especially when you consider that the tabernacle was “portable.” These fixtures and accessories had to be carried from place to place. The talent spoken of as a weight was somewhere from 75 to 100 pounds and the shekel was approximately .4 ounces. This means there was over one ton of gold – 2,194 pounds if you use 75 pounds to the talent. There were over 3.5 tons of silver and over 2.5 tons of bronze. Thats pretty heavy for a “portable” tabernacle! The value of just these fixtures and accessories is also considerable. The gold alone was worth over 9 million US dollars at todays gold price, the silver over $55,000.

When we consider the value of these items it is staggering, especially when we remember that the source of all this was the people of Israel. A nation of slaves had possessed all this wealth; where did it come from? It was the plunder of Egypt that God had provided to them: And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35, 36).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The Lord, as He promises in His Word, provides our every need, even those needs He requires us to provide for His worship. The Israelites were also very generous. Exodus 36:5 says that they brought so much for the work of the tabernacle that the craftsmen had to tell Moses to tell the people to stop, that there was plenty for the work. This liberality in giving is to be a mark of Gods people: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:7, 8). We see here that we are not only to give liberally, but that God will provide the means for us to do so. As one preacher once said, “You cant outgive God”. But there is yet another principle here at work. The purpose for which God grants us these temporal goods is that we might have sufficiency in all things so we can abound to every good work. These temporal riches are provided to us for the purpose of serving God, not indulging ourselves. May we be cheerful givers who give with liberality toward every good work which the Lord has provided us for that very end.

Catechism

Question 74

Q. How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful, not from any virtue in them, or in him who does administer them (1 Cor. 3:7 ; 1 Pet. 3:21), but only by the blessing of Christ (1 Cor. 3:6) and the working of the Spirit in those who by faith receive them (1 Cor. 12:13).

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Prayer

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High (Psalm 9:1-2) Amen!

Today’s Hymn

Words: Margaret Clarkson, 1980. These lyrics won a hymn writing contest in Christianity Today.

O FATHER, YOU ARE SOVEREIGN
Click here for tune.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all the worlds You made;
Your mighty Word was spoken,
And light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons
And bounds the oceans shore,
Sets stars within their courses
And stills the tempests roar.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all affairs of man;
No powers of death or darkness
Can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending,
Supreme in time and space,
You hold your trusting children
Secure in Your embrace.

O Father, You are sovereign
The Lord of human pain,
Transmuting earthly sorrows
To gold of heavenly gain,
All evil overruling,
As none but Conqueror could,
Your love pursues its purpose
Our souls eternal good.

O Father, You are sovereign!
We see You dimly now,
But soon before Your triumph
Earths every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us
Our faith springs forth anew:
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior,
We trust and worship You!

Thought Provoker

At the end of each devotional we provide a link for further study to Matthew Henrys Commentary. Do you know who Matthew Henry was, and when he lived? Matthew Henry was born in 1662 in a Welsh farmhouse close to the border of England and Wales. He has been known and loved for three centuries for his devotional commentary on the Bible. It has not been generally known that he was also a distinguished preacher. He began preaching at twenty- four years old and held pastorates until his death. The greatness of his sermons consists in their scriptural content, lucid presentation, practical application, and Christ-centeredness. Charles Spurgeon said of Henry, “First among the mighty (commentaries) for general usefulness we are bound to mention the man whose name is a household word, Matthew Henry. He is the most pious and pithy, sound and sensible, suggestive and sober, terse and trustworthy — he is deeply spiritual, heavenly, profitable; finding good matter in every text, and from all deducting the most practical and judicious lessons — It is the Christian’s companion, suitable to everybody, instructive to all.”

In chapter 37 we find the Jews making the furniture that was designed by God in chapter 25. Today, Matthew Henry points out the future spiritual significance of each piece of furniture.

Dad’s Study

In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the altar represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.

Catechism

Question 74

Q. How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful, not from any virtue in them, or in him who does administer them (1 Cor. 3:7 ; 1 Pet. 3:21), but only by the blessing of Christ (1 Cor. 3:6) and the working of the Spirit in those who by faith receive them (1 Cor. 12:13).

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Prayer

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56:12-13) Amen!

Today’s Hymn

Words: Margaret Clarkson, 1980. These lyrics won a hymn writing contest in Christianity Today.

O FATHER, YOU ARE SOVEREIGN
Click here for tune.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all the worlds You made;
Your mighty Word was spoken,
And light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons
And bounds the oceans shore,
Sets stars within their courses
And stills the tempests roar.

O Father, You are sovereign
In all affairs of man;
No powers of death or darkness
Can thwart Your perfect plan.
All chance and change transcending,
Supreme in time and space,
You hold your trusting children
Secure in Your embrace.

O Father, You are sovereign
The Lord of human pain,
Transmuting earthly sorrows
To gold of heavenly gain,
All evil overruling,
As none but Conqueror could,
Your love pursues its purpose
Our souls eternal good.

O Father, You are sovereign!
We see You dimly now,
But soon before Your triumph
Earths every knee shall bow.
With this glad hope before us
Our faith springs forth anew:
Our Sovereign Lord and Savior,
We trust and worship You!

Thought Provoker

I recently visited a town that had a big new church building that was in its final stages of construction. I was told, Thats the house that Jack built. I answered, What do you mean, Jack built? I was told that out of a congregation of several hundred people there was only one man, Jack that would work on the new building. The construction drug on year after year as Jack assembled the steel frame and put on the siding. It was Jack that framed in the rooms, sheet- rocked the walls and finally brushed on the final coat of paint. Church leaders had to continually beg and plead for resources and help. Apparently the people wanted a place to worship but only if Jack would do all the work. This was not the way that the tabernacle was built. As we are going to see today, the tabernacle was a house that God and His people!

Dad’s Study

After receiving the plans for construction of the tabernacle, now it was time to start building. This project did not lack workers. Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab along with many other wise men to construct the tabernacle. Notice that it was the LORD who gave these men wisdom and stirred their hearts with zeal to labor for Him. Meanwhile the people of God eagerly and liberally heeded the call to bring free offerings of materials every morning. The giving was so bountiful that the workers finally had to go to Moses and report that they had more than enough materials to complete to project. In fact, the people were so eager to give, that Moses actually had to verbally command them to stop! Moses concludes, For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much (v. 7).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

What an example we have of readiness and zeal in serving and giving. We can find rich and practical application for the way a Christian is to approach his work at home, the shop, school, or the church. When there is a need for workers you should first pray and ask God to raise up workers. He is the one that stirs up the hearts of His people to serve. What did Jesus say we are to do when there are few laborers when the fields are ready for harvest? Jesus said, — pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest (Luke 10:2). Let us learn that when opportunity arises we should volunteer to work hard for Gods kingdom. Is there a church workday coming up? Be sure to join in and work with a whole heart. When the call goes out for free offerings to meet the need of Christs church, be generous! Give liberally with a cheerful heart. May your church be the church that Jesus, not Jack, built!

Catechism

Question 74

Q. How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become spiritually helpful, not from any virtue in them, or in him who does administer them (1 Cor. 3:7 ; 1 Pet. 3:21), but only by the blessing of Christ (1 Cor. 3:6) and the working of the Spirit in those who by faith receive them (1 Cor. 12:13).

Popularity: 1% [?]