Sermon Tone Analysis

*SERMON REVIEW FOR WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2008*

*CONSECRATE ME TO THY SERVICE*

*LEVITICUS 8:1-22*

* *

*/LEVITICUS 8:1-12 /*/ J *LEVITICUS 8:1* AND THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING:  2 "TAKE AARON AND HIS SONS WITH HIM, AND THE GARMENTS, THE ANOINTING OIL, A BULL AS THE SIN OFFERING, TWO RAMS, AND A BASKET OF UNLEAVENED BREAD;  3 "AND GATHER ALL THE CONGREGATION TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING."  4 SO MOSES DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM.

AND THE CONGREGATION WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING.  5 AND MOSES SAID TO THE CONGREGATION, "THIS IS WHAT THE LORD COMMANDED TO BE DONE."  6 THEN MOSES BROUGHT AARON AND HIS SONS AND WASHED THEM WITH WATER.

7 AND HE PUT THE TUNIC ON HIM, GIRDED HIM WITH THE SASH, CLOTHED HIM WITH THE ROBE, AND PUT THE EPHOD ON HIM; AND HE GIRDED HIM WITH THE INTRICATELY WOVEN BAND OF THE EPHOD, AND WITH IT TIED THE EPHOD ON HIM.  8 THEN HE PUT THE BREASTPLATE ON HIM, AND HE PUT THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM IN THE BREASTPLATE.

9 AND HE PUT THE TURBAN ON HIS HEAD.

ALSO ON THE TURBAN, ON ITS FRONT, HE PUT THE GOLDEN PLATE, THE HOLY CROWN, AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES.  10 ALSO MOSES TOOK THE ANOINTING OIL, AND ANOINTED THE TABERNACLE AND ALL THAT WAS IN IT, AND CONSECRATED THEM.

11 HE SPRINKLED SOME OF IT ON THE ALTAR SEVEN TIMES, ANOINTED THE ALTAR AND ALL ITS UTENSILS, AND THE LAVER AND ITS BASE, TO CONSECRATE THEM.  12 AND HE POURED SOME OF THE ANOINTING OIL ON AARON'S HEAD AND ANOINTED HIM, TO CONSECRATE HIM//./

*/ /*

*/INTRO:/*

   AT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TRIENNIUM IN BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA, IN JULY 1980 PROFESSOR BRUCE RIGGINS OF MCCORMICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WAS SHARING WITH THIRTY-EIGHT HUNDRED ATTENDEES THAT HE HAD MET A VERY DEDICATED CHRISTIAN WORKING IN AN AMAZING WAY WITH THE UNDERPRIVILEGED PEOPLE IN LONDON, ENGLAND.

HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT INSPIRED HER CHRISTIAN FAITH AND ACTION.

SHE SHARED HER STORY OF HOW SEEING ANOTHER CHRISTIAN'S FAITH CONVERTED HER: SHE WAS A JEW FLEEING THE GERMAN GESTAPO IN FRANCE DURING WORLD WAR II.

SHE KNEW SHE WAS CLOSE TO BEING CAUGHT AND SHE WANTED TO GIVE UP.

SHE CAME TO THE HOME OF A FRENCH HUGUENOT.

A WIDOW LADY CAME TO THAT HOME TO SAY THAT IT WAS TIME TO FLEE TO A NEW PLACE.

THIS JEWISH LADY SAID, "IT'S NO USE, THEY WILL FIND ME ANYWAY.

THEY ARE SO CLOSE BEHIND."

THE CHRISTIAN WIDOW SAID, "YES, THEY WILL FIND SOMEONE HERE, BUT IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE.

GO WITH THESE PEOPLE TO SAFETY--I WILL TAKE YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND WAIT HERE."

THE JEWISH LADY THEN UNDERSTOOD THE PLAN; THE GESTAPO WOULD COME AND FIND THIS CHRISTIAN WIDOW AND THINK SHE WAS THE FLEEING JEW.

AS PROFESSOR RIGGINS LISTENED TO THIS STORY, THE CHRISTIAN LADY OF JEWISH DESCENT LOOKED HIM IN THE EYE AND SAID, "I ASKED HER WHY SHE WAS DOING THAT AND THE WIDOW RESPONDED, 'IT'S THE LEAST I CAN DO; CHRIST HAS ALREADY DONE THAT AND MORE FOR ME."' THE WIDOW WAS CAUGHT AND IMPRISONED IN THE JEWISH LADY'S PLACE, ALLOWING TIME FOR HER TO ESCAPE.

WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE CHRISTIAN WIDOW WAS DEAD IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMP.

THIS JEWISH LADY NEVER FORGOT THAT.

SHE TOO BECAME A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST AND LIVED HER LIFE SERVING OTHERS.

SHE MET GOD THROUGH THE GREATEST LOVE A PERSON CAN GIVE--PERSONAL SELF-SACRIFICE.

IN FAITH, AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIVES HIS LIFE SERVING OTHERS, SAYING, "THAT'S THE LEAST I CAN DO CONSIDERING WHAT GREAT SACRIFICES CHRIST HAS ALREADY MADE FOR ME."

* *

*EXPL:* FOR FROM THE OFFERINGS OF LEVITICUS THEY HAVE ALL POINTED TO THE LORD;

 

THE BURNT OFFERING – HIS PERFECT COMMITMENT

THE MEAL OFFERING – HIS PERFECT CHARACTER

THE PEACE OFFERING – HIS PERFECT COMMUNION

THE SIN OR TRESPASS OFFERING – HIS PERFECT ATONEMENT

THE GUILT OFFERING – HIS PERFECT PAYMENT

 

WHEREBY AS BELIEVERS WE ARE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF FAITH, WE ARE THE CHURCH, IN CHRIST AND WHAT A BLESSING TO PRAY; “CONSECRATE ME TO THY SERVICE LORD.

*PROP: CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO SERVE CHRIST.

*

* *

*INTER: WHAT CAN WE LEARN SO THAT GOD MIGHT DO HIS WORK THROUGH ME?  *

* *

*TS: AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE WE WILL SEE THE BLESSING IN GOD COMMANDS US TO SERVE IN MINISTRY*...AND HOW WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

*I.

WE SERVE UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE COMMUNITY V1-5.*  - */1/*/ AND THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING:  2 "TAKE AARON AND HIS SONS WITH HIM, AND THE GARMENTS, THE ANOINTING OIL, A BULL AS THE SIN OFFERING, TWO RAMS, AND A BASKET OF UNLEAVENED BREAD;  3 "AND GATHER ALL THE CONGREGATION TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING."  4 SO MOSES DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM.

AND THE CONGREGATION WAS GATHERED TOGETHER AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING.  5 AND MOSES SAID TO THE CONGREGATION, "THIS IS WHAT THE LORD COMMANDED TO BE DONE."/

MINISTRY IS NOT DONE IN ISOLATION BUT DONE IN COMMUNITY.

MOSES CALLED THE REPRESENTATIVE HEADS OF THE NATION; AND THEY ASSEMBLED AT THE EAST SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE.

AARON AND HIS SON COME BEFORE ARE PARADED BEFORE THE PEOPLE AS GOD COMMANDED.

GOD BADE, GOD, SET IT IN ORDER, GOD GAVE ORDERS AND LAY CHARGE TO MOSES.

IMP.

THE APPOINTMENT WAS NOT BY MOSES, BUT BY GOD HIMSELF.

GOD PLACES PASTORS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL.

AND GOD GIVES HIS ORDERS WITH EXACT SPECIFICATION OF WHAT HE WANTS, AND WHO HE WANTS.

THE IMPLICATION IS THE GOD COMMANDS PRECISE OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

THUS THE ASSEMBLY REMINDS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHY?

WE MUST REMEMBER THE INCIDENT OF THE GOLDEN CALF; LAST TIME WE SAW AARON WAS HE WAS SCARED AND NOW HE IS ORDAINED TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE OF THE LAND.

AND NEEDED TO KEEP UP AND HELP US IS SOMEONE TO KEEP US ....

 

*PRO.

27:17 *AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO A MAN SHARPENS THE COUNTENANCE OF HIS FRIEND.

PROV.

27:17

 

WHY?

IN THE NT.

PETER SAID I WILL NEVER DENY HIM...AND BEFORE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, THRICE HE DENIED HE NEVER EVEN KNEW THE MAN...AND WITH THE HEARTBREAK OF FAILURE; WE NEED SOME ONE TO POUR OUR HEARTS OUR TO AS OUR EYES MEET JESUS IN A MOMENT OF FAILURE.

KJV *GALATIANS 6:1* BRETHREN, IF A MAN BE OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT, YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED. 2 BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST.

3 FOR IF A MAN THINK HIMSELF TO BE SOMETHING, WHEN HE IS NOTHING, HE DECEIVETH HIMSELF.

4

 

NKJ *HEBREWS 10:24* AND LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS,

 

*THE APPLICATION* IS THAT WE ARE CALLED TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE; HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIPS.

ACCOUNTABLE TO PRAY; READ MORE OF THE BIBLE; HABITS; THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE WE CAN GIVE AN ANSWER TOO AND NOT BE CONDEMNED.

AND AGAIN, NOT THE SACRIFICES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THE SERVICE...THEY REMINDS US THAT SACRIFICE RESTORES THE ORDER OF THE WORSHIP.

AND COMMANDED TO WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

WE ARE CALLED TO WATCH THE GOOD AND THE BAD; THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS AS WELL AS THE WOLVES.

MINISTRY IS DONE WITH A SENSE OF FELLOWSHIP, OR AS IT IS CALLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, KOINONIA.

ILL:  BOB WEBER, PAST PRESIDENT OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL, TOLD THIS STORY.

HE HAD SPOKEN TO A CLUB IN A SMALL TOWN AND WAS SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH A FARMER ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

HE HAD JUST RELAXED ON THE FRONT PORCH WHEN A NEWSBOY DELIVERED THE EVENING PAPER.

THE BOY NOTED THE SIGN PUPPIES FOR SALE.

THE BOY GOT OFF HIS BIKE AND SAID TO THE FARMER, "HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT FOR THE PUPS, MISTER?" "TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, SON." THE BOY'S FACE DROPPED.

"WELL, SIR, COULD I AT LEAST SEE THEM ANYWAY?" THE FARMER WHISTLED, AND IN A MOMENT THE MOTHER DOG CAME BOUNDING AROUND THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE TAGGED BY FOUR OF THE CUTE PUPPIES, WAGGING THEIR TAILS AND YIPPING HAPPILY.

AT LAST, ANOTHER PUP CAME STRAGGLING AROUND THE HOUSE, DRAGGING ONE HIND LEG.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THAT PUPPY, MISTER?" THE BOY ASKED.

"WELL, SON, THAT PUPPY IS CRIPPLED.

WE TOOK HER TO THE VET AND THE DOCTOR TOOK AN X RAY.

THE PUP DOESN'T HAVE A HIP JOINT AND THAT LEG WILL NEVER BE RIGHT."

TO THE AMAZEMENT OF BOTH MEN, THE BOY DROPPED THE BIKE, REACHED FOR HIS COLLECTION BAG AND TOOK OUT A FIFTY-CENT PIECE.

"PLEASE, MISTER," THE BOY PLEADED, "I WANT TO BUY THAT PUP.

I'LL PAY YOU FIFTY CENTS EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS IS PAID.

HONEST I WILL, MISTER."

THE FARMER REPLIED, "BUT, SON, YOU DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND.

THAT PUP WILL NEVER, NEVER BE ABLE TO RUN OR JUMP.

THAT PUP IS GOING TO BE A CRIPPLE FOREVER.

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WANT SUCH A USELESS PUP AS THAT?"

   THE BOY PAUSED FOR A MOMENT, THEN REACHED DOWN AND PULLED UP HIS PANT LEG, EXPOSING THAT ALL TOO FAMILIAR IRON BRACE AND LEATHER KNEE-STRAP HOLDING A POOR TWISTED LEG.

THE BOY ANSWERED, "MISTER, THAT PUP IS GOING TO NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS HIM TO HELP HIM IN LIFE!"

   CRIPPLED AND DISFIGURED BY SIN, THE RISEN, LIVING CHRIST HAS GIVEN US HOPE.

HE UNDERSTANDS US--OUR TEMPTATIONS, OUR DISCOURAGEMENTS, AND EVEN OUR THOUGHTS CONCERNING DEATH.

BY HIS RESURRECTION WE HAVE HELP IN THIS LIFE AND HOPE FOR THE LIFE TO COME.

*II.

WE SERVE UNDER THE HAND OF HUMILITY V.6-9.*

*/LEVITICUS 8:6/*/ AND MOSES BROUGHT AARON AND HIS SONS, AND WASHED THEM WITH WATER.

7 AND HE PUT UPON HIM THE COAT, AND GIRDED HIM WITH THE GIRDLE, AND CLOTHED HIM WITH THE ROBE, AND PUT THE EPHOD UPON HIM, AND HE GIRDED HIM WITH THE CURIOUS GIRDLE OF THE EPHOD, AND BOUND IT UNTO HIM THEREWITH.

8 AND HE PUT THE BREASTPLATE UPON HIM: ALSO HE PUT IN THE BREASTPLATE THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM.

9 AND HE PUT THE MITRE UPON HIS HEAD; ALSO UPON THE MITRE, EVEN UPON HIS FOREFRONT, DID HE PUT THE GOLDEN PLATE, THE HOLY CROWN; AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES./

*WASHED WITH WATER –* THE PRIEST WERE WASHED WITH WATER; TO WASH OR WASHING POINTS US TO CLEANLINESS, PERSONAL HYGIENE AND PURITY.