Mid week sermon notes (raw, 28/9/16, Ps Prince)

Solomon richest man that ever existed. He drank from gold vessels and silver vessels. So wealthy. Why? Coz one night he had a dream at Gideon. It is the place the bronze altar and the menorah, table of shewbread etc was at. That was where Solomon was when his dad died. Offered a thousand burnt offerings. Tells of his generosity. He could have simply offered one.

The ark of covenant wasn’t there although the altar was there. Ark was not at Gideon but Solomon offered up there anyway. God asked him what he wanted in a dream. He asked for a wise discerning heart. For asking for that, God gave him other stud he didn’t ask for honour and riches like no other and made him th wisest human (not as great as Jesus of coz).

First sign that he received wisdom
– what is the point of observing religious observances if the ark isn’t here. Sought the ark. Offered up peace offering.

Acacia wood overlaid w gold- 100% God, 100% man. Every year at Yom Kippur blood is out on mercy seat. Cherubims- God’s judicial righteousness. Forbade A&E and everyone else to ended into Eden. Once a year when blood is placed here, the cherubims gaze down at the blood. The items in the ark- gold pot of manna, Aaron’s rod and the two (sapphire) stones on which the Ten Commandments were engraved upon. Ark of covenant also called ark of testimony. Testimony of the LORD. Ark is named after the ten commandment. Only Jesus fulfilled God’s law. If u are in Christ, God gives u an A+ but no man can obtain righteousness. Ten Commandments given to reflect man’s sinfulness. But men mistakenly try to use it to reflect their righteousness. We don’t have a lesser morality in Christ. We are transformed from glory to glory through His righteousness. The very thing the law can’t do, grace will give the impartation

When led under the spirit, won’t follow the law. Righteousness of the law is fulfilled in u. Not by u. Passive voice. HS fulfils it in u as u allow Him to lead. Guidance is step by step. Promptings that grace gives via HS but that law can’t.

It’s like you’re learning to drive and all u have is driving by dummies or would u prefer to have an instructor next to u.

The rebellion of men- the three items.

When men tried to keep the law they produced the opposite aka the golden calf. Yet they said what God says they will do. Our trying betrays our self confidence and produces the flip side. Our own efforts call God a liar.

The first set of tablets didn’t make it to the base of the mountain. Why? They would have all died coz of the golden calves. The ten commandment doesn’t grade on a curve. It is do or die. U aren’t guilty of the one u disobey but guilty of all. The only safe place for the ten commandment is in the ark.

They murmured against God’s appointed and the rod of aaron budded.

The cherubim’s gaze is fixed on the blood. Not on men’s rebellion where they hold sword of judgment. Now fix on blood. When their eyes are fixed on the blood of sacrifice, they cannot see your sin. Jesus died and His blood was shed.

Think of how much God loves u coz He offered up His Son. There was no other way to save u. Only an eternal man w blood in his veins can die for us.

Our eyes today must be fixed not on ten comm or rebellion but on the blood of Jesus. God looks at the blood, we look at the blood. Devil wants us to look away from it and at our faults and our mistakes. Let your eyes see what God’s eyes see- the blood of Jesus

Carried ark around Jericho and end of seventh day, the wall fell. The centrepiece of the warfare= ark of covenant. No other war that was that short except for the six day war. Israel was utterly outnumbered but God gave them the victory. Finally they were in Jerusalem.

So where is the ark? Doesn’t really matter. Do no get caught up in the shadow but in the substance itself.

There are three things to wonderful for Solomon and the fourth he can’t understand. He had 1000 mother in laws and yet couldn’t understand the way of a man with a virgin. Jesus when he walked in his resurrected form expounded things in scripture concerning himself

The eagle flies higher than any other bird. Pilots flying high have seen Eagles.

Matthew- lion, King of Israel (genealogy to Adam)
Mark- oxen, divine work man ( immediately Jesus did this, immediately did that)
Luke- Man
John- Jesus as God come as flesh. Eagle.

From an eagle becoming a serpent, do u know how low he came for us? Came down down down to bring us up up up

Calvary was on a rocky hill. Serpent on a rock.

Way of the ship in the middle of the sea. John 6- Jesus saw his disciples rowing desp against the storm. Mark 6- boat was in the middle of the sea. Rept the church.

The church is not a building. God’s hidden secret that prophets all didn’t ustd. Jesus said I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH & Paul said that Jesus broke down the partition btw the Gentile and Jews. Chaste Virgin to Christ- epistles. Church unveiled.

About the ark, why was David called man after God’s own heart? Because David wanted to bring the ark home. Saul never bothered about it. The bible says he sought the ark but the ark was in another place. He was seeking the answers from the HIgh Priest.

Ark rept Jesus. When u have a heart for the ark, Jesus will seek u out.

God liked me and made me King over Israel. God loves all of us but some of us he likes and some he dislikes. U love but u dislike. God likes David

psalm 132- secret of David
Made a vow to the mighty God of Jacob that he wouldn’t rest until he finds resting place of ark of God’s strength.

Hiddad Ya Rim- fields of the yah. Forest of the Wood. Kiyarat Ya Rim. (Spelling might be wrong, see Vol 2 of Live in Israel)

Gospel of John-
Jesus as the Ark of the covenant portrayed here.

Chapt1
They found Jesus at fields of the yah. Wood represents mankind. Who expects to find the messiah amongst the woods? Jesus was found amongst the people. His kingly anointing he cannot hide.

Wherever the ark went, victory. The water was moved where the ark was. God slapped judgment all the way back to Adam.

One instance ark brought no victory
When philistines captured the ark
By passed the Red Sea etc
Rept people who called themselves Christians but aren’t born again. Goliath was a philistine.

Israel used to be called the land of Palestine (named by Romans to mock the Jews)

The ark was captured at Shiloh.
Place near where it is quite dangerous. Can see perimeters of the tabernacle. Square shape where the ark prob stood. But the priest taking care of it were Corrupted. Abused the offerings and slept w women who came to make offerings to God. Proud. Attacked the Philistines first. 4000 died. Saw the ark as an object and not the person of Jesus. The enemy defeated them and took the ark.

God delivered victory into enemy’s hands because his people stopped believing him. Refused to leave his honor in the hands of the Philisines coz the people were saying their false God was better than God

Statue of Dagon fell flat on its face. They reset it and Dagon was fallen before the ark and the heads and hands fell on.

Jesus was also captured. Delegation of 500-600 troops came to arrest Jesus. Whom are u seeking? “I AM he!”

Moses asked God for his name in the burning bush I AM THAT I AM

When he said I AM, they drew back and fell to he ground. The captors were pinned captive to the ground until they were allowed to get up. No hero like Jesus. Offered himself and asked that the rest go free

What is the Jesus we paint? There are paintings of Jesus looking pale and limp. Lol. The Jesus of the bible. We need to preach that Jesus. Willing captive

God takes care of his honour. There are people using His name in vain. At the name of Jesus every knee bows. Give glory to that name. Sometimes when h don’t have a prayer, just call out Jesus, LORD Jesus Christ. Demons cannot call Jesus LORD Jesus Christ.

Everyone asked Jesus is it I, LORD? But Judas asked is it I, rabbi? Was not a believer.

Will of God is to believe on Jesus Christ. Salvation is not a diff thing. Keep it simple.

Jesus has power to lay down life AND power to pick it up again. We can lay down our life any time but only one can pick it up again.

Obad Edom- corresponding truth in John.
The woman at the well. Her entire gentile village came to know him, and were saved

The ark was in Ashdod. Dagon fell and great slaughter. The Ashdod peeps pass to Gath. A lot of people died. Sent the ark to another bunch of cities and all of them suffered

There is an amazing testimony in Sam 15- David left Jerusalem and saw ?? The Hitite. He had 600 men of Gath with him. He told David, where u go we will go. God must have been able to touch the hearts of some.

Finally decided to send the ark back instead of taking the opp for their nations to to be saved.

Ark was with them for 7m and instead of repentance, they sent the ark away.

The cows went to Beth Shamech. Place where ark returned.

The answer to all of men’s probs= Jesus

Beth Shamech – House of the Sun
Place of hope and brightness

The people of Beth Shamech got curious. Looked into the ark of the LORD. This means they pushed the mercy seat aside.

That’s what is happening today in Church. Under the pretention of becoming holy, there are people looking into the ark (the judgment and Ten Commandments) and pushing the mercy seat (grace) aside.

Great slaughter happened. 50000 and 70 men. The original words are God breathed.

Aleph- Ox , 1, 1000, leader
He struck 70 men and 50 chief/ great men.

The world is upside down. Thinks the way to peace and joy is to self exalt. We aren’t restful because of our pride.

Solomon wrote much about pride. Pride goes before destruction. Grace given to the humble … grace always finds u when u are humble. Realising it is all of Him.

Find things to thank God for. Thank God for clothes to iron. Means u have clothes to wear. Thank God for toys all over the floor. You have kids. Thank God for your husband parked in front of the TV. He is at home. 🙂 Lol.

Teaching of grace,
Proud people don’t like it

Those who are justified by the law have fallen from grace. Grace is the higher place. Remember from where u fell. U were on a higher ground.

2 Cor 3-
Ministry of death engraved on stones
Ten Commandments.

Grace produces a holiness that is higher than that.

Christ becomes of no effect under law. Terrible thing when u are sick, depressed and trying to overcome s bad habit. Trusting own efforts and labour and law keeping.

Somehow the devil has a phrase for pastors like Pastor Prince- saying they give licence to sin

But law is the licence to sin. Grace gives the ability to overcome sin. So how has it flipped flopped?

Some people stop going to church coz start seeing Jesus as a law giver and new Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Law from Moses. Moses servant. Jesus is the Son.

Secret guilt causes u to be self defensive.

Whoever of u are justified by law, Christ is of no effect. See how Jesus had no effect on Pharisees but the lowly, leper, tax collectors, prostitites etc came to Him and we’re ALL healed. He didn’t group them into people who have confessed their sins or not before deciding who to heal.

We love because He first loved us. We must experience His love. We can pray for the sick before they are saved. When people are sick, they are open to receive. If we have the right teaching, more people will be saved.

Grace will bring me Home. When u believe in grace, u know it is Him. Won’t be proud. Always attribute every blessing to Him.

Beth Shemech thing again happened in John 8 – Pharisees brought the adulterous women to Jesus without the men. Not concerned about the law or the women.

HS doesn’t help people memorise Ten Commandments but can help us memorise verses like John 3:16, 17

Pharisees were pretentious and tried to appear to be defenders of the law. Trying to test Jesus, trying to accuse Him. Akin to pushing the mercy seat aside.

Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground. It is hard rock, slabs of stone if u visit IsraeL. Not writing on sand. Writing on stone!

Finger on stone.

Never a man spoke like this before- soldiers sent to arrest him disarmed by his preaching

But sometimes he disarms without speaking a word.

Jesus STOOPED DOWN
He didn’t just write on the ground

Jesus didn’t break the law. Upheld and magnified the law by asking those without sin to throw the first stone at him.

And then again he stooped down and wrote on the stones.

God wrote the Ten Commandments twice.
Jesus stooped down to write on the stone twice.

The second time, God told Moses to put law in to ark.

The first time He stooped down- pure law
Second time, He did so in grace.

They tried to put the law on the woman. So he shone the light of the law back on them.

Why did he ask the woman does anyone condemn u?

Jesus wanted her to confess her no more condemnation.

So she said no one LORD (note she called Him LORD)

There is therefore Now no more condemnation in Christ. Gift of no condemnation = strength to sin no more

When we sin, we destroy something. Our health or peace of mind. Go and sin no more is for our sake. Not His sake. He will still be God and reign. Just one person missing. But He won’t have Heaven with one person missing so He sent Jesus for u.

Then Jesus walked away and connect verse 11
to verse 12. He tells the Pharisees I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. The light Jesus shines shows how perfect His work is and how clean we are washed by His blood. Not light to show up your shame.

People want God’s favour and blessing yet they don’t want to come close to God. Scared that they will be irreverent. God doesn’t want us to just be spiritual once a week. God isn’t just in a building. He is WITH U. You ARE the church.

LEARN TO PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE.

He will even talk to u even as u watch your Korean drama to show u some parables.

At the same time, u can also hear the accuser. Difference is one accuses and one gently teaches and corrects

1 John 1:9
He that walks in the light as He is in the light
—> not walking according to the light. The believer shall not walk in darkness. We aren’t in darkness. We are ALWAYS in His light. Don’t have an OT mentality. He has you on His heart like the stones on HP breast plate. Light shines on the stones, they reflect back the light. His light shining on you enables u to reflect His glory. Not light meant to expose your sins.