February 5, 2006 - Exodus 36-38 and Matthew 23:1-22
There are several important principles for doing the Lord's work that we can glean from these three chapters in Exodus. The first principle is complete obedience. The workers did not depart from God's blueprint, which He had given to Moses on the mountain. They followed God's plan completely. (38:22) We must do the same each day as we follow the Lord, but especially when He gives us a specific job like He did Moses. Then, there is the principle of delegation. Moses made sure the work was done, but he did not have the skill or the time to do the work, so he delegated the work to the ones God had prepared to do it. This is the only way we can get all of God's work done well all of the time. Finally, there is the principle of full participation. (38:26) Each man contributed to the work. This is an important principle, because often some people do not feel the need to be involved or they don't want to contribute out of selfishness. God wants His people to have a united vision and purpose. He wants each of us to contribute to the accomplishment of that vision and purpose.
In Matthew 23 Jesus speaks to the people about the scribes and the Pharisees, after He had finished answering their questions. He warned them of their hypocrisy in that they did not practice what they preached. This is a serious problem. If we do not live out what we say we believe, we are not really believing what we say we believe. We do what we believe. Jesus pointed out that they were motivated by pride, which is very destructive. Instead, we should seek to be a servant of others, and not allow people to call us special titles since we are all brothers. (v.8) The main criticism was that the Jewish leaders were not helping anyone. They were leading people to hell. (v.15) That is a terrible testimony. What are we doing with our lives? Do people see the heart of Jesus in us? Do they see our humble submission to Him? Are they drawn closer to Him, and do we share the right way to heaven? If not, we need to make major changes in our lives and our attitudes, or Jesus will come against us as he did the Jewish leaders.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 39-40 and Matthew 23:23-39.
In Matthew 23 Jesus speaks to the people about the scribes and the Pharisees, after He had finished answering their questions. He warned them of their hypocrisy in that they did not practice what they preached. This is a serious problem. If we do not live out what we say we believe, we are not really believing what we say we believe. We do what we believe. Jesus pointed out that they were motivated by pride, which is very destructive. Instead, we should seek to be a servant of others, and not allow people to call us special titles since we are all brothers. (v.8) The main criticism was that the Jewish leaders were not helping anyone. They were leading people to hell. (v.15) That is a terrible testimony. What are we doing with our lives? Do people see the heart of Jesus in us? Do they see our humble submission to Him? Are they drawn closer to Him, and do we share the right way to heaven? If not, we need to make major changes in our lives and our attitudes, or Jesus will come against us as he did the Jewish leaders.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 39-40 and Matthew 23:23-39.