Lake Murray BC Podcast Lake Murray Baptist Church

In today's sermon we begin a new summer teaching series through the parables of Jesus. Much of Jesus' teaching in the gospel accounts are expressed through parables. These short stories are designed to communicate a powerful truth about the kingdom of God through a familiar setting, situation, or circumstance. In his first parable, the parable of the Sower, Jesus gives powerful interpretive insight into all the rest of the parables.

1 John is a letter to the churches in and around Ephesus who were confused about the assurance of their salvation. False teachers and persecution had caused them to doubt their faith in Christ and John writes to offer three tests of assurance. In our passage today we consider the second test: the test of obedience.

In the concluding chapters of Exodus, many of the themes we have seen throughout the book reappear. As the presence of God fills the tabernacle the people are again reminded that anyone who wishes to stand in the presence of a Holy God must enter by the blood of the lamb.

In Exodus 32-24 the people of Israel violate the first two commandments by fashioning for themselves an idol and worshipping it. An idol can be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts, lives, and worship. In our passage today we consider how the gospel of Jesus frees us from the idols of the human heart to worship God alone.

Exodus 25-31 describes the preparation of the people to have the presence of God dwell among them. The construction of the tabernacle, the consecration of the priesthood, and the calling of choice servants for the work are all essential parts of these chapters. And each one of them is meant to point our eyes to Jesus.

Exodus 24 shows us that God desires to be near His people. Through Christ, He has provided a greater mediator, a greater sacrifice, and a greater invitation to be with Him.