THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside.
One week our preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall Not Be Moved.'
The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director then led the song, 'Jesus Paid It All.'
The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn was 'I Love To Tell The Story.'
The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir then sang 'Oh, Why Not Tonight.'
When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him away. The choir then sang, 'What A Friend We Have in Jesus.'
Hot heads and cold hearts never solved anything. (Billy Graham)
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________SCRIPTURE________________________________________________
Ex 28:38
38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
Heb 7:26-27
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
1 Peter 2:5
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT_____________________________________________________
Let us connect these three Scriptures in thought and meditation.
Exodus 28:38 speaks of the "Mitre" that Aaron wore. It signified that Aaron was accepted as the bearer of the people's sins. He was allowed by God to make atonement for those sins and his sacrifice would be "accepted" by the Lord. As a result, Aaron was to ALWAYS wear this "Mitre," to show that the people sinned, even in "the holy things!" And, only through sacrifice could even their worship be accepted!
Hebrew 7:26-27 tells us that the old priesthood died, and that God Himself (in the Person of Jesus) is the Bearer of our sins. He, too, wore a crown: a crown of thorns; a crown of suffering! He wore it ONCE to show that God is willing to accept any and all who come by Him!
Now, 1Peter 2:5 tells us that we Christians are "acceptable to God" through our High Priest Jesus. We were dead stones (in sin), but now are "lively stones" through our Lord, and High Priest Jesus!
And, my friend, if it weren't for Jesus being our High Priest, we could NOT be accepted before the Lord, because we SIN, even in the "holy things!"
OH! What sin is in our public worship! Or even in our private worship!
Sins of: hypocrisy, formality, lukewarmness, irreverence, wandering hearts, forgetfulness of God, selfishness, carelessness, slackness, unbelief, laxity, coldness, neglect, sleepiness, pride, envy, and vanity!
Praise God today for our Lord, Jesus Christ!
He is the One Who suffers our sin!
He is the One Who bears them!
He is the One Who allows us to be "acceptable" before God!
Love ya,
Bruce