The Making of the Priest's Garments

[0:00] something very necessary because God was way too holy to be approached by sinful man. And so that priest offered that mediation and go-between.

[0:10] We also saw that office demanded consecration and that very serious and sober thing because people are dying and Aaron's sons are dying.

[0:22] And the threat of God putting him to death is all over these chapters connected to the priesthood. And he's far too serious and too holy for me.

[0:34] And so thankful that Jesus Christ took upon himself to consecrate himself and to live that holy life that I could never ever live. And to make a way as also he is that mediator between God and men.

[0:48] And then as we saw that this office required continuation because the office of the priesthood and the sacrifices could not eliminate sin. It could not eliminate death. And as each priest continued to die another one had to take his place until the Lord Jesus Christ showed up.

[1:03] And until he fulfilled what no priest ever could. And so took the time last week to just try to exalt our Savior and show how much better he is than anything they've ever had back in that Old Testament.

[1:15] Now today I want to just continue into this chapter and we're not really going to get too far here. But verse number 4 kind of gives these garments that are mentioned earlier in verse 2 and 3.

[1:28] Verse 2 says, Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. In verse 4 it introduces these items and these garments that are to be fashioned and then to be worn by the priest.

[1:41] And they're very particular and they're really pretty peculiar of a setup here. The six of them mentioned in verse 4. Would you notice them? Verse 4 says, These are the garments which they shall make.

[1:52] A breastplate and an ephod and a robe and a broidered coat, a miter and a girdle. And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his sons that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

[2:06] And so with these six items that are mentioned, the chapter then individually breaks down these one after the other. It talks about how they're to be made, what they're to be made of, what they're to look like. In verse 6, thou shalt make the ephod of gold and blue.

[2:19] And in verse 8 there's the girdle that's mentioned. In verse 15 begins the teaching on the breastplate of judgment with cunning work. And it goes through a lot of verses about stones that are going to be set in this breastplate.

[2:36] And it carries that one for a good ways down to verse 29. And then verse 30 there's this Urim and Thummim, something very peculiar. Verse 31 it mentions the robe of the ephod.

[2:47] In verse 36, 7 and 8 it talks about the miter or the crown. Later it's called a crown. And it's going to be on his forehead. In verse 39 there's the coat, the embroidered coat is mentioned right there at the beginning of the verse.

[3:01] So there's all six items. But then there's a seventh one before the chapter closes that doesn't get mentioned in verse 4. Verse 42, thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness from the loins even under the thighs.

[3:14] And so that's mentioned there in verses 42 and 43. And that better be on Aaron and his sons when they come to worship or to minister because they're going to die if they don't have them on. Verse 43 says once again.

[3:27] So there's go figure seven. God does things in sevens. And there's seven different items that is to be worn by the priest. And first they have to be manufactured. They're also going to be items that are made for the priest's son.

[3:41] This is for Aaron the high priest. The sons don't get a breastplate and they don't carry some of these items with the crown on their head. As a matter of fact, what they get is in verse 40. It says, for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats and thou shalt make for them girdles and bonnets for glory and for beauty.

[3:55] So not identical what they're being worn. But definitely Aaron as the high priest gets to wear this particular very precious garb. And the garments are very ornate.

[4:06] They're very particular. And the manufacturing of these holy garments is going to require a bit of teamwork. And I can say the same thing about really the entire tabernacle project overall. I mean this is a big project and there's a lot of moving parts to getting this prepared.

[4:20] But I'm going to point something out here about the teamwork here because this is where God first mentions something that comes up later. But he first mentions it here in chapter 28. And so I'm going to focus more upon the people and the process of making these garments than on the garments themselves to begin with.

[4:37] Before we even get to that, we're going to have to back up and do a little bit rewinding. So notice that verse number 5 of this passage, we already read 4. Look at verse 5. It says, Where are they going to get the gold from?

[4:57] And where are they going to get the blue and purple, scarlet and fine linen from to just start making these items? It doesn't tell him to go purchase it. It doesn't tell him to go travel and trade. It says just take it.

[5:08] So where is he taking it from? Well, we've already covered this stuff a good many weeks ago, months ago. So that's why the rewind. So would you come back to chapter 25? And we'll just review a little bit here.

[5:23] And in doing so, try to make the first point here of the people and the process of these garments being fashioned. Verse chapter 25 and verse 1.

[5:35] The Lord spake unto Moses. This is the first thing he speaks up in the mount after being quiet for six days. The seventh day he calls him and says, Verse 2. You speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering.

[5:47] Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them, gold and silver and brass and blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen.

[5:59] And he goes on. Look at verse 7. Onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and the breastplate. And so all of these items are coming together and they're given as an offering.

[6:10] Now turn to chapter 35. And this is where Moses down the road then comes down the mountain and conveys this information to the children of Israel.

[6:21] And he says it just like God told him to. In verse number 4 of chapter 35, Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord.

[6:36] Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it. An offering of the Lord. Gold and silver and brass, blue, purple. And there he goes with the same elements. All of them. Including the stones in verse 9.

[6:48] That's going to be specifically for Aaron's breastplate. And so the first phase of this production required giving an offering.

[7:00] And that was accomplished through those that possessed a very important attitude. It's mentioned in verse 5. A willing heart. You can't build a suitable sanctuary out of wood, hay and stubble.

[7:14] And you can't make beautiful, glorious, holy garments to consecrate a man to enter into the presence of God without the right materials. The right gold.

[7:25] And the right blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen that God is requesting. Do you know that God's telling this to Moses? Moses tells the people it's going to be up to them to do the job.

[7:36] But do you realize that all of these items, these garments are placed upon one man? And he's the one that's risking his neck to go in there in the presence of the Lord. And as we studied it and as God has threatened many times, make sure he has this on that he die not.

[7:54] Do you imagine that he's putting his life in the hands of these others that are making these items? They better not cut corners. And they better not give their second hand materials to the offering of the Lord because he's the one that's going to walk through that veil in the presence of God.

[8:12] And if it's not right, he's out. Just like his sons were out. And so the first phase though, the important thought here is that it requires an offering and it's given of a willing heart.

[8:27] Every stitch, every stone, every inch of every item was given as an offering to the Lord from a willing heart. I told you we've already dealt with chapter 25 months ago and I'm not going to belabor the point, but I will use this to remind you that God is always, always looking at your heart.

[8:47] He's looking at your heart and he knows what you love. And he knows what motivates you. And he knows what you harbor and what you give over to him. He knows what excites you.

[9:00] And I wonder, does giving to the work of God, does that excite you? Do you find fulfillment and joy into giving what is yours to give into an offering plate when it comes by you on Sunday morning?

[9:20] Is there something in there that just thrills your soul to give to the Lord? If so, you have a willing heart. This was an offering unto the Lord. There was a job, a work that God saw that he wanted to be accomplished and it wasn't going to be accomplished by Moses just raising a tax.

[9:38] It was going to be accomplished by God's people giving willfully out of their heart's desire to show their love for the Lord. I wonder if you get satisfaction out of giving what's yours to God.

[9:53] I wonder if you get satisfaction and enjoyment knowing that you're financing the work here in Silmar or that you're supporting the servants of God that have been called and commissioned to preach the gospel here or around the world.

[10:08] Knowing that you're supporting the preachers and the missionaries that are called of God to do the labor. God is looking for a willing heart. Somebody willing to give to the Lord's work.

[10:19] Willing to finance and willing to fund that which the Lord wants to see done. Now, you don't like preachers talking about giving. I know that.

[10:30] You don't want to hear that every Sunday when you come to church. Give your tithes. Give your tithes. You don't hear that very much here. But when you do hear it, it's because it's in the Bible. It's because it's an attitude that God expects out of the people that he redeemed.

[10:45] He expects to see you give back willfully to him. And it's on you to do it. It's on you to be obedient to the call of God in giving. Now, I know you're already like, okay, move on, move on.

[10:58] I can feel it. I can feel it from you. Some of you are already looking away like, okay, we've heard enough. So let's say it again. No. A willing heart.

[11:09] All right. You got that? Now, there's something else. Back in our text, look at chapter 28. I told you I wouldn't belabor it. So chapter 28, after receiving that offering of those people that gave with a willing heart, the work required something else.

[11:29] And so back in our text, look at verse number 3. As God's speaking to Moses, he says, And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him.

[11:46] These are wise-hearted individuals that are going to do the work of making, manufacturing the garments. And so God gifted certain individuals.

[11:56] It was more than just one or two. It was many to handle certain aspects of not just the building of the tabernacle, but in this isolated context, the garments, the holy garments that were to adorn the high priest, consecrating him to enter into the holiest of all before God's presence, where anybody else would be splattered dead on the floor.

[12:20] And so these garments were to be made by the wise-hearted. Not everybody had the same job. Not everybody had the same expectation. Everybody that had to give could give, but others had a skill, and they were expected to do a work.

[12:37] Now flip over back to chapter 35. And this is where Moses commissioned them to go bring their offerings, and they come back with their offering.

[12:49] And it describes that in verse 21 through 24. Look at verse 21. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing.

[13:02] And they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation. And it describes what they brought in verse 22. You can see that they were willing-hearted. They brought bracelets, earrings, rings, tablets, jewels of gold.

[13:15] Every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. And every man with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen. All that came as well. And the other items are brought for any work of the service.

[13:28] So now look at verse 25. After describing all of that and what was brought, some women began to use their skills and their abilities for the project.

[13:40] In verse 25, And all the women that were wise-hearted, these are people filled with the spirit of wisdom from the Lord, they did spin with their hands and brought that which they had spun, both of blue and of purple and scarlet and fine linen.

[13:56] And they're doing other things, spinning for things for the tabernacle. In verse 27, there's the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and the breastplate. And so there's people getting to work with the ability they have given to them of God.

[14:10] They're using their skills and talents for the work that God, this task that God has called them to complete. It wasn't just them, but now look at verse 30. There were some men that God gifted to be leaders in the work.

[14:24] And over the details, the very extreme and exquisite details of this project. Verse 30 says, Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezalel, the son of Uriah, the son of Hur, the tribe of Judah.

[14:38] And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, in all manner of workmanship, and to devise curious works, to work in gold and in silver and in brass, and in the cutting of stones, to make them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

[14:57] And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Aholab, the son of Ahissamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work in all manner of work, of the engraver and of the cunning workmen, and of the embroiderer in blue and in purple, and scarlet and fine linen of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

[15:23] So two men, named by name, were given the task. They were filled with the spirit of wisdom. They were filled with skill and understanding, so that they, their hands, could manufacture, could fashion these items.

[15:37] We studied the mercy seat, how fancy that was, and the gold. They understood how to work with gold. I don't. I don't know much about it. Task me with it. It's going to look pretty weird. You're not going to want to put it on, Aaron, if you task it.

[15:50] But God filled a man with some wisdom, to do something. And notice something else about this. In verse 34, he hath put in his heart that he may teach.

[16:02] That he may teach. So he's training others along the way, of how to do the work, that he understands how to do. He's like a foreman. He's overseeing the details, but he's getting a labor force together, to do all of this.

[16:15] It's not just these two men. It'd take forever. And so there's others, that are wise hearted, that are doing the work, and they're training others. And I think this concept here, is so cleanly, and purely matches, a concept for the New Testament church today.

[16:34] Because, not everybody in this church, is gifted with the same abilities. And certain people excel, at certain things, others excel at other things. And you may think to yourself, well, what am I good at?

[16:45] And you could even just look at your life. What is it that, that you are good at? What is it that, that brings you joy, and that you think just innately, you can do? Or you've been trained to do, and learned to do, and how could that fit, into something God could use?

[16:59] As you begin to look at yourself, you might start to see, this is how God gifted me. This is, it doesn't mean that you're a missionary. It doesn't mean that you're, building the church, or, who knows, I'm not going to go down the road, of all the possibilities.

[17:15] But what is it that you're good at? What did God gift you at? Just like God, made and gifted all of us, in different ways, we're individuals. And it's to the glory of God.

[17:27] The analogy that God made, about a church, is a body. And he describes it as, having hands, and having eyes, and having ears, and having feet. And all of those work together, to function as one body, to accomplish much.

[17:42] And if this body of mine, was going to be used to do a task, I need the hands, I need the ears, I need the eyes, I need the feet, to go back and forth. I need all of it to function, to get the task done.

[17:54] And when God calls men, to do a work, he calls more than one, and he gifts some, with specific abilities, to do those things. Some have ability, to be successful, in the world of finance, in the world of business.

[18:09] Some have just the ability, everything they touch, turns to gold. I'd like to get some of those people, in here. But God gifts men, with those abilities. He does.

[18:20] And he gifts them, so that they give. And that they finance, and support the work of God. He gives others, different abilities. Some have a, have personalities, that are just comforting, and a blessing, and a compassionate, and caring personalities.

[18:34] A lot of times, it's not the same people, that are good with business, that have the compassion, and care of others. And that person, with the care, doesn't have to think, I can't make any money.

[18:45] But they sure can minister, and be a blessing, to people that are hurting. And so, it all works together. God knows, what he's doing. And God knows, how to bring somebody up, and train them, and to a part, a position, a role.

[19:00] And you may not be wise hearted, with money, but you could be wise hearted, in some other area, that I don't have, and will never have. And so, see that, and understand that, God gives gifts, to serve him.

[19:13] And he uses us, to minister for him, and for his work. And if you'll give, with a willing heart, offer yourself, or whatever it is, God puts in your lap, give it to the work of God.

[19:23] It may be, that you just need, that willing heart. It may be also, he wants to use you, as one of those wise hearted, to do the work. Flip over, to 2nd Timothy chapter 2.

[19:34] You can keep your place, back here in Exodus. We'll be back shortly. 2nd Timothy chapter 2. Remember that, one of the duties, of these men, was to teach.

[19:50] It wasn't to do it, all themselves. But the men, and the women, had a job, to pass on their skill, that God had gifted them with.

[20:05] In 2nd Timothy chapter 2, and notice verse 1, thou therefore my son, be strong in the grace, that is in Christ Jesus. And I want to show you, four generations, in verse 2.

[20:18] The things that thou, hast heard of me, Paul, that's number one. But thou, is Timothy, that's number two. He's his son, in the faith. So there's two generations, where Paul led Timothy, to Christ, and trained Timothy, to the work.

[20:33] The things that thou, Timothy, has heard of me, among many witnesses, the same, commit thou, to faithful men. That's three. Timothy's training, faithful men, who shall be able, to teach others also.

[20:47] There's four. This thing is supposed to keep going, and keep going. And what you learn, and understand, and know how to do, in the work of God, it's a responsibility, to do it, and also, to be an example, and a testimony, and to teach others.

[21:02] It's not just for the men, or for the preachers. Look at Titus. Next book, just a couple pages. Titus chapter 2. Women have a job too.

[21:12] In Titus chapter 2, it mentions the aged men, in verse 2, and it mentioned the aged women, in verse 3. Thankfully, the Bible doesn't put a number, on what that looks like, so you can always say, it's somebody else.

[21:27] The aged women, in verse 3, likewise, that they be in behavior, as becometh holiness, and not false accusers, not given much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach, the young women.

[21:41] And there's the next generation, behind them. They have a job, of teaching, of teaching. It's not just, the Sunday school teacher's job. You teach, and more than just, with your mouth.

[21:54] You teach, with your testimony. You teach, with your attendance. You teach, with your faithfulness. You teach somebody, when you show up, to everything, that you can show up to, and be part of, and have a smile, and be faithful, you're teaching everybody else, this is important to me, and you're showing them, an example to follow.

[22:12] And you're teaching. Now come back to Exodus again. The gifts that God gives, to the wise hearted, are for serving him, as well as for teaching others.

[22:24] And this work, that we're studying here, that God is calling for, I want you back in chapter 28 again. This work that God, is calling for, requires willing hearts, and it requires wise hearts, those that will give their gifts, to God's service, and it requires one more thing, I want to point out, from chapter 28, and really from the entirety, of the chapter.

[22:46] There's a reoccurring word, all over this chapter. And in all the passages, really, that deal with, this context, of the work of the tabernacle, or even very specifically, of the garments, for Aaron to wear.

[22:59] And I think this word, describes probably, the most fundamental aspect, of the entire operation. And the word is work.

[23:10] Work. What God is commanding, to be done here, in chapter 28, is going to require work. I'll bring it out to you, from verse number 6. And they shall make the ephod, of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twine linen, with cunning work.

[23:29] With cunning work. Now, hold your place right there. And it says, that they're going to, make it of gold, gold, how do you make, a garment of gold? Did you ever make, a garment of gold?

[23:41] It would come out, looking like a shield, like a, like an armor. But he says, of gold, and blue, and purple, so what are we talking about? Well, the Bible tells you, it's okay.

[23:52] Flip over, keep your place, find 39. Look at chapter 39. And he describes, exactly what he wants, to be done, with the gold. And I'll start, in verse number 1.

[24:06] 39, in verse 1. And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to service in the holy place, and made the holy garments, for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

[24:22] And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twine linen. And they did beat the gold, into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it, in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

[24:42] Very careful, painstaking, and meticulous, to beat flat, thin, flat, plates of gold, and then to, weave them, or work them, into the fabric, of the, have you ever messed with linen, fine linen, and they're going to work, a metal, through that fabric, and pull it all tight, and draw it, to be one garment.

[25:05] Now you're wearing gold, completely, seamed, into the garment. What a thing. That's called, cunning work. Back in chapter 28, in verse number 8, it says, And the curious girdle, of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work, thereof.

[25:27] Verse number 11, With the work, of an engraver, in stone, like the engravings, of a signet, shalt thou engrave, the two stones, with the names, of the children of Israel.

[25:39] The work, of an engraver. In verse 15, the word shows up, two times, thou shalt make, the breastplate, of judgment, with cunning work, after the work, of the ephod.

[25:49] It shows up, in verse 22, Thou shalt make, upon the breastplate, chains, at the ends, of wreathen work, of pure gold. In verse 32, when it talks about, the robe, it says, There shall be a hole, in the top of it, in the midst thereof, it shall have a binding, of woven work, round about, the whole of it.

[26:11] In verse 39, when it talks about, the coat, the embroidered coat, thou shalt embroider, the coat of fine linen, thou shalt make, the miter of fine linen, and thou shalt make, the girdle of needle, work.

[26:24] Every element, and every piece, of these holy garments, requires, work, woven work, wreathen work, needle work, engraving work, cunning work.

[26:37] And the third thing, that's necessary, from the people of God, to complete the task, that God has before them, is a, I'll call it a working heart.

[26:49] A heart that is ready, to work. I want to show you, an example of this, and, and then wrap this up. Give you a, kind of an illustration, of what God is calling, to be done back here, but in a much more, volatile situation.

[27:06] Would you find, Nehemiah, chapter 2. Nehemiah, chapter 2. This is where, this man was sent out, this is right, before, Esther, and Job, and Psalms, Nehemiah, chapter 2.

[27:25] The man was, commissioned to go, repair the walls, around the city, of Jerusalem. And there was much work, to be done. So in Nehemiah, chapter 2, he's identifying this.

[27:44] And in verse 17, and verse 18, then said I unto them, ye see the distress, that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof, are burned with fire.

[27:56] Come and let us build up, the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more, a reproach. Then I told them, of the hand of my God, which was good upon me, as also the king's words, that he had spoken unto me.

[28:07] And they said, let us rise up, and build. So they strengthened, their hands, for this good work. The people believed, in what Nehemiah, was preaching to them.

[28:21] They believed, they agreed, and they said, well let's do it then. And they rose up, and they strengthened, their hands. They gave themselves, to it.

[28:33] And chapter 3, describes, all the variety, of the builders, and of the gates, that they built, in this wall, and repairing it all up. And then, in chapter 4, some opposition, shows up.

[28:45] Somebody starts, making fun of them, threatening them, mocking them. And it's at this point, and it happened before, that the work ceased, when they were building the temple. And it's at this point, that the whole work, could shut down again.

[28:58] They had some enthusiasm, but it might fall through now, because here comes the reproach. But they didn't. And look at one verse here, verse number 6. Nehemiah says this, So built we the wall, and all the wall, was joined together, unto the half thereof, for the people, had a mind, to work.

[29:21] They strengthened, their hands to work. They believed, in the project. And they got to it, they got it done. They had a mind, to work. What I'm suggesting, to you this morning, is that one of the needed, and probably the most fundamental, final thoughts, that the people of God, need to have, to get something done for God, is a working heart.

[29:43] A heart that is ready, to do the work. This Saturday, we're going to have an outreach. We don't have them, but every two months. This Saturday, we're going to have one.

[29:55] At nine o'clock, somebody here, already knows, they have to work. Somebody here, already has plans, they have things, they have to do. Somebody here, already has legitimate, reasons, why they can't be here.

[30:06] So I'm not talking to you, unless you can change them. But this Saturday, I wonder how many of you, here today, are going to show up.

[30:18] I'll bet it will be the ones, that have a mind, to work. Those of you, who have a conviction, and a burden, and you're going to say, well let's rise up, and let's do it.

[30:30] And I'll come, and I'll have a mind, to work. I'll be ready, to work. And some of you, instead of being ready, to work, you have your excuse ready, for why you can't, or why you won't.

[30:43] The Bible says, in 1 Corinthians 15, verse 58, to be ye steadfast, unmovable, and who knows, the next phrase, always abounding, in the work, of the Lord.

[30:59] word. And whereas, we have it on the schedule, to do something, this Saturday, I'm just going to apply, the message, or at least the moment, to this. It will apply, far beyond, one day, and one event, but for now, you have a lot of things, that you would, maybe look at your life, and start saying, what do I abound in?

[31:20] Like, what do I really go after? What do I really put my heart, and my attention, and my finances? What do I do? What am I excited about? The Bible tells us, to be always abounding, in the work of the Lord.

[31:31] And he says, for as much as you know, that your labor, is not in vain, in the Lord. I want you to consider, that when God talks about, the work of the Lord, it's not a generic word, like, oh that, that brother has a good work, going over there.

[31:44] He's talking about, actually getting to the field, and laboring in the field, for Jesus Christ. He calls it labor. You know, when Christ said, that God's looking for laborers, He's looking for them, to work in His field.

[31:59] God is not looking, for somebody to show up, and stand in the spotlight, and to absorb, as much attention, as they can absorb. God doesn't call people, in the Bible, to sow discord, among the brethren.

[32:10] He doesn't call for that. God doesn't call, for us to kindle strife, or to be tail bearers. God calls His people, to work.

[32:21] God calls His people, to labor for Him, in the field. That's something, He calls us to do. He calls us to work, to labor, to serve, to minister.

[32:35] And if our God, wants something to be done, here in Silmar, California, or in the regions, around us, the neighborhoods, that connect, if God wants something, to be done, can He count on you, to be part of it?

[32:49] Can He count on you, to show up and work? Can He count on you, to have a willing heart, and to give, to the work, that He wants to see done? Does it even interest you, or excite you, to use your abilities, your hands, and your feet, and your mouth, to go out there, and try to reach somebody else?

[33:11] Does that excite you? Does that turn you on, to say, I can do something, even if I'm not recognized, even if I'm not reimbursed? For my time, it excites me, to give myself, to God's work.

[33:25] Are you willing, to be a laborer, in this field, like this one? This is the one, God brought you to, am I right? So are you willing, to labor in this one?

[33:37] Or is your mind, just out there, somewhere else? Or in your own, little home? Or your own, business and world? Or have you even, considered God, seeks to your hands, and feet, and mouth, and eyes, and ears, to be locked into this one?

[33:51] To do something, for him here? God placed you here. If he didn't place you here, then get out of here. If he placed you here, then get in here, and do something.

[34:04] Be, be that strong hand, and be that, compassionate, and wise mouth, that can be gifted, and given to God. nothing gets done, without work.

[34:18] Nothing gets done, if you don't show up, if you don't put time in, if you're not faithful, and if you're not present. The work is not all, shouting and rejoicing.

[34:28] That comes at the end. The work takes sweat. It takes labor. It takes toil. It describes some of those, in a parable, they born the heat of the day.

[34:41] And some people, have to go out, and bear the heat, to get something done, for their master. But it begins, with a willing heart, that'll give, with the wise hearts, that are available, to be used, with working hearts, that aren't looking for praise, or for adoration.

[35:00] But they find the joy, and the fulfillment, in seeing the work, get done, and seeing, and knowing, the Lord Jesus Christ, was glorified. Church, there's much to do.

[35:13] God's given us, a work here in Silmar. He's given us, the responsibility, of a work here in Silmar. We ought to take it seriously.

[35:27] It shouldn't be something, we can just, give or take. Come or go. It's where God, has placed you, you ought to get in, with both feet.

[35:40] And you ought to take it, just as serious, as he does. I think you and I, should consider, it a calling of God, to care, for this work, here in Silmar.

[35:52] To care, with our giving, and with our abilities, and with our work, and our availability, and labor. To labor, for Jesus Christ, in this work. Where are you laboring, for Jesus Christ?

[36:04] If it's not here. If you stand before, the judgment seat of Christ, and give account of yourself, to God, and he says, so what have you done for me? I went to church.

[36:16] What have you done for me? I want to know, where you labored for me, in the field. I'm telling you church, we have a duty, before God, to labor, and to work, and to get active, to be at it, and to teach others, to help us, in this work.

[36:34] And one of the ways, you teach, as I already said, is by your testimony, and by your faithfulness, and just by doing it. That's how you teach others. The Lord Jesus Christ said, the night cometh, when no man, can work.

[36:50] Would you just, for a moment, consider that your days, on this earth, are numbered. What you can do, for Jesus Christ, is already limited. To those numbered days.

[37:02] The night's coming, when you cannot work. Our sister, our sister of this church, that she's been of this church, for many, many years, Linda West, is currently unable, to be active, in any kind of outreach, ministry of the church.

[37:18] She's getting older, in years, and right now, she's been down for months. Even unable to come. And I don't want to put her, in the grave, but I want to just, allow this to illustrate, for you and I, that the day is coming, when something happens, to you and me, that we're not going, to get up from.

[37:37] And the day is coming, when it will be, our last opportunity, to go, and tell somebody. And you know what, you're, I know what I'm going to feel. When I'm stuck, on the hospital bed.

[37:51] When I have the disease, that has numbered my days, to a limited amount, of months, or weeks, I know, that I'm going to look, over my life, and say, man, I wish I had done more, for Jesus Christ.

[38:07] You might say, oh, you're a pastor, you do all you can. I'm just like you. I let opportunities go by. But I'm not going to let, this Saturday go by. I hope you'll come Saturday, and be a part of our outreach here.

[38:22] And I hope you'll come, and find it fulfilling, and a time of joyous, fellowship with your brothers, and sisters, and a time where we're underneath, the gospel of Jesus Christ, trying to take it to the world, and just trying, to do something for him, with an opportunity we have.

[38:39] And I hope you'll get excited, about it, and say, when are we doing it next time, Pastor? I can't wait for the next time. I hope that happens. And if it does happen, then to God be the glory.

[38:52] And that's all that matters, is to God be the glory. Not, boy, we didn't get anybody, to come to church. Why did we even bother? God was glorified, with our work, and with how we spent our time.

[39:04] So with that, I want to encourage you, when God wants a work to be done, it requires some, that are willing to give. Maybe they don't have the skills, but if they're willing to give, that makes a difference. And giving is a necessary part, of every ministry, and so much the more.

[39:19] I mentioned, I want to take on that brother, and sister that came by here. I want to send a hundred bucks, to him every month, to help him out, just to get him started. That's what I want to do, from this church. So, that money better come in.

[39:31] It better show up. I have faith, that it will. I think it's, the Lord's put it on my heart. I think I'm burdened for him. I'm moved. I'm excited about doing that, and partnering with him. I hope that sounds good to you too.

[39:44] But we're going to have to give. We're going to have to support him. The money is just, not going to just, dwindle out of our bank account, until it's down to zero. And then we're going to have to say, sorry brother.

[39:55] That's not going to happen. By the grace of God, we're not going to ever say, sorry to a missionary, that we can't keep supporting you. And so, it's going to require God's people, to get on board, and to think of eternity, and to want to give, to the work of God.

[40:09] It requires a willing heart, a wise heart, whatever God has given you, and a working heart. Ready to work. A mind to work. I hope you have one. If you don't, I hope this message, kind of shows you, that you need one.

[40:23] That we all need one. So we can glorify our Savior, who loved us, and gave himself for us. Father, as we dismiss this morning, thank you for this example here, of what took place, and what was needed of your people, to accomplish something, that you saw in your eye, that you wanted to happen.

[40:42] Help us then, to be faithful in our obedience, to this. I pray God, that we would have a good turnout Saturday, not just because of this, but because you prick hearts, and because your work needs to go on, and we see the need to be active.

[40:55] And I pray that something, will be accomplished, from not just this weekend upcoming, but from this place, from this building, from this people, that are assembled here.

[41:08] Lord, we'd love to see the church grow. We'd love to see more families come, and be excited, and be on fire. We'd love to support more missionaries. We'd love to see more souls saved, and get under the blood of Jesus Christ.

[41:19] There's so much we'd love to see. And we want to trust your timing. We want to believe on you. But Lord, oh God, put it in our hearts, to be faithful, and to do our part, each man and each woman, to do our part, faithfully and obediently, so that this work can continue on, and can do what you see fit.

[41:43] Before we take off today, I want to just address you, and ask you, I'm not going to make you commit to anything. I'm not going to put the pressure on you, because I don't want you to do it for me.

[41:54] But if you see that you should be here, and part of what we do, if you're afraid of it, then why don't you just commit that to the Lord, and say, Lord, I don't have courage.

[42:05] Give me courage. Pastor said it's easy, but I don't believe him. Why don't you give it to the Lord, and ask him for courage? You say, Lord, I'd really want to come, but I can't, and maybe you could pray about that, and see if the Lord will open a door.

[42:22] Maybe you'll check your heart, to see how badly you really want to be part of the efforts, of this local church. Please believe me, I'm not trying to twist anybody's arm, I'm not trying to pressure anybody, into doing something, that they cannot physically, or possibly do.

[42:40] Ladies, you can hold a street sign, you can stand out there, and hold a verse of scripture, right? You can do that. You don't have to be afraid, of anybody touching you, or harming you.

[42:53] You can tell somebody, without even using words, that they must be born again. I'd love to see this church, get more involved, little by little, much involved, in an outreach effort, in this community, with the gospel of our blessed Jesus Christ, what saved our soul.

[43:21] And so we need to have a mind to work. God put that in us today. God put that in us today. Father, please bless as we go, instill a mind within each one of us, to do the work.

[43:38] Help us to overcome our fears, in the new man. Help us to be faithful, and examples, and teachers. And may your work be accomplished, and may the Lord Jesus Christ alone, get all the glory, every shred of it.

[43:54] May it go to him. For he is worthy. And he is wonderful. And he is our all in all. And so help us to put our feet to that belief.

[44:07] We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.