May we begin our worship of God by singing to him and sing Psalms 30.
Sing Psalms 30 on page 34 of the Blue Book.
Sing Psalms, Psalm 30. We'll sing from the beginning of that psalm.
O Lord, I will exalt your name, for you have rescued me.
You did not let my foes rejoice and gloat triumphantly.
Lord God, in need I cried to you, and you restored my health.
O Lord, you brought me from the grave and saved my soul from death.
You holy ones, sing to the Lord. Sing out with joyful voice.
When you recall his holy name, then praise him and rejoice.
His anger but a moment lasts. Lifelong his favour stays.
Though tears may last throughout the night, joy comes with morning rays.
I never shall be moved, I said, in my prosperity.
You made my mountain firm and strong when you, Lord, favoured me.
May we lift our voices to God and praise, singing these verses.
O Lord, I will exalt your name.
For you have rescued me.
JOHN 2- Cour Courts, build my foes rejoice and gloat triumphantly.
For God did me die, I cried to you, and you restored my health.
O Lord, you brought me from the grave, and saved my soul from death.
You only want to sing to the Lord, sing and with joyful voice.
When you re-hold this holy name, then praise him and rejoice.
Till anger felt amoled last, like all his paper stays.
Though tears may last throughout the night, joy comes with morning's rays.
I never shall be moved, I said, in my prosperity.
You made my mountain firm and strong, when you more favoured me.
I'd ask if you could turn with me together to the book of Exodus.
Exodus chapter 33.
And we'll join in prayer afterwards.
Exodus chapter 33.
And I want to just read a short passage from verse Mark 3.
And in the morning service we were asked, if we were honest with ourselves,
and looked at our hearts, the question was put to us,
which one of our hearts does not need changed?
And what I want us to look at tonight is, look at the people of Israel,
and look at the heart they had in building the first tabernacle.
And in order to really grasp what heart they had, we need to look back and look at the stages to their own preparation.
They were people who were far from perfect, they were people who were far from perfect, as we know,
and they were ones who so easily built the golden calf.
They were people that angered Moses, and they angered God.
And there were people that said to them, you have sinned a great sin.
So with that in mind, let us read from verse 3.
And I want you to do so to note God's reaction to their sin,
and their own reaction to their sin.
This is the Lord's word to Moses.
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey,
but I will not go up among you,
lest I consume you on the way,
for you are a stiff-necked people.
When the people heard this disastrous word,
they mourned,
and no one put on his ornaments.
For the Lord had said to Moses,
say to the people of Israel,
you are a stiff-necked people.
If for a single moment I should go up among you,
I would consume you.
So now take off your ornaments,
that I may know what to do with you.
Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments
from Mount Horeb onwards.
Now Moses used to take the tent,
and put it outside the camp,
far off from the camp.
And he called it the tent of meeting.
And everyone who sought the Lord
would go out to the tent of meeting,
which was outside the camp.
Whenever Moses went out to the tent,
all the people would rise up,
and each would stand at his tent door,
and watch Moses until he had gone out into the tent.
When Moses entered the tent,
the pillar of cloud would descend,
and stand at the entrance of the tent,
and the Lord would speak with Moses.
And when the people saw the pillar of cloud
standing at the entrance of the tent,
all the people would rise up and worship,
each at his tent door.
Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face,
as a man speaks to his friend.
When Moses turned again into the camp,
his assistant Joshua, the son of Nun,
a young man,
would not depart from the tent.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven,
we ask that you,
we would have stilled hearts
as we come before you this evening.
Lord, we have people
who when we look at the children of Israel
find so many similarities.
And when we look at our heart,
we know the deceit that is in it
and how prone we are
to wander from your ways and your word.
And Lord, may we confess these things tonight.
May we be like the people
who would stand at the door of their tent
and know the sin that we had sinned,
a great sin,
and call upon the one
that would go for us.
In our case, it is Christ.
Lord, we ask
that you would be the one to go for us
and that you would be the one
that would intercede for us
before God
because we cannot approach God ourselves.
We are filthy and staked.
We are full of sin.
But in the light of Christ,
we can approach you, God,
because he has taken that sin away from us.
And it is only through him
that we can receive life
in the true sense of the word
and to know life.
And so, Lord,
we draw near to you.
May each of us in our hearts
meditate upon you
and forget
what lies
in our own lives,
what is within the tent of our lives,
but cast our eyes to you,
O God.
You are the one
that can save us from our sins.
You are the one
that would consume us
otherwise.
Lord,
may these things
be a reality
to us.
May we know
the sin
that is harbored
within our hearts.
And that
may we know
of the freedom
that can be found
in Christ Jesus.
So, Lord,
we pray
that your spirit
would be with us,
guiding our minds
and thoughts
as we come to your word
and ponder over it.
We pray
that we would
be free
from distraction.
And, Lord,
we ask that you would be
with all efforts
that are made this evening
in sharing
the gospel message.
May it go with power
throughout our land.
May it not return
unto you void.
May you
water these seeds
that are sown
with faithfulness
week after week.
May they
take root
and grow
within the hearts
of the believer,
the hearts
of your people.
Lord,
we do not know
where the spirit
comes
or where it should go.
And in many ways,
your ways
are mysterious
to us.
We do not
understand you.
And sometimes
we are
prone
to
understand
things ourselves
and in our own ways.
Keep us from doing this,
O Lord.
But let us be guided
by your word.
Let us be people
that are faithful
to your word.
And every day,
and even in the difficulties
of these things,
that when the world
and the things
of the world
press upon us,
that we would not
put the simple
reading
and praying
to you
behind us.
Let that be a priority
to us
as we devote
ourselves to you
morning and evening.
As we find
guidance from you
morning and evening
and that we
have
and give you
thanks
as we do so.
We pray
this week
a week of
thanks
that many
people would
see
what has been
done for them
and that
they realise
that the things
that have been
given to them
are not of
themselves.
And that many
who do not
know of a God
in heaven
or do not
believe in a God
of heaven,
we pray
that in your
mysterious ways
and in their
misunderstanding
of how
and where
they would
return their
thanks to
for all
that they
have
and every
breath
that they
are given.
Lord,
give them
understanding
that it is
all from
your hand
and that
they may
seek to
reason
their lives
in the light
of God.
Lord,
we pray
this evening
for all
people that
are gathered
here in
person
and online
and we
pray
that you
would meet
us at
the point
of our
need.
We are
people of
varied
circumstances
and situations
but Lord,
you are one
that knows
the hairs
on our
heads
and you
are the
one that
knows how
to direct
us in
the best
of ways.
You are
the greatest
comforter
of broken
hearts
and so
Lord,
we pray
that we
would
commit
each other
in prayer
to you.
Let us
be mindful
of one
another,
having a
concern
for one
another,
that we
would bear
one another
burdens
and that we
would work
with one
another
for the
building
of your
name
and your
kingdom.
Change
our hearts,
O Lord.
We pray
for our
nation.
We pray
for those
who are in
leadership
over us,
that you
would work
in their
lives equally.
Lord,
let us not
be afraid
of asking
big things
from your
hand,
that you
would do
mighty works
amongst our
people in
Scotland.
Lord,
we pray
with confidence
in your
name and
in your
name only.
And it is
in your
name only
that we
have any
confidence.
It is of
no confidence
of our
own.
when we
look at
ourselves,
we feel
so weak
to be
able to
do the
things that
is asked
of us.
But Lord,
let us be
people of
faith,
relying upon
you to be
our strength
and our
guide,
even when
things are
so uncertain
and the way
before us
is clouded
and kept
from us.
Let us
walk in
faith,
even if it
be through
the valley
of the
shadow
of darkness,
it is
always
through
that you
will take
us.
You will
not leave
us nor
forsake
us.
And it
is not
in any
valley you
leave us.
You take
us upon
great mountains
to Mount
Zion where
your glory
will descend
and where
you will
welcome
the faithful
believers in
your name.
As good as
a faithful
service.
Lord,
what a wonder
it is and
what a
mystery it
is when we
consider the
glorious nature
of heaven
and what it
means for us.
We struggle
to comprehend
it.
But Lord,
enable us to
understand it
in measure,
that we
may see
the beauty,
that we
our eyes
shall behold,
and the
things that
we shall
gaze upon.
Lord,
it is such
wondrous and
so sweet
a taste to
our hearts.
Let us not
forget the
inheritance that
has been
set aside
for us.
But it is
all through
Christ and
all through
his redeeming
power and
of his
blood,
shed at
the cross
of Calvary
for our
sins,
that he
may redeem
his people.
What
wondrous love
he showed
to those
who are in
need,
and we
are who
are in
need,
and there
are still
many in
need.
So may
the compassion
of Christ
Jesus rest
in our
hearts as
we go out
into the
world in
the week
ahead.
may you
reside in
our hearts.
May our
hearts be
a hearts
where you
may dwell,
and our
hearts be
changed for
you and
your cause.
May all
these things
be, we
ask and
bring to
you in
your name.
Be with
us, we
ask.
Open our
minds to
understand
your
word, guide
our
thoughts, and
fill us
with your
power, and
your spirit, and
your nourishment.
All these
things, in
the name of
Christ we
ask.
Amen.
If I
could ask
you to
turn to
Exodus
chapter 35
now.
Exodus
chapter 35,
and we
read this
chapter.
this is
where the
people of
Israel begin
to build
the
tabernacle,
and the
order that
has been
given to
them from
Moses.
So as we
read through
this passage,
take note
of the
heart that
the people
now have.
Let us
read God's
word.
Exodus
35.
verse 36,
Moses
assembled
all the
congregation
of the
people of
Israel, and
said to
them,
these are
the things
that the
Lord has
commanded
you to
do.
For
six days
work
shall be
done,
but on
the seventh
day you
shall have a
Sabbath of
solemn rest,
holy to
the Lord.
Whoever
does any
work on it
shall be
put to
death.
You
shall
kindle no
fire in
all your
dwelling
places on
the Sabbath
day.
Moses
said to
all the
congregation
of the
people of
Israel,
this is
the thing
that the
Lord has
commanded.
Take
from among
you a
contribution
to the
Lord.
Whoever
is of a
generous
heart,
let him
bring the
Lord's
contribution,
gold,
silver,
and bronze,
blue and
purples,
and scarlet
yarns,
and fine
twined
linen,
goats
hair,
tanned
rammed
skins,
and goat
skins,
oil for
the
light,
spices for
the anointing
oil,
and of
the fragrant
incense,
and onyx
stones,
and stones
for setting,
for the
ephod,
and for
the
breastpiece.
Let
every
skillful
craftman
among
you come
and make
all that
the Lord
has
commanded.
The
tabernacle,
its
tents,
its
covering,
its
hoots,
and its
frames,
its
bars,
its
pillars,
its
bases,
the
ark with
its
poles,
the
mushy
seat,
and the
veil of
the
screen,
the table
with its
poles,
and all
its
utensils,
and the
bread of
the
presents,
the
lampstand
also,
for the
light with
its
utensils,
and its
lamps,
and the
oil for
the
light,
and the
altar for
incense,
with its
poles,
and the
anointing
oil,
and the
fragrant
incense,
and the
screen for
the door,
and the
door of
the tabernacle,
the altar of
burnt offering,
with its
grating of
bronze,
and its
poles,
and all its
utensils,
the basin,
and its
stand,
the hangings of
the court,
its pillars,
and its bases,
and the screen of
the gate of the
court,
the pegs of the
tabernacle,
the pegs of the
court,
and their
cords,
the finely
worked garments
for ministering
in the holy
place,
the holy
garments of
Aaron,
the priest,
and the
garments of
his sons,
for their
service as
priests.
Then all the
congregation of
the people
of Israel
departed from
the presence
of Moses,
and they
came,
everyone whose
heart stirred
him,
and everyone
whose spirit
moved him,
and brought
the Lord's
contribution,
to be used
for the
tent of
meeting,
and for
all its
service,
and for
the holy
garments.
So they
came,
both men
and women,
all who
were of a
willing heart,
brought
brooches
and earrings,
and signet
rings and
armlets,
all sorts
of gold
objects,
every man
dedicating an
offering of
gold to
the Lord,
and everyone
who possessed
blue or
purple or
scarlet yarns,
or fine
linen or
goat's hair,
or tanned
ram skins,
or goat skins,
brought them.
Everyone who
could make a
contribution of
silver or
bronze,
brought it as
the Lord's
contribution,
and everyone
who possessed
Asia wood,
of any use
in the use
in the work,
brought it,
and every
skillful woman
spun with
her hands,
and they all
brought what
they had
spun in
blue and
purple and
scarlet yarns,
and fine
twined linen.
All the
people whose
hearts stirred
them to
use their
skill spun
the goat's
hair,
and the
leaders brought
onyx stones
and stones to
be set for
the ephod and
the breast
piece,
and the
spices and
oil for the
light,
and for the
anointing oil,
and for the
fragrant incense,
all the men
and women,
the people of
Israel,
whose heart
moved them
to bring
anything for
the work
that the
Lord had
commanded by
Moses to
be done,
brought it
as a free
will offering
to the
Lord.
Then Moses
said to the
people of
Israel,
see the
Lord has
called by
name
Bezalel,
the son of
Uri,
the son of
Hur,
from the
tribe of
Judah,
and he
has filled
them with
the spirit
of God,
with skill,
with intelligence,
knowledge,
and with
all craftsmanship,
to devise
artistic designs,
to work gold
and silver
and bronze,
in cutting
stones for
setting,
and in
carving wood
for work
in every
skilled craft,
and he
has inspired
them to
teach both
him and
Holiab,
the son of
Achimach,
of the
tribe of
Dan.
He has
filled them
with skill
to do
every sort
of work
done by
an engraver
or by
a designer
or by
an embroiderer
in blue
and purple
scarlet
yarns
and fine
twine
linen,
or by
a weaver,
by any
sort of
workman
or skill
designer.
Bezalel
and
Oliab,
and every
craftsman
in whom
the Lord
had put
skill
and
intelligence
to know
how to
do any
work in
the construction
of the
sanctuary,
shall work
in accordance
with all
that the
Lord has
commanded.
May the
reading of
God's
word be
a blessing
to each
of us.
May we
continue in
praise by
singing in
Psalm 30
again of
the Sing
Psalms.
Following on
from where we
left off,
Sing
Psalms,
Psalm 30.
Midway through
verse Mark
7.
Psalm 30.
Turned my
wailing into
dance.
No longer
was I
sad.
My sack
was gone.
You gave
me clothes
of joy
and I
was glad.
Therefore
my heart
will sing
to you
and never
cease to
praise.
To your
great name,
O Lord
my God,
I will
give thanks
always.
Let us
stand together
and sing
to God's
praise.
But when
you hid
your face
from me,
my heart
was terrified.
but when
you hid
your face
from me,
my heart
was terrified.
To you,
O Lord,
I got the
loud,
for mercy,
Lord,
I cry.
What
thing will
my
discussion
be,
if I
descend
to death,
will
just
proclaim
your
faithfulness
or
praise
you
with
this
prayer.
And
till
last
I
cry,
O
Lord
my
God,
and
listen
to
my
plea.
Come to
my
aid,
in
my
distress,
have
mercy,
Lord,
on
me.
You
turn
my
way
in
to
dance,
no
longer
was
I
sad,
my
sack
of
God,
you
gave
me
hope
of
joy,
and
I
was
glad.
But
for
my
heart
will
sing
to
you,
and
never
cease
to
praise,
to
you
bring
near,
O
Lord,
my
God,
I
will
give
thanks
always.
we
could
turn
back
to
the
passage
we
read
together
in
Exodus
35.
I
didn't
give
a
text
for
my
sermon
tonight
in
the
notices,
but
it
would
be
verse
29.
All
the
men
and
women,
the
people
of
Israel,
whose
heart
moved
them,
to
bring
anything
for
the
work
that
the
Lord
had
commanded
by
Moses
to
be
done,
brought
it
as
a
free
will
offering
to
the
Lord.
The
psalm
that we
sung
there
sort
of
echoes
the
sentiment
of what
we'll
be
looking
at
people
that
says
there,
but
when
you hid
your
face
from
me,
my
heart
was
terrified.
That's
almost
what we
see at
the
beginning
with
these
people.
And
we
looked
at
chapter
33.
the
thought
of
God
not
being
with
them
put
terror
in
their
heart.
But
now we
see
them
as
people
with
totally
different
hearts.
And
they
are
ones
that
could
say,
therefore
my
heart
will
sing
to
you
and
never
cease
to
praise
to
you
your
great
name,
O
Lord
my
God,
I
will
give
thanks
to
you
always.
I
want
us to
look at
the
heart
that the
people
had in
chapter
35.
Look at
the
change
that
has
happened
in
these
people.
They
put a
wholehearted
devotion
to
God
when
not
so
long
ago
their
hearts
were
elsewhere
in
making
their
own
gods
of
gold.
What
a
change.
And
we
could
focus
on
so
many
points
in
this
passage,
but
really
what I
want
to
do
is
have
an
overview
of
this
congregation
of
people
as it
were,
Israel.
And
what
they
had
become
and
what
can
we
learn
from
where
they
came
and
what
God
did
with
them.
And
in
doing
that
we'll
learn
about
the
character
of
God
also.
Now
if
you
had
to
decide
or
if
you
had
decided
to
build
yourself
a
new
home
you
would
not
just
go
ahead
and
do
whatever
you
felt
like.
You
wouldn't
just
make
it
up
as
you
would
go
along
using
what
you
would
find
as
you
went.
To
do it
effectively
you
would need
to have
a plan.
You
would need
to work
out what
you wanted
to begin
with.
You
would need
to work
out what
materials
you would
require.
You
would need
to arrange
men
capable
of the
work.
and
you
would need
to
adhere
to
certain
requirements
and
certain
laws.
And
when the
plans are
all done
the right
time comes
when you
can start
building.
And this
is in a
sense
what we
have here
in the
passage.
The plans
have been
given
to Moses.
When
Moses was
up on
Mount
Sinai
receiving
the commandments
of God
and all
these
plans
God
had
for
the
tabernacle
the
people
at the
base
thought
Moses
had
died
and
they
started
doing
it their
own way
and making
their own
gods.
God
had given
various laws
on that
mountain
and God
had said
to Moses
that he
wanted
them to
build them
a home
basically
on earth.
He said
to Moses
let them
make me
a sanctuary
that I
may dwell
in their
midst.
And isn't
it so
strange
that God
said this
while the
hearts of
the people
were in
such
so
distracted
in so
many different
ways.
And they
were beginning
to form
this other
gods.
and it's
a reminder
to us
that you
know
we are
the people
and we
do not
know God's
ways
nor
understand
how
God's
works.
But we
are called
to be
faithful.
So the
plans are
there.
Moses
had the
plans
and the
people
had gone
off course.
And I
suppose
what we
have here
in chapter
35 is
Moses
delivering
these plans
to the
people.
You could
maybe compare
it to a
contractor
being handed
plans to
form this
new building.
Moses
stands in
front of the
people,
the congregation
of Israel
and saying
this is what
the Lord
has commanded.
Relaying all
the information
he had
received on
Mount Sinai.
And the
commands there
come down
to verse 19
in the passage.
And then from
verse 20 in
the passage,
that is the
people then
going forth
to work.
You can
see it
clearly there
in the
congregation
of the
people of
Israel
in verse
20,
departed
from the
presence
of Moses.
They got
their
instructions
and they
obeyed
that
instruction.
So in
looking at
these
people,
I want
us to
look at
the hearts
of them
and beginning
with the
heart of
reverence
they had
to this
God.
And what
is the
first thing
that God
commands them
to do
in this
passage?
Regarding
this
tabernacle,
you may
think,
well,
in verse
4,
Moses said
to the
congregation
of Israel,
this is the
thing that
the Lord
has commanded.
But it
is not
from verse
4 where
the command
and directions
and his
plans come
from.
It's from
verse 1.
Moses
assembled
all the
congregation
of the
people of
Israel
and said
to them,
these are
the things
that the
Lord has
commanded
you to
do.
For
six days
work shall
be done
and on
the seventh
day you
shall have
a Sabbath
of solemn
rest,
holy to
the Lord.
Whoever
does any
work on
it shall
be put
to death.
You
shall
kindle no
fire in
your dwelling
places
on the
Sabbath
day.
The
first
thing
in their
instruction
was to
keep
the
Sabbath
day.
This
was the
most
important
thing
that
God
commanded
them to
do.
A day
where you
can rest
and it
would be
solemn
rest
because it
is a
day that
is holy
to the
Lord.
This
was also
emphasized
when Moses
was up the
mountain
receiving all
these
instructions
and plans.
God
emphasized
this to
Moses that
the people
would remember
the Sabbath
day and so
Moses delivers
this instruction
to them.
And you
think well
would the
children of
Israel,
would they
not have
kept the
Sabbath day
anyway?
Why does
this need
to be hammered
home to the
people in
relation to
the tabernacle?
Why has
this been
emphasized so
much?
Well,
when you
think about
it,
it's quite
simple
really.
Why did
God say
this?
God's
telling them
to make
this new
building for
him.
And I
believe,
as we
may see
in our
own hearts,
what we
would do
is we
would reason
that,
you know,
Sabbath
keeping is
difficult.
We all
must admit
that.
And there
are so many
distractions
that come
to us,
to take
us away
from private
devotions,
it is
hard to
keep the
Sabbath.
And I
believe what
the people
would have
done is,
as we
would have
reasoned
within our
hearts,
is that they
too would
have reasoned
that this
is the
work of
God to
build this
tabernacle.
This is
for him.
This is
with his
glory will
dwell.
Well,
this is
where we
will
worship
God.
Surely
it is
okay to
do his
work on
his day.
It kind
of makes
sense in
our head.
It is,
you may
hear people
say,
it is part
of my
worship to
God to
do things
that they
do.
And they
would say,
it is part
of our
worship to
God to
build this
building,
that we
have been
commanded
to build
by God.
But God
said,
no,
do not
do any
work,
physical
work,
in this
manner on
this day.
There are
six days
for this.
And it
says that
anyone who
would light
a fire
would be
put to
death.
Such is
the severity
of breaking
this commandment
and how
serious it
was in
the eyes
of God.
But now,
in lighting
a fire,
it's not,
I can't
see God
saying,
in order
to light,
you must
not light
a fire.
We think
of a fire
as to
give us
warmth,
and to
be an
aid to
us,
and to
meet
our
provisional
needs,
and physical
needs.
I can't
see it
being that
light that
it has
been mentioned.
But these
were people
who were
called to
build.
And so,
there's a lot
of forging
of metals
having to
be done
here.
But God
is saying,
do not
light a
fire to
carry that
work on.
They shall
be put
to death.
It's
solemn
this day,
the
Sabbath.
God
is telling
them to
keep it.
It is
for your
spiritual
good.
It is
for your
spiritual
edification
to come
and give
your minds
to God,
and to
have an
intent
separation
from the
things that
are
unnecessary.
You know,
we need
to be
careful of
the
Sabbath
day.
God
showed
his love
for the
Sabbath
day
and how
he wished
us to
keep it.
We must
be careful
that we
keep it.
And not to
do work
that is
for our
convenience,
in order to
give us more
time through
the week.
It is not
a day
which we
should be
distracted
by doing
other things.
it is not
a day
where we
should be
doing
our own
business
on that
day.
And maybe
even if
these things
are in
relation to
the church,
we are
to honour
God on
that day
and to
worship God
on that
day and
to be
spiritually
edified
on that
day.
what the
passage here
says,
God
is saying
to the
people,
do not
build my
church
physically
in a way
that is not
necessary
on the
Sabbath
day.
And note
the heart
of the
people.
Nobody
opposed this
command to
keep the
Sabbath day.
And I
didn't see
any record
when I went
through this
of any
member
disregarding
this
command
or not
honouring
this
command.
Why?
Such was
their heart
for the
God
that did
not
consume
them.
John 14
says,
if you
love me,
you will
keep my
commandments.
That was
the heart
of the
people.
They had
a heart
to obey,
but they
also had a
heart to
give in
this
passage.
We can
see at
verse 4
there,
they were
commanded
to give.
This is
the thing
that the
Lord has
commanded,
take from
among you
a contribution
to the
Lord.
Whoever is
of a
generous
heart,
let him
bring the
Lord's
contribution.
There was
a material
giving in
all that
they gave.
It was a
required
giving.
gold,
silver,
bronze,
blue,
purple,
scarlet,
yarns,
fine twine,
linen,
which is
hard.
It's hard
for us
to put a
value on
these things
in our
light.
Gold,
silver,
bronze,
yes,
and everything
else is
hard for
us to
value at
what cost
it was
to them.
But they
were people
in the
wilderness,
and anything
like this I
imagine would
have been of
great cost
to them.
Precious
items.
And you
can see
anything that
they had
been given
from the
land of
Egypt would
have been
their
inheritance
when they
came into
this new
land,
to secure
their future
well-being
when they
came to
Canaan.
But they
didn't hold
on to it
with their
hearts.
they
responded
by going
and getting
these things.
The response
comes in
verse 20.
They
departed
from the
presence of
Moses after
he had
been given
them their
instructions.
And they
came everyone
whose heart
stirred them
and everyone
whose spirit
moved them
and brought
the Lord's
contribution
to be used
for the
tent of
meeting and
for its
service and
for the
holy garments.
they brought
what was
asked of
them,
all who
were of
a willing
heart.
And it
says that
everyone
brought
gold to
God in
verse 22.
At the
latter part
of verse
22,
every man
dedicating an
offering of
gold to
the Lord,
everyone
gave of
the most
valuable
thing that
they had
for the
building that
God had
commanded them
to build.
they brought
so much
and they
were so
willing to
give of
their material
possessions.
Why?
Because their
heart was not
embroiled in
these possessions.
Their heart
was not
holding to
these things
of the
world.
Their heart
was holding
on to
God.
And all
that they
had possessed
in a sense
was only
held in
their hands.
hands.
And they
were so
ready to
give them
away when
God asked
them to
put their
hands to
work.
The
section from
verse 20
down to
verse 29,
the word
brought is
in there
eight times
of all the
things described
and a
further once
where it
mentions
bring.
they
brought an
abundant
quantity
of all
these
things so
valuable.
And it
wasn't that
they brought
leftovers.
It wasn't
what they
could spare.
It was
a great
costly
devotion
that they
brought
for God.
Their
material
giving
was actually
so great
that in
chapter
36,
Moses had
to tell
them to
stop
giving.
We have
enough
to build
this
tabernacle.
Imagine
if a
church
leader
told us
that,
well,
we've got
enough
money.
You can
stop
giving now.
Imagine
if we
were giving
so much
that that
was the
case.
I can't
imagine
it.
But all
of the
gave
materially
there's
more.
They
gave
of
themselves.
You may
have tried
to organise
an event
or tried
to organise
various
whatever it
is,
clubs or
meetings or
anything like
that.
And the
problem is
not always
lack of
material
things.
Quite
often you
receive
the
material
things
easier
than you
receive
the
willingness
of the
people.
It's
often a
lack of
workers
we
suffer
from.
Whatever
project it
is you're
trying to
outwork,
the real
test comes
when people
are asked to
give of
their time
and
themselves.
do it.
And that
is a
test of
priority
and often
a test
that we
fail at
when we
are asked
to do
things in
the church
or when
God
asks us
himself
to do
things for
him.
And there
may be
nothing more
evident of
the heart
that we
have for
God
than what
we give
to him.
Not just
materially,
but of
ourselves.
Because the
value we
place on
God will
reflect the
value of
our giving.
And all
that the
people give
in the
passage,
it made
the work
easy.
And the
leaders would
have been
glad to
see how
much the
people had
brought.
And you
can see the
devotion of
the people
almost jumping
out of the
page at
us.
And see
how much
they gave
and the
stirring of
their hearts
to the
work that
God had
commanded
them to
do.
They gave
abundantly
and willing
at great
cost to
themselves.
Such
was
their
hearts.
2 Corinthians
9 verse
7.
Each one
must give
as he has
decided in
his heart,
not reluctantly
or under
compulsion,
for God
loves a
cheerful
giver.
So there
were people
that obeyed
God and
had reverence
for God's
command.
There were
people that
gave
to the
cause of
God.
But who
were the
people that
had this
heart?
Who
were they?
when you
think of
the people
it's funny
that God
would ask
people that
are so
sinful to
build his
dwelling
place.
People that
he would
consume if
he was in
their presence
because of
their sin.
People that
he called
stiff-necked.
Yet
it is
through
these men
that God
has always
worked.
It is
often the
way he
chooses to
work,
through
people and
through
certain men.
This is
the way he
operates.
E.M.
Bounds in
one of his
books says
that the
Bible reveals
the necessity
of men
and his
dependence upon
them as a
channel through
which to
exhort his
power upon
the world.
God is
always, in
the book he
also says,
God is
always looking
for better
men.
God is
always looking
for better
men.
Who of the
men and
women contributed
in the
passage?
Who had
this heart?
It seemed
everyone.
All did.
and it
makes specific
descriptions
about these
people.
The people
in general,
they were
stirred in
heart.
They were
moved in
spirit.
All who
were of a
willing heart.
People whose
heart moved
them.
But verse
29
clarifies it.
You know,
you might
doubt that
maybe not
all the
people were
moved in
heart or
spirit.
But verse
29 says,
all the
men and
women,
the people
of Israel,
whose heart
moved among
them to
bring for
the work
of the
Lord,
commanded by
the Moses
to be
done,
brought it
as a
free will
offering to
the Lord.
It would
seem that it
was actually
everyone that
brought,
everyone that
had this
heart.
And
throughout
this passage,
this heart
is seen in
all different
types of
people,
with all
different types
of skills,
and employs a
variety of
different trades.
People that
would craft
wood,
people that
would forge
metal,
people that
would mould,
people that
would make
yarns and
dye,
fabrics,
cords,
make oil,
make fragrance.
there would
have been
enough people
for each
task.
And here
we have
in effect
a whole
congregation
of God's
differing
people,
called
together in
one mind
for one
purpose,
and maybe
this is a
rare thing
to happen,
but a
blessing when
it does.
And what
potential we
have in
Stornoway.
When you
look at
each other
here,
and the
skill sets
that we
have,
that God
has given
to us,
what can
we do
for God?
If we
have this
heart that
is stirred
and moved
to obey
his commands,
to do
his will,
to give
of what
we can,
what would
God do
with us,
his people?
And maybe
you struggle
to identify
any sort
of work
that you
can do
for God,
but pray
about it.
Maybe try
something that
takes your
interest,
or maybe try
things that
don't take
your interest.
God may
surprise you.
Help anybody
that is in
need,
because in
his church
he can be
sure that
he has a
work for
you,
and he has
a work that
is suited
to you,
and it
is a
work that
will be
for his
glory.
So may
our hearts
be a
heart that
is stirred
to work
for the
glory of
God.
And note
also in
the passage
that it
is not a
few people
that are
mentioned.
It is not
a few people
that do the
work,
or do
everything.
it is a
complete
congregational
effort to
do the
work of
God.
But of
all the
people that
are here,
and the
generalizations
that we
make of
the whole
congregation,
there are
people also
that are
specifically
named.
And you'll
see that
in verse
30 and
34.
Then
Moses said
to the
people of
Israel,
see the
Lord has
called by
name,
Bezalel,
the son of
Uriah.
And in
34,
both
him and
Oliab,
the son of
Achimish,
he has
filled them
with the
skill to do
every sort
of work.
These two
men,
named by
God,
to carry
out his
work.
And I
wonder who
these men
were.
You know,
who were
these men
in their
character?
Would they
have been
confident
craftsmen?
Would they
have been
boastful
craftsmen?
I can't
see it.
I can't
even see it
that they
would have
been people
that Israel
would have
picked out
of all
the men.
And the
only reason
I'm saying
that is
because God
had to
name them.
God
named
these men.
God
had to
make it
clear who
these men
were to
be to
lead the
people.
Maybe
there were
people that
didn't want
the job
specifically,
but when
God asks
you by
name,
what can
you say?
And you
can note
again that
there is
no opposition
from anyone
to these
men being
appointed.
There seems
to be a
unified
recognition
in the
church to
these
people.
These
were
craftsmen
that the
others
were
willing
to be
under
and
willing
to be
led
by.
Not
men who
commended
themselves,
but men
who were
commended
by God.
2 Corinthians
verse 10.
But these
men were
not sure
why they
were picked
by God.
but we
are told
that they
were filled
with the
Spirit of
God.
And they
were people
that were
inspired to
teach in
verse 34.
And you
know,
this is the
people we
need to
lead us.
To lead
our churches.
People who
are set
apart by
God and
equipped by
the filling
of the
Spirit in
their lives.
people who
are ready
to work.
People who
God has
inspired to
teach.
People who
are relatable
to all
others.
And
people
who the
other,
who the
majority
are willing
to support.
God.
But in
everything that
these men
were called
to do,
it is
overshadowed
by the
words,
to do
what the
Lord has
commanded.
These men
were to do
in accordance
with all
that the
Lord had
commanded in
verse 1
of chapter
36.
It wasn't
by their
methods,
it wasn't
by their
ways,
it wasn't
by what
they thought
was best,
it was
a reliance
upon God
and his
directing
hand in
their work.
Such was
their heart,
such was
their heart
to listen
to God
and to
be devoted
to them.
But in
closing,
these people,
we look at
them,
and it is
an admirable
example,
maybe,
of what a
church should
be like.
obeying
God,
keeping the
Sabbath,
willing to
give,
willing to
help,
supporting
one another,
being
directed
by God
and the
people who
are over
them.
What,
where did
this come
from?
Where did
this zeal
come from
in them,
in this
example that
we have
here?
And can
we have
this same
zeal to
work for
God in
such a
way?
And that's
why I read
what I read
in chapter
33,
to understand
where the
people had
this zeal
and where
this came
from.
God,
you can
recall that
the children
of Israel
at the
Mount
Sinai,
they camped
at the
base,
and Moses
ascended to
meet with
God.
But it
took so
long that
the people
thought that
he had
died,
and they
fell into
the serious
sin of
creating this
God,
the golden
calf.
But Moses
hadn't
died.
Moses was
one that
came down
when he
did and
showed them
the sin
that they
had.
You have
sinned a
great sin.
And what we
read from
in chapter
33,
the anger
of God
was so
clear.
He says
that I
would not
go with
you lest
I consume
you.
Their sin
was so
grievous
in the
sight of
God,
that they
were called
a
stuff-nick
people,
but they
understood this.
They understood
their sin.
It says
they mourned
over,
they grieved
over their
sins in
their hearts.
They needed
to restore
God's
favour,
otherwise
he would
consume
them.
And when
their
representative
Moses went
to this
tent to
meet with
God,
they would
stand
outside
their
tents,
watching
this
man,
with all
reverence
and fear,
not knowing
what God
would do,
but they
bowed and
worshipped.
They bowed
and worshipped,
realising
their need
of forgiveness
of their
sins.
I believe
this is why
they had a
godly
heart,
to do
this work.
Beginning
with the
grief of
their
sin,
in making
this
other
god,
and not
relying or
trusting in
God,
the Lord
God.
It was
through this
spirit of
conviction,
and holy
reverence,
and holy
fear that
drew them
to seek
God,
and yet
he was a
god so
gracious that
he would
not consume
them.
He was a
god who
had mercy
on them.
They were
people who
stripped
themselves of
their
treasures.
They saw
that none
of these
things did
them any
good.
Their
hearts were
disengaged
from the
treasures of
this world,
and they
put them
aside in
order that
their heart
would seek
God.
They would
sit at the
door of
their tent
and prepare
themselves
to meet
with God.
And the
amazing thing
is that God
still wanted
to dwell
with them.
People that
were so
stiff-naised,
and can
we be like
these people?
Can we
have our
hearts renewed
and changed
to be the
example that
is set here
in chapter
35?
We have
sinned.
We know,
we confess
that our
hearts need
changed.
And we
should be
consumed and
would be
consumed in
the presence
of God
if we were
to meet
with him
before our
sins.
Because in
our sin we
have no
chance.
When we
meet with
God,
and there
are many
lives,
as maybe
our lives
were,
that stirred
the anger
of God
by making
our own
golden
calves and
our own
idols,
and doing
things our
way,
I can
have my
God,
and I
have my
own idea
of what
salvation
looked like.
And maybe
you did
this before
you were
converted,
and there
are men
still doing
this out
there.
Why do
they do
it?
Because
Christ is
dead to
them.
Christ is
dead to
them,
just like
the people
thought Moses
had died.
They sought
after other
things and
other gods,
that Jesus
is not
dead.
And we
know that
Jesus is
not dead.
He has
come down
that mountain
to meet
with us,
and he
reveals to
us the
sins and
foolishness of
our hearts
before God,
the foolishness
of our ways
and the state
of our sin
before an
almighty
God.
You
cannot do
it.
We cannot
do it our
way.
Jesus
comes down
and says,
I am the
way,
the truth
and the
life.
No one
comes to
the Father
except
through me.
So when
we see
our need
and we
sit,
a good
place for
us to
be is
sitting at
the door
of our
tents with
our eyes
upon God,
worshipping
him,
confessing
our sins,
asking for
our forgiveness,
that Jesus
will go on
our behalf,
as our
representative,
and that
we place
all our
trust in
this
Christ.
He has
washed away
our sins,
and it is
only through
this man
that we
can meet
with God.
And you
know what?
God is
pleased to
dwell with
us.
God
builds
within
our
hearts
a
dwelling
place
where
he
will
rest
amongst
his
people.
But he
gives us
a command
to go
and build
my
kingdom.
Do we
have a
heart
to obey
the command
that has
been left
to us?
Has
our heart
realised
that we
have not
been consumed
by God,
but that we
should have
been.
And it is
all because
of Christ
and his
death on
the cross
and his
justifying of
sin before
God,
the sins of
our hearts,
and he has
washed us
clean in
the blood
of the Lamb
that we
have confidence
and know
that God
dwells
within us.
May we
be people
that are
stirred in
heart
to
obey
his
commands,
to give
of ourselves
so willingly
and freely,
to be
people that
work with
one another
and to
be people
that realise
that it is
all through
Christ,
and it is
all through
that man
that has
saved us.
That we
would see
that we
have done
nothing
to deserve
it.
We have
done nothing
to deserve
the dwelling
place of
God to be
amongst us.
As the
people of
Israel did
not deserve
God to
dwell in
their midst,
we did
not deserve
that God
would dwell
in our
hearts.
but he
does
through
Christ.
And that
is what
changes
our hearts.
It
changes
our hearts
and
thanks
for all
that he
has done
for us
and we
hold loosely
to the
things of
the world.
What is
our heart
in it?
Do we
have a
heart
that was
like the
people of
Israel
that built
the dwelling
place of
God?
May these
thoughts be
blessed to
us tonight.
Can we
sing in
Psalm 27
of the
Scottish
Psalter?
Psalm 27
of the
Scottish
Psalter.
will sing
from
verse
4b.
Halfway
through
verse 4
that I
the
beauty
of the
Lord
behold
me and
admire
and that I
in his
holy place
may reverently
inquire
down to
end of
verse
mark 6.
Therefore
unto us
tabernacle
I'll
sacrifice
us
bring
of
joyfulness
I'll
sing
ye
I
to
God
will
praise
us
sing.
Heirs
stand
together
and lift
our hearts
and praise
to God
that I
the beauty
of the
Lord
behold
me
and
admire
and
the
beauty
of
the
Lord
behold
me
and
admire
and
the
dying
is
holy
place
spirit
and
the
and
while
for
he
in
his
family
young
shall
behind
the
evil
days
and
secret
of
his
tent
behind
and
on
our
home
be
raised
on
the
green
at
this
present
time
my
head
shall
lift
it
be
me
above
all
those
that
are
my
foot
and
ground
encompass
me
the
poor
and
to
rich
town
and
build
and
sacrifices
free
of
joy
fullness
and
sing
yea
to
God
will
praise
us
me
close with
prayer
our heavenly
father
we pray
that you
would be
one that
would be
at work
in our
hearts
as we
come and
sit at
our
tent
and
confession
of all
that we
are
in the
depths
of our
hearts
but we
look to
one that
has
gone
before
us
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
may
he
be
one
that
continues
to
intercede
for
us
and
one
that
we
would
trust
in
and
that
the
spirit
would
be
at
work
in
our
hearts
convicting
us
of
these
things
may
we
know
God
through
this
and
may
you
be
one
that
rests
upon
us
in
the
days
ahead
of
us
be
with
us
we
pray
all
these
things
we
ask
in
the
name
of
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
Amen