25-1102a Transcript

(1:00) The second scripture reading for this (1:03) morning will be taken from Hebrews, the 10th chapter, beginning with verse 9 and (1:10) reading through verse 25. Hebrews 10, verse 9 through 25. Then he said, behold, I have come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. By that will we have been (1:32) sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest stands ministering daily, and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this man, after he hath offered one sacrifice for sins (2:01) forever, sat down at the right hand of God. On that time, waiting till his enemies are made his crystal, for by one offering he hath perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us, for after he hath said the word,

this is the covenant (2:31) that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them. Then he adds, their sins and their lawful deeds I will remember no more. (2:54) Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Our poor brethren have a boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us through the veil that is his flesh. (3:23) And having a high place over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. (3:51) For he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but enjoying one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching." (4:22)

(4:27) Greetings everyone. Good to see everyone. (4:31) The topic of my lesson, the title of my lesson this morning is Fearing God. Fearing God.

(4:39) The question is, do we fear God? (4:44) And if so, just how much do we fear God? (4:48) And to what degree do we fear God? (4:51) You know, the answer to this, we need to fear God. (4:58) A hundred percent you can. (5:02) The main thing is that we understand what it means to fear God.

(5:07) And what it is that God is asking us, and what are the poets asking us to do when they say, fear God and keep his commandments. (5:19) It was the sons of the Ecclesiastes writer, wasn’t it? (5:23) Fear God and keep his commandments, which is the whole matter of life. (5:28) And so, when we talk about fearing God, how do we illustrate that and how do we get it in the back of our minds? (5:34) And I’m sure that every one of you have the correct application, and all I’m going to do is just verify perhaps.

(5:41) I hope I do anyway. (5:44) But the idea of fearing God is more than just being awestruck by him. (5:52) It’s more than just wanting to know whether or not we’re pleasing him or not.

(5:58) It’s more than those things. (6:02) I’m sure that as you were growing up as children, you had the fear of God in you as far as your parents were concerned. (6:12) You had the fear of your parents.

(6:15) What does that mean to you? (6:17) Did you really have the fear of your parents in you? (6:20) I’m sure that in many cases you did, because you were concerned about carrying the right image going to school, (6:28) carrying the right image playing with your playmates, carrying the right image when you were going around with your neighbors. (6:36) And what would be the right image as far as your parents were concerned? (6:41) That you would be wholesome, that you would make sure that you didn’t use foul language, (6:46) that perhaps you didn’t pick up a cigarette or two along the way. (6:50) Perhaps you were honest, true, and your word was right, and you didn’t lie.

(6:59) Those are all things that your parents were very proud of and would want to be able to brag about. (7:06) My children don’t do those things. (7:11) And so if you had the fear of your parents in you, you’d make sure you didn’t do those things.

(7:19) Why? (7:22) Because it would embarrass them. (7:25) It would make them angry. (7:27) It would make them to the point where they might ground you.

(7:31) You know, God has the same thoughts about us. (7:37) He desires for every one of us to be righteous. (7:41) He desires for every one of us to be true in all our behavior.

(7:47) Is there a moment, is there a time when that’s not sometimes true? (7:54) And God knows. (7:56) And God knows whether or not we’re behaving the way He wants us to behave, doesn’t He? (8:01) Are we concerned ourselves with whether we’re pleasing Him or not? (8:06) If we do, we’re fearing God. (8:09) Are we willing to approach problems the way He would teach us to approach problems, (8:16) whether it’s, you know, emotional demands, things like that? (8:23) Those are things that we know that He has teachings on, don’t we? (8:28) And those are the things that we want to make sure that we honor (8:33) when we want to do those things.

(8:36) Do we really have the fear of God? (8:39) And to what degree do we have the fear of God? (8:44) Just a minor passing by, which is a pet peeve of mine, and I always bring it up whenever I can. (8:49) Do you obey His traffic laws? (8:54) No, God wants you to. (8:56) God wants you to obey the laws of the land.

(9:00) It doesn’t matter what the laws of the land are. (9:02) He wants you to obey those laws of the land. (9:05) And the laws of the land says, speed limit is, (9:09) whatever it is that’s going through, you’re traveling down, (9:13) 35 out here maybe, 45, something.

(9:16) And it’s not what the police enforce. (9:22) I’ve had so many people tell me, (9:25) you’re going down the highway and you’re doing, (9:27) it’s supposed to be 55 or 65, and then you’re doing 60, 70, 80, (9:34) and then I said, why are you speeding? (9:36) He said, oh, I’m not speeding. (9:38) I’m doing what the law enforces.

(9:42) Well, you’re speeding. (9:46) The thing is, you see, are we really concerning ourselves with the fear of God? (9:53) And so as I reflect upon that, (9:56) I’d like to just show that mankind does not really, in 100%, fear God. (10:06) Because we’re not able to keep the laws of the land.

(10:09) We’re not able to do all the things consciously that God has asked us to. (10:17) So along the way, one of the illustrations that I have, (10:21) that is Adam and Eve. (10:25) But I want to read a scripture here, for one thing, to begin with.

(10:30) And that is Hebrews, the first chapter, verse 1. (10:35) And it sort of sets the stage of what I wanted to talk about, (10:40) because God communicates with us. (10:43) God has ways of telling man how he wants to be respected, (10:49) how he wants to be worshiped. (10:52) And he tells us that right from the very beginning in Adam and Eve, doesn’t he? (10:57) But listen to it, because the Hebrew writer wants us to realize (11:01) that God does communicate with his people.

(11:09) Hebrews, the first chapter, and reading from the New International Version. (11:18) In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets of many times and in various ways. (11:28) But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, (11:32) whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

(11:40) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, (11:46) sustaining all things by his power of powerful words. (11:51) After he had provided purification for sins, (11:54) he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. (11:57) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited and superior of theirs.

(12:06) The point I want to make is that God communicates with his creation. (12:15) In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets of many times and in various ways. (12:22) And did we listen to him? And have we listened to him? (12:27) And of course, the case in point that I would like to point out is Adam and Eve.

(12:33) And as we reflect upon that, we see that when God created the heavens and the earth (12:39) and put man into the garden, what did he tell man? (12:45) He told man, you can eat everything. The whole garden is yours. (12:52) Do with it whatever you have to do with it and want to do with it.

(12:56) But don’t. Don’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (13:03) Because in the day that you do eat of it, you shall surely die.

(13:08) It sounds like a parent leaving their child behind in the house and saying, (13:16) you’re going to have the run of the house, but don’t go in there and play with the stove. (13:20) And don’t put your hand on the burner because you’re going to get burnt. (13:26) It’s like God basically said to Adam and Eve.

(13:29) You can have everything, but don’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (13:35) Because in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die. (13:39) So how much did Adam and Eve fear God? (13:47) In theory.

(13:50) In theory, they don’t. (13:51) Because we see the account where Eve is betrayed of the God. (13:57) We see that Satan comes up to him in the form of a serpent and says, (14:03) are you able to eat of everything in the garden? (14:08) And Eve says, yeah, you can eat of everything.

(14:11) Oh, no, take that back. (14:14) We can’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because in the day we do eat of it, we shall surely die. (14:21) I’m thinking that Scott is the one who brought this up to me about the fact that perhaps (14:26) she’s seeing Satan sitting there eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

(14:31) Eating the fruit of it. (14:33) And he’s not dying. (14:34) I don’t know if that’s Milligan or not.

(14:36) But anyway, he’s not dying. (14:40) She’s looking at him. (14:44) Of course, he’s not dying, but it’s death that she expected him to die.

(14:48) I don’t know what she expected him to do because they didn’t know death at that time. (14:53) I don’t know what she expected to happen. (14:55) But she saw that it was good to eat and it was luscious and it was something to desire.

(15:03) And Satan told her a lie. (15:06) And the lie was, what? (15:10) You won’t die. (15:12) He’s afraid that you’re going to, when you eat of it, you’re going to know, become like him, going right from wrong.

(15:20) Oh, that’s desirous, isn’t it? (15:23) How do you get hooked on LSD or some other drug? (15:27) It’s because you think that if you enhance your body with those particular chemicals, (15:34) that you’ll get a brain attack. (15:37) Ha ha, I’m a brain. (15:40) Those are things that are very attractive, aren’t they? (15:45) But, if Eve had really feared God, what would she have said? (15:53) I’m sorry, sir, that I can’t eat of the tree of knowledge for a minute because (15:58) my mom and dad told me not to play with the fire, not to play with the burners.

(16:04) My mom and dad told me not to do that. (16:06) And so, I’m not going to eat of the tree of knowledge for a minute. (16:10) Basically, I’m saying, God told me.

(16:14) God said, don’t eat of the tree of knowledge if you’re an evil person, because then you die. (16:20) Surely, if you eat of it, you shall die. (16:22) Where’s the fear? (16:25) There’s no fear.

(16:27) But when do they fear? (16:30) They fear because Eve gave Adam a portion of that fruit and he ate of it, too. (16:40) And so, all of a sudden, their eyes are open. Their eyes are open.

(16:45) And they recognize the fact that they’re naked. (16:48) Uh oh, we just got caught. (16:53) We just got caught.

(16:56) And so, what are we going to do? (16:59) They get their fake trees and they realize that they need to cover themselves. (17:04) So, they get fake trees and they cover themselves. (17:07) And all of a sudden, they hear mom and dad drive up in the driveway.

(17:14) You aren’t supposed to play with the fire. (17:18) That’s exactly what Adam and Eve did. (17:21) They hear the voice of God walking in the garden.

(17:27) Oh, what are we going to do? (17:31) They hide themselves. (17:33) That’s the only thing that they can do at that time. (17:36) They hide themselves.

(17:39) That’s when they fear Him. (17:43) They didn’t fear Him until then. (17:46) They’re not fearful.

(17:47) But why are they fearful of Him? (17:51) It’s not the right kind of fear. (17:55) It’s the wrong kind of fear. (17:58) It’s the fear of being found out.

(18:01) It’s the fear of being found that they dare. (18:03) He did the tree of knowledge a good neighbor. (18:07) Oh, oh, wow.

(18:13) So, they got caught. (18:16) God walking in the garden. (18:18) And they hear Him walking in the garden.

(18:21) They hide themselves. (18:24) And God says, Adam, Eve, where are you? (18:29) We hid ourselves. Why? (18:33) Because we’re naked.

(18:34) Who told you you were naked? (18:35) Did you eat in the tree of knowledge a good neighbor like I told you not to? (18:42) They’re fearful of God at this point, aren’t they? (18:46) But you see, we need to be fearful of God. (18:51) And we need to be fearful of God in all of our walk of life. (18:59) God, from that moment on, says to them, (19:03) I’m going to set things up for you.

(19:06) I’m paraphrasing now, because in the third chapter, verse 15, (19:11) God says to Eve, from your seed, I am going to make things right. (19:18) I’m going to rectify things. I’m going to make things straight.

(19:21) Eve believes Him. (19:23) And so, when the first child was born, Cain, (19:28) he names him Cain. (19:30) And she says, God has gotten me a man.

(19:35) Meaning, he’s going to avenge her. (19:39) He’s going to rectify her. (19:41) He’s going to have a competition with Satan.

(19:44) Because God said to Eve, (19:48) I’m going to put enmity between your seed and Satan’s seed. (19:53) And they’re going to have a scuffle. (19:55) They’re going to have a fight.

(19:58) And Satan is going to bruise the heel of your son. (20:10) Because your son will bruise the head of him. (20:14) And, of course, during that fight, (20:16) I could simply get a blow to the head for a year, (20:19) and I’ll take a blow to the heel any day.

(20:24) But Satan means that he’s going to be (20:33) triumphant. (20:34) So, anyway. (20:36) How do we fear God? (20:39) How do we fear God? (20:40) Well, God shares with us how He wants to be worshipped.

(20:44) And there is no two-hips and two-butts about it. (20:48) God shares with us how He wants to be worshipped. (20:53) And, of course, the next thing that I’m going to be talking about (20:56) is Cain and Abel.

(20:59) Because, apparently, they know how they’re supposed to worship God. (21:04) And they see that (21:07) they have come, (21:09) and they are going to be offering their sacrifice. (21:12) Let’s pick up with Genesis, the fourth chapter.

(21:15) Now, Abel would have kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. (21:19) In the course of time, Cain brought forth some of the fruits of the soil (21:23) as an offering to the Lord. (21:26) Apparently, (21:26) God has shared with them how He wants to be worshipped.

(21:30) Because they’re going to be offering, (21:33) making an offer to the Lord. (21:35) And Abel also brought an offering. (21:38) That portion is from some of the firstborn of his flock.

(21:41) The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, (21:45) but on Cain and his offering, (21:47) He did not look with favor. (21:50) So Cain was very angry, (21:52) and his face was downcast. (21:56) It doesn’t tell us exactly.

(21:59) It gives us some things. (22:01) It infers what took place. (22:06) Obviously, Cain is very much aware (22:09) of the fact that his offering, (22:12) his worship to God, was not acceptable.

(22:15) And Abel saw this. (22:17) Somebody knew how to approach God (22:21) exactly the way God wanted to be worshipped. (22:25) And so he didn’t keep it a secret from Cain.

(22:30) Cain knew how he was supposed to come and worship Him. (22:34) So in verse 6, after he rejected Cain, (22:39) the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, (22:42) but on Cain and his offering, (22:43) He did not look with favor. (22:46) So Cain was very angry, (22:50) and his face was downcast.

(22:53) That’s the reaction of being rejected. (22:56) So he’s very angry. (22:58) And he’s downcast.

(23:00) And he’s being rejected by the very one (23:02) that he wanted to impress, apparently. (23:05) Because it upset him. (23:07) There’s no to ifs, ands, and buts about it.

(23:11) But God comes to him (23:12) in a very interesting conversation. (23:16) Apparently, Cain did not pay attention to what God wanted. (23:23) And apparently, Cain did not respect God.

(23:30) And did not fear Him. (23:32) He did not fear God, (23:34) because he didn’t bring the right sacrifice. (23:37) So what does he do? (23:40) Then the Lord said to Cain, (23:42) and I like this, verse 6, (23:44) The Lord said to Cain, (23:46) Why are you angry? (23:50) Why is your face downcast? (23:53) He’s not buying Cain’s…​ (23:58) He’s not buying that story.

(24:01) He’s not buying when a person doesn’t please him. (24:05) And we don’t fear him. (24:08) He’s not impressed with the way we (24:10) may go around pouting, (24:12) and being angry, and all this stuff.

(24:15) He’s not angry about that. (24:17) He’s not pleased with that. (24:19) And the Lord said to Cain, (24:20) Why are you angry? (24:23) Why is your face downcast? (24:25) Listen to what he has to say.

(24:28) If you do what is right, (24:31) will you not be accepted? (24:37) If you do what is right? (24:40) Hear me. (24:41) You knew what I was supposed to do. (24:43) You knew what I was supposed to do, (24:44) and how I wanted to be worshiped.

(24:46) Hear me. (24:48) If you do what is right, (24:55) but if you do not do what is right, (24:58) let’s finish out that sentence, (25:00) but if you do not do what is right, (25:02) sin is couching at your door. (25:06) It desires to have you, (25:08) but you must rule over it.

(25:12) In other words, (25:14) I’m getting out of that fact, (25:15) that you do have control. (25:20) You do have control over (25:22) whether you fear God or not, (25:23) and whether your behavior is pleasing to God. (25:26) You do have the control of that.

(25:30) And it’s well within your ability (25:32) to please God, (25:35) if you will do what is right. (25:38) It is. (25:40) But we always have an excuse, (25:43) and we always have justification (25:44) of why we’re not going to do what we want to do.

(25:49) So one thing leads to another, (25:51) and we know the story about Cain and Abel going. (25:54) We know how Cain’s anger (25:58) got him into trouble, (26:01) and we know that he follows Abel out to the field, (26:05) and there he kills him. (26:08) And just because he didn’t knew (26:10) what was right inside of God, (26:12) and that he didn’t fear God, (26:15) these things happen.

(26:17) Well, the point I want to make is (26:20) that God is making it possible for us (26:24) to be reconciled to Him, (26:27) because she told, (26:30) and the first prophecy was, (26:33) in Genesis 3, verse 15, (26:36) that God is going to make it right, (26:38) and that God will see to it (26:40) that He can repair the rift that is between them. (26:44) There is a rift. (26:45) There is a divorce, if you will.

(26:47) The divorce is that God kicked Adam and Eve (26:51) out of the garden, (26:52) and all mankind out of the garden. (26:54) And so, you know, he was angry. (26:57) He was very upset.

(26:58) You will not enjoy the garden of Eden anymore. (27:02) And he makes those promises to other people (27:05) who behave the same way (27:06) as he was following Israelites (27:08) down through the wilderness. (27:10) He realized that they were not pleasing him, (27:13) and he realized that they were not making any attempt (27:17) to fear him, (27:18) and so he says to them, (27:20) You will not enter my rest.

(27:25) Isn’t that a familiar statement? (27:27) You will not enter my rest. (27:31) And we know that along the way, (27:34) God has always shared with us (27:35) how He wants to be worshipped, (27:37) and that’s what the Hebrew writer pointed out. (27:39) In various and sundry ways, (27:41) God spoke to mankind, (27:43) and He let man know exactly (27:45) how He wanted to be worshipped.

(27:47) And so along the way, (27:50) He picked out, (27:52) as the Israelites are coming out of Egypt, (27:54) and as they get to Mount Sinai, (27:56) He points out to them, (27:59) I would like to be your God. (28:02) And He’s singling out the descendants of Abraham. (28:06) He’s not singling out the rest of the people.

(28:08) He’s not including the rest of the people in the world. (28:11) He’s singling out just this one element of people, (28:15) the descendants of Abraham (28:17) who have been marked by circumcision. (28:20) And those people are the ones He is proposing, (28:24) and He’s sharing with them (28:25) how He wants to be worshipped.

(28:29) And He tells them how He wants them to behave. (28:32) And He gives them the law. (28:34) He gives them what we refer to as the Ten Commandments.

(28:37) But there’s more than just the Ten Commandments (28:40) that He’s referring to them. (28:41) If you read Leviticus, (28:43) you’ll notice that there’s many other things (28:46) that God has included in Moses (28:49) and is pointing out to them. (28:50) That these are the things that God wants us to follow (28:53) in our lifestyle and in our way.

(28:56) And so these are the ways. (28:58) And so God gives them a specific way to worship Him. (29:05) And it’s said that if you do not circumcise, (29:08) circumcise your child, (29:11) He has no share in this inheritance.

(29:16) Only those of your children who are circumcised (29:20) will have a share in this inheritance. (29:23) You cannot be in that. (29:25) And so He gives them the priesthood, Leviticus.

(29:29) He gives them the temple. (29:31) He gives them the altar. (29:33) He tells them exactly how He wants the tabernacle built.

(29:37) He tells them exactly how He wants the labor made. (29:41) He tells them exactly how He wants everything done. (29:45) And that what the priests are going to do.

(29:49) And He wants them to realize that the priests (29:51) are going to be the go-between between Him and His followers. (30:00) And so as we reflect upon that, (30:03) we know that the priest must have a particular function (30:08) in His worship itself. (30:11) So as we reflect upon that, (30:15) Hebrew writer points out to us some of those functions.

(30:20) And so he points out in chapter 5, starting in verse 1, (30:26) which I thought Micah was going to read. (30:28) But anyway. (30:32) Every high priest, (30:33) this is again from the New International Version, (30:37) chapter 5, verse 1. (30:39) Every high priest is selected from among the people (30:41) and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, (30:46) to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

(30:50) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant (30:53) and are going astray, (30:55) since he himself is subject to weaknesses. (30:59) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins (31:03) as well as for the sins of the people. (31:07) And no one takes this honor on himself, (31:10) but he receives it when called by God, (31:15) just as Aaron was.

(31:17) In the same way Christ did not take on Himself (31:20) the glory of becoming a high priest, (31:22) but God said to Him, (31:24) You are my son, (31:26) today I have become your father. (31:28) And He says in another place, (31:31) You are a priest forever, (31:34) in the order of Melchizedek. (31:36) During the days of Jesus' life on earth, (31:39) He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries (31:43) and tears to the one who would save Him from death.

(31:46) And He was heard because of His reverent submission. (31:53) Son, though He was, (31:54) He learned obedience from what He suffered (31:56) and once made perfect, (31:58) He became the source of eternal salvation (32:01) for all who obeyed Him. (32:04) So why am I interceding? (32:06) This is because the worship that God established with the Israelites (32:12) was temporary.

(32:15) It was temporary and how do I know it was temporary? (32:19) Because through the prophet Jeremiah, (32:21) chapter 31 verse 31, (32:23) which is repeated in the 8th chapter of Hebrews (32:26) and also in the 10th chapter of Hebrews, (32:29) it’s alluded to, (32:30) where He points out that He is put out with the Israelites. (32:36) He is padded with them. (32:39) He doesn’t want to be with them anymore (32:42) and that there’s going to be a time and a place (32:44) when He’s going to replace this covenant with them.

(32:49) But the Hebrew writer points out just one little thing (32:52) that we need to recognize and that is (32:54) that if there’s going to be a change in the priesthood, (32:57) there has to be a change in the covenant. (33:03) We know that the Israelites, (33:06) over all the years before Jesus was born, (33:09) got accustomed to this (33:11) and they were under the impression (33:14) that it was going to be perhaps forever. (33:18) But that’s not the case because you see, (33:21) Moses knew that it was only temporary.

(33:25) If you reflect to Moses, (33:28) and when you get into that, (33:31) let me get it to 2 Corinthians, (33:35) the third chapter, (33:37) and as we reflect to that, (33:40) he points out that Moses realized (33:43) that there was going to be a change in the priesthood, (33:51) that it was just temporary (33:53) because of the way that he treated them, (34:03) starting out with verse 7, chapter 3. (34:05) Now, if the ministry that brought death, (34:09) which was engraved in letters in stone, (34:12) came with glory so that the Israelites (34:14) could not look steadily on the face of Moses (34:17) because of its glory, transistory, (34:20) though it was, (34:22) will not the ministry of the Spirit (34:25) be even more glorious? (34:27) If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, (34:31) how much more glorious is the ministry (34:34) that brings righteousness? (34:37) For what was glorious has no glory now (34:40) in comparison with the surpassing glory (34:43) and if what was transistory came with glory, (34:49) how much greater is the glory of that which lasts? (34:53) And he’s going to show us how transistory it was. (34:56) Moses knew that it was just in passing (34:59) and just going to be. (35:02) So he points out, verse 12, (35:04) therefore, since we have such a hope, (35:06) we are very bold.

(35:07) We are not like Moses, (35:09) who would put a veil over his face (35:11) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end (35:14) of what was passing away. (35:17) But their minds were made dull (35:19) to, for this day, (35:21) the same veil remains (35:23) when the old covenant is read. (35:26) It has not been removed (35:28) because only in Christ is it taken away.

(35:32) Even to this day, when Moses is read, (35:35) a veil covers their hearts. (35:37) But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, (35:40) the veil is taken away. (35:43) Now the Lord is the Spirit (35:45) and where the Spirit of glory (35:48) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, (35:50) there is freedom.

(35:52) And we all who with unveiled faces contemplate (35:55) the Lord’s glory (35:57) are being transformed into His image (36:00) with ever increasing glory (36:02) which comes from the Lord (36:04) who is the Spirit. (36:06) So now, what we want to recognize is (36:10) that God has made a transition (36:14) and that transition has taken place. (36:18) Where did and when did it take place? (36:21) It took place on the day of Pentecost (36:24) after Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

(36:30) Because at that time, (36:32) the spilling of blood endorses (36:34) and puts into effect (36:36) the second covenant that God established. (36:42) And so, the Israelite covenant (36:44) is no longer in place (36:46) as far as God is concerned. (36:48) You can continue to worship it if you will.

(36:51) It’s here on earth. (36:53) God’s covenant (36:54) and His kingdom (36:57) is in heaven where Jesus is (36:59) where He is interceding for us. (37:01) And He is our high priest (37:03) and He has taken our position, (37:06) His position, for us (37:08) on the right hand side of God (37:10) and there He is interceding for us.

(37:12) And this is what God wants (37:14) and how God wants us to worship Him today. (37:19) This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased (37:22) hearing Him on the Mount of Transfiguration, right? (37:26) That’s when He passes the baton to Jesus. (37:30) This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, (37:34) hear ye Him.

(37:35) And then we know that He endorsed (37:37) when He’s baptized. (37:39) This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, (37:41) hear ye Him. (37:42) And then we see Him ascending into heaven (37:47) and there He is on the right hand side of God.

(37:51) God wants us to come to Him (37:53) through Jesus, not through the Israelites. (38:00) He has established His new religion. (38:04) He has established His new worship.

(38:07) His new worship is (38:09) worshiping Him through Jesus. (38:13) Jesus is our advocate. (38:16) Jesus is our sacrifice, (38:19) our obituation.

(38:22) Jesus is the one who (38:24) has the ability to forgive us of our sins. (38:29) And so how do we go about doing that? (38:32) You know, Mark 16, 15 and 16, Matthew 20, (38:40) Jesus tells us how we can become a member of His church (38:44) and how we can employ Him as our high priest (38:49) and how we can ask Him (38:51) to forgive us of our sins and wipe us clean. (38:56) And then we have the ability to enter into the presence of God (39:00) through Jesus.

(39:03) Now, what is the stipulation? (39:11) Well, I have to turn to Mark 16, 15 and 16. (39:16) Jesus goes to His disciples (39:18) and is ready to ascend to His Father. (39:21) He’s already been crucified.

(39:25) He’s already been buried. (39:28) Jesus, through God’s grace, has been coming to them (39:31) and He’s getting ready to ascend into heaven (39:33) and He goes to His disciples and He says to His disciples, (39:38) Glory to all the world, (39:41) teaching them and making them disciples of Me, (39:48) baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, (39:53) and that they shall be saved. (39:59) That’s how we (40:02) employ God and Jesus.

(40:06) If you’re here this morning (40:07) and have not paid your public response according to Jesus, (40:13) He wants you to be His disciple. (40:17) He wants you to be saved. (40:18) He wants to represent you.

(40:21) He wants to intercede for you (40:22) and turn you around. (40:25) He’s entering into the Holy of Holies, (40:29) a place not made by hands. (40:32) And He’s there.

(40:34) He offers His sacrifice on behalf of mankind (40:37) for the forgiveness of their sins. (40:40) If you would be responsive to His benediction, (40:44) be baptized for remission of your sins, (40:46) we’d like to extend to you the opportunity to do so. (40:49) We stand in the same discernment personally.

(40:51) If you desire the prayers of the congregations, (40:54) please make that known too at this time.