Sermon notes (not a transcript) from a message delivered at Trinity Christian Chapel on November 18, 2012:
Hello – I am Tony Hipszer. Some of you may know me because you remember
Cindy and me telling you about our church planting trips to Central and South
America, or maybe is it because of our work with the homeless in Camden or
serving those who fall victim to a disaster.
What some of you may not know is that
I am a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University – now Cairn – and have a
degree in Biblical Studies with a focus on Pastoral Leadership.
Also you may not know that Cindy and I
recently realized that God is calling us to commit more of our lives and time
to Him and we have started a search for full time ministry opportunities.
When Mike heard this he quickly offered
to allow me some opportunities at the pulpit.
I was allowed to preach on any topic in the Bible except Revelation – I
think he was worried that if someone else taught on Revelation…that they might
actually finish it.
Background:
People of Israel found themselves in bondage at the hands of the Egyptians
when God appointed Moses to lead them out by His hands. They were freed from slavery with the promise
of their own land.
During the journey God established His laws and organized the community according to
tribes which originate from the sons of Jacob.
In the 13th month of the
journey (Exodus 40:7) – they set up the
tabernacle as place of worship, sacrifice and the dwelling place for the
glory of God.
Open to God’s
Word…
15 - On the day
that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the
tent of the testimony. And at evening it
was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.
16 - So it was
always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night.
17 - And whenever
the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out,
and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel
camped.
18 - At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out,
and at the command of the Lord
they camped. As long as the cloud rested
over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.
19 - Even when
the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept
the charge of the Lord and did not
set out.
20 - Sometimes
the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of
the Lord they remained in camp;
then according to the command of the Lord
they set out.
21 - And sometimes the cloud remained from
evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out,
or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out.
22 - Whether it
was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued
over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and
did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.
23 - At the
command of the Lord they camped,
and at the command of the Lord
they set out. They kept the charge
of the Lord, at the command of
the Lord by Moses.
(Numbers 9:15–23, ESV)
PRAY
Set the scene:
Not your ordinary camping trip
The census taken earlier in the book tells us there were roughly 625,000 men of “fighting age”. If only half of them had wives and children –
the total population could easily be in excess of 2 million people.
No advance
scouting – people of Israel followed the cloud (fire at night).
They were
following God and traveling based on His will not their own will and to where
He was taking them, not where they wanted to go – and without any real
intelligence on what they would find when in route or when they got there – no
scouting.
God’s timing – moving was based on when God
decided they were going to move.
Seven times
in nine verses Scripture uses the phrase – “command of the Lord” or “charge of
the Lord” – it was clear God wanted His will to reign in the lives of Israel.
They had to
be ready at any time – they did not
know when God’s glory was going to move.
They had to travel light – even for nomads.
We had to do
this in a similar manner in the military
– we didn’t know when we were going – we didn’t know where we were going – we
only knew that we were not in the ultimate ending place and that we had to be
ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
It was not a
snap your fingers fast process – but within a few hours we had to be packed up
and on our way. I was stationed at Fort
Bragg about 100 years ago. We were a
readiness post who could relocate the combat divisions of the 82 airborne to
anywhere in the world in 24-48 hours – with the rest of the camp shortly behind
– about 3-4 days. And we practiced – without notice. We didn’t have cell phones or internet
either. At least we did have trucks and
planes.
Centrality of God:
Numbers
2:2–34, ESV
The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard,
with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of
meeting on every side. Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall
be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies - They shall set out
first on the march.
On the south side – Reuben& 2nd
Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the
Levites in the midst of the camp…
On the west side Ephraim, 3rd
North and last is Dan
Whether stationary or moving, the tent of meeting is in the center of the camp with the Priests.
Always Visible in light and in darkness
16
- So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of
fire by night.
Preparation:
God's glory
set upon the tabernacle - and not until then. So the tabernacle being
established is critical to the following. God’s lead includes preparation
– His preparation.
15 - On the day
that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the
tent of the testimony. And at evening it
was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.
Preparation of Israel after freedom from Egypt:
Samuel J. Schultz and Gary V. Smith, Exploring the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001).
40-41.
Numbering Israel
|
Numbers
|
1:1–4:49
|
Military census
|
1:1–54
|
|
Camp assignments
|
2:1–34
|
|
Levites and their duties
|
3:1–4:49
|
|
Camp regulations
|
5:1–6:21
|
|
Restrictions of evil practices
|
5:1–31
|
|
Nazirite vows
|
6:1–21
|
|
Religious life of Israel
|
6:22–9:14
|
|
Tabernacle worship instituted
|
6:22–8:26
|
|
The second Passover
|
9:1–14
|
Mindset of Israel: What are some of the characteristics of the people of Israel
that were following God in the wilderness?
Submissive:
17
- And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of
Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people
of Israel camped.
18 - At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out,
and at the command of the Lord
they camped. As long as the cloud rested
over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.
Available
and attentive:
19
- Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of
Israel kept the charge of the Lord
and did not set out.
20
- Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according
to the command of the Lord they
remained in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they set out.
Patient –
but maybe complacent at times:
22
- Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud
continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in
camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.
Disciplined:
23
- At the command of the Lord
they camped, and at the command of the Lord
they set out. They kept the charge
of the Lord, at the command of
the Lord by Moses.
*** The Lord not only tells us to go
but He also tells us when to stay.
Okay – that’s great Tony, but they had a
clearly visible sign to follow. What do
we do today?
1 Corinthians 10:1–6, ESV
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our
fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual
food, and all drank the same spiritual drink.
For they drank from
the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Characteristics of Christ:
Submissive
– bowed to the Father’s will. Talk about
ways that Christ submitted to the Father.
And how we are to let go of our wants and desires in order to follow the
example of Christ.
Available
– always ready to aid the hurting and lost.
How available are you? Do you
stop to listen to someone in need? Even
if you cannot aid in the physical needs of the person – are you spending the
time to aid their emotional and spiritual needs.
Patient
– often told disciples His time has not yet come. Are you listening to God even when He has you
“in camp” – or are you always pushing for the move to the next step. Are you happy when God says to stay – He may
want you exactly where you are!
Disciplined
– stayed on the cross through the pain.
Actions for you:
Keep Christ
in the center:
Understanding God’s leading generally is pretty simple – the
Bible lays it all out for us.
Christ is our example of how to live how to pray and how to
love others.
Wait for preparation:
Study Scripture – the way God talks to us
Quiet and constant prayer – in “desolate places” (Mark 1:36)
Quiet and constant prayer – in “desolate places” (Mark 1:36)
It is okay
to ask about next steps and maybe even be specific about our desires – but do
so in His will.
Don’t be
dissatisfied when the change has not occurred and the direction is not
evident.
It might
just be a sign that you are exactly where God wants you to be.
CLOSING:
The book of
Exodus describes how God redeemed Israel
Leviticus provided Sanctification through the law and
sacrifices
God directed Israel in Numbers.
Principle of
the people of Israel was to get us to the Church age – to bring about
Christ!
It all leads
to Christ – Christ is our Lord.
Gospel
available to all who seek Him.
Benediction:
Jesus is our
cloud – be happy in the piece of the plan we have.
And we are
part of this great big plan – and that big plan is the preparation for the
return of Christ when He brings about the new heaven and the new earth.
And our job
while here is to tell as many people about Him as we can.
And that
those who accept are to learn about Him and how we are to live.
Even our
little piece of the plan – no matter how little or how big – that plan
individually for us is to be done with a glad heart – and with an eye for the
future.
Read your Bible - focused prayer.
Everyday!
Go in peace.
