THE GOSPEL OF EXODUS!
2 Exodus 28:1-4
INTRODUCTION: We start tonight with the Gospel of Exodus: you say the Gospel of Exodus? Aren’t there only four Gospels? No there are 66 Gospels in the Bible! Every book in the Bible tells us the good news of Jesus Christ: John 5:39; Exodus 25:8. God’s wants to dwell among His people: John 1:14, the word “dwelt” means “to tabernacle.” Today from the Gospel of Exodus we will learn how to make peace with our past: Exodus 28:1-4.
I. RECEIVING GOD’S PROVISION FOR YOUR LIFE!
Exodus 28:6-12: Every time the High Priest would enter the presence of God in the Holy of Holies he carried on his shoulders the children of Israel! The High Priest was Israel’s representative to God and God’s representative to Israel: Exodus 28:12. We also today have a High Priest who represents us before God: Hebrews 7:24-25; Luke 15:5. Our Lord carries us on His shoulders with strength and power: 2 Timothy 1:7.
II. DEALING WITH YOUR PAST SIN!
Exodus 28:15-21: The breastplate of judgement was a vest worn by the High Priest with 12 stones in 4 rows of three. And on each stone was engraved the names of the 12 tribes of Israel: Exodus 28:29. Jesus Christ not only carries us on His shoulders, He also carries us in His heart. To make peace with our past we must deal with our sin! There is no peace where there are secret sins in our hearts: Isaiah 57:21; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9. Rather than conceal our sins we need to confess them and know our God’s healing!
III. BY LOOKING TO YOUR FUTURE!
Exodus 28:30: The Urim and Thummim were over the High Priest’s heart to be able to make right decisions according to God’s will. Today we have the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to help us determine God’s will for our lives: Psalm 119:105; John 16:12-15. We need to put the past in the past through confession and repentance and look to the future knowing our God has a plan for our lives.
IV. BEARING FRUIT THROUGH YOUR LIFE!
Exodus 28:31-35: Under the ephod the High Priest wore a rove that reached down to his ankles. On the hem near his feet hung pomegranates and bells of gold. Those golden bells speak of witnessing and the pomegranates speak of fruit! Both witnessing and fruit should be present in our lives today. Where there is sowing there is reaping. Before we can share a life worth following we must live a life worth following. We need some bells and pomegranates. As we bear fruit for our Lord the Lord puts a joy in our hearts that nothing from our past can steal.
V. CLOTHING OURSELVES WITH HOLINESS!
Exodus 28:36-38: On the High Priest’s forehead was placed a turban and upon that a golden plate. And on that golden plate was inscribed the words: “Holiness to the LORD! Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15. That is the way to make peace with your past! Stop living your past; repent of your sin and cloth yourself with the holiness of God! Exodus 29:1: the word ‘consecrate” means to make clean, to be pure, to be holy!” Before God could use the priests for His glory they had to be holy! Not perfect, just holy! Clean before their God! Will you say yes to God as one of God’s priests today? 1 Peter 2:1-10.