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To God Alone Be Glory :: Numbers 20:1-13

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[Introduction] Forty years is a long time. It’s literally two-thirds of my life, and nearly half of many of your lives. It was THE entire life of this collection of Israelites. We are nearing the end of the wilderness wanderings. Our text begins ... The sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the Desert of Zin in the first month (v 1). That is, they entered a new year, and this group of grumblers are not those of the past, the group we had been hearing about this Lenten season of wandering. They are the second generation. Their fathers had suffered the punishment and the discipline of God for not trusting his Word.  But this group continues the journey. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night continues to lead them, guide them, stay with them. Moses and Aaron ... the men God called to speak for him ... continue to lift their hands in blessing. They continue to teach the sons of Israel what it means to be different from the world. This generation had never known slave...
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The Lord Indeed Sees to Your Salvation :: Genesis 22:1-14

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And it came to pass, after these words, God tested Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And [Abraham] said, Behold me. And [God] said, Take, please, your son, your only [one] whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah yourself and cause him to ascend there (as) a burnt offering upon one of the mountains that I will tell you [about] (vv 1-2). Thus, the word for our meditation begins. [Introduction] There are not many words of God that are more shocking ... staggering ... horrendous ... than this one we just heard. Is heinous too strong? I. What must we think? What must the world think when you hear God Almighty asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, the only son he loves? Take a knife and slaughter your son, the one you love!? Cut him into two!? Burn the body!? The smoke from the sacrifice that ascends into the heavens, it will be a pleasing aroma to God!?  What must the world think when you hear that God also said please? Most English translations of this text ... not all of t...
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Satisfaction in Your God-Given Vocation :: Numbers 16:1-35

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And they gathered themselves upon Moses and upon Aaron and said to them: You make yourselves great! Everyone in the congregation, all of them are holy, and YHWH is in their midst. Why do you lift yourselves above the assembly of YHWH? (vv 1-3) 4. It’s hard to believe that after all this time of wandering through the wilderness with the blessing of God that the Israelites still fail to understand that Moses was their mediator, that Aaron was their priest, and that God provides everything necessary for body, soul, life, and salvation.  God had sent Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. God had split the sea for his people. God’s presence went before them in the pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day throughout their journey. God gave them bread from heaven. He gave water from the rock and meat every evening. God sent Aaron and his sons to them to offer right sacrifices and to announce that YHWH blesses you and keeps you, that YHWH makes his face shine upon you and is ...
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The Lord Is Still Adding to Those Being Saved :: Acts 2:41-47

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[Introduction] Where did everyone go? This is the question of the day in churches all over the country. As we just heard in our second reading for this Fourth Sunday in Lent, the Holy Christian and Apostolic Church was growing in leaps and bounds after Pentecost. Those who welcomed the Word ... or we could say Jesus, because Jesus is the Word ... [They] were baptized, and about 3,000 souls were added that day . And they adhered to the apostles’ doctrine and to the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. Then reverential fear came to every soul, and many wonders and signs came through the apostles. All of those who had faith were together, and they had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and property, and distributing it to all, as any had need. Every day, continuing with one desire in the temple, and breaking bread in each home, they all received food in joy and with sincerity of hearts, praising God and having grace toward the whole [group]. ...
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