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[0:00] Well, good morning, everyone. Just reading this morning. Psalm. Psalm 111, verse 1.

[0:11] Praise you the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. What a blessing. God has given us the privilege to be among the upright.

[0:23] We who are not upright. And acknowledge that. God gives us that privilege and to be in the gathering of those who we have the privilege to stand before God on our feet.

[0:34] And to see him face to face. And that is amazing. You can open your Bibles to Exodus 36. Remember where we are coming from, where we are going. We are with our friend Moses. We spent a lot of time with Moses.

[0:46] And what a guy. What a guy. The more time I spend with him in the scriptures, the more amazed I am that he only like really had two blow ups in his life. And I am surprised he did not get angry at these people all the time.

[0:58] It is amazing just how he just takes it and then takes it to the Lord. And takes it again and takes it to the Lord over and over. But last week in Exodus 35, it was that last time he comes off the mountain with the new set of Ten Commandments.

[1:10] Same Ten Commandments, new set. Right? And we saw that he was giving the command now to the people. It is time now, guys. It is time to build. It is time to put in action what God has called us to.

[1:22] And I was thinking about how long the Lord takes to work out his will in our lives. To work the work of God in our lives. Like, way back in Exodus 24, he is on the mountain the first time.

[1:33] He is receiving the Ten Commandments written. He is receiving the instructions of the tabernacle. The instructions of the priestly garments. And then he goes back down and he has got the golden calf to deal with. And then he comes back up and he is talking with the Lord.

[1:45] And he is back down. He is up again getting these instructions. And then he comes down in Exodus 35 and he is like, okay, this is what we are going to do now. I am finally able to give you the plan. But they still haven't yet implemented it.

[1:57] It is not until this chapter that they get to implement that. I think how God just brings us along step by step in our journey. You know, he did not just go right from Egypt to, all right, build me a tabernacle.

[2:10] There is a whole process on the way. Even their failure, even the golden calf revealed more of God's heart to these people and his love for them and his forgiveness and his compassion. But God has willingly given his commands so that God's people might be equipped.

[2:27] To be equipped with the knowledge of his word, his commands, but be equipped by the spirit for the work of God. But as we said last week, we can't expect God to fill us and equip us for a work we're not willing to do.

[2:39] God, God, use me. Well, are you willing to be used? Well, no. But I really would like all the benefits of it. I really would like to feel used. I want to feel full. You know, but I want the name.

[2:51] You think of, I can't remember what church it is. The seven churches in Revelation. It says, I know you have a name that you're alive, but you're actually dead. How can we expect God to fill us and equip us if we're not actually going to do what he's calling us to do?

[3:06] And God only receives what we willingly give him. He's only going to receive what we freely give him. He's not going to come and say, well, I'm going to yank you up and make you go to work. Let's get out there and let's do it.

[3:18] And some of us could use that perhaps, but God won't do that. He's long suffering. He's patient. And he will only receive what's willingly given. Why? Because that's his heart. Right?

[3:29] That's the heart of our father. We love him because he first loved us. In the same way that God loves, his love is free. It's not forced on us. He's not going to ram it down our throats. He's not going to force us into relationship.

[3:39] It's freely given to us. In the same way, he says, I'm only going to freely receive what you give me. I'm not going to owe. I'm not going to buy it from you. I'm not going to make any deals with you.

[3:50] So God's word, God's word so gloriously equips us, equips us with giving hearts. It equips us with wise hearts, willing hearts so that we can have a heart of love to reflect God's heart.

[4:06] And God has given us a glorious and a spectacular work that he's equipped us for. That's what we're going to look at today. As he's given us his glorious commands. Well, the point is to work.

[4:18] And there is a work and it's a spectacular work. In Matthew 28, Jesus, in speaking to his disciples, as he's about to ascend back into heaven, he's been to the cross, he's been resurrected.

[4:33] He's been witnessed by over 500 of his disciples that he's alive and he's getting ready to ascend back into heaven. And he gives them their command. In Matthew 28, 18, Jesus came and spake unto them saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth.

[4:48] All authority, all ability, all power is his. God's call and commission is for the willing heart. It's for the one who bends his knee to the authority of the word of God.

[5:01] Will you willingly bend the knee to this God who says all power, all authority is given unto me in heaven and earth? Well, then God is going to give the disciples a commission. But it's very specifically only for those who are willing to bend their knee to that authority.

[5:15] Jesus is what? The word made flesh. He is the word. And here the word is speaking the word. So God's commission is only for those who first willingly bent their knee to the authority of the word of God.

[5:28] God's word has the authority and ability to sufficiently call, to sufficiently equip, and to sufficiently apply, to supply for all the work that God calls us to.

[5:41] God's word will equip us. It will supply us. It will call us if we're willing to bend our knee to its authority in our lives. 2 Corinthians 3.5 says not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything is of ourselves.

[5:57] It doesn't mean we sit around thinking, well, I'm nothing. I'm nobody. God's not. No, it means I don't think I have anything of myself to offer to God. I realize that. I realize who I am before God.

[6:08] But that doesn't leave me out because God gives me his sufficiency. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.

[6:19] His work that he calls us to. We're not sufficient on our own, but we have what he equips us with. And so Jesus says, all power is given to me in heaven and earth. And then he says to his disciples, go you therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded you.

[6:43] And lo, I'm with you always unto the end of the world. Think, wow, what a commission. Imagine being there, those apostles and hearing that and then thinking, how?

[6:55] Unless you're Peter. Yeah, I got this. Let's go. And we know that Jesus will say, but wait, wait until be endued with power from on high. But either way, he's commissioning them and he's sending them.

[7:06] He says, guys, go. In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and that authority and that power, go and teach. You think, well, that was for the apostles, right? Maybe I'm a C-pastle. Maybe I'm a D-pastle.

[7:17] But that was the apostles. I don't even know if I'm going to make it to a B, right? This definitely isn't for me. Well, what does it say? It says, to go you therefore. See, he's talking to them.

[7:29] And teach who? Teach them to observe. Well, here we are, guys. We're the them. Because a you went and taught them. And then that went and taught them. And a them. And a them. And a them. And here we are.

[7:40] And as soon as we become a them who has been taught, we then become a you who has been sent. The calling and equipping is for all disciples. There's none who are left out. Because our sufficiency is of God.

[7:53] And our verse that we keep going back to. Time it again. 2 Corinthians 9.8. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you. That you always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work.

[8:07] Now, we know he's talking specifically there in Corinthians about having material goods to give to God. It's work. And that God will supply so that we can continue to give to his work.

[8:18] But it's the same principle. Spiritually. That we are not deficient in our call and our equipping. Because God says, well, you have all sufficiency. Because I will make all grace abound towards you.

[8:29] And the work that God calls us to. That every good work is a spectacular work, guys. It is a spectacular work. And as we saw last week, all the people, God did make all grace abound towards them.

[8:43] They came out of Egypt loaded, ready for God's work. Little did they know it. Little did they know that their whole lives leading to this point was for the work of God. Moses is 80 plus years old doing this work.

[8:56] How do we know that all that God's been doing in our lives is not for what he's called us to now. For the work that he has for us. So, chapter 36, verse 1.

[9:07] After God has called the people to bring all the stuff. Or through Moses to bring all the stuff. They're bringing all the offering. Those who are willing hearted and wise hearted. Then wrought Bezalel and Aholiab.

[9:18] It means to fashion or accomplish. To make. It's time to make it, guys. Then wrought Bezalel and Aholiab and every wise hearted man. In whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding.

[9:30] To know how to work all manner of work. For the service of the sanctuary. According to all that the Lord had commanded. The service of the sanctuary. Exodus 25 through 31.

[9:42] We went through all of the implements of the sanctuary. As God gave them to Moses on the mountain. We saw how Jesus is reflected so beautifully in each one. You can go back and check those out if you want.

[9:53] That's Exodus 25 through 31. Where God gave Moses the instructions for the tabernacle. For the priest's garments. All of that. So, what he's saying here now is. Then wrought.

[10:04] Then accomplished. It was time to put it into practice. All of those who are wise hearted. That came up a lot last week.

[10:15] The wise hearted. In whom the Lord had put wisdom and understanding. Which came first? Were they wise hearted? Because the Lord put wisdom there? Or were they wise hearted?

[10:26] And God put wisdom there for how to work? I don't know. God put wisdom in their hearts. But he knew that they were going to be wise hearted. With the wisdom he gave them. Proverbs we know is full of scriptures.

[10:38] Regarding wisdom. Proverbs 1. 1 to 2. What is the purpose of the book? The Proverbs of Solomon. The son of David. King of Israel. To know wisdom. An instruction. To perceive the words of understanding.

[10:50] In whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding. To know how to work. A few other verses in Proverbs. Proverbs 1 verse 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

[11:03] Proverbs 10 verse 8. The wise in heart will receive commandments. Proverbs 16 verse 21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent. God is the one who puts the wisdom in the heart.

[11:13] And then that should be the effect in our lives. Because wisdom is what? The application of knowledge. So if God gives us a wise heart. It should be a heart that's not just a hearer. But also a doer. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

[11:27] And the knowledge of holy. Is understanding. Those who choose. To wisely revere. The one that they understand is God. The people who are choosing to wisely revere.

[11:38] The one they understand is God. They are the ones. Who allow God to work wisely in their hearts and lives. They're the ones. Who do that. The Lord is the one who put it there.

[11:49] But he's their Lord. They've acknowledged him as Lord. And those are the ones that God says. Man I can do something with your heart. I want to put in your heart. Something special. I want to put some wisdom there. But again.

[12:01] We can't expect God to fill us. And equip us. For a work we're not willing to do. So it's God's wisdom. It's God's work. It's God's workman. All according to God's word.

[12:13] Right. I didn't put it in there. But for what purpose? For God's worship. Right. All of this. Is to make a place. Where the people can come and worship God. They can come and be in his presence. God gives wisdom.

[12:24] For his work. We are his workmen. It's all God's. And it's all according to his word. And Moses called Bezalel. And a holy lab. A holy lab. That's when your dog's being real good.

[12:35] You got a holy lab. Bezalel. And a holy lab. And every wise hearted man. In whom. In whose heart the Lord had put wisdom.

[12:46] Even everyone whose heart stirred him up. To come unto the work. To do it. It's time to work. The time for planning and prepping was over. It was time to work.

[12:57] Ephesians chapter 4. Where Paul is writing about the equipping of the church. And of the body. And why God is doing what he's done within the body. He says to every one of us is given grace.

[13:10] According to the measure of the gift of Christ. Every one of us. God has graciously given us. Some part. For what? For the perfecting of the saints. The completion of the saints. The work of the ministry.

[13:22] For the edifying of the body of Christ. It was time to work. It was time to take what God had given them. And put it to action. And here we have this word again. It's been my word of the last week.

[13:34] And everyone whose heart stirred him. Stirred him up to come unto the work. Stirred. Means to lift. Bear up. Carry. Take. A burden. Right? So God.

[13:46] You know. God puts that burden on our heart. But the idea here. If you read it in the text. Is everyone whose heart stirred him. Everyone whose heart bore him up. Lifted him up. God's call lifts us.

[13:57] And carries us along. God's call. That he burdens our heart with. That he stirs our heart with. With isn't something that weighs us down. Man. It's something that's in our heart. That like. It lifts us. It carries us along.

[14:08] We're like. You know what? Man. God's put something in my heart. I just kind of feel carried along by it. I need to act upon this. I need to serve the Lord this way. Their hearts were stirred up.

[14:19] By the call of God. And they weren't weighed down. By the work that resulted from it. Right? And when God stirs our heart. And he calls us. And he lifts us into a call.

[14:30] The work won't weigh us down. The work becomes a blessing. Take my yoke upon you. And learn of me. For I am meek. And lowly in heart. And you shall find rest under your souls.

[14:42] For my yoke is easy. And my burden is. Light. Is burden. God wants us to take a burden. Yes. Jesus is the only person. Who can put a weight on you. That gets lighter.

[14:53] The more you carry it. Take his yoke upon you. Take his burden upon you. Well yoke represents work. That we're willing to be yoked with him. Willing to work with him. But it doesn't weigh us down.

[15:04] It calls to us. It calls us into the work of God. Everyone whose heart stirred him up. They were called to come unto the work. To do it.

[15:14] No matter how willing our hearts are. No matter how wise our hearts are. We still need a call. We still need one to call us. We still need God's word and God's spirit. To call us into the work he has for us.

[15:27] Maybe again you're back to that. Be possible. Well I don't know what I'm called to. You know. What is God going to use me for? Well you weren't alone.

[15:38] The Corinthians thought the same thing. Like well we're not super special. Paul's like no you're not. You see your calling brethren. How that not many wise men after the flesh.

[15:48] And not many mighty. And not many noble are called. God has chosen the foolish things of the world. To confound the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world.

[15:59] To confound the things which are mighty. God chose them. God didn't just. You know it wasn't what he stuck with. You know. It's like well let's see what this church is made up of. Okay.

[16:09] We'll go with that. God chose it. God is the one who builds this. He chose this. God chooses ordinary people. Who have responded to an extraordinary call.

[16:21] God chooses ordinary people. Who have responded to an extraordinary call. We're not sufficient. And don't think you're ever going to be. It's not like you know. If I can get my grade up.

[16:32] You're not gonna. We're not sufficient of ourselves. But it doesn't mean we've not been called. It doesn't mean God's not willing to equip us. And it doesn't mean there's not a work to do. And they received of Moses all the offering.

[16:44] Which the children of Israel had brought. For the work of the service of the sanctuary. To make it. And they brought yet unto him. Free offerings every morning. So they're all bringing it to Moses.

[16:55] The people. And Moses is then. He is taking it. And giving it to the guys who are doing the work. Of course you say. Moses was in charge. He's in charge of all this. No he was not in charge. But he was given the charge.

[17:08] First Peter. Peter writes in speaking to the elders. And he says. The elders or pastors that are among you. He says. Hey. You're to be overseers. You're to take the oversight of the flock.

[17:19] You're not to lead the flock. That's Jesus's job. Just care for the flock. Just oversee the flock. Neither being lords over God's heritage. But being examples to the flock.

[17:30] So what was Moses's role here? Well he was stewarding. Right? He was stewarding what was brought. But he wasn't just stewarding stuff. Was he? Because behind every one of those offerings.

[17:40] Was a willing heart. Moses is stewarding hearts. Everything he receives are the people. Because this represents. This represents someone's time. And someone's life.

[17:51] And someone's desire. And Moses was faithful in that. Hebrews chapter 3. Verses 4 and 5. The writer says. For every house is builded by some man.

[18:03] But he that built all things is God. And Moses truly was faithful in all his house. As a servant. For a testimony of those things. Which were to be spoken after. Moses was faithful.

[18:15] He was faithful to steward. He was faithful to take charge of what God had given him. And little did he know. That his faithfulness. Was to be an example. To come of.

[18:26] Hey this is what Jesus is going to be like. Little did he know. That his faithfulness would be. A testimony. Of what the Messiah would be like. And all the wise men. That. That wrought.

[18:37] There's our word wrought. That. Formed or built. All of them that worked. The work of the sanctuary. They came every man from his work.

[18:48] Which they made. Seems to be like some kind of union meeting happening here. They're all coming to come up to Moses. Moses is probably thinking. Oh no. We can't even build the tabernacle. Without them complaining. They probably don't like the manna breaks.

[18:59] They're getting. And they speak unto Moses saying. The people bring much more than enough. For the service of the work. Which the Lord commanded to make.

[19:11] I think Moses must have been like. Yes. Yes. Finally. Finally. The willing hearts. And the wise hearts. Finally God's work. Is taking place in the heart.

[19:22] The people brought too much. Matthew chapter 6. Verse 19. Jesus says. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. Where moth and rust do corrupt.

[19:35] And where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where neither moth nor rust does corrupt. And where thieves do not break through or steal.

[19:45] For where your treasure is. There will your heart be also. These wise hearts. These willing hearts. Where were their treasure? They just kept bringing it. They kept bringing it to the work of the Lord.

[19:57] Their hearts were in the work of the Lord. So their treasure was in the work of the Lord. So their lives were in the work of the Lord. And Moses then gives commandment. And he caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp.

[20:10] Saying let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. Don't bring any more. So the people will restrain from bringing. You see a stirred heart is a constant heart.

[20:22] It doesn't ebb and flow with circumstances. Right? It doesn't ebb and flow based on. You know I got a little extra. I'll give to God's work. Or you know what? I'm feeling pretty good this week. I'll offer to help with a stirred heart is a constant heart.

[20:36] It doesn't ebb and flow just because the circumstances change. You see the people were restrained from bringing weren't they? It says that they were restrained from bringing. But they were not restrained from giving were they?

[20:48] Well this is how I've always operated. This is how God's always used me. I mean I've been bringing every day. I've been bringing stuff and all of a sudden I can't bring anymore. Well I wonder how else I could give.

[21:01] Maybe I could give my time. Maybe I could go and help the guys over there planting the wood. I could bring the wood to them. Maybe I could help over here with something. Maybe I could learn something different.

[21:11] Maybe God wants me to use. He could use me in a different way. When we moved to North Carolina. I never really wanted to be in children's ministry.

[21:21] I didn't really like children's ministry. I like my kids. You know. I never changed a diaper until I changed my kids diaper. And I still don't think I've ever changed any other kids diapers. I'm hoping to keep that going.

[21:35] But the church we're at. They're like hey we need people in children's ministry. Teachers. I felt. And it's like one of the things the Lord's like why don't you do that? I'm like wow. Lord that's not really my thing.

[21:46] I said all right Lord. But I'll be willing. And that ended up from there. Then doing youth ministry. And I never wanted to do youth ministry either. And doing children's ministry and youth ministry.

[21:58] And realizing that it's not my patterns and habits and normal ways that God looks at.

[22:09] And says I need to use you like that. What God does is say I need to use anyone who's willing. Where Isaiah said here I am Lord send me. What I found is that as I approach different seasons of life.

[22:24] Where God just brings you into different places and seasons of ministry. You have to be willing to be like God. This is how you've always used me. And how I've expected to be used. But maybe you want to do something different.

[22:34] Maybe you want to do something totally outside my box. Lord maybe you know that scripture that says that God cannot put new wine into an old wineskin. Because it's going to burst. It's like this is as big as.

[22:45] This is the most I can use this wineskin. I've got a new one. But I'm going to have to pour you out into something new. That can be kind of scary. And my thing I always say when you know as people come and get involved in the church.

[22:56] Is like hey just sit and hear God's call. It may not be what you've always expected it to be or thought it would be. Let God direct you. Because I'm not directing. Right? I'm not the one in charge.

[23:07] He's in charge. Right? We're just being led together. And we're just expecting God to do that work. And we want to be a part of his work. Okay God. How do you want to use me?

[23:18] Well go over there and do this. Well Lord I don't usually do that. Well right now the people were restrained from bringing. But they were not restrained from giving. There was still opportunity they could give.

[23:29] For the stuff. Verse 7. Which they had was sufficient. For all the work to make it. God will make all grace abound to us. That we having all sufficiency.

[23:41] And all things may abound to every good work. And here the work. It was sufficient. And too much. Philippians 4.19. But my God shall supply all your need. According to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus.

[23:53] When Paul is writing that to the Philippians. He's writing it in context that they kept giving him stuff. They kept sending love offerings. The churches of Macedonia. Which would be the Philippians and the Bereans. And they're a heavily persecuted church.

[24:06] And they're like let's send a love gift to Paul. He probably has need. And so Paul's saying hey guys. God will supply all your need. What's he referencing? Look how my need was supplied.

[24:17] Guess how God usually works to supply need. You don't usually open up your freezer and find $5,000 in it. Miraculously. Right? Usually God works through the body. Works through people.

[24:29] And he does though in a very unique way. Where he puts something on someone's heart. And you find out wow. I didn't even know they knew that about me. But God's work. It's his work.

[24:40] And his work is sufficient. It's supplied. It's sustained. And it's something that's shared. When God does the work. It's always sufficient. He can supply what's needed.

[24:52] And he will sustain it. I don't have to figure out how to do that. Thank you Lord. But it's something that's meant to be shared. It's something that's meant to take part. With the people that God brings.

[25:06] God's work is a spiritual work. But it's very very practical. Very practical. The chairs that you are sitting in. Did not just show up one Sunday.

[25:16] They were there. Thank you Lord. It's a very practical thing. To pull the carpet out. And put the carpet down. And bring the chairs. And assemble the chairs. That's why some of the chairs you're sitting in. Are a little bit like this.

[25:29] God's work is a spiritual work. But it is very practical. And it's results. And every wise hearted man among them. That wrought the work of the tabernacle. Made ten curtains. Of fine twined linen.

[25:40] Blue and purple and scarlet. With cherubims of cunning work. Made he them. We're going to get into this middle section. We'll go through really quickly. It's just again recapping. Everything we've talked about.

[25:51] Regarding the furniture. And the layout of the tabernacle. We'll get through just the curtains and the boards. And the doors. And the next week will be like the.

[26:02] Ark of the covenant. So we're not going to go in depth on those things. But they're going to start now to actually build them. But here he says. Every wise hearted man among them. That wrought the work.

[26:15] Peter says in 2nd Peter chapter 1 verse 10. He says. Wherefore the rather brethren. Give diligence. To make your calling and election sure. Every wise hearted man among them.

[26:25] That wrought the work of the tabernacle. They came and did the work. It wasn't like. Well I don't know. They were. They made sure. They knew what God was calling them to. The word their work is occupation.

[26:36] Something they were occupied with. To wrought. To fashion or make. So these wise hearted. All the wise hearted. They were occupying themselves. With the occupation of their calling.

[26:49] Right. What were they called to? What occupation. Within God's call. Within God's work. Were they called to? Well then they made sure to be occupied about that. I don't know. If God would have.

[27:01] Allowed me sooner to step into a role as a pastor. I don't know. If I had responded to the call sooner. I think that call was there from when I was a teenager. But I think God had his plan and his way. And the way he weaved it together.

[27:13] I'm so glad he did what he did when he did it. But I do wonder sometimes. Lord could it have been different? And he says don't worry about that. It can be different. I'm like okay. We'll just keep going. But the wise hearted.

[27:25] They occupied themselves with the occupation of their calling. They applied themselves to what they knew God was calling them to. I love this part here. And they made cherubims of cunning work.

[27:38] What did the cherubims look like that covered the inside covering of the tabernacle? I don't know. Cunning is an interesting word. It means to think. To plan. To calculate.

[27:48] To invent. To make a judgment. To imagine. They made cherubims. Of a work that was planned. That they invented. That they're imagining. You see God's work.

[27:59] Gives wide scope. For individual expression. Wide scope. But that expression is always going to be. For God's glory. And according to his word. But it gives wide scope.

[28:10] What did they look like? We'll never know. Until heaven. I don't know. But God put it in their hearts. To make these cherubim. They didn't have a pattern. I think we think sometimes that.

[28:21] When we do God's work. It's just going to be so narrow. And so. You know. I met one guy once. That I worked with years ago. And he's like. Well you know. I know. People say we should be like Jesus. But it'd be pretty boring.

[28:31] If everybody was like Jesus. Huh? I was like. Well that's. You know. I wish I could play basketball. Like Michael Jordan. But I didn't want to do everything like him. You know. I want to be like Mike. But.

[28:41] Just because we want to be like someone. We don't want to be exactly like them. It's their nature. Their characteristics. Right? God's work gives wide scope. For individual expression. It's a beautiful thing.

[28:52] To see the body working together. To see how God expresses. His love and his grace. Consistent with his word. But through different lenses of people. And personalities. And the length of one curtain.

[29:06] This is where. I got to dig up my old pictures guys. My old. My old. Renderings. That I had. We had used. When we went through the. The tabernacle. I didn't make these. But I'm borrowing from someone. But the length of one curtain.

[29:18] Was 20 and 8 cubits. And the breadth of one cubit. Four cubits. Or one curtain. Four cubits. And the curtains were all one size. I did not have time to go through. And do all the conversions. So if you want to know. How big a cubit is. Go do it yourself.

[29:31] And he coupled. The five curtains. One into another. And the other five curtains. He coupled one into another. And he made loops of blue. On the edge of one curtain. From the salvage.

[29:41] In the coupling. Likewise. He made in the uttermost side. Of another curtain. In the coupling of the second. So what this means. Is you had. You had panels. Probably how big. Like their looms were. Or whatever. You have these panels.

[29:52] Long strips. Of curtains. And they would then. Sew them together. Into these two sections. And those sections. Would then be joined together. With these blue loops. Along each edge.

[30:03] 50 loops. Made he. In one curtain. And 50 loops. Made him. He. In the edge of the curtain. Which was in the coupling. Of the second. The loops held. One curtain. To another. So this is the covering.

[30:14] That is going to be. Over. The structure. Of the tabernacle. And that. The two curtains. Will be coupled. Right at the. Right at the.

[30:24] Veil. That separates the holy place. From the most holy place. 50 loops. Made he. In one curtain. And 50 loops. Made in the edge of the other. And the coupling. Of the second loops. And the coupling.

[30:34] Of the second. I'm sorry. The loops held. One curtain. To another. They're holding. God's work together. There's a part here. Where it's held together. You know.

[30:45] For those of us. Who expect. To be a part of God's work. We must hold. To God's direction. If we expect. His work. To hold together. Right. I don't want to do blue.

[30:55] I don't want to do little. Blue ribbons. That's not cool enough. Someone else can do that. I'm not going to do my blue ribbons. You know. This is what I want today. Do all the blue ribbons. Down the side. I'm not gonna.

[31:06] I'm going to go. Work on putting gold. On the. The boards. It's much more exciting. Well guess what. God's work is going to fall apart. It's not going to hold together. We must always hold. To God's direction.

[31:17] If we expect. God's work. To be held together. And he made 50. Latches of gold. And coupled the curtains. One into another. With the latches. So it became. One.

[31:28] Tabernacle. God's work. Unifies. God desires. His work. To be in unity. But he does so. Around his word. His order. And his people. Ephesians 4.

[31:40] 3 and 4. Says that we are to endeavor. We are to labor for. We are to strive for. Not in the flesh. Not in effort. But this is a goal. To keep the unity of the spirit. And the bond of peace.

[31:50] It doesn't say we're to endeavor to keep unity. We are to endeavor to keep unity. At all costs. We keep unity. Around God's word. God's order. And God's people. We keep unity of the spirit.

[32:02] It's a spiritual work. In the bond of peace. There is one body. One spirit. Even as you are called. In one hope of your calling. And then Psalm 133.

[32:14] Says what Ephesians is saying. In a much more picturesque way. Psalm 133 verse 1. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren. To dwell together in unity.

[32:26] Who's dwelling together? Brethren. It is like the precious ointment upon the head. That ran down upon the beard. Even Aaron's beard. That went down to the skirts of his garments.

[32:37] So when they anoint him for his priesthood. And it runs down his garments. As the dew of Hermon. The Mount Hermon. And as the dew. That descended upon the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing.

[32:49] Even life forevermore. What do these two things have in common? Aaron being anointed and the dew. They both are external sources. And they're both sources of anointing. And they're both sources of refreshing.

[33:00] Right? The unity that we have. It's not something we churn up. It comes from an outside source. It's the spirit that brings unity. Just as Aaron received the unity. Received the oil.

[33:11] Just as the mountains received the dew. In the same way. We receive that unity. It comes from the spirit. God's work is a unifying work. One is done according to his order.

[33:22] According to his word. And he made a curtain of goat's hair. For the tent of the tabernacle. Eleven curtains. He made them. The length of one curtain was 30 cubits.

[33:35] And four cubits was the breadth of one curtain. The eleven curtains were of one size. And so here we have the next layer. That's going to overlay the tabernacle. And the idea is from the outside.

[33:47] It doesn't look like much. But when you enter in. And you look up. You see heaven. Right? You see that the cherubim and the purple and the blue. Intertwined. In that covering.

[33:58] The eleven curtains were of one size. You know in God's work. The focus is not about how large something is. We can lose sight of that. We can think wow.

[34:09] It's so big. But the focus is how accurate something is. Wouldn't do any good to make this. Covering ten times larger. All that's going to do is actually.

[34:20] Make it harder to carry. Harder to use. In Zechariah chapter four. The prophet Zechariah was sent to. Israel after they returned from captivity.

[34:31] Captivity in Babylon. And Zerubbabel. The governor of Judah. He's being tasked with rebuilding the temple. The temple of Solomon was magnificent. It's beautiful.

[34:42] And it was destroyed. And he's being sent to rebuild this temple. And they're looking at it. And they're going. It once was this. And now it's this. It's just so puny. Is it worth it?

[34:55] And the prophet Zechariah. Speaking on behalf of the Lord. He says. The hands of Zerubbabel. The hands of Zerubbabel. Have laid the foundation of this house. And his hands shall also finish it. And thou shalt know.

[35:06] That the Lord of hosts. Has sent me unto you. For who has despised the day. Of small things. The focus was not. How big and how grand it was.

[35:17] But was it the Lord? Was it of the Lord? Size does not necessarily. Indicate a stamp of approval. There are a lot of. Big works of God. In this country.

[35:27] And in this world. Doesn't necessarily mean. It has God's stamp of approval on it. Jesus said. In Matthew 16, 18. I will build my church. In Acts 2, 47.

[35:39] And the Lord added to the church. Daily. It's his. It's his church. We're not focusing on size. What are we focusing on? Man. We want to stay. In line with God's word. So that we can be.

[35:50] A part of his work. And then we'll let him decide the size. That's up to him. Right? And. Lord willing. We will outgrow this place. When?

[36:02] Well, I got it on my calendar. That. No, I don't. It's easy to outgrow it. We take out those two. Those two rows of chairs. Then there we go. It's God's work.

[36:15] Right? It's one tabernacle. It's one size. But it's many parts. Many, many parts. But one result. For as the body is one. And as many members. And all the members of that one body.

[36:27] Being many. Are one body. So also is Christ. Do we realize that? Do we despise part of his body? I want all of Jesus. And then he brings you through the door.

[36:40] He brings me into your life. And you think, I don't know if I want all of Jesus. Whoa. That part too? Many parts. But one result. Size does not necessarily indicate approval.

[36:53] But following God's word does. And he made a covering. Verse 19. For the tent of ram skins. Died red. He made a covering for the tent of ram skins. Died red. And a covering of badger skins.

[37:04] Above that. So we have all the final layers of our coverings here. God's work is a covered work. It's always covered. Psalm 32.1 says. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.

[37:16] Whose sin is covered. He covers his work. Covers it. With scarlet. He washes it in his blood. So that then might be presented.

[37:27] As clean. And as white. Isaiah 1.18. Come now and let us reason together. Saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet. They shall be white as snow. Though they be red like crimson.

[37:37] They shall be as wool. All the work that God does. Is a covered work. And the boards. The length of a board. Was ten cubits.

[37:48] And the breadth of a board. One cubit and a half. One board. Had two tenons. A mortise and tenon joint. That would be these two. Pieces that go down in. Equally distant.

[38:00] One from the other. Thus did he make. For all the boards. Of the tabernacle. And he made boards. For the tabernacle. Twenty boards. For the south side. Southward. And forty sockets. Of silver. He made under the twenty boards.

[38:12] Two sockets. Under one board. For his two tenons. Two sockets. Under another board. For his two tenons. So these boards. Each individual board. Was slotted. Down into its foundation. Of a silver socket.

[38:24] And silver represents. What? Remember what it represents? Redemption. And so the tabernacle. The structure of the tabernacle. Was rooted in. And founded upon. Redemption. And each board.

[38:36] Is slotted in there. And for the other side. Of the tabernacle. Verse twenty five. I told you. We'd go through the middle. Pretty quick. So now he's just repeating that. They did this on the south side. They're going to do it.

[38:46] On the north side. Because every time. This tabernacle is set up. They can't just stick it. Where they want it. It has to be. Certain orientation. Has to be. A west side. And an east side. And a north side. South side. Always had to be oriented. To the points of the compass.

[38:57] Correctly. For the other side. Of the tabernacle. Which is toward the north. He made twenty boards. And there are forty sockets. Of silver. Two sockets. Under one board. And two sockets.

[39:08] Under another board. Just as we saw. In the previous image. And then he says. For the sides. Of the tabernacle. Westward. He made six boards. And so this would be. On the end here. It's not as many.

[39:22] And the two boards. Made he. For the corners. Of the tabernacle. The two sides. You had corner boards. And they were coupled. Beneath. And coupled. At the head thereof. So they had a coupling. The top and the bottom.

[39:32] To couple the corners. And they were coupled. Beneath. And at the head thereof. To one ring. Thus did he. To both of them. In both the corners. And there were eight boards.

[39:44] And their sockets. Were sixteen sockets. Of silver. And to every board. Two sockets. Ephesians 4. 16. Says. That we. From Christ. Christ. That we are from Christ.

[39:56] Who the whole. That it comes from Christ. Who the whole body. Fitly joined together. And compacted. By that which every joint supplies. According to the effectual working. In the measure of every part. Makes increase of the body.

[40:07] Under the edifying of itself. In love. And just as each one of these. Boards were coupled together. Were pieced together. Side by side. So we. We have been joined.

[40:19] And compacted. Right. So see. If we get bigger. We just compact. Right. Sometimes we don't like that. Like man. God. Do I have to stand. Right next to this board. Can we have a little space.

[40:29] Between us. He's like no. This is my work. Which is joined together. And compacted. By that which every joint. Supplies. And it makes edifying. Us unto itself.

[40:40] In love. See the closer we are. The quicker it is. To transfer the love. Back and forth. Right. When there's distance. It's harder. But if each one of us. Stands secure. In what? In our redemption. Man.

[40:51] Then we can stand. Wherever Jesus puts us. Another thing. I want you to notice. Who's doing this? If you look in the text here. Who does it say. Keeps doing this? We keep getting the word. He. He.

[41:02] He. And at first. I was really like. Yeah. Moses. Moses. It's not. It goes back. All the way to verse 8. Which says. And every wise hearted man. Among them. That wrought the work. Of the tabernacle.

[41:13] Made ten curtains. Of fine twined linen. And blue. And purple. And scarlet. With cherubims. Of cunning work. Made he. Them. And then. And he. Coupled. And he.

[41:23] Made. And he. Well is this Bezalel. And a holy lab? A holy lab? Yes. But it's also every. I don't know. He's not named. These people.

[41:34] That had wise hearts. And willing hearts. And they didn't get their names. Written down. But could you imagine? Could you imagine? Going to the tabernacle. With your little kids in tow. And you're like.

[41:45] Hey guys. Guys. Guys. That corner. That's my board. That one over there. I know it's all covered. But when we're there. We're watching the Levites take it apart. Come here. Come here. Come here. See that? That one's mine. That was my board.

[41:56] Right there. Someone's got their name. Well they don't got their name on it. But they're unnamed. But they're not unknown. To the Lord. He knows who they are. In the same way.

[42:09] As we are part of a body. Fitly joined together. And compacted. You can sometimes feel lost. What's my part? What am I doing here? There's so many people. And now it's gotten too big. I liked it when I was 15. And. God knows who you are.

[42:21] God knows us. God knows the part we're doing. And the work we're doing. And he knows each name. That's on every part. We don't put names on things. We had to take them all off things. When we first got here. But God puts his name.

[42:35] And he made bars. In verse 31. Of acacia wood. Five for the boards. Of the one side of the tabernacle. And five for the boards. Of the other side of the tabernacle. And five bars.

[42:45] For the boards. Of the tabernacle. For the sides westward. And he made the middle bar. The middle bar. To shoot through the boards. From one end to the other. And he overlaid the boards with gold.

[42:57] And he made the rings of gold. To be places for the bars. And overlaid the bars with gold. So he's just saying here. That he made these boards. That will run horizontal. To tie the whole thing together.

[43:08] And then he overlays it with gold. In God's work. There is always that. Which ties the whole structure together. When God does a work. There's that. Which brings the whole thing together. In Ephesians chapter 2.

[43:20] Continuing in Ephesians. Ephesians talks a lot about building things. Verse 20. Says that we are built upon the foundation. Of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ himself.

[43:30] Being the chief cornerstone. Cornerstone. Would be that first stone. You would set. You would set. And a foundation of a building. And it would set the. The two sides. The angle. For the two sides.

[43:40] And then you'd go off of those. For the other side. That is going to set your wall line. For your building. Jesus Christ himself. Being the chief cornerstone. In whom all the building. Fitly framed together.

[43:52] Grows to a holy temple. In the Lord. In whom you also. Are builded together. For habitation of God. And what is it that holds us all together? Through the spirit. There is that which ties.

[44:04] The whole structure of God's work together. Each one of these. Boards. Man if they were just left to themselves. They'd be all over the place. Right? It'd be all over.

[44:16] But God brings that. Which ties the whole thing together. And holds the whole thing together. And you know what? I don't have to do it. When God's holding it together. You don't have to do it. Each one of those boards. Doesn't have to think. I gotta stand real straight.

[44:26] I gotta stand real strong. I gotta do this. Because I might bend over. No God does it. God ties the whole thing together. And because the one is tied to the other. And tied to the other. And tied to the other. The whole thing stands.

[44:37] Firm. And stands strong. Because of the many parts. Tied together. By the one spirit. Just as the body. Each individual was needed to make up the whole.

[44:47] You couldn't just take one of those boards out. And say well we don't need this one. Now it's not whole. God's work is amazing. God's work is spectacular.

[44:58] And yet I think sometimes. We look at it as something that seems so insignificant. To just be. One of these boards.

[45:10] What started out as something so seemingly insignificant. Has become something of beauty. And of value. And of God's presence. Do we value the work of God for what it is?

[45:25] Or are we just stuck in the moment of. All I'm doing is planing boards. Just one after another. I've got like. Splinters in my. Under my nails. I got sawdust in my nose. I am so tired of this.

[45:36] I want to go do something else. This is. This is so insignificant. Do we value the work. Of God for what it is. Do we realize. What God is going to do. With what he's doing in us.

[45:48] Do we realize the peace. That we are in God's work. He overlays it with gold. And it becomes part of a whole. A place to meet with God.

[45:59] Each one of these pieces. Made up a place to meet with God. In Proverbs. Another verse in Proverbs. Chapter 3. Verse 13. It says. Happy is the man that finds wisdom.

[46:10] And the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it. Is better than the merchandise of silver. And the gain thereof them. Find gold. Do I value. The work that God's doing. Do I value.

[46:21] His word. Do I value the work. That it does in me. And he made a veil. Now we move from the boards. To the veils. So we looked at the covering.

[46:32] Of the tabernacle. The boards. And now it's going to be the veil. That separates the holy place. To the holy of holies. And then the veil. Which is the door. Into the holy place. The main part of the tabernacle. So he made a veil. Of blue.

[46:43] And of purple. And scarlet. And fine twined linen. With cherubims. Made he of it. Cunning work. I have no idea. Neither do you. Of what those cherubims. Neither do the guy who made this. What those cherubims look like. He made it of cunning work.

[46:58] Imagination. Of intent. Of design. And he made there unto four pillars. Of acacia wood. And overlaid them with gold. With their hooks. They were of gold too.

[47:08] And he cast for them. And four sockets of silver. That would be the four poles. Four posts that would hold up. The curtain rod. To hold up the veil. That would separate between the holy. And the holy of holies.

[47:21] The wood that he used was acacia wood. It's a wood that endures. It's a wood that resists rot. It resists bug damage. Because God's work is meant to endure. It's a pure work.

[47:32] It's covered with gold. It's a redemptive work. It's seeded in silver. God's work is meant to endure. Tucked away in the book of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 3 verse 14.

[47:43] Solomon will write. I know that whatsoever God does. It shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it. Nor anything taken from it. Guys that's good news.

[47:54] You can't break it. Oh God if you use me in this. I might break someone. I might totally destroy someone. What if I tell them the wrong thing? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I double speak?

[48:06] Or get my theology wrong? There's nothing that can be put to it. Nor nothing taken away from it. And God does it. That men should fear before him.

[48:17] In Proverbs 9.10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God does this. It's his work. And he does it so that we can look and go. God you are so. You are worthy Lord. You are worthy to be revered.

[48:31] And that then does what? It creates wisdom. Because I know who God is. I know what he's doing. I know my part. And then I know how I fit in that part. And he made a hanging then for the tabernacle door.

[48:43] This is how you'd enter into the tabernacle. Of blue and purple and scarlet. And fine twine linen of needlework. And the five pillars of it with their hooks.

[48:54] And he overlaid their chapters and their fillets with gold. Just means what they were hung by. But their sockets were brass. And see these were brass. Instead of silver. Silver being redemption.

[49:06] Brass being judgment. To enter into God's presence. You come through judgment. And into redemption. But ultimately the work of God. The work that God is doing. His desire. Is to lead us into a deeper experience with God.

[49:18] He leads us deeper. We come through one veil. Into another veil. And we go deeper and deeper. Excuse me. Into God's presence. He wants us to come into a deeper experience with him. That's why he allows us into his work.

[49:30] But there's only one way in. Isn't there? There's only one way into that tabernacle. There's only one way into the holy of holies. And Jesus is the one who made a way through that. When he split that veil.

[49:42] John 10. 9. I am the door. By me if any man enter in. He shall be saved. John 14. 6. I am the way. The truth. And the life. No man comes to the father but by me. There's only one way in.

[49:54] God wants us to come deeper. God wants us to experience more of him. But there's only one way we can do that. And it's by a new and a living way. Which he's consecrated for us. Through the veil.

[50:05] That is to say his flesh. I'm not worthy. You're not. You're not. We're not worthy to even enter the first veil. Into the holy place. Let alone the holy of holies.

[50:16] But Jesus opened the way and says come on in. It's a new and it's a living way. For through him we both have access by one spirit. Under the father. The work of God leads us deeper.

[50:27] Into an experience with God. But there's only one way. Matthew 7. 13. Says to enter you in the straight gate. Narrow gate.

[50:39] For wide is the gate. And broad is the way that leads to destruction. And there are many there be. Which go in. Because straight is the gate. And narrow is the way which leads to life. And few there be that find it.

[50:51] It's a narrow way. But what does it start with? You know that Christianity stands unique in many ways. One of the ways is. It is the only religion on the face of the earth. That gives you admittance in the beginning.

[51:02] It gives you acceptance on the front end. Everything else is. Man you got to study for the exam. And you take the test at the end. Was I good enough? Did I make it? Well. We don't really know.

[51:13] Hope so. Hope you did. Jesus says enter the gate. To get on the way. Jesus is the only one. Who offers me something. That none of the religions of the world can.

[51:24] He offers us acceptance on the front end. He says. You've done it. You've made it. It's enough. You're in. And then we walk. That way. Because straight is the gate.

[51:35] And narrow is the way that leads to life. And few there be that find it. It is narrow. Because it's only one way. Where the world wants multiple ways. The wide path has a lot of ways.

[51:46] But they all end in death. God's way can seem insignificant. And unimpressive when we're standing there. And we're all alone in our narrow way.

[51:58] And the rest of the world is. Oh they're going that way. And they're able to do that. And it can seem insignificant. It can seem unimpressive. But we're not to judge God's work.

[52:09] Based upon appearance. And we should not judge it. Based on his tools either. Don't judge God's work. Based on the tools he's using. And how insignificant they seem.

[52:20] Or how insignificant you seem. As a tool that God has picked up. As an instrument in his hand. Don't judge the work he's doing. God you've called me to this work. Well it must not be a very big work. Because I definitely couldn't do very much.

[52:31] 1 Corinthians 1 verse 30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus. That's how we got in guys.

[52:44] That was the door. And once we are in. Who of God is made unto us. Wisdom. Righteousness. Sanctification. And redemption. That according as it is written. He that glories.

[52:54] Let him glory in the Lord. That's our sufficiency. That's what gives us validity. We are in because of Christ. And he turns around. He says all right. You have wisdom. You have righteousness. You have sanctification.

[53:06] And you have redemption. Now will you enter into the work I have for you. How can we say no. He's given us all that. Our part in the work of God.

[53:17] May not seem to be very spectacular. We may be that guy. Who's just playing in the boards. Right. This is the hardest word I've ever worked with. Right. Maybe we're the ones over there.

[53:27] Just sewing on the blue. Ribbons on the edge. How come I can't be over there working with the guy with the gold. That looks pretty cool. I don't want to do this.

[53:40] All I do is. Vacuum. This place. That's not very significant. It's not very spectacular. Cleaning toilets. Well it's spectacular for the person who comes next.

[53:52] But. It's not spectacular to do. So. All I do is. Turn off the lights. When we leave. What's so cool about that.

[54:05] You know if there's nobody here. You know if God wasn't doing a spectacular work. There'd be no lights to turn off. There'd be no toilets to clean. And there's to be no vacuum. Or no carpet to vacuum. Our part in the work of God may not seem to be very spectacular.

[54:19] But it is part of a spectacular work. The work God is doing is spectacular. It is amazing. And we get to be a part of that. But we can lose sight of that when we think. Well I'm not doing very much.

[54:33] God's called us to be part of a body. And part of his work. And he has a grace and a gift for each one of us. To operate in the spirit. When we focus on the little picture of me.

[54:46] And I lose sight of the big picture of him. I don't see how it all fits. But when I look and I see Jesus. I look and I see the finished work. The completed work. God's work is a completed work.

[54:59] And he never leaves anything unfinished. He completes what he starts. When I get focused on the part that he's doing right now. That's not completed yet. I can think. Well I don't. I can't see how this is going to work.

[55:11] And I can leave it unfinished. And I can walk away. God's not finished with that. But he may wait. He may wait years. I know he's done it with me.

[55:22] For you to come back around. And get back to that work. When we. When the Lord was showing us to move to Charlotte. We were in upstate New York. The Lord had given us a scripture in Ezekiel. And it says.

[55:33] Prepare you stuff for removing son of man. Prepare you stuff removing in their sight by day. And you shall remove by day. And the Lord had just spoken to us like. Hey. Prepare to move. Like okay.

[55:44] Well we spent a whole year trying to prepare. How to figure out. How to live. Like well how am I going to get a job. How am I going to do this. I can't see how this is going to work. And the Lord so graciously just waited. And then we'd come back down here and visited again.

[55:57] As we were going home. We just kind of looked at each other. And it was like. Oh we need to go unpack. And I told Sue. I'm like. I think we should put our house in the market. She's like. I think so too. And so we did.

[56:07] We went home. Before we even unpacked the car. She was in the kitchen. Packing up the cupboards. And we were packing. And the house was sold. Before I had a job. And we put that closing out. As long as we possibly could.

[56:18] Give the Lord a lot of time. It's like. Can we do a three month closing? And then through a mutual acquaintance. A guy who's my boss now. Called me up. And said. Hey you want a job?

[56:28] Didn't ask me qualifications or anything. He's like. You want a job? I think it'll fit good. Here's what we can do. I was like. Okay. Okay.

[56:40] God was working. God was ready to work. He was just waiting for me. He was waiting for Sue and I. Not Sue. It was me. I'm sure. He was waiting. Whether I'd be willing to work.

[56:50] Our part in the work of God. May not seem to be very spectacular. But it's a spectacular work. And it's a work he finishes. God completes his work. He does not leave it unfinished. It will be a finished work.

[57:03] Philippians 1.6. Being confident of this very thing. That he which has begun a good work in you. He will perform it. Until the day of Jesus Christ. God doesn't leave his work unfinished.

[57:14] He completes it. He's ready. And he's willing to do the work. In and through your life. That he has called you to. Ephesians 2.10. For we are his workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus.

[57:26] Unto good works. God. Guys. We're his workmanship. Like. God looked around and said. What work can I do? Oh. I'll make these people. I'll work in their hearts.

[57:36] And in their lives. We are his workmanship. He doesn't leave his work unfinished. You're not an incomplete product. It is finished. When Jesus said it.

[57:47] It is finished. If any man be in Christ. He is a new creation. God completes his work. Why? Because he's created us. Unto good works. Because he wants us.

[57:57] To experience the same thing. He wants us. Like those apostles. Those apostles. To be able to go out. You go. And teach them. And be part of that wonderful work of God. Which God has before ordained.

[58:08] That we should walk in them. How hard is that? How hard is it to walk? You don't need a lot of skill for that. And experience. What do you need to walk? Maturity. A baby doesn't walk.

[58:20] That we should walk in them. We are his workmanship. His poema. His poem. We are what he has wrought. What he has fashioned. What he has accomplished. What he has made. As God's work.

[58:31] You are a completed work. When you enter into his finished work. Colossians 2.10. And you are complete in him. Which is the head. Of all principality and power.

[58:43] As Jesus said. All power. Is given me in heaven and earth. He is the head. Of all principality and power. His is the final word. And you. Are complete. In him. Being buried with him.

[58:55] In baptism. Wherein also. You are risen with him. Through the faith. Of the operation of God. Which has raised him. From the dead. How are we complete in him? Because he took our death.

[59:06] So that we could experience his life. We are complete. When we enter into the complete work. He did. You know. The work of God.

[59:16] Is a beautiful. A spectacular. And a wonderful thing. But walking. The narrow walk. Can be painful. There is suffering. Guys.

[59:27] There is suffering. There is pain. When God burdens our heart. When he stirs our heart. And he is. When he is carrying us along. Into the work of God. It is not always something. That is easy. Sometimes it is.

[59:39] Rejection. Sometimes it is. Crucifixion. Sometimes it is death. But Jesus did not say. When you enter into my work. I will remove all pain.

[59:49] And all suffering. That will be when we enter into. His rest. His final rest. We enter into the rest. Of his finished work. So that we can be part of that work. But Jesus did not.

[60:00] Take away all the pain. And just say. It is going to be perfect. And wonderful. But what did he do? He entered into that pain. He did not stay aloof from it. He did not stay distance. From the pain. And the suffering. He entered in. And suffered greater than any of us.

[60:12] He entered in. And suffered in a way. That we could not. Have any of you died yet? Jesus died. He took death. I have not entered into that suffering. Jesus entered into being rejected.

[60:26] Having the father's face. Turn away. Jesus entered into our pain. And our suffering. So that he can then turn around. As we walk through this walk. And this journey. And he can say. I know. I know.

[60:37] I've been there. I'm here with you. God does not remove the pain. And the suffering. God joins in. And enters into it with us. Because it is through that. That we know who he is.

[60:49] We know that heart. We know how much he loves us. And we know if he was willing to go. To all of that. To say it is finished. Then how can I sit here.

[61:00] And go God. I don't think you can use me. I don't think I'm finished. I don't think I'm complete. I don't think I'm worthy. Guys. God finishes his work. He finishes what he starts.

[61:12] And he wants to use you. To be a part of that. Father. Thank you so much. Lord. Lord. Thank you for the blood. That washes away our sins. Lord. Thank you Lord. For the crimson that covers us.

[61:23] Lord. So that we can be white as snow. In your presence. Lord. Thank you Lord. That our sufficiency is not of ourselves. Lord. But our sufficiency is of God. Who has made us able ministers of the new covenant.

[61:34] Not of the letter. For the letter kills. But of the spirit. The spirit gives life. God. Unify our hearts. Unify our hearts. Not around like interests. Not around like personalities.

[61:45] But unify us Lord. Around the spirit. Upon the work. Around the work of God. Around the body of Christ. Lord. Here we are. Some of us Lord. Just boards. Maybe some of us are bored.

[61:59] Lord. It's not boring to serve you. It's not boring to be carried along Lord. By your heart. As you carry our hearts. Lord. I pray for my brothers and sisters.

[62:09] Lord. I know that you have a call on each one of their lives. Lord. I know that you are speaking to them. I know you are equipping them. Lord. I know that you are completing a work in them and through them. And God.

[62:19] I pray that they. Like these unknown names that we've read about today. That they would put their hands to the work that you've given them Lord. They are not insignificant.

[62:30] They are part of a spectacular work of God. We love you Jesus. And we worship you now. In your name I pray. Amen. As is written.

[62:42] I has not seen nor ear heard. Neither has entered into the heart of man. The things. The things which God has prepared for them.

[62:57] They'll love him. God has chosen ordinary people. Have responded to an extraordinary call. To live lives filled.

[63:08] With his extraordinary love. Lord bless you and keep you. Lord make a face to shine upon you. And be gracious unto you.

[63:19] Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you. And give you peace. God bless you. And listen. If you feel like you're not complete. If you feel like there's something missing.

[63:30]  Man come and pray. And let's talk. God wants you to live a complete and a whole life. In him. Amen. Amen. Enjoy some fellowship guys.