Podcasts about most holy place

Many of us are carrying burdens God never intended us to carry. We carry worry, fear, anxiety, guilt, and more. Prayer is God's invitation to transfer those burdens from our shoulders to His. The Bible says “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Prayer is not informing God of something He doesn't know. Prayer is inviting God into something we can't handle. Notes: Luke 18 As God’s child, you don’t need a badge to reach Him. Hebrews 10:19 (NLT)And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Prayer is the Christian’s secret weapon. There is a right and a wrong way to pray. Prayer is God’s invitation to transfer those burdens He never intended for us to carry from our shoulders to His. God cares about your problem. 1Peter 5:7 (NKJV)Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Jehosaphat called the people together for prayer.2 Chronicles 20:12 God is bigger than your problem. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NLT)“O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” Prayer is inviting God into something we can’t handle. God has His perfect timing. Read Luke 18:1–8 We need to be persistent in our prayer.Luke 18:1We all have a choice as to what we will do and to whom we will turn when a crisis hits. We can lose heart or we can pray. We should pray simply because Jesus told us to. We should pray because prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things. James 4:2You have not because you ask not. Luke 11:9Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you. Prayer is the way God helps us to overcome our anxiety and worry. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:7 (NLT)Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Worry is not a virtue but can actually be a sin. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. The judge was the powerful one; the widow was the weaker one. Our loving Father in Heaven is the very opposite of this judge.Luke 18:7 The widowed woman had persistence and a just cause, and that was enough. We have something far greater, a Heavenly Father who already wants to help us. Every prayer is answered:Yes,No,Wait. Read Luke 18:9–14 We look on the outside, God looks on the inside.1 Samuel 16:7 The most religious man in the room went home empty, and the man nobody wanted to sit next to went home justified before God.Some will use prayer as an opportunity to:Brag.Gossip.Impress. Attitude is so very important in prayer. If we pray selfishly, it can hinder our prayers.James 4:2–3 An unforgiving attitude toward another can hinder our prayers.Matthew 6:15 We must confess our sin to God. How do we approach God?Like the widow, with persistence.Like the tax collector, with humility.Like little children. Read Luke 18:15–17 Luke 18:16Let the little children come to me The objective of every parent is to bring their children to Christ. God sees things differently than we do.The weak widow is strong because she prays with persistence.The sinful man’s prayer is heard because he admits his sin.The child is an example for us to follow in approaching God. To be childlike means we come with complete honesty to God. Children come with complete helplessness. We must come in complete dependence on God to be saved and forgiven. Children know how to receive a gift. Come like a child to Jesus right now. Worry is strangling you, guilt is crushing you, and fear won’t let you sleep. Jesus said, “Come unto me all who are burdened with life.” Come to Jesus as you are, a sinner, and become His child. Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us are carrying burdens God never intended us to carry. We carry worry, fear, anxiety, guilt, and more. Prayer is God's invitation to transfer those burdens from our shoulders to His. The Bible says “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Prayer is not informing God of something He doesn't know. Prayer is inviting God into something we can't handle. Notes: Luke 18 As God’s child, you don’t need a badge to reach Him. Hebrews 10:19 (NLT)And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Prayer is the Christian’s secret weapon. There is a right and a wrong way to pray. Prayer is God’s invitation to transfer those burdens He never intended for us to carry from our shoulders to His. God cares about your problem. 1Peter 5:7 (NKJV)Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Jehosaphat called the people together for prayer.2 Chronicles 20:12 God is bigger than your problem. 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NLT)“O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” Prayer is inviting God into something we can’t handle. God has His perfect timing. Read Luke 18:1–8 We need to be persistent in our prayer.Luke 18:1We all have a choice as to what we will do and to whom we will turn when a crisis hits. We can lose heart or we can pray. We should pray simply because Jesus told us to. We should pray because prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things. James 4:2You have not because you ask not. Luke 11:9Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you. Prayer is the way God helps us to overcome our anxiety and worry. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:7 (NLT)Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Worry is not a virtue but can actually be a sin. Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. The judge was the powerful one; the widow was the weaker one. Our loving Father in Heaven is the very opposite of this judge.Luke 18:7 The widowed woman had persistence and a just cause, and that was enough. We have something far greater, a Heavenly Father who already wants to help us. Every prayer is answered:Yes,No,Wait. Read Luke 18:9–14 We look on the outside, God looks on the inside.1 Samuel 16:7 The most religious man in the room went home empty, and the man nobody wanted to sit next to went home justified before God.Some will use prayer as an opportunity to:Brag.Gossip.Impress. Attitude is so very important in prayer. If we pray selfishly, it can hinder our prayers.James 4:2–3 An unforgiving attitude toward another can hinder our prayers.Matthew 6:15 We must confess our sin to God. How do we approach God?Like the widow, with persistence.Like the tax collector, with humility.Like little children. Read Luke 18:15–17 Luke 18:16Let the little children come to me The objective of every parent is to bring their children to Christ. God sees things differently than we do.The weak widow is strong because she prays with persistence.The sinful man’s prayer is heard because he admits his sin.The child is an example for us to follow in approaching God. To be childlike means we come with complete honesty to God. Children come with complete helplessness. We must come in complete dependence on God to be saved and forgiven. Children know how to receive a gift. Come like a child to Jesus right now. Worry is strangling you, guilt is crushing you, and fear won’t let you sleep. Jesus said, “Come unto me all who are burdened with life.” Come to Jesus as you are, a sinner, and become His child. Harvest Crusade tickets are fully claimed—but it’s not too late to participate and witness what God does on July 11. Invite your loved ones to watch online with you and make sure you join the waitlist in case more tickets become available. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have reached the end of our Exodus series! Chapter 40 concludes with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle, marking the completion of the structure, but not the end of the journey. The Israelites are not yet in the Promised Land. So why is this 40-chapter story so central to the biblical narrative? Because Exodus is not just background history—it is a legally binding testimony that points directly to the coming of a greater Messiah.Key Points1. A Testimony to the FutureHebrews 3:5 states that Moses was faithful as a servant, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. The Greek word used here for servant (therapon) implies an intimate, trusted servant whose testimony carries legal weight. Moses is a credible witness establishing the criteria for the Messiah. Anyone claiming to be the Messiah must be greater than Moses.2. Jesus is the Greater IntercessorMoses: Interceded for the Israelites on a hill to win a physical battle against the Amalekites. His hands were held up by his friends (Exodus 17).Jesus: Interceded on the hill of Calvary to win the eternal war against sin and death. His hands were held up by nails—and by the joy set before Him.3. Jesus is the Greater Deliverer & SacrificeMoses: Delivered the Israelites physically from Egypt, but he could not lead them all the way into the Promised Land. The Old Covenant required sacrifices to be made over and over again, like weed killer that only offers temporary relief.Jesus: Shared in our humanity to break the power of death and deliver us spiritually (Hebrews 2:14). As our High Priest, He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and then He sat down—because the work was finished (Hebrews 10:11-12). Note: Joshua (Yeshua), whose name points to Jesus, was the one who ultimately led the people into the Promised Land.4. Jesus is the Greater TabernacleMoses: Built the physical tabernacle where God's presence dwelled, but the people were kept out by a thick curtain and the barrier of sin.Jesus: The Word became flesh and "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). When Jesus died on the cross, the physical curtain in the temple was torn in two. Now, through the blood of Jesus, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. Better yet, through the Holy Spirit, believers have become living tabernacles.5. The Warning: Guard Against a Hard HeartThe Israelites saw the Red Sea part and manna fall from the sky, yet their hearts grew hard and they built a golden calf. Signs and wonders cannot replace an intimate relationship with God. Hebrews warns us not to harden our hearts as they did, but to encourage one another daily. We guard against a hard heart through personal devotion and active participation in a faith community.ConclusionWhen Moses asked God, "Show me your glory," God tucked him in a rock and only allowed him to see His back. Moses did not get exactly what he asked for in that moment, nor did he get to enter the Promised Land in his lifetime. However, God does not forget our prayers. Centuries later, on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17), Moses finally stands in the Promised Land, face-to-face with Jesus, whose face shone like the sun. Moses finally saw the full glory of God. God is worth the wait.Calls to ActionExamine Your Heart: Are there areas where your heart has grown hard or calloused toward God?Speak it Out: If you are struggling with unbelief or a hard heart, confess it to someone in your faith community this week to break its power.Trust the Delay: If you have been waiting a long time for a prayer to be answered, look to Moses. Trust that God's timing is perfect and His glory is worth the wait. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Pastor Dom teaches on the crucial difference between religion and relationshipColossians 2:20-2320 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.Galatians 2:20-2120 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” 2 Corinthians 5:1717 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.Ephesians 2:8-108 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.1 John 1:7 7 …the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.Hebrews 9:1212 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.Revelation 12:11 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.1 Corinthians 11:23-2523 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is [b]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

My friend Shana Reif suffered from Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and other organs. It causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the airways, leading to repeated infections, inflammation, and progressive lung damage. In many cases, the disease can advance until the lungs can no longer do what God created them to dobring oxygen into the body and sustain life. Cystic Fibrosis is a horrible and incurable disease, and it was the disease Shana endured all her life. When she was born, her parents were told she would not live much past her twentieth birthday. But Shana lived to be thirty-two. I came to know Shana in high school, not long after I became a follower of Jesus. After high school, we became very close friends. She edited my Bible college papers, and I visited her often during her many hospital stays. I also visited her at home as she recovered from the latest infection. By 2003, her lungs had been so damaged by chronic infections that she was placed on the waiting list for new lungs. She received a double lung transplant in 2004, but even then, her suffering did not fully end. Her body remained fragile. Her fight continued. But Shana loved Jesus. Though she struggled deeply with her disease, she held onto the hope of the gospel. One of the last emails I received from her was signed with words from her favorite hymn: Great is Thy faithfulness. In 2007, Shana died from complications after a procedure to reopen a constricted airway. When someone you love suffers like that, the question How long? is not theoretical. How long will disease ravage bodies? How long will death take those we love? How long will Gods people suffer in a world still broken by sin? How long before Christ makes all things new? Revelation 6:911 brings us to that question. But here, the cry comes specifically from those who have been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained. The Martyrs: The Cost of Their Witness (v. 9) There are three cycles of judgment in Revelation: the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. These cycles do not unfold in strict linear successionseals, then trumpets, then bowlsbut recapitulate the same period of history with increasing intensity, like birth pains. For our purposes, I simply want you to notice one pattern that helps us understand what is happening in this passage. In each cyclethe seals, trumpets, and bowlsthe first four judgments affect the world in broad, visible ways, but the fifth shifts the focus. The fifth seal shows the saints crying out for justice (Rev. 6:911). The fifth trumpet shows judgment beginning to fall on the enemies of Godthose who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Rev. 9:112; especially 9:4). The fifth bowl shows judgment reaching the very throne of the beast, whose kingdom wages war against all who refuse to worship him (Rev. 16:1011; cf. Rev. 13:78, 15). This is why the first four seals show us the horsemen riding across the earth. But when the fifth seal is opened, the focus shifts from what is happening on earth to what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. These martyrs are not beneath the altar because they were victims of history. They are there because they belonged to the Lamb and remained faithful to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Their witness cost them their lives. John is showing us what Jesus had already told His disciples: If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24; NASB). The fifth seal reminds us that following Jesus is not merely a call to believe certain truths about Him; it is a call to bear faithful witness to those truths, even when obedience is costly. Polycarp is said to have been a disciple of the apostle John and later became the bishop of Smyrna. Smyrna, you may remember, was one of the seven churches Jesus addressed in Revelation. Jesus told that suffering church, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Years later, Polycarp was arrested and ordered to deny Christ. When pressed to renounce Jesus, he replied, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour? Polycarps witness cost him his life, but heaven did not see his death as Rome did. Rome saw a criminal to be silenced. Heaven saw a faithful witness beneath the altar. And we do not have to go back to Polycarp to see this kind of witness. You may remember the twenty-one Coptic Christians who were taken by ISIS in Libya and led onto a beach in orange jumpsuits. They were ordinary men who refused to renounce their faith in Jesus. Their blood was shed on earth, but Revelation 6 reminds us that heaven did not miss a drop. The world saw men being led to execution. Heaven saw faithful witnesses beneath the altar. Since 2015, conservative estimates suggest that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed for faith-related reasons around the world. According to Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, North Korea remains the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian, while Nigeria is the deadliest, accounting for 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed for their faith during the latest reporting period. The seals describe the birth pains that mark this present age. The first four seals show us a world marked by conquest, war, famine, and death. But when the fifth seal is opened, we are shown what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. The Altar: The Cry Before God (v. 10) Notice that John not only tells us that these faithful Christ-followers suffered and died for their faith, but also tells us where he saw these Christians. They are under the altar. This is a crucial detail that you can only understand if you know something about the Old Testament tabernacle that God told Moses to build. Scripture tells us that the earthly tabernacle was a copy and shadow of the one in heaven (Heb. 8:4-5; Exod. 25-31; 35-40). So when John sees an altar in heaven, he is not seeing something new, but the heavenly reality to which Israels worship had always pointed. Within the tabernacle, there were two primary altars. The bronze altar stood in the courtyard, where sacrifices were offered. The altar of incense stood near the Most Holy Place, close to the ark of the covenant, which represented the throne of God. Both altars help us understand what John sees. The blood of the sacrifice was poured at the altars base, and the incense rising before the Lord symbolized the prayers of Gods people ascending into His presence. So when John sees the souls of the martyrs beneath the altar, he sees their lives as precious before God and their prayers as heard before His throne. In the earthly tabernacle, a veil stood between the priests and God's immediate presence. But in heaven, no curtain hides His throne from His redeemed people. The martyrs are not far from God. They are beneath the altar, before the throne, and in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Now, picture what is happening before Johns eyes. Those who suffered the ultimate cost for following Jesus are not behind the altar, nor are they on top of the altar. These saints are under the altar, which tells us that they are closest to the throne. Also, the martyrs are not passive, but are actively pleading for vindication in Gods heavenly court. There is no magical language here, for their cries are raw and honest. There is no anger hurled before God, but cries of vindication in light of their understanding of who God is! Notice what these dear saints include in their prayer: O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... Now lets stop there for a moment. The ESV translates the word well asSovereign Lord.The Greek word used here is not the most common term for Lord,kyrios, butdespotēs, and this is the only time it appears in the entire book of Revelation. The word these martyred saints use conveys absolute ownership, supreme authority, and sovereign mastery. We get our English worddespotfrom this word, but whiledespotusually carries a negative meaning in English, that is not the case whendespotēs is used of God in the New Testament. When used of God, it emphasizes His complete authority over creation, His servants, history, judgment, and justice. This matters because these Christians are not merely crying out to God as sufferers, asking whether He cares. They are crying out to the One they know to be the Sovereign Master over all things. They are appealing to the One who has the authority to judge, avenge, vindicate, and bring history to its appointed end. They are not crying out in doubt. They are crying out in faith. They know He is able. They know He is holy. They know He is true. And they know that the Sovereign Lord will do what is right. Notice what the saints attribute to God next. Not only is He the Sovereign Master, but He is holy. These saints who have suffered much understand that their God is utterly set apart from all evil, corruption, compromise, and injustice. He is not like the kingdoms and the kings of this world. He is not indifferent to injustice and the bloodshed at the hands of the wicked. He is not morally conflicted. He is pure in all His judgments, righteous in all His ways, and completely opposed to everything wicked. He is holy and these saints know it! God is not only holy; He is also true. When these saints plead their case before the throne of God, they do so knowing that He is faithful to all He has promised. He does not forget. He does not make empty threats or hollow promises. What He has spoken, He will do (Num. 23:19; Josh. 21:45; Isa. 55:1011; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23). So when these martyrs cry, How long? they are not questioning Gods goodness, nor are they doubting that He will keep His word. They are asking when the God who is holy and true will act in perfect faithfulness to His word and to those He has promised never to forsake (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5; Rev). The breaking of the fifth seal and the prayer of these suffering saints teach us an important truth about how we can and should pray. They pray from their understanding of who God truly is. This is the kind of thing we read about in Daniel 11:32: ...the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. These saints know their God, and so they cry out, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? This prayer is not a contradiction of Jesus command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). It is a plea to the holy and true God to judge evil, vindicate His people, and set the world right. Their cry is rooted in the justice of God, knowing that His Word teaches that vengeance belongs to Him and not to His people (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). The martyrs beneath the altar are asking God to do what only God has the right and authority to do. The Throne: The Completion of Gods Purpose (v. 11) Now, notice what happens next. God responds, meaning He heard their prayer. But He does not respond as we might initially expect. The God who is sovereign, holy, and true responds by giving these Christians white robes as a sign of honor, purity, and vindication. These robes signify the righteousness that is theirs because of Jesus. When we see this great multitude again in Revelation 7, we are told, They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). These martyred saints represent every faithful witness who has been slain for the word of God and the testimony they upheldfrom the earliest martyrs of the church to our brothers and sisters suffering for Christ today. They are not treated as victims of random violence but as saints who belong to Christ and whose witness is precious before God. God responds by giving them white robes and telling them to do the thing we all hate: wait. Verse 11 says they were told to rest a little longer. That word, rest, matters. God is not dismissing their cry. He is not ignoring their suffering. He is calling them to rest in His presence, assured that perfect justice will come in His appointed time and in His sovereign way. Why must they wait? Because other Christians will suffer as they did, and they must wait until their number is complete. This means Gods justice is not delayed because He is indifferent. It is delayed because His purpose is not yet complete. There are still more witnesses to be gathered, more saints to be strengthened, and more glory to be given to Christ through the faithful endurance of His people. Gods answer to their prayer was to wait a little while longer. Conclusion My friend Shana frequently asked the same question you may have asked more than you can count: How long O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... It is the plea of the suffering. Shana was not a martyr, she was not killed by persecutors because of the word of God. She died on the operating table due to complications at the hands of surgeons who were trying to ease her suffering. Let me tell you what Shana did know. She knew what it meant to suffer in a world that is still waiting for Christ to make all things new. She knew what it meant to groan. She knew what it meant to wait. She knew what it meant to hope. I know that God used her life to encourage and strengthen the faith of others. Revelation 6:9-11 teaches us that we need not pretend the pain we experience is small. We need not pretend injustice does not matter. We need not pretend that death is natural. We can cry How long and do so in faith, not despair. We can cry it to the Sovereign Lord, who is holy and true. The Lamb who opens the fifth seal, is the Lamb who sees the suffering of His people. He honors the witness of His redeemed. He gives those who follow Him rest. The Lamb who died for you, is the Lord who will bring His purpose to completion for His glory and for your good! So, my dear brothers and sisters, we wait. But we do not wait as people forgotten by the One who sits upon the throne. We wait as those who belong to the Lamb. We wait as those whose lives are precious before the One on the throne. And we wait with confidence that the One who is sovereign, holy, and true will do exactly what He has promised. We can trust Him to do what is good and right because that is who He is.

  UNIVERSAL PENTECOST   Passover was first celebrated when Israel escaped from slavery in Egypt when they were told to sacrifice a spotless lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. They were told to not to do the long baking process of leavening the bread - because of the haste with which they had to flee Egypt. And from that time on Israel celebrated the Passover Feast each year with unleavened bread. Leaven is basically yeast and other ingredients can be added. The Feast of Passover weekend where Jesus as the Lamb of God died on the cross included Resurrection Sunday where Jesus rose from the dead and offered his blood of sacrifice to the Father. And on that day was also the Jewish Feast of Sheaves which was symbolic of Jesus being the firstfruits of the Resurrection. And Fifty days after that came the Feast of Pentecost (pente = fifty) – a harvest feast for life instead of a blood sacrifice feast for sin. The Passover and all other sin offerings were required to use unleavened bread because leaven had become the symbol for sin. Paul even admonished the church in Corinth because of their unruly communion services, saying they were celebrating their communion with the old leaven of malice and evil. Their lives should have been an expression of a new leaven of love and life and faith and we'll see how this came to be our new spiritual reality today. The appearance of leaven occurred when Israel began to celebrate the Pentecost harvest feast with two loaves of leavened bread. The law commanded them to only use leavened bread in this feast instead of unleavened bread. (Leviticus 23:15).  This could appear to be a scandalous thing, as only unleavened bread was ritually used with sacrifices, but this leavened bread was prophesying a most significant and radical shift for the nature and being of humanity. That shift occurred on the Sunday of the Pentecost Feast after the death and resurrection of Jesus. His death and resurrection had universally reconciled humanity to Divinity as one in Spirit. And then came this further glorious shift of all flesh becoming indwelt by the Person of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the leaven of the Feast of Pentecost had been necessarily baked in for humanity to receive Holy Spirit life in Christ. The blood imagery of Passover was replaced by the new leavened bread imagery of Pentecost. Blood shed by Jesus speaks to us of his life given - Bread speaks of a life shared.   We move past an initial act of rescue to a continual act of communion with God. The new leaven symbolises the Holy Spirit being sent to us and for us.This radically changes our lives from having to be empowered by an Adamic sinful nature into now being sustained and empowered by the indwelling Christ through the Holy Spirit. The righteousness and true holiness of God is the basis of our life now and not the bondage to sinful flesh.  This is the amazing reality of the new Creation humanity – the truth that God does not wait for humanity to be perfected before he accepts them as his family. Universal Reconciliation has done away with need for unleavened bread and blood sacrifice for sin. Separation has ceased because sin no longer is the separation between us and God. He accepts humanity as leavened by grace and being transformed by the Holy Spirit within his love that works by faith. Resistance to believing this is the only problem, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict the world of that sin of unbelief (John 16:7). But why only two loaves at Pentecost – wouldn't the truth of the Trinity assume three loaves for Pentecost? No – because The Holy Sirit was not yet sent upon all flesh, Old Covenant theology did not teach about the Trinity. And during the Old Testament era only two Persons of the Trinity, the Father and the Christ Messiah represented the present and future hope of humanity, and the Holy Spirit's influence was limited to operating only through specific chosen individuals like prophets, kings, and priests and judges like Sampson, Gideon etc. Not mankind But the reality of the Trinity was presented in the Old Testament by so many types and shadows of a hidden threefold expression of God. There was the sun and moon and stars of the heavenly creation, the threefold architecture of Noah's Ark as the two lower decks and the upper compartment from where the dove of the holy Spirit flew out after the flood. There was the plan of the tabernacle and the temple with the outer court the inner court and the Most Holy Place (in the shape of the cross incidentally). It was all there but hidden. The most striking threefold manifestation of the Trinity which included  blood sacrifice and unleavened bread occurred when Abraham was met by three angels at an encampment where he was with his wife Sarai and his servants and his cattle. He greeted the three messengers as My Lord and not my lords, so in his addressing the three men as Adonai indicates that he had a revelation (called a theophany) of God as the three persons of the Trinity. He told Sarai to bake three loaves of unleavened bread for the men to eat and ordered his servant to slay a calf of sacrifice. The men then told him that Sarai would have a son and that through him Abraham would become the father of many nations and that all the families of the earth would be blessed. This blood sacrifice and the unleavened loaves pre-empted the first Passover feast in Egypt by 400 years and pre-empted the feast of the universal spiritual Pentecost after Jesus died on calvary by 2000 years.  But the Jewish Feast of Pentecost on that day fifty days after Jesus died and rose again sacrificed the usual two loaves of leavened bread. The astonishing revelation is that  The two loaves become three on the day! The third person of the Trinity was revealed as tongues of fire on that Pentecost! The shift from two to three loaves represents the full unveiling of the Trinity's work in the world and the unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all humanity. The prophetic progression to three loaves was also encrypted in the New Testament by Jesus in Matthew 13 where he teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven hidden in three loaves of bread until the whole lump becomes transformed. The word “hidden” is fascinating. It is always written as krypto but Jesus used the Greek word egkrypto which is used nowhere else in Scripture. Encryption means not only hidden but encoded - the idea of something deeply embedded within and concealed internally until it transforms everything around it. This numerical shift from two to three prophesied the arrival and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. This transition illustrates the complete work of the Trinity: The Father is the source of the loving promise of adopting us as his unique and individual children through Jesus. Jesus is the sinless sacrifice and the "first fruits" of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit with tongues of fire represents the purifying and sanctifying fire of the trials of our faith and the empowering of our transformation into the likeness of God. The Holy Spirit concluded the third loaf reality, as His presence was finally poured out upon all flesh. Ultimately, this third loaf blessing is the establishment of the New Covenant. It marks a profound shift from the Old Testament—where the law was written on tablets of clay to a reality where the Holy Spirit writes the law directly onto human hearts. In fact the day of the Feast of Pentecost for Israel was also the exact same day that they celebrated the anniversary of the Law written on stone tablets with Moses at Sinai. That is how the Holy Spirit works. The old covenant operated through external rules written on stone but in the New Covenant the Spirit writes the law upon the heart and the Kingdom grows within.  This the grace in the New Covenant heart. In His expanded, New Covenant role, the Holy Spirit operates as an intensely personal guide and advocate. He universally convicts the world of unbelief and righteousness and the judgment of God upon Darkness. The Holy Spirit empowers those who believe and leads us into all truth, and spreads God's love into and through our hearts. He takes the teachings of Jesus and interprets them for us as individuals in highly personal ways, ensuring that people can hear and understand God ‘s voice regardless of their cultural or circumstantial or religious background – they all heard him that day in their own tongue. Ultimately, this continuous filling of the Holy Spirit empowers the Church to expand the Kingdom of God and express the Trinity of God to the world. The world changes when hearts change and this is why that Universal Pentecost mattered so deeply. Christianity is not institutional look good religion - it is divine life flowing through human vessels. Religion tries to conform people externally while the Spirit transforms people organically from the inside. Leaven works quietly and slowly and patiently, yet eventually it affects the entire loaf. Sometimes we become discouraged because transformation feels slow, but inner fermentation movement is evidence that life is active. You may not see dramatic change every day but if the Spirit is within you and you say yes to his work, something holy is expanding. God is more patient and thorough with your process than you are. Paul OSullivan  pauloss@me.com

In this episode, we look at chapter 6 in Hebrews to discover how Jesus serves as the ultimate High Priest, retiring human gatekeepers and removing every ladder between you and the presence of God.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now--The End of Gatekeepers: Understanding Priesthood in HebrewsFor many, especially those coming from a Latter-day Saint background, the word priesthood is synonymous with a ladder of authority—a series of offices, keys, and lineages required to act in God's name. In this view, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods are essential roles that men must hold to administer ordinances and bridge the gap between God and man.However, a "crash course" in the Book of Hebrews reveals a radically different story. In the Bible, the priesthood isn't a ladder you climb to get more authority; it is the story of how God removed every ladder so you could finally walk directly into His presence.The Tabernacle: A "Keep Out" SignIn the Old Testament, the priesthood system served as much as a barrier as it did a bridge. The Tabernacle was designed in layers—the outer court, the Holy Place, and finally, the Most Holy Place. This innermost room, representing God's presence, was strictly restricted. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year with a sacrifice. As Hebrews 9:8 explains, this system was designed to show that the way into the holiest place was not yet freely open.The Problem with the Aaronic SystemWhile many are taught that the Aaronic priesthood is a necessary office for today, Hebrews describes it as a "shadow system." Hebrews 7:18 goes as far as to call these Old Testament regulations "weak and useless" because they could never truly clear a person's conscience. They were a temporary fix that became obsolete the moment the true High Priest, Jesus, arrived.The Untransferable Priesthood of MelchizedekThe most significant point of tension lies in the Melchizedek priesthood. In the LDS tradition, this is a higher office given to many men. But Hebrews 7:24 says that Jesus holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever. The Greek term used here implies that His priesthood is untransferable—it does not pass from one person to another.If Jesus' priesthood cannot be transferred, then no other man—past or present—can hold it. Jesus didn't come to restore a priesthood for men to hold; He came to be the Priest so that human mediators would no longer be necessary.The Veil is TornWhen Jesus finished His sacrifice on the cross, the massive curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This was God's "Emancipation Proclamation," signaling that the restricted zone is now open to everyone.Today, we don't need a human gatekeeper, a temple recommend, or a specific office to reach God. Because of Jesus, every believer is part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace, not because of our own authority or a certificate, but because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

In this message, Pastor Olubi Johnson explores the profound promise of Revelation 2:17 — “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.” Hidden manna represents the deeper nourishment God reserves for believers who press beyond the ordinary into deeper fellowship with Him. The teaching reveals that throughout Scripture there were two kinds of manna: the daily manna given openly in the wilderness, and the manna preserved in a golden pot inside the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. This hidden manna symbolizes deeper revelation of Christ, spiritual strength for overcomers, and intimate communion with God. Pastor Olubi explains how the Tabernacle of Moses provides a prophetic map of spiritual growth — from the Outer Court to the Holy Place and finally into the Most Holy Place where hidden manna is found. The invitation is not for a spiritual elite, but for believers willing to overcome, pursue God diligently, and walk the Path of Life into deeper intimacy with Him.

Before moving into our main topic—the Tabernacle—we begin by examining the fifth commandment: "Honor your father and your mother." Often relegated to "kids church," this command was actually given to a nation of adults. In a culture that frequently despises or makes light of the elderly, God calls us to give weight to and highly value them. Furthermore, unlike other ancient documents, the Bible explicitly commands honoring both the mother and the father, demonstrating God's consistent elevation of women.Key Points1. The Purpose of the Tabernacle When we read the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle in Exodus, we shouldn't get lost in looking for obscure meanings in every measurement or crossbar. The big idea is this: The Tabernacle was God making His home among the Israelites. From God's perspective, the climax of the Exodus story wasn't the parting of the Red Sea; it was coming down from the mountain to dwell—or "go camping"—with His people. True freedom isn't just about escaping slavery; it's about being free to live in the presence of God.2. The Walking Tabernacle (Jesus) For hundreds of years, the Jews wondered where the presence of God had gone after the temple was destroyed. John 1:14 provides the answer: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling [literally: tabernacled] among us." Jesus was the walking Tabernacle. The glory of God, once restricted to a humble tent, was now restricted to a humble human body.Example 1: The Samaritan woman at the well was closer to the glory of God in her conversation with Jesus than the High Priest was in the Most Holy Place.Example 2: When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, the "Most Holy Place" was sitting in their living room. Martha chose dishes, but Mary perceived the sacredness of the moment and chose to sit at His feet.3. We Are the Tabernacle Now Where is God today? After Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit. Now, instead of one physical Tabernacle or one human body, there are millions of "little tabernacles" running around. The glory of God dwells within believers, both individually and corporately. God still comes in ways that are outwardly humble—through the people of the Church—but hold sacred glory on the inside. You cannot experience the fullness of God's presence in isolation; you must interact with His people.4. The Ultimate Fulfillment We experience God's presence now, but not in its fullness. We look forward to the day described in Revelation 21, when God's dwelling place will permanently be among His people, wiping away every tear and making all things new.ConclusionFrom a tent in the wilderness to the person of Jesus, to the Church today, and finally to the new creation, God's ultimate desire has always been to dwell with us. Wisdom is knowing where God is and choosing to sit near His presence.Calls to ActionHonor Your Parents: Regardless of your age, find a way to honor and give weight to your mother and father, and the elderly in your life.Seek His Presence: Like Mary, choose what is better. Don't let the distractions of daily life keep you from sitting at the feet of Jesus.Embrace the Church: Reject isolation. Recognize that the presence of God is found in community with other believers, despite our outward flaws. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Color: Purple Old Testament: Genesis 22:1–14 Psalm: Psalm 43; antiphon: v. 5 Epistle: Hebrews 9:11–15 Gospel: John 8:42–59 Gospel: John 8:46–59 Introit: Psalm 43:3–5; antiphon: vv. 1–2a Gradual: Psalm 143:9a, 10a; 18:48a, c Tract: Psalm 129:1–4 Jesus Is Our Redemption   In the temple Jesus said, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51). For Jesus came to taste death for us—to drink the cup of suffering to the dregs in order that we might be released from its power. Clinging to His life-giving words, we are delivered from death's sting and its eternal judgment. Christ is our High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place and with His own blood obtained everlasting redemption for His people (Heb. 9:11–15). He is the One who was before Abraham was, and yet is his descendant. He is the promised Son who carries the wood up the mountain for the sacrifice, who is bound and laid upon the altar of the cross. He is the ram who is offered in our place, who is willingly caught in the thicket of our sin, and who wears the crown of thorns upon His head (Gen. 22:1–14). Though Jesus is dishonored by the sons of the devil, He is vindicated by the Father through the cross. Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

1446 B.C.Exodus 25:21-22 NLT Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.Exodus 40:20-21 NLT He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark's cover—the place of atonement—on top of it. Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and hung the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the Lord had commanded him.Exodus 40:34-35 NLT Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.990 B.C.1 Kings 8:4-11 NLT The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it. There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count! Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord's Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day. Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt. When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.586 B.C.2 Chronicles 36:18-19 NLT The king took home to Babylon all the articles, large and small, used in the Temple of God, and the treasures from both the Lord's Temple and from the palace of the king and his officials. Then his army burned the Temple of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, burned all the palaces, and completely destroyed everything of value.Former GLORY does not guarantee future Blessing 515 B.C.Ezra 6:15-18 NLT The Temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius's reign. The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. During the dedication ceremony for the Temple of God, 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 male lambs were sacrificed. And 12 male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.Repeated RITUALs cannot replace the Glory of GodMatthew 27:50-54 NLT Psalm 22:1-5 NLT True WORSHIP invites the presence of the Living God

IntroductionWouldn't it be something if Christ kept an earthly office. It would be great if we could knock on the door, make an appointment, and bring him our questions face to face. We instinctively want something tangible. And yet the Christian faith calls us to do something that seems unwise: put all our eggs in one basket and trust in a savior that we cannot see. We are called to trust in Christ alone. No backup plan, no supplemental mediator, but only Christ. So how do we know that this basket is safe and wise? Christ Has the Power to SaveHis name tells us everything. He is called Jesus. His name literally means “Yahweh saves” His name tells us that that we need to be rescued, and that God himself provides it. Hebrews 7 builds on this by contrasting Christ's priesthood with the old covenant priests. Those priests died. Their ministries expired. Their successors were not always faithful. Christ, however, holds his priesthood permanently. Christ is in the order of Melchizedek. He has no recorded beginning or end of days. We read about him once in Genesis. There is no genealogy to communicate his beginning. There is no record of his death. The implication is that he lives forever. Levi, in Abraham's loins, paid the oath to Melchizedek when Abraham paid the tithe. This means Melchizedek is superior to the other priests in every way because the priests in Levi's line honored the superior priest by paying the tithe on the spoils. The point of this is that Christ's priestly ministry is in the line of Melchizedek. This means that Christ saves us because he lives up to his name, Yahweh Saves. He has the power to save because he is in a priestly line that has no beginning and no end. He is truly an eternal priest. Christ Saves Us CompletelyHebrews uses the language of "To the uttermost." This means that nothing can hinder Christ from finishing what he has begun. Satan, who once stood before God to challenge Job, could not undo God's purposes then, and cannot undo Christ's saving work now. We take comfort in that Christ represents us in the most holy place. He resides there by his own merits, he has offered himself without first cleansing himself, and he represents us in the most holy place. Christ is not fragile like the priests of old. We must remember that Christ is our perfect priest without any human frailty. Yes, he is God and man joined together in person. He took on the flesh to offer himself. He completed his work. The result is that Christ saves to the uttermost. His work never expires, and he never needs a successor. He alone is sufficient to represent us. Christ Intercedes for Us PersonallyNot only does Christ save completely, but he prays for us continuously. He does not simply give us a boost of grace and step back. He does not merely secure us and then retreat into heaven. But He lives to intercede for his people by name, in the Most Holy Place. Christ's mission is to see to it personally that each one arrives at the fullness of glory. Christ is the priest who cleanses. We do not get our lives together before we draw near to him. The invitation of Hebrews is to come as we are with our failures and imperfections. We lay our sins, burdens, and struggles before our priest. He has cleansed us, and represents us in the most holy place. This is not a model, like the temple, but the full glory of heaven. As he reigns in glory, He continues to prod us and purify us sanctifying us to be the people He desires. We know that He sympathizes with our weakness, intercedes on our behalf, and upholds us to the end.ConclusionChrist alone is not a gamble. He is the only basket that truly holds. He offered himself once, without needing a cleansing ritual or an animal substitute. He was raised, he ascended, and he now resides in the glory of heaven. He is not passive not passively, but actively interceding, saving, and sustaining.When we gather for worship, we are not merely going through a human routine. We are being called into the presence of the living God, joining with the heavenly assembly, drawing near to the priest who never quits and never fails. Rest in him. Bring him your burdens. He is able to save you. He saves you completely, personally, and to the uttermost.

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Title: A Kingdom of Freedom Last week: Ron said you have to pick a kingdom.Colossians 1:13–14 (NIV)13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.John 8:31–32 (NIV)31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Easter is not just an event we celebrate once a year — it is the hinge of history upon which every day of our lives is meant to swing. The cross purchased our freedom. The empty tomb confirmed it. The question is: are we actually living free?Romans 6:4 (NIV)We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.Jesus was risen and we need live like it.Galatians 5:1 (NIV)It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Christ has set us free — that's the act. Stand firm — that's our response.Freedom is given, but it must also be chosen, walked in, and maintained. When Jesus died, veil of the Temple — the massive curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place — was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This was not incidental. It was bold statement written by the hand of God. The veil was a physical declaration: you cannot come in. Your sin disqualifies you. When it tore, God was saying: that system is over, Sins power to separate you from me has been cancelled.Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV)When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.Many of us are like prisoners who have been released but are still sitting in the cell. The door is open. The warden handed you the paperwork. But you have not stood up yet. Romans 8:1 (NIV)Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! The resurrection did not just forgive us — it re-created us.  Not only am I forgiven, but re created into something new.So how does this become my reality?1 Samuel 30:6 (NRSV)6 David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? ... You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: 'Hope thou in God'—instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way."We can't just be spectator to our own emotions, instead we must become a preacher to our own soul.ANTs automatic negative thoughtsRomans 6:11 (NIV)In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:11 (NIV)And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Galatians 5:25 (NIV)Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV)3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.My problems don't define Me, my failures don't define me. I am forgiven. I am a new creation. The Spirit who raised Jesus lives in me. My future is secured. I do not have to live the way I used to live. God has given me everything I need to live the life he has called me too. John 11:43-44 (NIV)Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.Freedom needs a family.  -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

by Aubrey Botha https://cpcchurchimages.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/21121523/April-19-Sermon.mp3 Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus the Great High Priest 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 10:19-25 A Call to Persevere in Faith 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Transcript (Transcribed by TurboScribe) As you saw, we’re starting a new series next week, Sun Prayer, a short series of four, looking really forward to that. And at the end of the service, I’m going to ask you after the benediction to sit, the song that you heard a little piece of this morning, it’s an AI song, and I heard this and it’s so beautiful. So I went to Carrie and I said, can we do this as the song for the whole series? She said, sure, but it has no music. And we can’t find any music for that. So our music team sat down and they produced that music and all of that to go with that. And they’re going to do that song for us this morning as our postlude. And I want you to hear that because with God’s grace, we’re going to sing that every week for four weeks after the sermon saying, Lord, I want to pray. When you hear me, I’m going to pray. When I think you don’t hear me, I’m going to pray. When times are good, I’m going to pray. When times are not good, I’m going to pray. Still, I will pray, is the name of the song. We’re going to do that. So thank you to the praise team for all the work that they put into that. It’s wonderful to have people that’ll just say, yeah, I’m going to do that. Bless you. Thank you for your word that guides us. Thank you for your word that feeds us. Thank you for the word that just paints this beautiful picture, Lord, of who you are. Help us in this morning again, that as we read and as we try and speak, that we may see Jesus, the love of Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen. Now, scripture reading this morning comes from the book of Hebrews, chapter four. We’re going to read verses 14 to 16, and then we’re going to go to chapter 10 and read verses 19 to 25. And I’m reading from the NIV today. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. And then we go to chapter 10. Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and a living way opened for us through the curtain that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. Having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water, let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit, I think they missed the word there, bad habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and to find grace to help us in our time of need. Go underline that verse in your Bible and read it every day. It is one of the most beautiful promises that God makes, one of the most beautiful invitations that God gives in his word. Let us approach this throne of grace with confidence so that what can happen, we may receive mercy and find God’s grace to help us in our time of need. That word time of need in the Greek is one word. It’s a beautiful word. It’s the word eukairon. You’ve heard the word kairos before, the kairos documents. Remember it was a big deal at some state. The word kairos in Greek means a defining moment. Let’s go to God’s throne in all of the defining moments of our lives, those moments that will change our lives, those moments in which we stand before God saying, help me or God rejoice with me or be with me. But then it starts with the most beautiful word of all of those words. Let’s go to God’s throne of grace with confidence. Greek word and Central knows by now when I retire they will all be fluent in Greek and Hebrew. Greek word for confidence is the word paresia. Paresia means boldness, frankness, confidence. It comes, it’s a technical term that comes from the old Greek city states. Paresia meant that if you were a citizen and you had citizenship of that city state, you had the right to speak in the assembly and that right was called paresia. You could stand up and you could speak and if we put it in today’s words, you could make motions and you could vote on the motions as well because you had paresia, you had confidence. It was your right to do that. That’s the objective side but there’s a subjective side on this too. It only became your right in that moment when you stood up and you spoke and you used that. Can you hear the words? Since we have paresia, that’s what chapter 10 said, that’s why I took you there. Since we have verse 19, this confidence, then what should we do? Verse 22, let us then draw near to God. It’s given. We have the right. You’re citizens of God’s kingdom. You’re children of the most wonderful father in the whole wide world. The king of the universe is yours and he said here’s the right that I give you. Will you please use that and walk into my holy presence? Can we talk about that for a second? How we do that, when we do that, do we do that? But I want to start in the old testament and this is where I’m going to need you Alexander because I was told you do not touch that yoke. Jay will come and he will, I don’t know where Jay is sitting this morning, maybe he wouldn’t. He’s my doc. He would come give me a hard time because my back should not be lifting this. Come on up Alexander. You got to do the high lifting here. Don’t lift it up yet. You can just hold it kind of up straight if you can get it out there. But I take you to the book of Leviticus. I’m going to read one verse and I know you do not read one verse because there’s a context. So I’ll give you the context. Context comes from chapter 26. God brought them into the promised land and now God says to them because you’re obedient I’m going to reward you. I’ll make it rain. I’ll take care of your crops. I’ll give you cattle and I’ll give you sheep. If you keep the Sabbaths I will bless you in so much abundance because you are obedient. And then God says here’s the reason why I want to do this. I’m the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so that you can walk with your heads held high. I wanted to show you a yoke because most of you I don’t think have even seen a yoke. If you’re younger you don’t even know what that is. You think it’s a thing that comes in an egg. This is a yoke. This is one that you put on cattle. This was actually one that my wife’s father used on his farm with the cattle. They go on your neck and you can imagine if you put this thing on your neck. No don’t do that. You’re going to put that on your neck. This is what it does. Thank you Alexander. You can not put it on my neck. You can put it down. Thank you. I want you to just keep that image for a moment and see what God says. He says when you were in Egypt you were slaves. They did not necessarily bear a yoke like that but they bore the yoke of being slaves. You were not allowed to look up and look people in the eye. You had no rights. They bore the heavy burdens every day as they were building those two cities. They would carry that on their backs and your head is always down. You have no rights. You have nothing to say. God says when I brought you out, I took that yoke off your back. I took it off your neck so that you may walk with your head held high. We may approach the throne of grace with confidence, with our heads held high because the yoke and the burden of sin has been lifted off. We may walk into that room, that throne room of our heavenly Father and we may look our Father in the eye and say, Lord, I need you every moment of my life. I need you. You’re my one defence. You’re my righteousness. Oh, you may be bold and say, I can walk in there and I can say, Father, Father, can you just take my hand, please? It’s a little tough right now. I can’t do this alone. I need you to walk with me, not just a mile. I need a few more miles than that and maybe, Father, if you don’t mind, can you just carry me for a while? I can walk in there. Like Romans says, then the Holy Spirit can call out in me, Romans 8, Father, I love you and I know exactly that’s who you is because it is a throne of grace where I can find peace, mercy, and grace for my times of need. Why can I do that? Why can I do that? Verse 14, 15 gives the answer. He says, because we have a grand new high priest right there in heaven, not one who was distant from us on this earth because you looked at him and he was all gowned and robed and all kinds of stuff around him and he was holier than thou. We have a high priest in heaven who was just like us, who walked this earth with his own feet, who felt the hurt of his own people turning their backs on him, who felt his friends betray him, who would hear people yell crucify, who would know what it meant to have no house to sleep but always with a friend sleeping on the couch, who would know the burden of carrying the yoke of all I’ve ever seen, who would know the burden of being nailed to a cross and not having a moment that he could walk into that throne room because Father had to turn his back and close his ears when his son cried. My God, we have a high priest that understands us and when I walk into that throne room and I can bring myself, he gets it. He gets me in all of my goodness, in all of my struggles, in all of my needs, in my yukairon moments, my moments of need where I stand before you. I don’t know where you are in your life and maybe you’re full of joy. Here’s the cool thing, you can go right into that throne room and go spring jump and dance and sing with him because he wants to do that with you. Maybe you’re in the struggle time if I think of Lorna and I think of Alan Goberdan as they had to go down to New Jersey to go bury a brother and a mother. In that moment they could walk right in that throne room and Father God would understand and he would hold them to his heart because that high priest when they walked in there would say, Father, this is Lorna and Alan. Right now, Father, we need you so bad. You can go to him because you have paresia, confidence, bought in the blood of Jesus Christ. But here’s the coolest thing of all of this. If I take you back to the Old Testament again, remember in the Old Testament the high priest and only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies. Remember the temple was built where they would sacrifice and then they had the holy place and then they had the most holy place and then the most holy place was behind this curtain and there was the Ark of the Covenant. Had Aaron’s staff and there it had the tablets that were broken and the new tablets and there it had the manna in there to remind them of what God did in the wilderness but also to remind God of how they rebelled against God was in there. On that was the cherubim that was the seat where God would sit and would look down on all of this. Once a year, Leviticus 16 on Yom Kippur, Yom in Hebrew day, Kippur, atonement. On the day of atonement the high priest could go behind that curtain. He alone, after he was cleansed and brought sacrifices for his own sin, could go in there with blood and he would sprinkle that blood on the Ark of the Covenant. The cover of the Ark of the Covenant is called Kippuret, Yom Kippuret, the atonement seat and he would make atonement for the sins of the people. It was such a holy place that he alone could go in once a year but if he did something wrong he would die because you were not supposed to see God. So they put a rope around his ankle that if he died in there they couldn’t go in. They could just pull him out. It is the cool thing about that, says Hebrews. There was a Friday there in the afternoon and on a Friday the world became really, really dark. There was a man on a cross and his name was Jesus. In that moment when he died and he took that burden upon himself, that curtain that stood between us and God, fell away. And in that moment through the blood of the Son, he opened a new path right into the throne of God. And you and I may walk right into that throne room. There is no more curtain. You can walk right up to your Father. And when I walk in there, Jesus stands there smiling and he says, Father, it’s Aubrey again. Boy, this guy can never stop. Gotta tell you about him a little bit, Father. He’s giving me a run for my money. He’s, he messes up so often. He’s with his face in the mud and I have to pick him up and I have to cleanse him again. But I know he loves us, Father God. So I walk with him. Boy, does he give the Holy Spirit, you know, because Holy Spirit that’s his job, isn’t it? To walk right beside and to help. Man, does the Holy Spirit have to walk with him all the time to keep him on the right path and to help him? So Father, I’m so glad that he’s here. And Father smiles when he sees me. And Father says, what can I do? And I can just open my heart and I can speak because here’s the thing. Despite the fact that I mess up so often, despite the fact that I hurt him so often because of the stuff that happens in my life, when I walk into that throne room, my Father does not do this. Sorry, I never point fingers at you, do you know that? Feels horrible. My Father never does that because that was taken care of that Friday on a cross. All of the judgement was taken care of. All of that slavery was taken care of. My Father tells me to lift up my head and look him in the eyes and see his face. Despite of who I am, but because of who he is and what he has given me. Because I am his child and I have been made free and I have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. That same blood that this morning said to little Colby, little girl, here’s my sign and my seal. I’m washing you and you, little girl, can walk right into my throne room anytime you need me because I am your Father and you are my child. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thinking, not a person yet. We are allowed to walk into the presence of our God with confidence to receive what? Mercy and grace. You know what grace is? God’s free gift. For it is by grace that we have been saved through our faith. That faith says Hebrews 10 that is washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and says come walk in. It’s kind of like this little boy that sat with me this morning this week. It was a tough week and one evening I was sitting reading and he came up to me and he said, hey Opa, can I sit on your lap for a little while? I said sure buddy boy. He jumped on my lap and he put his little head against my chest and I just held him. Didn’t say a word. He just sat. His ear was right on my heartbeat. I’m sure he heard me. Sat for about 3-4 minutes and looked up. He said, thank you Opa. I think I’m okay now. He got up and went and played. Since we have confidence, let us then draw near to God. You need to sit on his lap for a while. He’s okay with that. You need to cry with him a little bit. He’s okay with that. Bette Midler got it wrong. Remember she sang a song, God is watching us from a distance. Nah, not true. God opened his throne and he said, my son did this for you. Come on in. He’s not in the distance. He’s right with you. Everything is fine. It’s up to us to be the walking voice, to walk in with confidence and to receive the gifts that God has for us. May you walk with your head held high and not with one of those yearnings because it’s taken away. Walk, Opa. Let God speak. Amen. Take a few moments of silent prayer. Lord Jesus, thank you for going to the cross. Thank you for taking all of our sin, bearing that and then washing our sin with blood. It has fallen right so beautifully in Colossians and then when you did that there on the cross and you washed, you took it away forever and you never seem to do it again. Help us then not to make ourselves slaves again, but to walk freely. Thank you that every day we may ask that you will walk with us through your spirit. But Lord, on our own we can’t do this. Every moment, every hour of our lives, we need you. We need you to walk. We need you to talk. We need you to evolve us. Thank you for reminding us of who we are, the children of the most high and holy. You’re amazing and we love you with all that is in us. In this we pray in the amazing name of Jesus, our great High Priest. Amen.

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:9–11. This is the prayer of theApostle Paul for the saints there at Philippi. He concludes that prayer withthese words: “to the glory and praise of God.” Thatis why we were created—to praise and glorify the Lord. Everything we do—everydecision, every action, every attitude—is meant to bring glory to God. Notglory to ourselves, not recognition from others, but glory to Him. Now let meask you a question. When we talk about the glory of God, what comes to yourmind? What do you picture? AsI study the glory of God in the Bible, I am overwhelmed with the thought thatliterally the entire Bible—from Genesis 1 to the last verses of Revelation—isall about the glory of God. I used to say the Bible is the story of redemption.It is, no doubt, the story of redemption—God redeeming man from his sin andrestoring him to a right relationship with Himself. Yet behind all of that, andeven before all of that, it is about the glory of God. WhenI picture the glory of God, after studying both the Old and New Testaments, Ifind that the glory of God is the expressed presence of God Himself. In the OldTestament, when the glory of God came down on the tabernacle, the Shekinahglory cloud descended. It was the presence of God in the midst of His people.The glory of God rested over the cherubim—on the mercy seat, between thecherubim—in the Most Holy Place, where no one could enter except the highpriest once a year. There, he would encounter the manifest presence of God. Thenwe read in Psalm 8:1, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in allthe earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens.” And in Psalm 19:1, “Theheavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Oh,my friend, do you realize that all creation cries out and declares the presenceand the glory of God—the One who created all things? Why? For His glory, tomanifest His presence. Creation is a display of God's handiwork.  Thatmeans when we glorify the Lord, we are magnifying His presence—we are makingHis presence known. As a matter of fact, Jesus Christ Himself came for thatvery purpose. Remember John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Wordwas with God, and the Word was God.” Then verse 14: “And the Word becameflesh and dwelt among us.” John says this “flesh” is none other thanChrist—God Himself in our midst. John goes on to say: “And we beheld Hisglory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace andtruth.” Jesus was the manifest glory—the very presence of God—among thepeople. Joseph was told by the angel in Matthew 1:23; "Behold, thevirgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His nameImmanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Nowthe Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that: “our bodies are the templeof God. Therefore, we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit,which are God's”. In other words, everything we do—every word we speak,every attitude we display—ought to reflect who God is. God is in our lives. Godis in control of our lives. That is why the Holy Spirit was sent. If you readJohn chapters 14 through 16, the Holy Spirit was sent to glorify Jesus Christand to glorify the Father in us and through us. Read Revelation chapters 4 and5. All of creation and everyone in it one day will be declaring His glory! Myfriend, this changes everything about how we live. We do not serve to be seen.We do not give to be praised. We do not live for applause. We live for anaudience of One. Let me ask you today: Is your life pointing others to JesusChrist, or is your life pointing others to you? Which of the two, my friend? Itrust your life is reflecting the presence and glory of God to the people aroundyou. A life filled with the fruit of righteousness brings glory to God, becauseothers see God in us. That is what the world needs to see today in His people.

The Rooms of Confidence  Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.    15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.    16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.   Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,    22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.    23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,   25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,   but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

On the day of the Resurrection the Bible says. that Jesus rose and left his tomb ‘while it was still dark' (John 20:1), and women with anointing spices visited the tomb as it began to dawn (Matthew 28:1). As I speak it is now 3.30 am in the Middles East on Sunday where Christians will shortly be celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. And on this same day many religious Jews will also be celebrating the ‘Feast of Sheaves', which is the prophetic Jewish feast that remarkably symbolises The Resurrection of Jesus.  There is no one Gospel sequential narrative of how things happened on Resurrection Sunday, but I am joining the dots scripturally using four Gospels and five Epistles plus Old Testament Scriptures to join the Jewish feast of Sheaves to the Christian faith reality of Resurrection on this defining day for both religions.  My question is – What is the prophetic symbolism of Sheaves concerning Jesus as being the First Fruits of the Resurrection? After Jesus dies on the cross he first descended to the lower parts of the earth, both to hades or the place of the grave and to Paradise (Luke 16:19) where Abraham was, and he also said to the robber on the cross ‘this day you will be with me in paradise.  Ephesians 4:8 “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive… He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth. He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. Jesus proclaims the leading captivity captive in the book of Revelation.  Fear not; I am the first and the last: -- I am he that lives and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and I have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation1:17,18) When he descended Jesus set many faithful captives free from their captivity of time, till heaven came to get them,  1Peter 3:18 He died once for the sins of all sinners although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on, and it was in the spirit that he visited the spirits in prison preaching to them  The Bible mentions a company of people rising from their graves when Jesus rose, and they briefly appeared to people who would recognise them from their earthly life. Matthew 27:52 And when the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. Many bodies of the saints who had died were raised up and came out of the tombs after his resurrection, and they went into the holy city and appeared to many.   These people represent stalks of the sheaf of what Israel called the ‘Feast of Sheaves' – the offering of the sheaf of the First Fruits of the promised harvest. After the very brief visit to earth in their new recognizable forms, these upward travellers would regroup with Jesus and resume their journey – from the earth to the sky. This is a remarkable fulfillment of what happens in Jerusalem on our Resurrection Sunday. Jesus is called the First Fruits of the Resurrection - as the first to rise from the dead into everlasting life. He represents the main stalk of the sheaf, but he took other stalks of grain with him to represent the promise of resurrection life for all of humanity in Christ. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order and Christ the First Fruits  (1 Corinthians 15:20), JESUS AND ISRAEL THE JEWISH FEAST OF FRUITS Leviticus 23.9 When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first Fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the LORD. Those other members of the ‘sheaf offering' left their graves to visit friends when Jesus had united himself again to the wounded shell of his shrouded body in the tomb and left the headpiece and shroud lying separated from one another (John 20:7).  The women who had prepared oils and spices to anoint the body of Jesus arrived and were astonished to see that the stone had been moved and the guards had fled. They peered inside the tomb and were met by two angels sitting in the place where Jesus had been laying. ‘Are you looking for Jesus?' One angel said. ‘He has come back to life as he said he would. Go and tell the disciples that he will be coming to see them, and that they are to wait for him in Galilee.' The women ran to tell the disciples, but Mary Magdalene held back, walking through the garden, still confused and weeping. She almost collided with Jesus who was also walking in the garden, and she apologized, not recognizing him, thinking he was the gardener. And he called her by her name and said, ‘It's alright Mary, it is me. 'She ran towards him, but Jesus held up his hand and said, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father. but go to my brethren, and tell them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her. (John 20:17) Jesus then ascended and offered his blood to the Father in the early hours of that day - to return later in the day in another form (heteros morphe) as stated in Mark 16:12. He then met two disciples travelling to Emmaus.  Towards evening after walking to Emmaus with the two disciples Jesus went to meet with the other disciples who had not gone to Galilee as Jesus had instructed Mary Magdalene to tell them to do. They were instead hiding in fear in Jerusalem. And when Jesus walked through a closed door and greeted them, they thought they had seen a ghost, but Jesus said. I am not a ghost because a ghost does not have flesh and bones - he did not say blood - because he had spilled his blood at Calvary and it had been spiritually presented to the Father in Heaven already, and he had returned to earth still bearing the marks of the wounds to his hands and feet and side from the cross. But what he did say was ‘touch me'. He was now able to say ‘touch me' - not as when he met Mary and said touch me not, because he had just ascended to the Father, and he had also instructed Mary to tell them that. Luke 24.37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Jesus was fulfilling the symbolic prophetic Feast of the First Fruits and the waving of the sheaves that we read about earlier.  Leviticus 23.9 And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the LORD.  Jesus had ascended as the Lamb without blemish, untouched by the world (the ‘touch me not' to Mary), to fulfill the offering of his blood to his Father in Heaven. Jesus had just marked the end of blood sacrifice for sin for all time by sprinkling his blood on the earth at Golgotha for the forgiveness of the sins of the whole world and now the spiritual presentation was made in heaven.  The record of that spotless presentation is beautifully stated in Hebrews. Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the better things to come … Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. The Old Testament meaning of ‘life is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11) has been radically changed into ‘life is in the Spirit'. Sin once demanded a blood sacrifice of death which had to be repeated daily and that was called the ‘Law of sin and death'. But Paul wrote, The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) After Jesus met with his disciples that day, he would spend forty days on earth as a witness to his resurrection and at the end of those forty days he would finally ascend into Heaven, from where he would begin his new mission upon the earth to save the souls of mankind through the Holy Spirit.  We are part of that mission on the earth now of Jesus from Heaven, and I pray Lord that today at this moment in Jerusalem that religious Jews celebrating the Feast of the Sheaves of the First Fruits may get a revelation that the resurrected Jesus, their Messiah, is the fulfillment of their Feast. Give us the grace to be the demonstration of your love and power in the earth today which is crippled by unlove and corrupted power. Amen.  

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/a-better-access/When my sister was the associate head coach at the University of Michigan years ago, we gained access to various parts of the campus that were off limits to regular fans. For example, regular fans are able to watch games in the Crisler Center, but we were able to walk on the court and shoot baskets. Regular fans might be able to watch a game in the Big House, but we were able to walk onto the field and throw a football to each other. Regular fans might be able to see the basketball, football, and soccer players from the stands, but we were able to meet and greet all the players. I'll let you in on a little secret ... the basketball players are kind of tall (even the women), the football players are wide, but the soccer players, they were normal human size.But a regular fan cannot play on the beautiful U-M Golf Course. But because of my sister's access, I was able to lose all kinds of golf balls in the water and trees of that scenic setting.As we continue in our Lenten series of A Better Savior, the writer to the Hebrews compares access to the Lord in the Most Holy Place to the Better Access we now have to the Lord through Jesus. Just like my family had access to areas that were off limits to normal people, the apostle to the Hebrews announces that we have access to the Lord that was previously off-limits to the Old Testament Israelites.Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews worshiped first in the tabernacle -- a tent while they were wandering in the wilderness -- and then later in the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was divided into two parts -- the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The worshipers could gather to worship in the courtyard of the tabernacle, but the tabernacle itself was off limits to them. The priests could enter the Holy Place, but the Most Holy Place was off limits to them. They could not look past the curtain that separated the two portions of the tabernacle. The curtain was 15 feet wide and 15 feet high and 2 inches thick. It was elaborately woven with blue, purple, and scarlet wool and then decorated with woven linen in the figures of cherubim (angels).Under the old covenant, sinners dare not come through the curtain to enter God's presence in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could only enter once a year, and he entered with fear and trembling to come before the holy presence of God. Access to God was limited to only one person who was the representative of the whole Israelite community, and he was granted that access only once a year.The writer to the Hebrews was exhorting the Jewish Christians not to go back to that old way of thinking. They were now granted a different access, a better access through Jesus Christ. Now we can come anytime, without timidity and trembling, to our Father in heaven. "By the blood of Jesus," the author reminds us. There is no other way. His blood in payment for our sins has opened a freeway to heaven which no barricade can ever block and where no toll booth need ever be built."Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."The way to heaven was "opened" by Jesus with his death on the cross. It is a "new and living way." The word used for "new" originally meant "freshly slain," a picture quite fitting for Christ our sacrifice. Then "new" came to mean "recent," again quite fitting for, as Martin Luther said, "It seems but yesterday that Jesus died on the cross." And it is a "living" way. This way carries those who walk on it to life. This way is Jesus, as he said of himself, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).The writer to the Hebrew Christians was asking them why they would want to return to old way of restricting themselves to a man-made tabernacle, curtain, and Most Holy Place? Why would we ever want to go back to an inferior access? Why would we ever want to close ourselves off from Christ who is a new and living way?But we do this all the time. We forsake the Son of God, the living way to heaven, for lifeless and ineffective sacrifices. We consider Jesus' sacrifice as nice but feel that God must certainly enjoy the sacrifices we make as something that earns a little extra blessing from God. We close the curtain to God's presence when we refuse to speak to God in prayer, either because of false humility or genuine pride. We also stand on the opposite side of the curtain when we refuse to listen to God speak to us in his Word because of laziness or boredom or misplaced priorities. We limit our access to God's almighty power by considering worship as an optional part of our week, just something else to add to our busy schedule.How quickly we forget our Better Savior. So much happens to us during our daily life. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And somewhere, back there, perhaps without even noticing, we leave Christ. Perhaps we don't turn away from him ... we just don't take him with us. Assignments are piled on. Promotions come. Kids are born, and Christ .... well, Christ is forgotten.Has it been a while since you've realized God's divinity and your carnality? Has it been a while since you've focused on your Savior hanging on the cross, perhaps because subconsciously you don't think you need him? Has it been a while since you've really applied the message of forgiveness to your life because you don't remember what it's like to be guilty?Let's be honest. If your sins do not convict you, then you have no need for a Better Savior. Keep doing whatever you're doing. If there is no weight on your shoulders, then you are not seeking relief. Don't change your life at all. If you are feeling healthy, then you have no need for a doctor. Then the Great Physician of your soul is of no use to you.However, if your sin is very real to you, then it is good for you to be here this evening. If the skeletons of past sins are rattling around in the closet of your conscience, then it is good that you are seeking forgiveness from your past and present sins. If you have trouble sleeping at night because your mind keeps reliving the sordid details of your day, then it is necessary for you to find solace in your Savior.If you have limited your access, if you have tried earning God's blessings, if you are tired of carrying your sins by yourself, then you need a better access. Jesus grants you that access. Jesus has torn that curtain of tabernacle in two at his crucifixion, thus giving us sinners access into God's holy presence. We no longer must come through a high priest or with bloody sacrifices or in a tabernacle. This access comes not by blood sprinkled on a door - like the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on the doorframes -- but by Christ, the perfect Passover Lamb, sprinkling his blood on our hearts and sprinkling his baptismal waters on our bodies. All the barriers have been removed so that we may approach the God of the Covenant in the full confidence of forgiveness.Access to God the Father is no longer restricted. Through Christ, you now have complete freedom to approach your Lord. Jesus is the Better High Priest who intercedes on our behalf and grants us unrestricted access to the altar of God in our prayers. Jesus is the Better Sacrifice who shed his blood for you so that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus has torn aside the tabernacle curtain so we may enter the Most Holy Place to partake of his body and blood. In the Sacrament of the Altar that Jesus instituted on this holy Thursday evening, we have access to heaven right now as we live on the earth.I know most of you are not University of Michigan fans. Neither am I. Living in Wisconsin, I teased my sister that the free U of M clothing she gave me caused skin irritation. However, I didn't mind the special access that her coaching gave us.The writer to the Hebrews mentions the special access we have now through Christ: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."Through Christ we have a better access in living a new life in Baptism. We have better access to forgiveness and strength in the Lord's Supper. We have better access to the white robe of Christ's righteousness to cover our sinful filth. We have better access to spurring one another on to love and good deeds as a part of a congregation of believers. Christ demonstrates his love to you and offers his help to you through each other. As you gather together as members of Christ's Church, you build each other up in love as you patiently wait for the Last Day when final, total access is granted to you.Until then, you are to encourage and build each other up as the communion of saints. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." You become active and energized by being in contact with the fellowship of believers. And they become active and energized by being in contact with you. All through Christ.Better access. Hearts and bodies purified by baptismal waters sprinkled on you. A clean conscience so you can sleep at night. Fed and nourished with Christ's Holy Supper. Hearing God speak to you in his Word and responding to him with prayer and praise. That is what this better access grants you. Then, after you have entered the Most Holy Place through Christ and his Word and Sacraments, you go out into the world to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. All in the name of Christ, the Better Savior. Amen.Return, my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has accomplished his purpose for you. Indeed, you have delivered my soul from death, my eye from weeping, my foot from stumbling, so that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 116:7-9). Amen.

Leviticus 16:6-10, 20-22, 34 Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat. When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.   John 11:47-50 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Pastor Jordan Boyce is sharing a powerful message on the blood of Christ and what it means for our lives.

March 29 2026 Sunday Who Jesus Made You To Be / Week 19 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:11-12 KJV "So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever." Hebrews 9:11-12 NLT "But [that appointed time came] when Christ (the Messiah) appeared as a High Priest of the better things that have come and are to come. [Then] through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with [human] hands, that is, not a part of this material creation, He went once for all into the [Holy of] Holies [of heaven], not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves [by which to make reconciliation between God and man], but His own blood, having found and secured a complete redemption (an everlasting release for us)." Hebrews 9:11-12 AMPC "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:14-15 KJV "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant." Hebrews 9:14-15 NLT "How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own preexistent divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God? [Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance–since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement." Hebrews 9:14-15 AMP "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;" Hebrews 10:19-20 KJV "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place." Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT "Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh," Hebrews 10:19-20 AMPC "but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 KJV "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 NLT "But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]." 1 John 1:7 AMPC "by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2 KJV "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory." Romans 5:2 NLT "Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God." Romans 5:2 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

A verse-by-verse Bible study class. This study covers Hebrews 10:10-21. These studies focus on what the Bible says, and what it means. If you want to follow along, a written transcription of the study can be found here: https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/lbou1w5qjxtr40i/Hebrews_10_10-21.pdf/fileThe visual slides of this study can be found here: https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/sms6kml03hk7rg5/Hebrews_10_10-21_SLIDES.pdf/fileTopics: The once-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice -- Contrast between the standing posture of Levitical priests and the seated posture of Christ -- The finality and completion of Christ's atoning work -- Chiastic structure of Hebrews 10:10-14 -- Jeremiah's prophecy of the New Covenant and the supersession of the Old -- Internalization of God's law on the hearts and minds of believers -- The Holy Spirit's role in effectuating the New Covenant -- God's promise to remember sins and lawless acts no more -- Practical implications of Christ's high priesthood -- Our confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus -- The symbolic relationship between the Temple curtain and Christ's body -- The "new and living way" opened for believers.For more Bible studies, visit ScriptureStudies.com

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to pray “in Jesus' name”?In this message from our series The Genesis & Authority of Prayer, we explore the biblical foundation of prayer through the lens of Jesus as our Great High Priest. In the Old Testament, access to God was limited and mediated through the High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place once a year on behalf of the people.But Hebrews 4 reveals that Jesus has entered God's presence once for all—and now invites us to draw near with confidence.Prayer is no longer based on our performance or worthiness. It is based on Christ's finished work and His ongoing representation before the Father.This episode will help you understand what it means to pray in Jesus' name and restore your confidence to approach God boldly.Scripture:Hebrews 4:14–16John 14:13–14

Leviticus 16 // Nathan MillerIn this teaching on Leviticus 16, we examine the detailed instructions given to Aaron regarding the Day of Atonement. The sermon explains the gravity of entering behind the veil and the necessity of the sin offering and the burnt offering. A central focus is placed on the two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy justice and the "scapegoat" sent into the wilderness to carry away the guilt of the camp. We discuss how these rituals illustrate his mercy and the lengths he goes to so that his presence can remain among his people. This sermon helps us understand the weight of sin and the beauty of being made clean in his sight.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2542/responses/new26.03.08

Leviticus 16 // Ben BeasleyIn this teaching on Leviticus 16, we examine the detailed instructions given to Aaron regarding the Day of Atonement. The sermon explains the gravity of entering behind the veil and the necessity of the sin offering and the burnt offering. A central focus is placed on the two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy justice and the "scapegoat" sent into the wilderness to carry away the guilt of the camp. We discuss how these rituals illustrate his mercy and the lengths he goes to so that his presence can remain among his people. This sermon helps us understand the weight of sin and the beauty of being made clean in his sight.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2509/responses/new26.03.08

Leviticus 16 // Jacob NannieIn this teaching on Leviticus 16, we examine the detailed instructions given to Aaron regarding the Day of Atonement. The sermon explains the gravity of entering behind the veil and the necessity of the sin offering and the burnt offering. A central focus is placed on the two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy justice and the "scapegoat" sent into the wilderness to carry away the guilt of the camp. We discuss how these rituals illustrate his mercy and the lengths he goes to so that his presence can remain among his people. This sermon helps us understand the weight of sin and the beauty of being made clean in his sight.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2553/responses/new26.03.08

Leviticus 16 // Bill GormanIn this teaching on Leviticus 16, we examine the detailed instructions given to Aaron regarding the Day of Atonement. The sermon explains the gravity of entering behind the veil and the necessity of the sin offering and the burnt offering. A central focus is placed on the two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy justice and the "scapegoat" sent into the wilderness to carry away the guilt of the camp. We discuss how these rituals illustrate his mercy and the lengths he goes to so that his presence can remain among his people. This sermon helps us understand the weight of sin and the beauty of being made clean in his sight.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2546/responses/new26.03.08

Leviticus 16 // Jacob VangenIn this teaching on Leviticus 16, we examine the detailed instructions given to Aaron regarding the Day of Atonement. The sermon explains the gravity of entering behind the veil and the necessity of the sin offering and the burnt offering. A central focus is placed on the two goats: one sacrificed to satisfy justice and the "scapegoat" sent into the wilderness to carry away the guilt of the camp. We discuss how these rituals illustrate his mercy and the lengths he goes to so that his presence can remain among his people. This sermon helps us understand the weight of sin and the beauty of being made clean in his sight.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2574/responses/new26.03.08

Today's readings.. (Leviticus 12,13), (Psalm 113,114), (2 Corinthians 5,6,7)We often think of the occasion the disciples showed Jesus the grandeur of the Temple (Mark 13 v.1,2). What was in their minds?  They, like their fellow Jews, were proud of it.  Jesus totally shocked them by saying it was all going to be destroyed!  Now in today's reading in 2nd Corinthians (chs.5, 6 & 7) Paul shows how a new kind of Temple had been “erected”.   God seeks to dwell in a new ‘Most Holy Place' and this development is the most important thing in the life of a believer.  Paul writes, “we are the temple of the living God, as God has said …” [Ch. 6 v.16]. He then quotes the words of God we will read later this month in Leviticus (ch.26 see v.11,12) of the blessings to come if they follow his precepts.   We specially notice God's words to Moses that Paul felt he could ‘powerfully' quote in his letter? “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them … then I will welcome you and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” [v.16-18]What are they to go out from?  They had left the fleshpots of Egypt, but sadly many now wanted to return. Paul then paraphrases the words in Leviticus,  “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit bringing holiness to completion in the fear (awe) of God” [Ch.7 v.1]  How incomplete is my holiness – we must each ask ourselves?  In recognising that our minds and hearts are the spiritual temple in which God seeks to live – indeed – is now living – we must each ask ourselves – what occupied my mind yesterday, will there be a change today in the things I think about and meditate upon?       It is vital that we are positive in reacting to this challenge – how utterly wonderful to have God in our very being, watching over us!   We therefore see how important it is that we read God's word every day, for  isn't that what should happen in “the temple of the living God.”

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:Sermon NotesBig IdeaThe Tabernacle shows us that God desires to dwell with His people — and that desire is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.1. Participation — A Glad InvitationBefore giving building instructions, God invited the people to contribute materials (Exodus 25:2).They gave what God had already provided (Exodus 12).Giving was voluntary — “from every man whose heart moves him.”Covenant generosity flows from joy, not compulsion.As Paul the Apostle writes in Second Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.”ApplicationEverything we have is from God.Generosity is not the duty of a slave, but the privilege of a lover.If joy is missing, examine the heart — not just the habit.2. Pattern — Nearness and HolinessThe structure of the Tabernacle (courtyard → holy place → Most Holy Place) reveals two truths:God Is NearHis presence dwelt among His people.The Ark symbolized His throne on earth.Covenant means relationship — not distance.God Is HolyAccess was limited and required sacrifice.His purity creates a tension for sinful people.Nearness is a gift — not something to approach casually.ApplicationCome to God joyfully.Come to God reverently.Grace produces both confidence and humility.3. Fulfillment — The Person and Work of JesusThe Tabernacle pointed forward to Christ.In Gospel of John 1:14 we read:“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”Literally — He “tabernacled” among us.Jesus is:The true meeting place of heaven and earth.The fulfillment of the Temple.The presence of God in fullness.After His resurrection and ascension, His presence comes to us through the Holy Spirit — not as a replacement for Jesus, but as the living connection to Him.Discussion Questions1. Is generosity a joyful practice for you? Why or why not?2. How do different worship styles emphasize either God's nearness or holiness? How can worship emphasize both?3. Is the Holy Spirit a substitute for Jesus? Why or why not?4. Read Ephesians 2:19-22. How is Paul using the Temple metaphor? What might that look like today in the Christian Life? Hint: the "you" in v. 22 is plural.Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

1 King's 8:1-7, 9-13 (They brought the ark of the covenant into the Most Holy Place and a cloud filled the house of the Lord)

In this week's sermon, we dig into Hebrews 10:19-27 and examine the amazing access we have into the Most Holy Place through Jesus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pdchurch.substack.com

Title: Boldly A-Veil-AbleScripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Hebrews 10:19-22Series: Be Bold!How can we truly be bold in our faith? Our boldness is only unlocked by the perfect boldness of Jesus. This message explores two major covenantal contrasts. The first contrast addresses Moses and the veil. Jesus removes the veil so we can boldly reflect His glory to others horizontally. The second contrast addresses the Most Holy Place in the Temple. Jesus's sacrifice tore the curtain wide open. This gives us immediate vertical access to the Father's throne room. We can boldly approach God anytime, anywhere. Jesus has made the way wide open for us.

Bro. Doug Foster presents "The Most Holy Place" from Exodus 25, during a worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church, Florence, Ky. Please visit us at 7183 Pleasant Valley Road Florence KY 41042, or call us at (859) 586-6829. Church links: Website: https://www.ibcflorence.com Daily Devotions: https://www.ibcflorence.com/devotions Free App: http://www.ibcflorence.com/ibc-app Our entire list of recent sermons: https://www.ibcflorence.com/recent-sermons Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibcflorenceky Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibcflorence/ Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/user-658781358 Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/ibcflorence/live We would love to know how to pray for you! Romans 10:9

The Greatest Story Of All Time is our Christmas 2025 series at Fusion Christian Church. In this series we look at some of the ways God foreshadowed the Christmas story throughout the bible. In part 4, we conclude our series with a teaching on how Jesus Christ is our great High Priest.Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice.The priests in the Old Testament had to offer sacrifices constantly in order to atone for the sins of Israel. This is because the animal sacrifices could never truly take away the sins of the people. What the sacrifices did was point forward to the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus, by offering his own body up on the cross, did what all the priests who came before could never do. He made a once for all, perfect sacrifice that could finally make people clean. Jesus entered the perfect place.Under the Old Testament system, the High Priest entered the "Most Holy Place" once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Most Holy Place was the room in the Tabernacle (or later the temple) that housed the Ark of the Covenant. Here the High Priest would act as a mediator between God and his people, making peace between them. The Most Holy Place, however, was only a shadow of the true Most Holy Place in heaven. Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, passed through the heavens himself, and therefore entered the "perfect place." By doing so, Jesus was able to reconcile God's people to him in a way no other high priest could.Jesus sat down on the perfect seat.On the Ark of the Covenant, which sat in the Most Holy Place, there was a space between two angels called the "Mercy Seat." This is the place where God's presence rested and where he would meet with the High Priest. Like with the Most Holy Place, this Mercy Seat was a shadow representing God's throne in heaven. According to the bible, after Jesus had offered his perfect sacrifice (himself) he sat down at the right hand of God in heaven. What this means is that Jesus can sit in the seat reserved only for God (because he is God). Jesus sits in heaven's Mercy Seat because he is the one who gives mercy to his people.You are now part of the priesthood.If you have been saved by Jesus, then his blood has washed you clean and set you apart for his service. God has a job for all of us to do, and that is to serve him and his gospel. All Christians are part of a priesthood where we live in service to our Prophet, Priest, and King Jesus Christ. How will you serve him?

At the culmination of the grand opening of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, God showed up. When the ark of the covenant was brought into the Most Holy Place, the glory cloud of God's holy presence appeared. This strange phenomenon happens throughout the Bible, pointing to the good news that God keeps his promises by moving in with his people. Read more...

In the sixth message of our series called Feasts, Mel teaches about the Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This message centers on the profound significance of atonement as described in Leviticus 16 and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Drawing from Leviticus 23:26-32, Mel explains the ancient rituals of Yom Kippur, where the high priest, Aaron, entered the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices for the sins of Israel, including the scapegoat that symbolically carried the people's sins into the wilderness. He highlights the gravity of approaching God's presence, referencing the deaths of Aaron's sons and the massive veil separating the Holy of Holies. Mel connects these Old Testament practices to the New Testament, emphasizing Hebrews 9:11-15 and 10:19-22, which portray Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and Lamb of God, whose sacrifice tore the veil and opened direct access to God's presence. He underscores that Christ's blood, unlike the temporary animal sacrifices, provides eternal redemption, inscribing believers' names in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), inviting all into a reconciled relationship with God through faith.

The journey inward was never meant to end in hiding—it was preparation for standing in the presence of God.You've turned. You've entered the room. You've been renewed. Now comes the breathtaking conclusion: Before the Throne—where sacred surrender transforms into sacred confidence.In this powerful series finale, host Donald E. Coleman reveals the divine mystery woven through Hebrews 4 and Hebrews 10: God showed us the destination first (access to the Most Holy Place), then walked us back through the pathway that gets us there. This isn't just about finding rest—it's about discovering bold, grace-based access to the throne of God.Drawing from Hebrews 4:12-16, Donald unpacks how the Living Word that pierces us is the same High Priest who welcomes us. The secret place that exposed your heart becomes the launching point for a life lived in divine presence.In this episode, you'll discover:How the Living Word has been present in every phase of your journey (The Turn, The Room, The Renewal)Why God's Word pierces—not to condemn, but to heal and make you wholeThe difference between the Word that exposes and the High Priest who receivesHow Jesus modeled the complete pathway: from desert to withdrawal to presentation to intercessionThe stunning connection between Hebrews 4 and Hebrews 10—and why the Spirit revealed them in reverse orderWhat it means to approach the throne of grace with confidence, not because of who you are but because of who Jesus isWhy the secret place prepares you for boldness, not just intimacyThis episode is for you if:You've done the inner work, but wonder what comes nextYou struggle to believe you have real access to God's presenceYou feel stuck between hiding in shame and striving for approvalYou want to understand what "drawing near with confidence" actually meansYou're ready to live not from effort but from grace-based access to the throneThe Complete Journey:The Turn (Matthew 4:17) — You reoriented your soul through metanoiaThe Room (Matthew 6:6) — You entered hidden communion with the FatherThe Renewal (Romans 12:1-2) — You were transformed by surrendered presenceThe Throne (Hebrews 4:12-16) — You stand boldly before the throne of graceThis is where letting go leads you: not to emptiness, but to fullness. Not to withdraw, but to welcome. Not to silence, but to standing in the presence of the One who sees you, knows you, and invites you to come boldly.The pathway of sacred surrender ends where it always should: before the throne of grace, held by the High Priest who understands your weakness and meets you with mercy."Have Questions, Send us a Message" This podcast is a production of The Center for Biblical Coaching and Leadership. If this episode has been useful or inspiring to you in any way, please share it with someone else. Lastly, please follow the show and write a review.If you want to go deeper on this journey, visit www.tcbcl.org to learn how we're walking this path together through biblical coaching, spiritual formation, and the ROOTED Global Movement.

2 Chronicles 5 describes the ark being brought to Zion and its resting place in the Most Holy Place. The final picture of immortality the cherubim - represents the unity of believers with their Lord.; as it was made out of the same piece of gold and perpetually recognising his sacrifice and glory. The choir praises the "chesed" i.e. the lovingkindness of Yahweh. Chapter 6 describes Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the house. Note the humility of Solomon as he offers his prayer and the repetition of the phrase - "Hear in heaven, Your dwelling place". No physical house can contain our magnificent Sovereign. The whole ceremony is blessed by God. Note the pertinence of the words that we must extend the LORD's tender mercies i.e. loving kindnesses to others as we surely recognise our need of Yahweh's mercy. Punishment would be brought to Israel for their disobedience to their Sovereign to bring the nation back to God. Once again there is an allusion to Psalm 132. Ezekiel 41 tells us of the inner temple and the folding double leaved doors. Verses 1-26 describe the entrance rooms to the inner circle of buildings which constitute the Most Holy Place. Readers are encouraged to consider the writings of Henry Sulley - an architect from Nottingham - on Ezekiel chapters 40-48 in his book titled "The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy". Palm trees and cherubic figures are to befound in the vestibules of the Most Holy Place. Ezekiel's enthusiasm was heightened by the coming visionof the future house of prayer for all nations. May our contemplation of this glorious day likewise enlivenour hope and desire to likewise be there.John 7 records an unannounced visit of Jesus to Jerusalem at the Feast of Booths i.e. Tabernacles. There was a division among the people, as to whether our Lord was a good man, or a deceiver of the people. Jesus arrives in the middle of the feast. Many were convinced that he was the Christ. Although officers from the Sanhedrin were sent to arrest Jesus they could not do so because his time had not yet come. Jesus prophesied to them of his ascent to heaven and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Some said that this was the prophet like Moses. Others rejected this idea just because our Lord was from Galilee. Jesus just like Jonah, also from Gath-Hepher in Galilee told his audience to consider the sign of the prophet Jonah. We have seen in our earlier studies that the sign had many levels of significance and spoke primarily both of Jesus' resurrection and witnessing.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

Pastor John Ryan Cantu brings this week's message, “Clouds of Glory." Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14 ESV: “Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. And they brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up. And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles. And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions, and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” Additional Notes: To Fan the Flames of Revival in the Temple: Come to church excited and expectant Play your part Get out of the way and let God move Sermon Topics: God's Presence, Revival If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and share it with your friends on social media. For more information about PNEUMA Church, visit our website at mypneumachurch.org. Connect with Us: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mypneumachurch YouTube: https://youtube.com/mypneumachurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/mypneumachurch Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcome 04:00 - 2 Chronicles 5:1-14 ESV 06:59 - Clouds of Glory

As a young journalist, I quickly learned about the power of a “press pass.” That one credential—displaying my name, picture, and media outlet—unlocked countless doors by allowing me to meet and interview athletes and celebrities before or after major events. While I enjoyed having special access to public figures, the allure soon faded after I received Jesus as my Savior and started living for Him. I realized sports and my career had become my idols. When God called me out of my journalism career, I lost my press pass but gained the access that truly matters— access to God’s heavenly throne room through prayer because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. The writer of Hebrews points out that a high priest was selected from among the Israelites, specifically one of Aaron’s descendants, and appointed for the sacred duty of representing the people before God. He was the only one who could enter the Most Holy Place in the temple once a year “to offer gifts and sacrifice” to atone for his and the people’s sins (5:1) for he too was a mere mortal man. Then Christ came, our great and perfect high priest. When He died, the veil in the temple was torn and the barrier that existed between God and humanity was removed (Matthew 27:51). Because our loving Redeemer has reconciled us to His Father, we can freely pray to God: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). What a privilege to have access to God’s throne room as we talk to Him in prayer.

The Power of Atonement – Freedom Through the Blood” • Friday Service Visit our website at www.pastortodd.org To help us in our mission: www.toddcoconato.com/give 1. Leviticus 16:30 (NKJV) “For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.” 2. Hebrews 9:12 (NKJV) “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” 3. John 1:29 (NKJV) “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” 4. Romans 5:9 (NKJV) “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 5. Isaiah 53:5–6 (NKJV) “He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.” 6. Colossians 2:14–15 (NKJV) “…having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us… He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” 7. Revelation 12:11 (NKJV) “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” 8. Hebrews 10:19–22 (NKJV) “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus…”

The Earthly Holy Place 9Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.2For a tent[a]was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence.[b]It is called the Holy Place.3Behind the second curtain was a second section[c]called the Most Holy Place,4having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.5Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,7but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.8By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing9(which is symbolic for the present age).[d]According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,10but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. Redemption Through the Blood of Christ 11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[e]then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)12he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify[f]for the purification of the flesh,14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our[g]conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Daily Dose of Hope September 24, 2025   Scripture – Luke 23   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, We come before you this morning, thanking you for a new day.  Lord, you are good and we rejoice in your holy and powerful name.  As we begin our day, Lord, help us focus on you.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on your Word and what you want us to learn today.  We get so distracted and self-consumed.  Forgive us for that, Lord.  In these next few moments of silence, help us have laser focus on your voice... In Your Powerful Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are deep diving into Luke 23.    Today, we start with Jesus before Pilate and Herod.  Both Roman men believe that Jesus  is innocent.  Pilate actually tries to get the people to release Jesus, but the crowd is stirred up.  They want blood.  Jesus' innocence is not the point to them.  They are looking for a way to get rid of this trouble-maker.  And these men are not willing to stand up for what's right.    There was a man named Simon from Cyrene who was passing by and they forced him to carry the cross.  Cyrene was on the tip of Africa so this man was far from home!  And here he was, just going about his business, and he is enlisted, or more like seized, to carry the cross of the Savior of the world.  I'm guessing that Jesus' physical body was incredibly weak and bloody by this point.  And Simon walked by him, carrying the cross that would serve to execute Jesus but also save all humanity from their sin. We don't know what happened to Simon after the crucifixion.  He isn't mentioned again in Scripture.  But my guess is that his life was never the same again.  An encounter with Jesus is always life-changing.   The text in which Jesus dies on the cross is called the Good Friday scripture.  It may seem odd that we would call the day that Jesus was crucified and died “good.” Apparently, the term came into common use in the 1200s because for us, it was a truly good day, as Jesus became the final sacrifice for all sin for all people for all time. As the full expression of God's love for us, Jesus voluntarily gave his life so that we could be reconciled to holy God. It is very much good.   There is a lot to be said about the crucifixion but I wanted to highlight something in particular.  Right before Jesus breathed his last breath on the cross, the curtain in the Temple was torn down the middle. This is the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the Holiest of Holies) where the ark of the covenant was kept and the presence of God remained. When the curtain tore, it was a sign that the New Covenant was instituted. Because of Jesus' sacrifice (the final sacrifice for sin), those who believe in him can now go directly to the throne of God's grace. When holy God looks at us, he doesn't see our sinfulness but the blood of Christ. Thus, there are no more barriers that can separate us from God.   I'd like to close today with a prayer that is an adaptation of Hebrews 10:19-25: Thank you, Lord, that we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Lord, help us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Amen.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

In this episode, Pastor David Maestas walks through Hebrews 9, where we're given a powerful comparison between the old covenant rituals and the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. While the earthly tabernacle and repeated animal sacrifices pointed to the need for cleansing, they were only temporary and symbolic. Jesus entered the true Most Holy Place—not with the blood of animals, but with His own—securing eternal redemption for all who believe. Pastor David reminds us that forgiveness isn't earned through religion or repetition; it's received through the perfect and final work of Christ. His blood doesn't just cover sin—it cleanses the conscience and opens the way to God. If you've ever wondered whether you're truly forgiven, this chapter gives a clear and resounding answer: in Jesus, you are.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, “September 16th, 2025,” host Hunter invites us to gather around the Scriptures and discover what God is saying to us on day 260 of our journey. We'll explore detailed visions of the temple in Ezekiel 40 and 41, the blessings of Psalm 128, and the promise of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. Hunter walks us through these passages as our Bible reading coach, highlighting how the temple—once the epicenter of sacrifice and divine presence—is ultimately eclipsed by Jesus, the true source of life, light, and hope. Heather joins to share a personal reflection on change, using a story about Portland's migrating swifts as a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness amidst life's transitions. Together, we close with heartfelt prayers and encouragement to embrace the new seasons God brings. Settle in as we warm our hearts by the fires of God's love, and remember—no matter what changes, you are loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: The story of sacrifice is no more. That's what stands out in today's readings—a whole narrative built around altars, offerings, and a temple, with its Most Holy Place, fades away. In Ezekiel, we see exact measurements for the place where heaven and earth would meet, the space where God would, by design, invite broken humanity into his holy presence through sacrifice. The temple stood as the epicenter of Israel's worship and God's bridge to his people. Every room, every altar, every detail pointed forward, always and only ever pointing us to him—the Lamb. But in Revelation, John sees something altogether new. The story changes. There is no more temple, because there is no more need for it: “I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Even the sun and the moon, those keepers of time, are no more. All that once gave structure and symbol to history has been eclipsed. Darkness, suffering, and death are gone. The instruments of sacrifice have given way to the fullness of what they pointed towards—Jesus himself. What remains? Life. The Lamb's Book of Life. Jesus, the Lamb, has brought history to its completion. All stories are now dissolved into his, and only he remains, shining brighter than the sun, illuminating the city, and infusing every moment with the glory of God. The story of God's unfailing love has reached its apex, and you have been woven into that story. Your name, written in his book, means you share his eternal life and light. So now, we are called to live in that light, to abide in him, to let his life become ours. All other stories fall away. The seasons change. The world shifts around us. But here is something that endures, unchanging: you are written into the very life of Christ. The Lamb is your temple. The Lamb is your life. That's a prayer I have for my own soul. That's a prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Send us a textStep inside God's special tent, the Tabernacle, and discover how every part pointed to Jesus. Learn why a spotless lamb was sacrificed for forgiveness, why Jesus is called the Lamb of God, and how the sweet incense reminded Israel that their prayers rise to Heaven. Explore the Holy Place with its twelve loaves, golden lampstand that never went dark, and the altar of incense, then peek into the Most Holy Place where God's law was kept and His presence shone above the ark. This simple tour shows how God promised a Savior who would come to rescue us from sin and be the light of the world. Talk about it:Why did God ask people to bring a lamb when they sinned?How does light help you remember Jesus?What is one prayer you want to send to God today?We'd love to hear from you.To reach us quickly, click the “Send us a text” link at the top of the episode description.Or write to us by mail:Kathy's Kids StorytimePO Box 44270Charlotte, NC 28215-0043

What's significant about the Temple's design? What was the Most Holy Place? How does the Temple point to Jesus? In today's episode, guest host Luke Simon, takes us on a tour of the Temple described in 1 Kings 7:13-51. If you're listening on Spotify, tell us about yourself and where you're listening from! Read the Bible with us in 2025! This year, we're exploring the Historical Books—Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. Download your reading plan now. Your support makes TMBT possible. Ten Minute Bible Talks is a crowd-funded project. Join the TMBTeam to reach more people with the Bible. Give now. Like this content? Make sure to leave us a rating and share it so that others can find it, too. Use #asktmbt to connect with us, ask questions, and suggest topics. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @TenMinuteBibleTalks. Don't forget to subscribe to the TMBT Newsletter here. Passages: 1 Kings 7:13-51