Sunday Morning | Bro. Anthony Vance | Acts 20:17-25

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  -Acts 20:24

1)The Christian’s Priority: Finish the race!
2)The Christian’s Self-Perspective: See your life as not your own, but as the life God has given you.
3)The Christian’s Practical Work: To testify the Gospel of the grace of God.  You know you’re living for eternity if you’re continually talking about eternal things.

Sunday Evening | Bro. Jason Estes | Numbers 15:1-41

“And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.  So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”  -Numbers 15:39-41

>There is a purpose in God stating all these details.  His ultimate goal of His divine and sovereign plan is for us to not desire evil, but to believe He will do what He says He will do.  (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11)  It was not His will for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land at that particular time.  He was refining them and disciplining them for their own good.

>Nothing is random with God.  No detail exists outside His plan.

>(A little connection to this morning’s message!)  Moses dying in the desert was not failure, it was victory!  That was his course—his race that God had laid out for him.  He had learned to love God and love his neighbors.

>So…make tassels for your clothes!  Remember what the Lord has done for you.  He is the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of sinsickness to be your God!

vs. 5-10- Light and Darkness (each characterize people)
Revelation 20:11-15- the end result (a courtroom scene)
He’s so just, that He provides evidence.  (The Book and Supporting Books)
John 3:19-20- The nature of the person in darkness. 
Jude 14-15- The books will be opened.  Knees will bend and tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord.
James 2- Even if you only do one bad thing and 100 good things, you are still guilty! 

How do you get into the book of life? 
Acts 3:18-19- Becuase of what Christ did.  My sins are blotted out! 

John 3:21- Evidence that God was the source of these good deeds. 
vs. 7- result of the newbirth: strive to walk in the light and reach out to others

Reaching out to others:
Genesis 41:53-57- Famine: God provided. 
Amos 8:11- The Famine we face today: spiritual
1 John- Share what God has done! 
*It’s like we have a storehouse of food and those around us are starving.  The storehouses are open, but people are picky eaters.

Morning Worship | Acts 1:4-11, Hebrews 12:1 | Bro. Harold Draper, missionary to Brazil
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  -Acts 1:8
vs. 6- The disciples were concerned with the material side of life. 
*Our primary concern should be the kingdom of God.  (Matthew 6:33)
vs. 8- power=ability, authority to serve Him; He empowers us in the same way.  
*He saves everybody on purpose for a purpose.  He has something for you to do as His child that only you can do. 
-Serve Him in and through His church.  When we come together, He meets with us in a special way. 
*Witnesses to God’s saving grace=our primary function. 
Functions of a witness:
-shines -gives off an aroma  -salty: gives flavor and preserves -fisherman (bait of Gospel on hook) -seed sowers and harvesters

Hebrews 12:1- speaking primarily to Jewish Christians who had been following Old Testament rituals. 
*Look at all those witnesses who have stood firm.  Examples of those who paid a price to serve the Lord are found in Hebrews 11.
*As witnesses, reiterate the Gospel.  We’re here to be his witnesses.
-From Mt. Calvary to Mt. Zion, there are a lot of valleys inbetween. 
*Sometimes being a witness will cost you something.  Our chief purpose is to be His witnesses.  Witness with words and gracious actions. 

Evening Worship | Exodus 39:32-43 | Pastor Steve Wainright
“And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.”  -Exodus 39:43
Our purpose in life is to live to the glory of God and share His Gospel. 
-The tabernacle is completed and they’re bringing it to Moses for inspection.  The tabernacle shows the way of salvation and we get a glimpse of Heaven.  (Leviticus 26:11)  It shows that God is holy, merciful, how He provides, forgives and sanctifies.  It points to Jesus Christ. 
-OT=concealed // NT=revealed
–Symbolism pictures what’s in the present.  Types picture the future. 
-Most of the tabernacle was built as symbols. 
Examination:
-They were careful to follow instructions.  (vs. 1,5,7,21,26,29,31,32)
Everything God commanded, they did.  (vs. 42)
The result of doing just what God commands: blessing.  (vs. 43)
- – - – -
Jesus as the Tabernacle
-Emmanuel: “God with us”; Hebrews 10:5- body prepared for Him; John 17:4- Christ was perfectly obedient to God the Father
How does all this relate to us? 
-We must do God’s will…God’s way.  How do we know His will?  Through His Word.  What is God’s will (that all should repent and trust in Christ; to co-labor with us; 1 Corinthians 3:9)  Witness.
*God’s Word is not bound.  He can use you in greater ways than you could ever imagine.  He uses us as we are involved in His work. 
*Do God’s will God’s way.  Then expect God’s blessing. 
Do your work God’s way to the glory of God. 
*God blesses you as you put forth your best effort for His glory. 
>There are two ways to do things: God’s Way and the Wrong Way.  Do it as God commanded.  He’ll get the glory and we’ll get the blessing. 
*Our inspection is coming.  (1 Corinthians 5:10- a cause to be obedient)  If Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to you, you will pass the test.