<BrethrenVoice> <SUNDAY-GLEANINGS> <8 September 2002> Contents: --------- (1) <Devotional> "Treasury of David - Psalm 84:5"- C.H.Spurgeon (2) <Bible-Study> "Exposition of the Levitical offerings" (Pt-5)-C.E.Wigg (3) <Bible-Study> "The glory of Christ's office" (Pt-1 of 2) - F.B. Meyer (4) <Exhortational> "It is no time to trifle" - Connie Giordano (5) <From-the-Gleaner> "A-glance-at-the-top-stories-of-the-week" (1) <DEVOTIONAL> TREASURY OF DAVID - PSALM 84:5 C. H. Spurgeon Verse 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. Having spoken of the blessedness of those who reside in the house of God, he now speaks of those who are favoured to visit it at appointed seasons, going upon pilgrimage with their devout brethren: he is not, however, indiscriminate in his eulogy, but speaks only of those who heartily attend to the sacred festivals. The blessedness of sacred worship belongs not to half hearted, listless worshippers, but to those who throw all their energies into it. Neither prayer, nor praise, nor the hearing of the word will be pleasant or profitable to persons who have left their hearts behind them. A company of pilgrims who had left their hearts at home would be no better than a caravan of carcasses, quite unfit to blend with living saints in adoring the living God. In whose heart are the ways of them, or far better, in whose heart are thy ways. Those who love the ways of God are blessed. When we have God's ways in our hearts, and our heart in his ways, we are what and where we should be, and hence we shall enjoy the divine approval. _______________________________________________________________________ (2) <BIBLE-STUDY> THE BREAD OF GOD - AN EXPOSITION OF SOME OF THE LEVITICAL OFFERINGS (PART-5) Charles E. Wigg .... WITHOUT BLEMISH We notice now that each offering had to be without blemish. This is to remind us of the absolute holiness, and the sinless perfection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God bears testimony to this from before the birth of Christ, until the very end of his life. When announcing the fact of his conception to Mary, (then virgin,) the angel said, "Wherefore the HOLY THING that shall be born of thee shall be called SON OF GOD. (Luke 1;35.) For this to be so the virgin birth was an absolute necessity, because if the Lord Jesus had an earthly father, then like us, he would have possessed a fallen sinful nature, the nature of Adam, and he never could have been our Savior. He was the "seed of the woman", but not the seed of the man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, and because of this was without sin. His sinless perfection was witnessed to by John the Baptist when he told Jesus, ""I need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?". By these words he implied that Jesus was sinless and needed no baptism, whereas John himself was sinful, and he did need to be baptized. Then the Father testified from heaven, "In thee I have found all my delight", (Mat.3;17.) Paul also says " He knew no sin", (2 Cor.5;21,) John says "In him was no sin, (1 John,3;5.) Peter says , "Who did no sin, " ( 1 Pet. 2;22.) To the Hebrews Paul says that though he was tempted in all points like as we are, "Yet he was without sin"., ( Heb.4;15.) Pilate having scourged the Lord Jesus was compelled to confess twice, "I find no fault in him". The dying thief on the cross said, "This man has done nothing amiss", and even when the Lord Jesus challenged the Pharisees with the words, "Which of you convinces me of sin", they could say nothing. He was the one who alone was absolutely delightful to the heart of God. Twice the Father declared: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found all my delight", once at his baptism, and once on the mount of transfiguration.. He was the true BURNT-OFFERING, WITHOUT BLEMISH. OF HIS OWN VOLUNTARY WILL: Next we notice that the offerer was to offer his sacrifice, of his own voluntary will, (verse 3,) showing that it was wholly spontaneous, which teaches us that true worship is also wholly and only spontaneous. and can never be forced or organized.. There is an attempt in recent years, in some assemblies of God's people to introduce what is called "controlled worship",. that is, controlled by man, not by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is the one who leads, and prompts the believer to worship, and when his place is taken by men, then he is grieved, and any "worship" will then only be mechanical, and not be in "Spirit and in Truth". In Philippians ch. 3;1 we are told that we worship by the Spirit of God, (margin), thus he is the power of all true worship.. Real worship can only come from a redeemed heart that is pure and clean, which is prompted or moved by the Holy Spirit. If the response is produced by man's prompting, cajoling or organizing, then it is not acceptable to God. The offering must be of the worshipper's own free will. Any liturgy, order of service, prayer book or such like, are contrary to the teaching of the desires of God as clearly taught in his word, since it is dictated by another rather than spontaneous. Hymn books are the only thing of any like nature that are permitted by the word of God, and good hymns are incited by the Holy Spirit, and written to rhyme and music, which normally cannot be done spontaneously on the spur of the moment. The books of Psalms are proof of this assertion. [To be concluded] _______________________________________________________________________ (3) <BIBLE-STUDY> THE GLORY OF CHRIST'S OFFICE (PT. 1 OF 2) F.B. Meyer "He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name." Hebrews 1:4. APART from Scripture, we should have been disposed to infer the existence of other orders of intelligent and spiritual beings besides man. As the order of creation climbs up to man from the lowest living organism through many various stages of existence, so surely the series must be continued beyond man, through rank on rank of spiritual existence up to the very steps of the eternal throne. The divine mind must be as prolific in spiritual as it has been in natural forms of life. But we are not left to conjecture. From every part of Scripture come testimonies to the existence of angels. They rejoiced when the world was made, and they are depicted as ushering in with songs that new creation for which we long. They stood sentries at the gate of a lost paradise; and at each of the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem an angel stands (Rev. xxi. 12). They trod the plains of Mamre, and sang over the fields of Bethlehem. One prepared the meal on the desert sands for Elijah; another led Peter out of gaol and a third flashed through the storm to stand by the hammock where the Apostle Paul was sleeping (Acts xxvii. 23,24). But in the mind of the pious Hebrew the greatest work which the angels ever wrought was in connection with the giving of the law. The children of Israel received the law "as it was ordained by angels" (Acts vii. 53, R.v.). It was necessary, therefore, in showing the superiority of the Gospel to the Law, to begin by showing the superiority of him through whom the Gospel was given, over all orders of bright and blessed spirits, which, in their shining ranks and their twenty thousand chariots, went and came during the giving of the decalogue from the brow of Sinai (Psalm lxviii. 17). It is not difficult to prove the Lord's superiority to angels. It is twofold: in Nature and in Office. IN NATURE - "He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they" (ver. 4). In verse 7, quoted from Psalm civ. 4 (R.v. marg.), where they are distinctly spoken of as messengers and ministers, they are compared to winds and flames.-winds, for their swiftness and invisibility; flames, because of their ardent love. But how great the gulf between their nature, which may thus be compared to the elements of creation, and the nature of that glorious Being whom they are bidden to worship, and who is addressed in the sublime title of Son! (Heb.i.6; Psalm xcvii. 7.) IN OFFICE - In verse 14 they are spoken of as ministering spirits, "sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation" (R.v.). This liturgy of service is a literal fact. When struggling against overwhelming difficulties; when walking the dark, wild mountain-pass alone; when in peril or urgent need-we are surrounded by invisible forms, like those which accompanied the path of Jesus, ministering to him in the desert, strengthening him in the garden, hovering around his cross, watching his grave and accompanying him to his home. They keep pace with the swiftest trains in which we travel. They come unsoiled through the murkiest air. They smooth away the heaviest difficulties. They garrison with light the darkest sepulchres. They bear us up in their hands, lest we should strike our foot against a stone. Many an escape from imminent peril; many an unexpected assistance; many a bright and holy thought whispered in the ear, we know not whence or how-is due to those bright and loving spirits. "The good Lord forgive me," says Bishop Hall, "for that, amongst my other offences, I have suffered myself so much to forget the presence of his holy angels." But valuable as their office is, it is not to be mentioned in the same breath as Christ's, which is set down for us in this chapter. HE IS THE ORGAN OF CREATION - "By whom also he made the worlds." To make that which is seen out of nothing, that is creation: it is a divine work; and creation is attributed to Christ. "By him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth." "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" (Col.i.16; John i.3). But the word here and in xi. 3 translated worlds means ages. Not only was the material universe made by him, but each of the great ages of the world's story has been instituted by Jesus Christ. When genius aspires to immortality, it leaves the artist's name inscribed on stone or canvas: and so Inspiration, "dipping her pen in indelible truth, inscribes the name of Jesus on all we see-on sun and stars, flower and tree, rock and mountain, the unstable waters and the firm land; and also on what we do not see, nor shall, until death has removed the veil-on angels and spirits, on the city and heavens of the eternal world." This thought comes out clearly in the sublime quotation made in verse 10 from Psalm cii. That inspired poem is obviously inscribed to Jehovah: "Thou, Jehovah, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands." But here, without the least apology, or hint of accommodating the words to an inferior use, it is applied directly to Christ. Mark the certainty of this inspired man that Jesus is Jehovah! How sure of the Deity of his Lord! And what a splendid tribute to his immutability! Mark how the Epistle rings with the unchangeableness of Jesus, in his human love (xiii. 8), in his priesthood (vii. 24), and here in his divine nature (vv. 10-12). We live in a world of change. The earth is not the same today as it was ages ago, or as it will be ages on. The sun is radiating off its heat. The moon no longer as of yore burns and glows; she is but an immense opaque cinder, reflecting the sunlight from her disk. Stars have burnt out, and will. The universe is waxing old, as garments which from perpetual use become threadbare. But the wearing out of the garment is no proof of the waning strength or slackening energy of the wearer. Nay, when garments wear out quickest, it is generally the time of robustest youth or manhood. You wrap up and lay aside your clothes when they have served their purpose; but you are the same in the new suit as in the old. Creation is the vesture of Christ. He wraps himself about in its ample folds. Its decay affects him not. And, when he shall have laid it all aside, and replaced it by the new heavens and the new earth, he will be the same forevermore. With what new interest may we not now turn to the archaic record, which tells how God created the heavens and the earth. Those sublime syllables, "Light, be!" were spoken by the voice that trembled in dying anguish on the cross. Rolling rivers, swelling seas, waving woods, bursting flowers, carolling birds, innumerable beasts, stars sparkling like diamonds on the pavilion of night-all newly made; all throbbing with God's own life; and all very good: but, mainly and gloriously, all the work of those hands which were nailed helplessly to the cross, which itself, as well as the iron that pierced him, was the result of his creative will. [To be concluded] _______________________________________________________________________ (4) <EXHORTATIONAL> "IT IS NO TIME TO TRIFLE" Connie Giordano The Lord Jesus called each one of us to be watchmen - whether it be of our own souls, families, churches, or nations. We have a responsibility before Him to "Watch!" We cannot be seized with lethargy or slumber, or simply be dead spiritually - not in the perilous times in which we presently live. It is a time like never before to be wakeful every hour of each day, chiefly concerning the business of our own souls and the souls of others. It is certainly no time to trifle! In Matthew 25:13, Jesus called us to "watch..." We must never be caught off guard but keep ourselves in the fear of the Lord all the day long. But how many are really taking these words of our Lord seriously? How many Christians are actually watching and guarding their hearts and souls diligently each moment of the day? How many are aware of the enemy who goes about sowing tares(evil and wicked seeds of lust, perversion, worldliness, vanity, pride, unforgiveness, bitterness, malice, hatred, strife, jealousy, envy) among the wheat(God's Word) in our hearts? How many Husbands and Fathers are watching over their homes, keeping Satan and his evil spirits out? Or are they glued to the TV screen, at the ball park or stadium, or working two or three jobs to make ends meet, and couldn't care less or are too tired to even care? What about the Elders and Pastors? Are they fasting and praying for their churches? Are they standing in the counsel of the Lord, receiving the Word of the Lord for their people? Or are they out on the golf course, visiting with other ministers at different restaurants - trying to make a name for themselves, or playing Internet all day long while the enemy slowly creeps into their churches? In Psalm 130, David related how he was in distress and great trouble. He was filled with woe and sorrow. What did he do? He did nothing. He waited on the Lord to do something. Psalm 130:5 says - "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning." There is a beautiful metaphor drawn here. It is the picture of a cord, extended from one point to another. In this case, it would be that God's listening ear was at one end of the cord and David's earnest desires and pleas were at the other. In His time of waiting, David stood on the promises of God. He knew that the Lord his God would indeed be Faithful to His Word. Like a guard on watch, hoping to see the break of dawn after a long night's work, David looked for the Lord's mercy and grace after a long period of distress and anguish. Intently and anxiously, he watched and waited for God's intervention. That was his only hope. And that is our only hope for our souls, our homes and families, our churches, and our nations - we must "wait for the Lord" as anxiously as a night guard anticipates the rising light of the new day. It would be good for us to learn a lesson from the people of Edom or Idumea whom the Prophet Isaiah prophesied to in Chapter 21. Isaiah 21:11-12 - "The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night; if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come." In verses 11-12 we read of "the burden of Dumah." Dumah was the sixth son of Ishmael(Abraham's son) and the people of Dumah were one of the wandering tribes of the Ishmaelites. Later on, Esau(Isaac's son) settled in the mountainous regions of Seir which eventually became known as Edom or Idumea. At the time of this prophesy, Isaiah, along with Judea(God's people) and Dumah (the neighbouring people), were experiencing calamities. Everyone was wondering how long they would continue. All of a sudden, the Prophet Isaiah heard a voice from a distant mountain crying unto him - "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" He knew that Isaiah was a prophet who waited and watched for the Word of the Lord for His people. Hence, he was hoping to receive a Word from God concerning Dumah. "What of the night?" - The "night" spoke of calamities, afflictions, and oppression. Therefore, he was in a sense asking - "How much longer do we have to go in this time of sorrow and trouble? How much is already passed? What lies ahead for us? What news do you have for us?" His utter anguish in finding out an answer is expressed in his repetition of the question - "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" Notice how Isaiah answered him - "The morning cometh, and also the night." If the "night" depicted a time of distress, trouble, and calamity; then the "morning" would be an emblem of prosperity, success, peace, joy, new and great opportunities, a second chance, or a new beginning. The "morning" was coming, but also the "night." How can that be? Would they experience a time of prosperity and then calamity? Is this what the Prophet was hearing from God? Actually, what Isaiah was prophesying was that Judea - God's covenant people - would be restored to a time of peace and prosperity. On the other hand, the "night" was coming for Dumah. They would be totally destroyed. How does this pertain to us? As individual watchman of our souls, we need to cry out to the Lord and ask Him - "What of the day or what of the night?" depending on what kind of circumstances we are presently facing. Wives and children need to cry out to their Husbands and Fathers, who are given the responsibility of their homes - "What of the day or what of the night?" Congregations need to cry out to their Pastors, as watchmen over the flock - "What of the day or what of the night?" We all need to remove the rosey-colored glasses from our eyes and not assume anything or presume that we are all just doing fine before the Lord. Remember - It's no time to trifle! These are serious times in which we live! We don't need to lie to ourselves or live a lie. It's time to be real and to face the facts. As mentioned above, the "day" could also symbolize a time of grace and repentance; whereas, the "night" could be a time where God seemingly shuts the door and says, "No more!" In other words, it is too late to get things right with Him! Thankfully, God is still giving many "space to repent", but no one can ever presume that He will continue to show forth His mercy and loving kindness if they choose to go their own way. As individuals, families, churches, and nations - let's cry out to the Lord today. Let's "wait for the Lord" "more than they that watch for the morning." Let's get a true estimation of where we stand with God. And let's repent or turn away from anything and everything that is offensive or displeasing unto Him in our lives. John 9:4 - The Lord Jesus already warned us that "the night cometh, when no man can work." You may be experiencing a time of great prosperity right now. It is "daytime" for you. But know assuredly that that time will change. Don't allow the "good times" to rock you to sleep spiritually. The "night" - a time of calamity and great trouble - is swiftly approaching. No matter what the false prophets say, the Lord Jesus said - "the night cometh, when no man can work." Romans 3:4 adds - "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." What is to be done must be done now! WATCH! May God Bless His Word. Connie --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ (5) <FROM-THE-GLEANER> A-GLANCE-AT-THE-TOP-STORIES-OF-THE-WEEK US President Bush declares 6-8 September as "National Days of Prayer" - As the nation remembers the tragic events of 11 September 2001 and the thousands of innocent lives lost on that day, President Bush has designated 6-8 September as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance and asked all Americans to join together in cities, communities, neighborhoods, and places of worship to honor those who were lost, to pray for those who grieve, and to give thanks for God's enduring blessings on the land. US build-up estimated at 100,000 troops, 1,000 military planners - The United States continues its military build-up in and around the Persian Gulf with analysts estimating up to 100,000 troops within striking distance of Iraq. 100 jets join attack on Iraq - About 100 American and British aircraft took part in an attack on Iraq's major western air defence installation on 6 Sep in the biggest single operation over the country for four years. Britain upgrades equipment for Gulf warfare and Blair prepares Britain for war with Iraq - Britain plans to launch a $5.5 billion program to upgrade its military platforms to ensure their performance in any Gulf war. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, bidding to calm growing public alarm at the prospect, has begun preparing the nation for war with Iraq in his most uncompromising speech to date on the subject. Iraq has tons of chemical weapons - As some in the Bush administration press the case for a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, weapons experts say there is mounting evidence that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has amassed large stocks of chemical and biological weapons he is hiding from a possible U.S. military attack. Arab states declare allegiance to Iraq - Arab states declared their allegiance to Iraq saying at the end of an Arab League meeting that US threats against Baghdad were threats against the whole Arab world. Israel raids Gaza - A large Israeli infantry force backed up by tanks were staging a major overnight raid into the central Gaza Strip area of Deir el-Balah, Palestinian security sources said early today. Libya getting help in developing powerful weapons - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon charged that both Iraq and North Korea were helping Libya develop powerful weapons. "Libya is becoming perhaps a more dangerous country than we thought," he said on Israel TV. French and British experts warn of further Al Qaeda attacks - Osama bin Laden's terror network could be preparing another major attack on a target in the United States or Europe as soon as the end of this year, French and British terrorism experts said. Hamed Karazi escapes assassination bid - Hamed Karazi, President of Afghanistan, narrowly escaped an assassination bid while he was attending a marriage ceremony at his brothers home in the eastern town of Khandhar. Explosion in the Earth's atmosphere - U.S. early warning satellites detected an explosion in the Earth's atmosphere on June 6, at the height of the tension between nuclear India and Pakistan with an energy release estimated to be 12 kilotons. Had the bright flash, accompanied by a damaging shock wave, occurred over India or Pakistan, the resulting panic could have sparked a nuclear war. ___________________________<BrethrenVoice>___________________________ [which seeks to be guided solely by the New Testament Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian information. To God be the glory!] CONTACT MODERATOR, eMail: <brethrenvoice-owner@...> Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Statement of Faith, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <GLEANINGS> Archives: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi "BrethrenVoice" Home: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ eFellowship Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum/ ["Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5] ["You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jn 8:32] ___________________________________________________________________