1 00:00:14,099 --> 00:00:17,339 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,359 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,780 --> 00:00:26,699 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,480 --> 00:00:40,280 I got a couple testimonies and a funny story. I kind of just want to tell this story. 5 00:00:40,460 --> 00:00:44,219 I told my wife, I was like, it doesn't have anything to do with tonight, but it just happened. 6 00:00:45,899 --> 00:00:53,079 So I was replacing a toilet in our upstairs bathroom because it's like an older house and the toilet's probably from the 70s. 7 00:00:53,079 --> 00:00:55,719 So you just, you know, you got to change those when you buy it. 8 00:00:56,719 --> 00:01:00,000 Anyway, so you got to get the water out of the toilet with like a shop vac. 9 00:01:01,079 --> 00:01:10,540 And I wasn't thinking, and I had already vacuumed stuff outside like two months before, like muddy leaves and stuff, like out of this one area by the shed. 10 00:01:10,859 --> 00:01:14,260 So it sat in there for like two months and it got all moldy and stuff. 11 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,620 I'm like, well, I'm going to be sucking up the water. It'll wash it out. 12 00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:22,920 So I didn't realize when I put it back together, I shoved the shop vac tube in the upper part. 13 00:01:23,359 --> 00:01:24,879 So it was going to go in reverse. 14 00:01:25,359 --> 00:01:33,840 So as soon as I plugged it into the wall, I'm holding this long tube and it just starts going like, and it's like, I'm reaching for the button. 15 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:39,019 It's spraying out across the wall, leaving this dark brown moldy line across our entire wall. 16 00:01:39,620 --> 00:01:40,620 And it smelled like disgusting. 17 00:01:40,799 --> 00:01:48,239 So that quick toilet swap job turned into like an hour of cleanup before I could even start the toilet. 18 00:01:49,219 --> 00:01:53,780 And anyway, so always check your shop vac before you plug it in. 19 00:01:55,020 --> 00:01:56,799 Yeah. Two testimonies. 20 00:01:58,740 --> 00:02:02,060 So anybody know Forrest Frank? He's like a Christian musician. 21 00:02:03,879 --> 00:02:08,020 Yeah. So he like, I just heard, Maria just showed me this yesterday. 22 00:02:08,020 --> 00:02:11,819 So two weeks ago, he was skateboarding. He's a young guy. He's probably like late twenties. 23 00:02:12,319 --> 00:02:20,900 Skateboarding with his son fell off, hit his lower back on a sidewalk curb and he fractured two of his vertebrae in his back. 24 00:02:21,039 --> 00:02:23,460 So he was in the hospital. It's really dangerous and all. 25 00:02:24,460 --> 00:02:35,560 So he's sharing a testimony that he woke up in the morning, forgot to put his brace on, picked up his kid and was going about his entire morning and realized he had no pain in his back. 26 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:42,159 So he's like, I think I'm healed. And he got an x-ray and sure enough, there's no signs of a fracture in his vertebrae anymore. 27 00:02:43,099 --> 00:02:49,419 So everyone was praying for him, which is awesome. So God is healing. Another one. This is a little more personal. 28 00:02:50,439 --> 00:02:58,199 Some friends of ours in Nashville, they had some issues getting pregnant for a while and they had their first daughter through IVF. 29 00:02:58,199 --> 00:03:02,979 And then finally, like they had one last embryo is going to be a boy. They're really hopeful. 30 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,979 And this is about a year and a half ago and it didn't work out. They didn't get pregnant. 31 00:03:08,319 --> 00:03:15,020 And then she just texted Maria or saw the post just yesterday that she got pregnant naturally and they're having a boy. 32 00:03:15,539 --> 00:03:22,340 So so amazing. Yeah, so great. Yeah, that's great. 33 00:03:22,340 --> 00:03:30,240 So anyway, God is doing a lot of stuff, right? And I'm just excited to be a part of it. 34 00:03:30,439 --> 00:03:33,699 So let's pray and then we're going to jump into Numbers 10. 35 00:03:35,620 --> 00:03:44,780 Lord, we thank you that you are just so so close, God, and you know us so well and you know our life. 36 00:03:44,780 --> 00:03:53,719 And we thank you, Lord, that you direct us on your path for us, God, that everyone's path is different, Lord. 37 00:03:53,900 --> 00:04:02,500 But it all leads to you and it leads to the blessing of knowing you, God, and being conformed into the image of your son to be made like you. 38 00:04:03,159 --> 00:04:11,139 And I just pray that tonight with all these notes and things that I've written down, God, I pray that you would speak and you would make it make sense, Lord, 39 00:04:11,139 --> 00:04:16,160 and that your word we know does not return void. It is going to do something in us tonight. 40 00:04:16,339 --> 00:04:23,240 And I just pray that you would speak and that we would be encouraged by your word and everything you want to say tonight. 41 00:04:23,319 --> 00:04:28,480 So we love you in Jesus' name. Amen. So we're going to be hitting Numbers 10. 42 00:04:28,980 --> 00:04:31,720 Has everybody been having a good time with Numbers? You liking it? 43 00:04:32,420 --> 00:04:37,620 Well, the journey part of it actually starts tonight. So we've been having more law. 44 00:04:37,620 --> 00:04:41,519 You thought you were out of Leviticus, but the first 10 chapters have been more law. 45 00:04:42,519 --> 00:04:45,660 So we're about to go into the actual journey, which is exciting. 46 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:51,060 Let me flip over here. Yeah, Numbers 10. 47 00:04:52,459 --> 00:04:58,180 So the title of my message tonight is God's direction. God's direction. 48 00:04:59,260 --> 00:05:07,019 And before we get into this, one thing I want to point out is that the direction of his direction matters. 49 00:05:07,019 --> 00:05:14,300 Like where he is leading you, what he's leading you from, what he's leading you to matters a lot. 50 00:05:14,879 --> 00:05:24,939 And before we even want to get into how he guides and directs us, I just want to focus on for a minute where he's leading the Israelites out of and where he's leading them to. 51 00:05:25,699 --> 00:05:30,519 So they are coming out of slavery and they're going to the Promised Land. 52 00:05:30,519 --> 00:05:35,480 They're going from oppression, depression, like nothing. 53 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,779 They don't even have autonomy over their own bodies. 54 00:05:38,879 --> 00:05:42,680 They have to work and slave away for just a ruthless nation of Egypt. 55 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:48,399 They've been brought out and they're not left in the wilderness, but God is bringing them now to the Promised Land. 56 00:05:48,779 --> 00:05:54,100 And this says something profound about who God is. He doesn't want to leave you in slavery. 57 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:58,319 He wants to bring you to freedom and he wants to bring you to blessing. 58 00:05:58,939 --> 00:06:03,279 And so in Jeremiah 2911, a lot of you guys know this verse. 59 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,620 He says this to Israel later on in their history. He says, 60 00:06:07,620 --> 00:06:16,139 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and the future. 61 00:06:16,639 --> 00:06:21,980 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. 62 00:06:22,259 --> 00:06:25,779 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 63 00:06:25,779 --> 00:06:28,980 Again, that's Jeremiah 2911 through 13. 64 00:06:30,079 --> 00:06:32,759 So he is leading them to blessing. 65 00:06:33,579 --> 00:06:36,480 God's direction for your life is towards blessing. 66 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,120 And lots of times people immediately get a little freaked out. 67 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,180 They're like, Oh, blessing. This sounds too good to be true. This is prosperity, right? 68 00:06:44,579 --> 00:06:48,839 But it's like we see here that yes, there is blessing for Israel, right? 69 00:06:49,220 --> 00:06:53,100 Physical blessing. They get a nation. They get these cities, the land flowing, milk and honey. 70 00:06:53,100 --> 00:06:58,860 But the best blessing they're getting during this time is God himself. 71 00:06:59,660 --> 00:07:06,800 The greatest blessing of all in your life is to know God and to realize you are his people. 72 00:07:07,060 --> 00:07:10,279 We are his people, right? And that now we have access. 73 00:07:10,439 --> 00:07:16,019 We can seek him and we can find him. We can come and pray to him and he will listen to us. 74 00:07:16,220 --> 00:07:20,839 The greatest blessing is God himself. And we even see that with the priests, right? 75 00:07:20,839 --> 00:07:26,120 All the other tribes of Israel got land. And of course they got God, but they got land. 76 00:07:26,519 --> 00:07:32,259 But it says for the priests, their blessing and their inheritance was not land, but it was God. 77 00:07:32,660 --> 00:07:35,779 And it was the ministry and the ministering to God. 78 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:41,560 There is a special blessing for Christians beyond just the earthly blessings, and that is him. 79 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:48,240 And so we know from slavery to the promised land and all through the Bible. 80 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:53,420 My dad taught on this a couple weeks ago that this is not just about Israel, 81 00:07:53,420 --> 00:08:01,079 but this was a picture also for Christians as a whole because we're coming out of slavery to sin, our Egypt, right? 82 00:08:01,319 --> 00:08:04,360 We were dead in our sins. We couldn't do anything to please God. 83 00:08:04,639 --> 00:08:07,600 And then God called us out, exiled us out. 84 00:08:07,879 --> 00:08:13,920 And then he is teaching us and growing us through this journey of life to get to the promised land. 85 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:18,339 And that promised land, like we see in Hebrews 4, is entering the rest. 86 00:08:18,959 --> 00:08:22,879 The fact that we now have peace with God, not through striving, right? 87 00:08:23,019 --> 00:08:26,100 Not through doing everything we have to do to get on God's good side, 88 00:08:26,319 --> 00:08:30,839 but it was peace with God through the ministry of Jesus on the cross. 89 00:08:31,019 --> 00:08:35,980 That he died for us and he completely removed our sins, so now we enter the rest. 90 00:08:36,159 --> 00:08:38,200 That is the promised land, salvation. 91 00:08:39,620 --> 00:08:45,340 So I want to hit on that again, that it is not just earthly blessings in this life. 92 00:08:45,639 --> 00:08:49,419 Like we know God, I mean, how many stories do you have that God has blessed you? 93 00:08:49,500 --> 00:08:50,940 Like tangibly, right? 94 00:08:51,980 --> 00:08:56,779 But we know that that is not the entirety of our blessing, right? 95 00:08:56,899 --> 00:08:59,639 Like this whole life is not just about having a comfortable life. 96 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:06,460 And James 1, 2 through 4 makes it really clear that there is a blessing beyond nice circumstances. 97 00:09:06,460 --> 00:09:14,039 It says, consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 98 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:18,379 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 99 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:25,720 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 100 00:09:28,340 --> 00:09:30,980 So he wants you to be blessed inside. 101 00:09:31,940 --> 00:09:35,860 And that really does take priority over being blessed outside. 102 00:09:35,860 --> 00:09:38,519 Like God cares about the external blessings. 103 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:42,820 Even in the Lord's Prayer, he's asked, like, give us today our daily bread. 104 00:09:42,980 --> 00:09:44,320 Like he cares about our needs. 105 00:09:45,019 --> 00:09:53,220 But above that, he cares about our inner blessing, a trust in him, and being conformed into his image. 106 00:09:53,340 --> 00:09:54,659 And yes, he will use trials. 107 00:09:55,299 --> 00:10:00,879 And if you come out lacking nothing, if I come out of a trial lacking nothing spiritually, 108 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,700 I would go through that trial a hundred times to get that. 109 00:10:03,700 --> 00:10:08,559 I don't want to sit in the comfortable area of life, never having my faith tested, 110 00:10:09,019 --> 00:10:11,600 never persevering, and lacking so much. 111 00:10:12,279 --> 00:10:13,720 Like, I want the real thing. 112 00:10:13,899 --> 00:10:14,820 I want true faith. 113 00:10:16,139 --> 00:10:18,799 And we also, one more just to hammer that idea home. 114 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:19,799 Romans 8, 38. 115 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:23,860 For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, 116 00:10:24,159 --> 00:10:26,519 to those who are called according to his purpose. 117 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:32,440 So on this journey, we see so many trials for Israel through the Egypt before the Promised Land. 118 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,299 So do we have so many trials and tribulations, 119 00:10:35,460 --> 00:10:41,639 but it's all part of God's plan in order to do the true blessing within us. 120 00:10:42,159 --> 00:10:42,460 Amen. 121 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,899 So let's jump into Numbers 10. 122 00:10:47,179 --> 00:10:51,360 So we hit that, you know, where they're coming from, where they're going to, 123 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,899 and now we're going to talk about how does God direct. 124 00:10:54,759 --> 00:11:00,460 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, we're going to stop. 125 00:11:02,399 --> 00:11:10,200 So we see the first way that God is directing is the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 126 00:11:10,700 --> 00:11:15,320 the Lord spoke, the Lord shared his word with Moses. 127 00:11:16,039 --> 00:11:17,580 So Moses received the scriptures. 128 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,779 He received God's direction, the customs, traditions, holidays, 129 00:11:21,779 --> 00:11:28,620 laws, everything and anything that had to do with what it looks like to be God's people 130 00:11:28,620 --> 00:11:30,600 and what God is like. 131 00:11:30,759 --> 00:11:32,080 He received so much. 132 00:11:32,220 --> 00:11:35,340 It says he spoke to God face to face like a friend. 133 00:11:36,660 --> 00:11:40,840 And we see it's the word and it's the spirit of God. 134 00:11:41,220 --> 00:11:44,100 It's God himself speaking his word. 135 00:11:44,620 --> 00:11:49,399 And we have not just the word of God, but we have the spirit of God as believers. 136 00:11:50,699 --> 00:11:54,440 People who are not saved can read this and get it 100% wrong. 137 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:57,919 They can take the exact opposite meaning of the word, 138 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:02,399 but we have the author of the word revealing the word to us. 139 00:12:02,580 --> 00:12:06,580 So when we read it, we can understand the true meaning behind it. 140 00:12:06,940 --> 00:12:12,440 And I can't tell you how many times, like, I have had direction in my life 141 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:16,559 so clearly because of the word of God and the Holy Spirit of God. 142 00:12:16,580 --> 00:12:18,100 As I read it, he reveals things. 143 00:12:18,100 --> 00:12:21,779 I must have read it a thousand times before and I read it today 144 00:12:21,779 --> 00:12:24,480 and it means this for this specific circumstance. 145 00:12:25,220 --> 00:12:28,740 So we see that Moses is receiving the word of God 146 00:12:28,740 --> 00:12:33,639 and every single thing they did is because of what God said to do. 147 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:35,240 It's so, like, word for word. 148 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:36,559 Do this, they do it. 149 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:38,259 And of course, they disobey a lot, you'll see. 150 00:12:38,379 --> 00:12:40,779 But what they were supposed to do is God's word. 151 00:12:41,299 --> 00:12:44,480 So he speaks to us through his word and he speaks to us 152 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,559 and reveals it in our hearts through the spirit. 153 00:12:48,179 --> 00:12:51,399 A couple verses, you guys, if you want to write them down, 154 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:52,240 I love these. 155 00:12:52,860 --> 00:12:53,860 2 Timothy 3, 156 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,100 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, 157 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,080 correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God 158 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,679 may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 159 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:05,980 To even go through this journey of life, 160 00:13:06,379 --> 00:13:10,059 we desperately need the scripture, that God breathe the word. 161 00:13:10,940 --> 00:13:14,019 And then also Hebrews 4, 12, we just heard this two Sundays ago, 162 00:13:14,019 --> 00:13:16,659 for the word of God is alive and active, 163 00:13:17,379 --> 00:13:19,019 sharper than any double-edged sword. 164 00:13:19,399 --> 00:13:22,220 It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 165 00:13:22,620 --> 00:13:23,360 joints and marrow. 166 00:13:23,539 --> 00:13:27,159 It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 167 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:30,240 So it equips you to do this life. 168 00:13:30,940 --> 00:13:33,740 It separates the things out of your life that shouldn't be there 169 00:13:33,740 --> 00:13:37,419 and even reveals where your heart is off, not just your actions. 170 00:13:38,519 --> 00:13:40,519 The word of God, don't you guys love it? 171 00:13:40,519 --> 00:13:44,379 Like, I would be nowhere in life without it. 172 00:13:44,659 --> 00:13:47,379 And not that I'm anywhere right now, but you know what I mean? 173 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:50,500 Like, I need His word every single day. 174 00:13:51,580 --> 00:13:54,799 And this isn't really even, this next point isn't even a fleshed-out point 175 00:13:54,799 --> 00:13:59,360 that I really planned, but, you know, Moses was a leader, right? 176 00:14:00,399 --> 00:14:07,299 And sometimes, nowadays, it's very important to not lose sight of the fact 177 00:14:07,299 --> 00:14:11,360 that we need to have respect for leaders in the church, right? 178 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:14,820 Like, it's so easy to be like, oh, they're just one of us. 179 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,620 The pastors, the elders, like, I know what's right and wrong. 180 00:14:19,019 --> 00:14:21,299 It's like, we see so many stories. 181 00:14:21,679 --> 00:14:22,940 Numbers 12, you're going to read that? 182 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,120 People said the same exact thing in Numbers 12, 183 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:26,899 and God brought down judgment. 184 00:14:27,299 --> 00:14:28,799 It's like, no, Moses was chosen. 185 00:14:29,419 --> 00:14:34,820 So there's a certain level of respect that is very healthy to have in the church 186 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:38,879 for elders that God's appointed and pastors and people teaching the word. 187 00:14:39,220 --> 00:14:42,399 And we know there's more responsibility for people who teach, 188 00:14:42,879 --> 00:14:47,240 a harsher judgment for teachers when they fail from God 189 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,340 because they are teaching the word and are held to a higher standard. 190 00:14:51,979 --> 00:14:56,419 So to wrap that up, God speaks through His word and through His Spirit 191 00:14:56,419 --> 00:15:00,179 directly to Moses, but also today directly to us. 192 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,179 And it's crucial that we read the word 193 00:15:03,179 --> 00:15:06,700 and we pray that His Spirit would reveal the meaning to our hearts. 194 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:10,759 All right, the trumpets, let's read that. 195 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:12,879 Verse 2 through 10. 196 00:15:13,940 --> 00:15:15,840 Make two silver trumpets for yourself. 197 00:15:16,299 --> 00:15:17,899 You shall make them of hammered work. 198 00:15:18,539 --> 00:15:20,820 You shall use them for calling the congregation 199 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:23,340 and for directing the movement of the camps. 200 00:15:24,379 --> 00:15:28,299 When they blow both of them, all the congregations shall gather before you 201 00:15:28,299 --> 00:15:30,000 at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 202 00:15:30,599 --> 00:15:34,419 But if they blow only one, then the leaders and the heads of the divisions 203 00:15:34,419 --> 00:15:36,259 of Israel shall gather to you. 204 00:15:36,980 --> 00:15:40,039 And when you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side 205 00:15:40,039 --> 00:15:41,200 shall then begin their journey. 206 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:44,720 Then you shall sound the advance the second time. 207 00:15:45,539 --> 00:15:48,600 Then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey, 208 00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:52,080 and they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys. 209 00:15:52,639 --> 00:15:54,759 And when the assembly is to be gathered together, 210 00:15:54,899 --> 00:15:57,460 you shall blow but not sound the advance. 211 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,840 The sons of Aaron the priest shall blow the trumpets, 212 00:16:01,299 --> 00:16:04,980 and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generation. 213 00:16:05,799 --> 00:16:09,360 When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, 214 00:16:09,659 --> 00:16:12,500 then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, 215 00:16:12,620 --> 00:16:15,200 and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, 216 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:17,460 and you will be saved from the enemies. 217 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:20,799 And in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, 218 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,360 at the beginning of your months, you shall bow, 219 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,159 you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings 220 00:16:26,159 --> 00:16:28,220 and over the sacrifice of your peace offerings, 221 00:16:28,639 --> 00:16:31,480 and they shall be a memorial to you before God. 222 00:16:32,340 --> 00:16:33,720 I am the Lord your God. 223 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,039 Anybody remember in elementary school 224 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:40,480 when every kid would come home with an instrument? 225 00:16:41,379 --> 00:16:43,980 Like, it was instrument day. Did they still do that? 226 00:16:44,899 --> 00:16:45,899 But I just remember it's like, 227 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:50,580 kids are coming home with violas and basses and trumpets, 228 00:16:50,759 --> 00:16:55,080 and if Bo ever chooses the trumpet as his instrument, 229 00:16:55,579 --> 00:17:00,240 I'll be very upset, because they are the most loudest things ever, 230 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,420 and I'm pretty sure I remember, it might have been like Jake or Morgan, 231 00:17:04,619 --> 00:17:06,579 or maybe it was just a neighbor, it was that loud, 232 00:17:07,140 --> 00:17:11,140 but one of the kids had a trumpet, 233 00:17:11,660 --> 00:17:13,660 and they only played it for like a week, 234 00:17:13,759 --> 00:17:15,140 but I remember like being outside, 235 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:19,400 and I could hear them practicing inside from like two or three houses away. 236 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,359 It was just like insanely loud, 237 00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:29,700 but I like how God is using the trumpet here as direction, right? 238 00:17:30,059 --> 00:17:32,680 The trumpets say to do this, the trumpets say to do that, 239 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:36,799 and what I see behind this is that trumpets are loud, 240 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:39,759 but trumpets are really good at getting your attention, right? 241 00:17:40,380 --> 00:17:43,019 Like, every single alarm system, everything today, 242 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:45,539 can be traced back to back in the day, 243 00:17:45,599 --> 00:17:50,160 the guards when someone was starting to go after your city would blow the trumpet. 244 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:54,400 Now we have alarm systems in our houses, like, they're good at getting your attention, right? 245 00:17:55,059 --> 00:18:00,200 And we see here that God told Moses and told the people to use these 246 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,880 in order to direct and to call the people, 247 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,880 and it's very easy to get people's attention using trumpets, 248 00:18:08,019 --> 00:18:12,299 and God is also very good at getting our attention. 249 00:18:12,980 --> 00:18:16,220 Now, sometimes we are deaf, we don't listen, we don't care, 250 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,400 and he's a kind God, he lets us make mistakes, 251 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,319 and then he's like, yeah, I remember all the way back then when I was sounding the trumpet 252 00:18:23,319 --> 00:18:26,079 and you weren't listening, you wouldn't be in this mess, right? 253 00:18:26,539 --> 00:18:28,640 But God is also very organized. 254 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:33,299 We see, like, he's telling people to come, he's sending people out, 255 00:18:33,420 --> 00:18:38,579 there's so much organization around God and around these trumpets, 256 00:18:38,619 --> 00:18:42,740 and we know that God both communicates clearly to his people, 257 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,019 and he doesn't contradict himself, there's not one trumpet blowing, 258 00:18:47,019 --> 00:18:49,819 and another one's like, hey, no, stay where you are. 259 00:18:50,079 --> 00:18:51,440 There's one message, right? 260 00:18:51,859 --> 00:18:55,259 And we know the message that is all through the word, that Jesus Christ is Lord, 261 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:58,000 and he is the way, the truth, and the life, amen. 262 00:18:58,900 --> 00:19:01,160 And we see here that, like, in 1 Corinthians, 263 00:19:01,420 --> 00:19:04,160 for God is not the author of confusion but of peace, 264 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,480 as in all the churches of the saints. 265 00:19:07,079 --> 00:19:09,819 He's not a confusing God, he's a clear God, 266 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,559 and he directs his people clearly. 267 00:19:13,220 --> 00:19:15,839 So if we have a lot of confusion in our lives, 268 00:19:15,839 --> 00:19:19,359 if we never truly know what choice to make 269 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:21,339 and we teeter back and forth all the time, 270 00:19:21,599 --> 00:19:27,099 I would say that is an indicator that maybe we're not actually listening to God 271 00:19:27,099 --> 00:19:30,740 or maybe allowing other people to influence our decisions 272 00:19:30,740 --> 00:19:34,759 or just not even talking to God whatsoever about it, 273 00:19:34,819 --> 00:19:36,720 because he says, like we read before, 274 00:19:36,940 --> 00:19:40,200 if you seek him, you will find him when you seek him with your whole heart. 275 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:44,339 He is not the author of confusion but of peace and direction and clarity. 276 00:19:45,819 --> 00:19:50,000 Another thing that I notice here is these trumpets are blowing all the time. 277 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,279 Like we see, for going out, for coming in, 278 00:19:54,579 --> 00:19:56,839 for going to war, for times of gladness, 279 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,019 at all times these trumpets are blowing. 280 00:19:59,460 --> 00:20:01,240 They're probably hearing it every single day. 281 00:20:02,079 --> 00:20:05,640 But I love that because God's direction is all the time. 282 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:09,880 Like in the morning, coming in, right, 283 00:20:10,039 --> 00:20:11,980 we come into the presence of God 284 00:20:11,980 --> 00:20:14,779 and worship him and he directs us, 285 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:17,279 and then we go out about our day, right? 286 00:20:17,859 --> 00:20:20,819 And when we come into times of trial 287 00:20:20,819 --> 00:20:22,960 and testing of our faith like a war, 288 00:20:23,799 --> 00:20:25,960 the trumpets blow and we know what to do 289 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:28,559 and we know that God will save us from our enemies. 290 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,579 And then, in our times of gladness, when everything's going great, 291 00:20:33,099 --> 00:20:33,920 God's still there. 292 00:20:34,220 --> 00:20:36,640 God's still speaking and directing. 293 00:20:37,180 --> 00:20:39,940 And over the burnt offerings, the peace offerings, our worship, 294 00:20:39,940 --> 00:20:41,200 he's still there. 295 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:44,480 The God who guides us and are coming in is guiding us 296 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:45,819 and are going out. 297 00:20:46,180 --> 00:20:48,059 The times of war he's guiding us 298 00:20:48,059 --> 00:20:50,000 and the times of peace he's guiding us. 299 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,619 At all times, he is guiding and directing us. 300 00:21:00,559 --> 00:21:03,299 Let's read verse 11 through 13 here. 301 00:21:05,420 --> 00:21:08,519 Now it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month. 302 00:21:08,519 --> 00:21:11,299 In the second year, that the cloud was taken up 303 00:21:11,299 --> 00:21:13,319 from above the tabernacle of the testimony. 304 00:21:14,279 --> 00:21:16,480 And the children of Israel set out 305 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,500 from the wilderness of Sinai on their journey. 306 00:21:21,059 --> 00:21:23,819 And the cloud settled in the wilderness of Piran. 307 00:21:24,539 --> 00:21:26,720 So they started out for the first time, 308 00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:28,539 according to the command of the Lord 309 00:21:28,539 --> 00:21:30,500 by the hand of Moses. 310 00:21:32,779 --> 00:21:36,319 I don't know about you, but I almost get like 311 00:21:36,859 --> 00:21:40,519 goosebumps every time I think about the pillar of cloud 312 00:21:40,519 --> 00:21:42,599 just rising up and going. 313 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,059 Isn't that unbelievable? 314 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,460 Like all, the entire journey for the forty years, 315 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:52,200 the pillar of cloud would go out from the ark 316 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,039 in the tabernacle and then just start going. 317 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,000 And it's not even like, 318 00:21:58,079 --> 00:21:59,480 hey, we know where we're going right now. 319 00:21:59,519 --> 00:22:00,700 We know how long it's going to be. 320 00:22:00,779 --> 00:22:02,339 It's just the cloud's moving. 321 00:22:02,539 --> 00:22:02,920 Let's go. 322 00:22:03,140 --> 00:22:05,400 And they'd blast the trumpets and they'd start going. 323 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:06,180 They'd pack up. 324 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:07,279 And then it stops. 325 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,279 It could be like we read in chapter nine. 326 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:11,079 It could be a day. 327 00:22:11,380 --> 00:22:12,140 It could be a month. 328 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:13,259 It could be years. 329 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:16,480 Sitting still, or suddenly they start moving. 330 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:21,759 And the pillar of cloud really is seen, 331 00:22:22,220 --> 00:22:23,519 it's the presence of God. 332 00:22:24,220 --> 00:22:28,079 Where the presence of God goes, we should go. 333 00:22:29,039 --> 00:22:32,720 To be in the will of God is to be following right behind him. 334 00:22:35,159 --> 00:22:39,779 And this pillar of cloud was really a huge, 335 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,180 the reading about this was a big moment in my life. 336 00:22:44,140 --> 00:22:45,740 This happened a few years ago. 337 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:47,299 We were in Nashville. 338 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,480 And we had been doing music for a few years 339 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:52,900 and God was really in it. 340 00:22:53,019 --> 00:22:54,400 And we saw a bunch of testimonies 341 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:56,319 and there was some success there. 342 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:58,599 And we toured the whole country 343 00:22:58,599 --> 00:23:00,759 and got to meet all these awesome people. 344 00:23:00,759 --> 00:23:03,000 And it was so much fun. 345 00:23:03,099 --> 00:23:04,240 It was like a dream come true. 346 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:08,240 And near the end of, I think it was 2019, 347 00:23:09,460 --> 00:23:10,480 things started changing. 348 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,480 And we weren't really loving it as much anymore 349 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:15,660 because we were leaving our families so much. 350 00:23:15,660 --> 00:23:17,140 But we're so invested still. 351 00:23:17,279 --> 00:23:18,799 And we're like, we have to do this. 352 00:23:19,559 --> 00:23:22,220 Then a few decisions were basically made for us. 353 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:24,799 Our label dropped us. 354 00:23:24,900 --> 00:23:26,019 We weren't signed anymore. 355 00:23:26,460 --> 00:23:29,619 And then that's a ton more work on our shoulders 356 00:23:29,619 --> 00:23:31,420 and we're praying about it. 357 00:23:31,579 --> 00:23:33,140 And we can't give up. 358 00:23:33,299 --> 00:23:34,519 We can't let this go. 359 00:23:34,599 --> 00:23:36,079 We have to keep pressing for it. 360 00:23:37,360 --> 00:23:42,460 But I love that God directs even when we want the other thing. 361 00:23:43,539 --> 00:23:45,680 And I read, you can see right here, 362 00:23:46,500 --> 00:23:50,019 right down here I have some notes in Numbers 9. 363 00:23:50,019 --> 00:23:52,400 And I remember it was probably like 1 a.m. 364 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:53,519 And I'm all stressed out. 365 00:23:54,079 --> 00:23:58,779 And laying there, actually we had the Christmas tree out. 366 00:23:58,779 --> 00:23:59,279 In Nashville. 367 00:24:00,420 --> 00:24:02,900 And I'm reading Numbers 9 where it says, 368 00:24:03,099 --> 00:24:05,380 the cloud would camp. 369 00:24:05,859 --> 00:24:06,500 And they would camp. 370 00:24:06,799 --> 00:24:08,779 And as soon as the cloud moved, they would move. 371 00:24:09,180 --> 00:24:11,660 Whether it was a day, a month, or a year, three years. 372 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:15,759 They followed wherever the presence of God went in the cloud. 373 00:24:16,440 --> 00:24:19,039 And I felt so clearly, God say, 374 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:21,680 my presence is moving, are you coming with me? 375 00:24:22,559 --> 00:24:23,539 And I just pictured, 376 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,519 man, I can't leave my tents just pitched here 377 00:24:27,519 --> 00:24:28,740 when you're not here anymore. 378 00:24:29,460 --> 00:24:32,559 I can't keep trying to keep this thing going 379 00:24:32,559 --> 00:24:33,680 if you're not in it. 380 00:24:34,220 --> 00:24:35,859 Like I want to be where you are, God. 381 00:24:36,779 --> 00:24:38,740 And that took a lot of hard conversations. 382 00:24:38,980 --> 00:24:39,960 We had to fire people. 383 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:43,799 We were having these business relationships for years. 384 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:46,779 But the whole time I just had so much peace 385 00:24:46,779 --> 00:24:49,420 because I knew God's moving and I'm following. 386 00:24:50,039 --> 00:24:51,539 Like literally the cloud. 387 00:24:52,019 --> 00:24:53,519 I could like picture it. 388 00:24:54,079 --> 00:24:56,160 And there was blessing in it. 389 00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:56,859 Was it a trial? 390 00:24:57,039 --> 00:24:57,480 Of course. 391 00:24:57,799 --> 00:24:59,859 But I learned something far greater than 392 00:24:59,859 --> 00:25:01,859 if everything worked out perfectly, right? 393 00:25:02,279 --> 00:25:05,099 Because it led me towards lacking nothing. 394 00:25:05,299 --> 00:25:06,440 I still lack a lot. 395 00:25:06,579 --> 00:25:08,019 But it did something in me. 396 00:25:08,099 --> 00:25:09,140 I trusted God more. 397 00:25:09,259 --> 00:25:12,240 And I could look at his plan above what I wanted. 398 00:25:12,779 --> 00:25:15,319 And of course, even just the normal blessings, 399 00:25:15,599 --> 00:25:17,119 it's like, I'm home every day now. 400 00:25:17,500 --> 00:25:20,000 We used to have to travel four days a week 401 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,799 to like barely get by. 402 00:25:22,019 --> 00:25:24,920 And even when we would like get more successful, 403 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:27,880 every Christian band is on the road like four days a week 404 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:30,200 to pay the bills and make their living. 405 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:32,279 And now we're home every day. 406 00:25:32,299 --> 00:25:32,960 We have other jobs. 407 00:25:33,099 --> 00:25:33,859 We can work from home. 408 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:35,039 We're with our families, our kids. 409 00:25:35,180 --> 00:25:36,720 It's like the greatest blessing ever. 410 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,660 And, you know, I just I love God. 411 00:25:39,759 --> 00:25:42,740 And I'm so thankful that he leads and he guides 412 00:25:42,740 --> 00:25:45,599 that his presence will guide you if you're paying attention. 413 00:25:45,900 --> 00:25:48,920 Like he will guide you. 414 00:25:49,619 --> 00:25:49,819 Huh? 415 00:25:51,319 --> 00:25:51,759 Yeah. 416 00:25:52,759 --> 00:25:52,980 Yeah. 417 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:54,160 And that was the other. 418 00:25:54,779 --> 00:25:55,220 Yeah. 419 00:25:55,559 --> 00:25:56,359 That was the other thing. 420 00:25:56,599 --> 00:25:59,519 So when we finally told our booking agents, we're like, 421 00:25:59,539 --> 00:26:01,299 yeah, we think we're going to come off the road. 422 00:26:01,380 --> 00:26:03,660 It's like two months later, the pandemic hit. 423 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:06,140 And we already had like job things lined up. 424 00:26:06,140 --> 00:26:06,980 So we were okay. 425 00:26:07,619 --> 00:26:09,940 But yeah, God really looked out for us. 426 00:26:12,460 --> 00:26:12,900 Yeah. 427 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:16,799 So I want to from here, verse 14, 428 00:26:16,799 --> 00:26:21,319 all the way down to verse 28 is basically all the tribes. 429 00:26:21,519 --> 00:26:23,240 We read this before, I think in chapter one, 430 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:27,359 all the tribes and the order that they leave and march out. 431 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:29,440 I just want to point out one thing. 432 00:26:29,660 --> 00:26:30,299 Judah is first. 433 00:26:31,019 --> 00:26:31,960 They're on the east side. 434 00:26:32,299 --> 00:26:33,660 There's a lot of cool symbolism there. 435 00:26:34,299 --> 00:26:36,079 Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah. 436 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:37,359 Judah is leading the pack. 437 00:26:37,859 --> 00:26:38,700 Jesus leads. 438 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:40,819 He's the head of the body, right? 439 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,339 He leads the body of Christ. 440 00:26:43,500 --> 00:26:45,380 And yeah, I'll stop there. 441 00:26:45,380 --> 00:26:51,220 But Judah, yeah, Judah led the entire tribe, 442 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:52,839 all the Israelites through the wilderness. 443 00:26:53,299 --> 00:26:55,720 And Jesus is of the tribe of Judah, leading his people. 444 00:26:57,839 --> 00:26:58,339 Yeah. 445 00:26:59,920 --> 00:27:00,619 All right. 446 00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:02,720 So verse 29. 447 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,559 Now, Moses said to Hobab, love that name, 448 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:10,079 third son on the way right there, Hobab, 449 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:14,160 the son of Ruel, the Midianite, Moses, his father-in-law. 450 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:15,680 So this is Moses' brother-in-law. 451 00:27:17,259 --> 00:27:19,240 We are setting out, Moses said, 452 00:27:19,380 --> 00:27:21,619 we are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, 453 00:27:21,740 --> 00:27:22,700 I will give it to you. 454 00:27:23,839 --> 00:27:25,559 Come with us and we will treat you well, 455 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:27,920 for the Lord has promised good things to Israel. 456 00:27:28,339 --> 00:27:30,339 And he said to him, I will not go, 457 00:27:30,460 --> 00:27:32,859 but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives. 458 00:27:33,220 --> 00:27:36,039 So Moses said, please do not leave. 459 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:38,140 And as much as you know how, 460 00:27:38,299 --> 00:27:41,079 we are to camp in the wilderness and you can be our eyes. 461 00:27:41,079 --> 00:27:44,500 And if you shall be, and it shall be, 462 00:27:44,599 --> 00:27:46,180 if you go with us, indeed it shall be, 463 00:27:46,220 --> 00:27:48,799 that whatever good the Lord will do to us, 464 00:27:48,900 --> 00:27:51,220 the same we will do to you. 465 00:27:51,839 --> 00:27:52,819 So they departed. 466 00:27:53,380 --> 00:27:54,019 Yeah, stop there. 467 00:27:56,079 --> 00:27:58,759 So this is really interesting because you have 468 00:27:58,759 --> 00:28:01,140 the word of God directing Moses, 469 00:28:01,799 --> 00:28:05,980 and you have the trumpets directing the people 470 00:28:05,980 --> 00:28:07,500 when and where to move, 471 00:28:07,500 --> 00:28:11,539 and you have the cloud by day leading them, 472 00:28:12,019 --> 00:28:16,099 and then Moses asks for his brother-in-law 473 00:28:16,099 --> 00:28:19,099 to help with the direction. 474 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:21,359 Now I'm not directing where they're going to go, 475 00:28:21,420 --> 00:28:22,400 but when they get there, 476 00:28:22,759 --> 00:28:24,920 to point out all the intel of the desert, 477 00:28:25,019 --> 00:28:26,599 because he knows the desert well. 478 00:28:27,279 --> 00:28:28,599 And he's like, you know, basically, 479 00:28:29,259 --> 00:28:30,440 what commentaries are saying is like, 480 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:32,000 when the Lord stops to camp, 481 00:28:32,679 --> 00:28:35,019 you, Hobab, can you tell us like, 482 00:28:35,019 --> 00:28:36,339 a good place to find water, 483 00:28:36,339 --> 00:28:38,299 what we could eat that's, you know, safe, 484 00:28:38,859 --> 00:28:40,599 things to be avoiding, that's dangerous, 485 00:28:40,819 --> 00:28:43,079 like, you know, basically a guide through the wilderness. 486 00:28:44,059 --> 00:28:46,720 And, you know, you might on one side be like, 487 00:28:46,759 --> 00:28:47,819 that's not very spiritual. 488 00:28:48,519 --> 00:28:50,180 Couldn't you trust the Lord to like, 489 00:28:50,259 --> 00:28:51,359 tell you all these things? 490 00:28:51,519 --> 00:28:52,559 And like, you could, 491 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:54,759 but you notice God isn't angry here. 492 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:56,359 God didn't like send a plague 493 00:28:56,359 --> 00:28:59,000 because Moses is one of little faith. 494 00:28:59,779 --> 00:29:02,500 So it shows that actually this was part of God's plan. 495 00:29:03,099 --> 00:29:04,759 God wanted to use Hobab 496 00:29:04,759 --> 00:29:07,339 to also give the intel to the people. 497 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:11,140 And that's something that we need to be really aware of, 498 00:29:11,140 --> 00:29:14,400 because God wants to use people in your life. 499 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:18,420 He's not always going to 100% of the time 500 00:29:18,420 --> 00:29:20,220 strictly talk to you one way. 501 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:22,400 He's going to speak through his word. 502 00:29:22,740 --> 00:29:24,640 He's going to speak through the peace of his presence. 503 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,039 And nothing will contradict itself. 504 00:29:27,779 --> 00:29:29,000 The word's not going to tell you one thing 505 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:30,640 and then this peace of the presence, another. 506 00:29:31,059 --> 00:29:32,880 It's all going to be confirming each other. 507 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,099 But then he also uses the body of Christ 508 00:29:35,099 --> 00:29:38,700 to speak encouragement, direction, truth into your life. 509 00:29:39,779 --> 00:29:42,480 And Hobab, I just like saying that name, 510 00:29:44,019 --> 00:29:48,799 is used in a really instrumental way over the next 40 years. 511 00:29:49,099 --> 00:29:50,900 And actually we see some of his descendants 512 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:53,500 like in the times of the judges and all of this. 513 00:29:53,500 --> 00:29:54,960 So he stuck with Israel 514 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:57,119 and became a part of their people. 515 00:29:57,779 --> 00:29:59,480 But an example of this, you know that joke 516 00:30:00,099 --> 00:30:02,380 where this guy is like in a flooding house. 517 00:30:02,380 --> 00:30:04,500 I'm not going to tell the whole thing because you know it. 518 00:30:04,859 --> 00:30:06,980 But this guy's house is flooding 519 00:30:06,980 --> 00:30:08,859 and he's praying, Lord, save me. 520 00:30:09,220 --> 00:30:11,220 And he wants God to physically save him. 521 00:30:11,700 --> 00:30:13,940 And then a boat goes by and like, hop in. 522 00:30:14,019 --> 00:30:15,279 He's like, no, I'm waiting for the Lord. 523 00:30:15,519 --> 00:30:18,000 And then five or six things go by. 524 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:20,180 Suddenly a helicopter's flying, dropping a rope. 525 00:30:20,319 --> 00:30:20,680 Like, come on. 526 00:30:20,740 --> 00:30:23,119 He said, no, I'm praying the Lord is going to save me. 527 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:25,279 And then he drowns and he got to heaven 528 00:30:25,279 --> 00:30:27,619 and he's like, why didn't you save me, God? 529 00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:28,900 He's like, I sent the boat. 530 00:30:29,299 --> 00:30:30,819 I sent the raft. 531 00:30:31,039 --> 00:30:31,740 I sent the helicopter. 532 00:30:31,740 --> 00:30:32,980 God uses people. 533 00:30:33,420 --> 00:30:35,279 Like, there are miracles like we talked about 534 00:30:35,279 --> 00:30:37,819 in the beginning, but God also uses people 535 00:30:37,819 --> 00:30:39,920 and the body of Christ to direct 536 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:42,859 and to do things in our lives 537 00:30:42,859 --> 00:30:44,960 because we are the body of Christ. 538 00:30:45,660 --> 00:30:46,480 He's the head. 539 00:30:46,940 --> 00:30:47,500 We're the body. 540 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,619 And he moves us in the spirit to go do 541 00:30:50,619 --> 00:30:52,859 and speak and move on his behalf. 542 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:55,220 It's part of his design. 543 00:30:56,299 --> 00:30:59,000 So an example of this, it just happened. 544 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:00,680 I have a lot of examples tonight. 545 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:01,900 I hope you guys like it. 546 00:31:03,180 --> 00:31:05,599 So Maria met up with a friend a few weeks ago. 547 00:31:05,759 --> 00:31:06,940 I'm just going to call her name Emily 548 00:31:06,940 --> 00:31:09,940 because I don't want to give away any information. 549 00:31:11,079 --> 00:31:12,619 So Maria met with this girl, Emily, 550 00:31:13,440 --> 00:31:16,220 and she, Maria had a dream that Emily was pregnant. 551 00:31:16,599 --> 00:31:17,980 So she went up to Emily and she's like, 552 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:19,440 hey, like, I had a dream you were pregnant. 553 00:31:20,680 --> 00:31:22,660 And, you know, Emily didn't say anything. 554 00:31:22,859 --> 00:31:24,539 She, you know, she wasn't like, yeah, I'm pregnant. 555 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:25,700 She's like, oh, that's so funny. 556 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:26,839 That's crazy. 557 00:31:27,799 --> 00:31:28,640 And that was it. 558 00:31:29,399 --> 00:31:31,279 Then the next time they hung out, 559 00:31:31,779 --> 00:31:34,640 Maria brought up how one of her other friends, 560 00:31:34,779 --> 00:31:36,819 so she's telling Emily, one of her other friends 561 00:31:36,819 --> 00:31:38,759 had some pregnancy complications. 562 00:31:39,380 --> 00:31:41,900 And an OB was like, yeah, you're miscarrying. 563 00:31:42,279 --> 00:31:43,859 So she's like, oh, this is awful. 564 00:31:44,039 --> 00:31:45,160 So she went to a different OB. 565 00:31:45,579 --> 00:31:47,140 And they're like, they checked her out. 566 00:31:47,599 --> 00:31:49,180 And she's like, you're not miscarrying. 567 00:31:49,259 --> 00:31:49,960 Everything's fine. 568 00:31:50,099 --> 00:31:50,779 The baby's healthy. 569 00:31:51,079 --> 00:31:54,359 And she felt like so happy and like so much peace 570 00:31:54,359 --> 00:31:55,740 because she knew the baby's healthy. 571 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:58,900 Meanwhile, Maria's friend Emily, 572 00:31:59,119 --> 00:32:00,339 who she's telling the story to, 573 00:32:00,559 --> 00:32:02,619 is having the same exact complication, 574 00:32:03,259 --> 00:32:05,140 filled with fear she's miscarrying, 575 00:32:05,359 --> 00:32:08,880 and she felt like it was God speaking directly to her, 576 00:32:08,940 --> 00:32:10,099 like, don't be afraid. 577 00:32:10,660 --> 00:32:12,019 I'm with you and your baby's okay. 578 00:32:12,380 --> 00:32:15,799 So she goes to the same OB that the other girl went to 579 00:32:15,799 --> 00:32:16,940 and they checked her out, 580 00:32:17,039 --> 00:32:19,180 and the baby's totally healthy and fine. 581 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:22,000 And then finally, the third time they hang out, 582 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:23,859 Emily finally told Maria, hey, 583 00:32:24,379 --> 00:32:27,140 I was pregnant when you had that dream I just found out, 584 00:32:27,339 --> 00:32:29,859 and I was having the same exact health complication 585 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:33,200 as your other friend, and the baby's fine, just like her. 586 00:32:33,460 --> 00:32:36,779 So it was all these things that God was using Maria, 587 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:40,299 the body of Christ, to speak encouragement and direction, 588 00:32:40,539 --> 00:32:43,640 where to go, you know, to have faith, all of that. 589 00:32:44,059 --> 00:32:48,119 So God uses the Hobabs, the Maria's, 590 00:32:48,779 --> 00:32:50,099 the you's and the me, right? 591 00:32:50,099 --> 00:32:54,420 So God uses us in amazing ways for direction, 592 00:32:54,519 --> 00:32:56,660 encouragement, and to do his will. 593 00:32:59,460 --> 00:33:00,779 All right, and then finally, 594 00:33:01,339 --> 00:33:05,079 let's hop down to verse 33. 595 00:33:06,859 --> 00:33:08,720 So they departed from the mountain of the Lord 596 00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:10,140 on a journey of three days, 597 00:33:10,420 --> 00:33:13,359 and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them 598 00:33:13,359 --> 00:33:15,819 for the three days journey to search out 599 00:33:15,819 --> 00:33:17,299 a resting place for them. 600 00:33:17,299 --> 00:33:20,400 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day 601 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,380 when they went out from the camp. 602 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:26,180 And so it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said, 603 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,400 Rise up, O Lord, let your enemies be scattered, 604 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:32,160 and let those who hate you flee before you. 605 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:35,000 And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, 606 00:33:35,319 --> 00:33:36,980 to the many thousands of Israel. 607 00:33:39,539 --> 00:33:42,220 The ark went before them with the presence of God 608 00:33:42,220 --> 00:33:43,059 in the cloud. 609 00:33:43,059 --> 00:33:46,519 The ark was ahead of them everywhere they went. 610 00:33:48,319 --> 00:33:52,019 And the ark has so much symbolism 611 00:33:52,579 --> 00:33:56,380 when it comes to Jesus and what he's done for us. 612 00:33:56,740 --> 00:33:59,140 You know, the ark actually is where the presence of God 613 00:33:59,140 --> 00:34:02,259 rested in the holy place, in the holy of holies. 614 00:34:03,039 --> 00:34:05,440 And then Jesus, obviously, God incarnate. 615 00:34:05,660 --> 00:34:08,940 The full, everything about who God is, is Jesus, 616 00:34:09,139 --> 00:34:11,239 and he was here in the flesh among us. 617 00:34:12,079 --> 00:34:16,760 And inside of the ark was so many proofs of testimonies, right? 618 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:20,980 We saw the manna that sustained them through their entire journey 619 00:34:20,980 --> 00:34:24,139 that came from heaven, and Jesus is the bread of life. 620 00:34:24,619 --> 00:34:27,219 Jesus says, I am the manna in John 621 00:34:27,219 --> 00:34:30,440 that is truly sustaining you. 622 00:34:30,980 --> 00:34:33,800 And then the Ten Commandments were in there as well. 623 00:34:34,099 --> 00:34:35,579 Jesus is the word of God. 624 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:38,739 And then Aaron's staff, which budded, 625 00:34:38,739 --> 00:34:42,239 and that was a miracle to show that Aaron was chosen as the priest. 626 00:34:42,579 --> 00:34:46,460 And Jesus is our true high priest who is chosen by God to do, 627 00:34:47,300 --> 00:34:50,059 to reconcile us to himself. 628 00:34:50,780 --> 00:34:54,079 And of course, we also see the mercy seat on top. 629 00:34:54,219 --> 00:34:57,019 So it's the two cherubim angels facing each other 630 00:34:57,019 --> 00:35:00,840 and the day of atonement when the sins of the people 631 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:03,940 were atoned for with the sin offering. 632 00:35:04,059 --> 00:35:05,199 The blood was on it. 633 00:35:05,199 --> 00:35:10,539 And we know, of course, that Jesus is the true atoning sacrifice 634 00:35:10,539 --> 00:35:12,699 for a sin, for remissions of sins. 635 00:35:13,179 --> 00:35:16,159 So as this went before the people, 636 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:20,059 they had every one of those memories in their head 637 00:35:20,059 --> 00:35:23,840 that God is providing for us, God is directing us, 638 00:35:24,219 --> 00:35:27,300 and these priests are chosen by God 639 00:35:27,300 --> 00:35:30,079 to bring peace through the sacrifice. 640 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:32,480 And the blood I see sprinkled on there 641 00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:35,039 shows that my sins aren't being held against me. 642 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:40,000 And so many scholars point out how this is just like Jesus. 643 00:35:40,199 --> 00:35:43,059 This is a picture of Jesus going before us. 644 00:35:44,059 --> 00:35:48,699 And Hebrews 12 too says that we are fixing our eyes on Jesus, 645 00:35:49,139 --> 00:35:52,460 the pioneer and the perfecter of our faith. 646 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:55,619 For the joy set before him, he endured the cross. 647 00:35:56,579 --> 00:36:01,340 Scoring at shame, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 648 00:36:02,019 --> 00:36:08,320 So Jesus is our example and the pioneer of our faith. 649 00:36:08,820 --> 00:36:10,260 He's the one who goes before us. 650 00:36:10,559 --> 00:36:14,639 And if we truly want direction in life, it all comes down to him. 651 00:36:15,260 --> 00:36:17,280 You can't have God's direction without him. 652 00:36:17,940 --> 00:36:18,719 He is God. 653 00:36:18,920 --> 00:36:21,559 You need to actually have peace with God 654 00:36:21,559 --> 00:36:23,119 before you can have God's direction. 655 00:36:23,659 --> 00:36:25,739 We need to have our salvation. 656 00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:26,940 We need to have our sins forgiven. 657 00:36:26,940 --> 00:36:30,159 But we have to truly and personally know him 658 00:36:30,159 --> 00:36:31,780 and be in relationship with him. 659 00:36:32,059 --> 00:36:34,960 And that's what he's done for us on the cross. 660 00:36:35,659 --> 00:36:38,039 And it's still, you know, every single day. 661 00:36:38,039 --> 00:36:38,539 It's amazing. 662 00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:39,639 It's been thousands of years 663 00:36:39,639 --> 00:36:42,519 and people are still moved by the Holy Spirit 664 00:36:42,519 --> 00:36:43,619 to give their lives to Jesus. 665 00:36:43,820 --> 00:36:43,960 Amen. 666 00:36:46,420 --> 00:36:50,659 And I love ending with the ark 667 00:36:50,659 --> 00:36:53,920 because Jesus is the guide, 668 00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:56,820 the one directing the people, right? 669 00:36:57,199 --> 00:36:59,500 It's a picture of Jesus directing the people 670 00:36:59,500 --> 00:37:03,320 through the wilderness and the trumpets 671 00:37:03,320 --> 00:37:05,199 and everything happening, right? 672 00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:07,079 And we know Jesus is coming back. 673 00:37:07,480 --> 00:37:08,739 We know he's coming back. 674 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:10,000 And what does he come back with? 675 00:37:12,440 --> 00:37:14,380 1 Thessalonians 4, 16. 676 00:37:15,119 --> 00:37:16,980 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven 677 00:37:16,980 --> 00:37:20,159 with a loud command, the voice of the archangel 678 00:37:20,159 --> 00:37:22,940 and with the trumpet call of God. 679 00:37:23,519 --> 00:37:25,579 And the dead in Christ will rise first. 680 00:37:25,860 --> 00:37:27,840 And after that, we who are still alive 681 00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:29,519 and are left will be caught up together 682 00:37:29,519 --> 00:37:32,480 with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 683 00:37:33,179 --> 00:37:35,500 And so we will be with the Lord forever. 684 00:37:36,099 --> 00:37:38,360 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. 685 00:37:39,699 --> 00:37:42,820 This is just proof that the word of God is timeless 686 00:37:43,599 --> 00:37:45,559 and the God of the Old Testament 687 00:37:45,559 --> 00:37:47,139 is the God of the New Testament. 688 00:37:47,579 --> 00:37:48,380 That God said, 689 00:37:48,619 --> 00:37:50,880 blow these trumpets for directing people. 690 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:53,179 And then when Jesus comes back, 691 00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:57,000 the trumpets, the true trumpets in heaven are blowing 692 00:37:57,000 --> 00:37:59,559 and calling the people back to himself. 693 00:38:00,039 --> 00:38:03,300 Just like in Egypt, I mean, in the wilderness, 694 00:38:03,599 --> 00:38:04,699 they would blow the trumpets 695 00:38:04,699 --> 00:38:05,840 and the people would come together. 696 00:38:06,420 --> 00:38:09,440 Here, the trumpets are blowing and the church of God, 697 00:38:09,960 --> 00:38:12,179 those that have died and those that are still alive 698 00:38:12,179 --> 00:38:15,699 all come together, generations and generations of believers, 699 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:18,579 coming together and meeting the Lord in the air. 700 00:38:18,579 --> 00:38:20,280 Isn't that amazing? 701 00:38:23,460 --> 00:38:27,360 So God's direction is crucial for us individually, 702 00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:29,739 for our church here in Lansdale, 703 00:38:29,980 --> 00:38:31,699 for the church, the global church. 704 00:38:33,019 --> 00:38:35,840 We need his direction and we're living in crazy times 705 00:38:35,840 --> 00:38:37,860 and I really would not be surprised 706 00:38:37,860 --> 00:38:40,400 if we hear those trumpets while we're still alive. 707 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:43,679 Like that, I really feel like that's going to happen. 708 00:38:44,579 --> 00:38:47,039 So one thing I just want to be praying for 709 00:38:47,720 --> 00:38:48,920 is direction. 710 00:38:49,860 --> 00:38:52,159 Like how do we live effectively 711 00:38:52,159 --> 00:38:54,420 and spirit-filled lives on earth 712 00:38:54,420 --> 00:38:57,159 without getting caught up in the things of this life? 713 00:38:58,280 --> 00:39:00,480 And only God can do that 714 00:39:00,480 --> 00:39:03,960 and it really does come down to fixing our eyes on Jesus 715 00:39:03,960 --> 00:39:06,300 like it said in that Hebrews verse, 716 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:08,659 we need to be focused on him daily. 717 00:39:09,420 --> 00:39:14,079 And I'm like, everyone here can relate to each other 718 00:39:14,079 --> 00:39:16,800 that it's easy for our minds to start wandering, 719 00:39:17,039 --> 00:39:18,400 getting too busy and distracted 720 00:39:19,079 --> 00:39:21,440 and then like time can go by and we realize like, 721 00:39:21,679 --> 00:39:25,320 hey, I'm not feeling that the direction of God is clearly. 722 00:39:25,539 --> 00:39:27,500 I'm not feeling the touch of the Holy Spirit. 723 00:39:27,659 --> 00:39:31,000 I'm not feeling sharpened and alive in the Spirit 724 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:35,320 and it really comes down to we need to focus on him. 725 00:39:35,619 --> 00:39:37,440 We need to seek him with our whole heart 726 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:41,139 and we also need to have that moment of coming in 727 00:39:41,139 --> 00:39:42,260 like the trumpets would blow, 728 00:39:42,340 --> 00:39:43,500 the people would come together 729 00:39:43,500 --> 00:39:44,920 before they would be sent out. 730 00:39:45,679 --> 00:39:48,659 And we need that moment really like in the morning 731 00:39:48,659 --> 00:39:50,340 first thing, but every single day, 732 00:39:50,539 --> 00:39:54,480 like living a life of coming together with God 733 00:39:54,480 --> 00:39:57,280 to hear from him and to be filled by him 734 00:39:57,280 --> 00:39:59,900 before ever going out into this world. 735 00:40:00,820 --> 00:40:02,179 And if we're doing that, 736 00:40:02,679 --> 00:40:07,239 we will live powerful, effective, spirit-filled lives 737 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:09,039 and we will see revival. 738 00:40:09,039 --> 00:40:12,900 We will see thousands and people getting saved. 739 00:40:13,219 --> 00:40:15,059 Like there's amazing testimonies. 740 00:40:15,639 --> 00:40:16,579 The Welsh Revival, 741 00:40:17,420 --> 00:40:21,059 I just listened to a YouTube video documentary on it 742 00:40:21,059 --> 00:40:25,420 and just a few people getting filled with the Spirit 743 00:40:25,420 --> 00:40:28,940 and not giving up until they saw God do something amazing. 744 00:40:29,559 --> 00:40:30,900 They were seeking his guidance 745 00:40:30,900 --> 00:40:34,099 and then he spoke to them and then the Spirit poured out. 746 00:40:34,579 --> 00:40:37,280 And there was so such a great outpouring 747 00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:39,659 that the police didn't know what to do anymore 748 00:40:39,659 --> 00:40:41,420 because crime dropped so far. 749 00:40:41,880 --> 00:40:43,599 They didn't have anything to do. 750 00:40:44,039 --> 00:40:45,579 And so when they were thinking 751 00:40:45,579 --> 00:40:47,519 of what other jobs the police could do, 752 00:40:47,639 --> 00:40:49,320 they're like, well, we're all set actually 753 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:51,599 because all of our police departments 754 00:40:51,599 --> 00:40:53,679 also are gospel choirs, 755 00:40:53,800 --> 00:40:55,559 so we're going and singing at all the churches. 756 00:40:55,739 --> 00:40:57,579 So they were busy with their gospel tours, 757 00:40:58,099 --> 00:40:59,099 the whole police department, 758 00:40:59,159 --> 00:41:01,579 because there was no crime to enforce, 759 00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:02,519 no law to enforce. 760 00:41:03,259 --> 00:41:04,579 And it's so crazy. 761 00:41:04,780 --> 00:41:06,460 That was less than a hundred years ago, I think. 762 00:41:06,460 --> 00:41:09,300 I think it was like 1901, so a little over a hundred years ago. 763 00:41:09,460 --> 00:41:13,280 That wasn't that long ago, and it can happen again. 764 00:41:14,059 --> 00:41:18,119 And it really comes down to just simple, simple, 765 00:41:18,340 --> 00:41:22,119 101 Christianity, and that is come to God, 766 00:41:23,460 --> 00:41:25,519 in spirit and truth, seek him, 767 00:41:25,760 --> 00:41:27,980 have nothing hidden, worship him truly, 768 00:41:28,559 --> 00:41:31,519 and he will speak, he will guide, he will direct, 769 00:41:31,860 --> 00:41:33,539 and you will just see the testimonies 770 00:41:33,539 --> 00:41:35,860 lining up constantly. 771 00:41:35,860 --> 00:41:38,039 And people will get saved, 772 00:41:38,159 --> 00:41:40,440 and we'll see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 773 00:41:42,259 --> 00:41:45,239 So I want to just pray over this before we hit the questions. 774 00:41:45,679 --> 00:41:48,139 I do, we can put them up in a minute, 775 00:41:48,179 --> 00:41:49,559 but I just want to pray for us. 776 00:41:50,099 --> 00:41:54,099 And even, honestly, during the prayer conversation time, 777 00:41:54,099 --> 00:41:56,699 if we could just have a little bit more prayer too in it, 778 00:41:57,679 --> 00:41:58,559 I think that would be great. 779 00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:02,219 Just a little more, like I know we pray so much, 780 00:42:02,219 --> 00:42:04,159 but just an extended time tonight 781 00:42:04,159 --> 00:42:08,320 of praying for direction and for his spirit to be poured out. 782 00:42:08,679 --> 00:42:10,960 Let's get specific here in our hearts, 783 00:42:11,380 --> 00:42:15,360 like personally in our lives, and also in our church. 784 00:42:15,780 --> 00:42:18,639 I want to see this church grow and expand 785 00:42:18,639 --> 00:42:20,840 at an even more rapid rate, 786 00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:24,119 and I know God wants to do that too, so let's pray. 787 00:42:26,000 --> 00:42:27,800 Lord God, we thank you so much 788 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:31,619 that you are not the author of confusion, God, 789 00:42:31,619 --> 00:42:35,460 but of peace, that you speak clearly and effectively 790 00:42:35,460 --> 00:42:38,380 to your people, and we can trust you, 791 00:42:38,500 --> 00:42:41,119 and we know that you will never contradict yourself, God. 792 00:42:41,960 --> 00:42:45,940 And I pray that we would have a renewed desire 793 00:42:46,619 --> 00:42:48,239 to come to you every morning 794 00:42:48,239 --> 00:42:50,940 and to seek you with our whole hearts, God, 795 00:42:51,539 --> 00:42:52,639 holding nothing back, 796 00:42:52,900 --> 00:42:55,300 and I know, Lord, you will show yourself to us. 797 00:42:55,320 --> 00:42:55,920 That's a promise. 798 00:42:56,739 --> 00:42:57,800 And I just pray, God, 799 00:42:57,800 --> 00:43:00,599 that your voice would be the thing we want most. 800 00:43:02,559 --> 00:43:07,039 I pray above any success, any notoriety, 801 00:43:08,519 --> 00:43:10,320 any comfort in this life, God. 802 00:43:10,460 --> 00:43:13,380 I pray that we would desperately seek you 803 00:43:13,380 --> 00:43:15,179 and want to know your voice. 804 00:43:16,260 --> 00:43:19,260 That when you speak, God, we would move immediately, 805 00:43:19,519 --> 00:43:22,579 like that cloud by day traveling, Lord. 806 00:43:22,679 --> 00:43:25,059 I pray that the slightest movement 807 00:43:25,059 --> 00:43:26,860 of your presence and your spirit 808 00:43:26,860 --> 00:43:29,119 would just draw us in, God. 809 00:43:30,260 --> 00:43:34,099 Our conversations, our relationships, our choices, God, 810 00:43:34,239 --> 00:43:35,940 I pray that they would be in line with you. 811 00:43:36,360 --> 00:43:38,079 And when you're moving, Lord, we're moving, 812 00:43:38,239 --> 00:43:39,559 and when you wait, we wait. 813 00:43:40,599 --> 00:43:41,579 And we just love you. 814 00:43:41,760 --> 00:43:44,719 We lift you up, God, and you are holy. 815 00:43:45,800 --> 00:43:46,360 You're amazing. 816 00:43:46,539 --> 00:43:50,320 You're beautiful, God, and we love you so much. 817 00:43:50,559 --> 00:43:51,659 We thank you for your presence. 818 00:43:51,900 --> 00:43:53,380 We thank you for your Holy Spirit. 819 00:43:53,380 --> 00:43:55,099 We thank you for Jesus. 820 00:43:57,199 --> 00:43:58,760 In Jesus' holy name, amen. 821 00:44:04,120 --> 00:44:07,019 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church 822 00:44:07,019 --> 00:44:09,539 as we praise God and discuss His Word. 823 00:44:10,239 --> 00:44:13,280 Don't forget to join us for Worship Live Sunday mornings 824 00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:15,699 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 825 00:44:16,679 --> 00:44:18,780 Be blessed and have a great day! 826 00:44:24,200 --> 00:44:28,360 God bless!