1 00:00:14,079 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,399 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,660 --> 00:00:27,000 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,500 --> 00:00:43,060 So we are in numbers 32. That's okay. You're you come in when you need to. 5 00:00:47,299 --> 00:00:51,880 I am going to give a condensed outline as I usually do. 6 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:57,880 And I'm not going to elaborate on it a lot, but it'll kind of set the stage where we want to be. 7 00:00:58,579 --> 00:01:07,780 So the first part of numbers 32 deals with the request of land east of the Jordan. 8 00:01:08,780 --> 00:01:17,760 And if you aren't familiar with that land, the Promised Land of Canaan was located on the west of Jordan. 9 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:23,000 So they wanted to have an exception that we don't want to go to the west. 10 00:01:23,540 --> 00:01:28,560 We want to go to the east and we want to settle there and we'll talk about what that means. 11 00:01:29,439 --> 00:01:37,700 So who did that? Reuben and Gad asked to settle on the east side of Gilead of the Jordan 12 00:01:37,700 --> 00:01:44,599 because it suited their livestock requirements. So that was a special request. 13 00:01:46,320 --> 00:01:48,799 So we'll take note of that. 14 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,560 Moses warned them against discouragement. 15 00:01:53,579 --> 00:01:56,540 He fears that their request might weaken Israel. 16 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,359 What happened before then? Remember what happened? 17 00:01:59,959 --> 00:02:04,739 There was Baal worship. There was unbelief. 18 00:02:04,959 --> 00:02:07,680 There was insurrection in the camp. 19 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:15,900 The tribe Simeon rebelled and he was concerned about their well-being as a nation. 20 00:02:16,500 --> 00:02:18,659 Because remember what we have been talking about? 21 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,460 He has now formed the nation. 22 00:02:22,180 --> 00:02:27,740 When we went through Exodus, we talked about nation building. 23 00:02:28,580 --> 00:02:33,060 Now the nation is built. He has given them the precepts. 24 00:02:33,060 --> 00:02:35,479 He's given them the tabernacle outline. 25 00:02:35,479 --> 00:02:41,300 They are doing the offerings. The priests are officiating and everything is functioning. 26 00:02:41,979 --> 00:02:47,159 The dilemma is now we have this special request and he, Moses, was concerned 27 00:02:47,159 --> 00:02:54,219 about the rebellion that might subsequently be in the midst of the people. 28 00:02:55,099 --> 00:03:00,319 So they promised, after much conversation, to fight with Israel. 29 00:03:00,319 --> 00:03:04,500 In other words, for what? For conquering the battle 30 00:03:04,500 --> 00:03:10,639 and conquering the nations that were in the land to take that land for Israel. 31 00:03:11,259 --> 00:03:16,759 And so they pledged to help conquer Canaan before settling permanently. 32 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:19,259 Is this too loud? 33 00:03:23,679 --> 00:03:28,719 Oh, that's not me. Maybe it is. 34 00:03:28,719 --> 00:03:31,340 Okay, we'll get out. All right. 35 00:03:32,219 --> 00:03:33,340 Is that your first slide? 36 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:35,120 No. 37 00:03:36,699 --> 00:03:37,520 How is it now? 38 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:41,580 Oh, now? 39 00:03:45,879 --> 00:03:50,039 Ah, let's see. We'll get in. Let's get in the format down here. 40 00:04:01,580 --> 00:04:04,840 I don't think it's me. It's not coming from me. 41 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,419 I'll deny that. 42 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:10,580 All right. 43 00:04:17,060 --> 00:04:21,060 Well, it's still there. Well, we'll let Justin worry about that. 44 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,459 All right. Now we're going on and off, but I guess that's okay. 45 00:04:32,399 --> 00:04:35,459 All right. So he fears. 46 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,680 All right. So we're moving around here. 47 00:04:41,740 --> 00:04:44,519 Is that you, George? Now we're okay? 48 00:04:45,420 --> 00:04:47,600 All right. Okay. Very good. 49 00:04:48,139 --> 00:04:51,540 So they promised to fight. They said, okay, we'll fight for Israel. 50 00:04:51,899 --> 00:04:55,480 And they pledged to help conquer Canaan before settling permanently. 51 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:59,759 So there was this request and we'll put that out there on the shelf. 52 00:04:59,879 --> 00:05:03,740 We'll come back to that. There was conditional approval given 53 00:05:03,740 --> 00:05:09,459 and accountability was given to them for what they were going to be doing. 54 00:05:10,019 --> 00:05:14,259 So Moses agrees that if they fulfill their military obligation, 55 00:05:14,439 --> 00:05:20,600 he will give them that land or give them the exception that they had wanted. 56 00:05:21,579 --> 00:05:26,199 And the warning was that if there was unkept promises, 57 00:05:26,339 --> 00:05:28,579 they would bring consequence. 58 00:05:29,620 --> 00:05:31,759 So there was this big concern. 59 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:39,199 So again, the agreement was confirmed and the land was assigned in verses 25 through 42. 60 00:05:39,740 --> 00:05:45,480 So Reuben Gad and now half the tribe of Manasseh received land 61 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:48,060 after their commitment to fight in Canaan. 62 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:52,279 Now you'll notice something. There were two tribes that requested it. 63 00:05:52,779 --> 00:05:57,300 Now there is three included in that and we'll talk about that in a bit. 64 00:05:58,399 --> 00:06:02,319 So out of all this, let me ask the question. 65 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:08,220 While God's holiness, which is again, moral purity, okay, 66 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:13,959 we've discussed that and truth, which is the faithfulness to his word 67 00:06:13,959 --> 00:06:20,560 are the absolutes that we have to have when it comes to Christendom. 68 00:06:20,860 --> 00:06:25,480 What else have we studied that cannot be compromised? 69 00:06:26,620 --> 00:06:30,100 Remember the nation and their resistance to form. 70 00:06:30,879 --> 00:06:34,980 And we dealt with a lot of things, but there was two specific things 71 00:06:34,980 --> 00:06:39,939 that came about that were consequential in resisting 72 00:06:39,939 --> 00:06:46,600 and applying God's word as they were nation building and now as they are a nation. 73 00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:51,060 Do you have any idea what they may be? What was it? 74 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:58,540 Well, I gave a little bit away in the sense that they were rebellious. 75 00:06:59,540 --> 00:07:08,680 They had their own ideas about worshiping both Baal and Moloch and Cray and God. 76 00:07:10,620 --> 00:07:17,920 So there was an issue of obedience on the part of the nation 77 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:24,019 and also the lack of unity, which God wants. 78 00:07:24,019 --> 00:07:28,420 Think about this. If we didn't have unity in our church, 79 00:07:28,620 --> 00:07:31,379 there wouldn't be the church that we have. 80 00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:37,819 Unity is something that he desires. All men should dwell together. 81 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,779 So there were these two things that were obvious. 82 00:07:42,060 --> 00:07:46,519 Unity, defining again, a covenant life as we have, 83 00:07:46,519 --> 00:07:54,100 and then obedience, which is always again reveals who really follows God's commands. 84 00:07:55,740 --> 00:07:57,639 Isn't that interesting? Obedience. 85 00:07:58,459 --> 00:08:04,240 Their individual preferences, their rebellion, their Baal worship 86 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:09,899 were things that God was dealing with as he planned this nation. 87 00:08:10,459 --> 00:08:14,180 And remember what he said about all this in Exodus 32.9. 88 00:08:14,180 --> 00:08:17,439 They were stiff-necked and rebellious people. 89 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,459 He was disgusted with it. What did he want to do? He wanted to kill them all. 90 00:08:22,839 --> 00:08:25,060 And what did Moses do? He interceded for them. 91 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,879 So we have this dilemma. We've come through this. 92 00:08:30,180 --> 00:08:33,840 Here we are as a nation, and we're still dealing with a lot of these things. 93 00:08:34,100 --> 00:08:35,539 So now let's make some observations. 94 00:08:36,779 --> 00:08:40,559 Only Reuben and Gad ask for land east of the Jordan. 95 00:08:41,139 --> 00:08:44,460 Okay, we know that you gave us this, Lord, but we want this. 96 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:49,779 Is that what we should be saying to God? 97 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:54,480 When God says something, I'm going to give you so-and-so-and-so. 98 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:56,940 But yeah, I don't really want that. I want this. 99 00:08:57,940 --> 00:08:58,879 So that's one thing. 100 00:08:59,460 --> 00:09:01,799 Now here, in these verses, 101 00:09:02,740 --> 00:09:05,779 Moses gives Reuben and Gad the land east of the Jordan 102 00:09:05,779 --> 00:09:09,460 and includes the half tribe of Manasseh. 103 00:09:09,460 --> 00:09:13,259 Why? Why does it not say it in the beginning? 104 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:15,679 Well, we're going to come back to that why. 105 00:09:15,919 --> 00:09:17,659 But first, let's do a little background. 106 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:22,779 First, why this odd request from Reuben and Gad? 107 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:29,600 All right, because they had an unusually large quantity of livestock. 108 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,299 I mean thousands and thousands and thousands of livestock. 109 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:38,259 And all 12 tribes practiced mixed agriculture, 110 00:09:38,259 --> 00:09:43,419 but Reuben and Gad specialized heavily in livestock, 111 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,960 which made the trans-Jordan, or trans meaning both sides, 112 00:09:48,340 --> 00:09:52,019 the pasture land that was especially attractive to them. 113 00:09:52,620 --> 00:09:55,799 The land east of the Jordan was ideal pasture. 114 00:09:57,659 --> 00:10:00,820 It wasn't ideal for cropland, so they wanted that. 115 00:10:01,100 --> 00:10:02,240 And there's nothing wrong with that. 116 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:06,720 Okay, let's talk about some of the other tribes as a background 117 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:08,159 as we set this thing up. 118 00:10:08,659 --> 00:10:11,559 Their primary emphasis are things like this, 119 00:10:11,639 --> 00:10:13,059 and I'll just give some examples. 120 00:10:13,740 --> 00:10:18,220 Zebulon, they were traders and they were men of commerce. 121 00:10:18,860 --> 00:10:20,080 They settled by the shore. 122 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:22,059 They provided safe harbors. 123 00:10:23,740 --> 00:10:26,039 Ithaca, they raised vineyards. 124 00:10:26,259 --> 00:10:27,779 They were great winemakers. 125 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:31,940 Ashar, olive groves, they had olive groves. 126 00:10:31,940 --> 00:10:37,620 They knew they could take the husbandry requirements of olives and grow it. 127 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,500 And Ephraim and Manasseh, they needed fertile valleys for their flocks 128 00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:44,379 and the military strength of Manasseh. 129 00:10:44,700 --> 00:10:48,639 So there was different things that they all did. 130 00:10:49,299 --> 00:10:51,080 Levi, they didn't have any inheritance. 131 00:10:51,259 --> 00:10:54,559 They were primarily occupied with their priestly ministry. 132 00:10:55,519 --> 00:10:57,179 And again, here we are. 133 00:10:57,179 --> 00:11:03,620 Basically, they were mixed farmers as things were developed. 134 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:07,320 Families typically owned, just like subsistence living, 135 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:08,879 if you've ever seen how people live. 136 00:11:09,299 --> 00:11:12,360 Some sheep for the wool, some goats for the milk, 137 00:11:12,500 --> 00:11:15,019 some cattle for the meat, and so forth and so on. 138 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:16,980 They had these particular things. 139 00:11:17,700 --> 00:11:23,860 But not like the massive herds described of Reuben and Gad in Numbers 32. 140 00:11:23,860 --> 00:11:28,620 It says, very great multitude of cattle. 141 00:11:29,860 --> 00:11:35,600 So why was Manasseh included in the final land grab? 142 00:11:36,539 --> 00:11:39,799 Well, Manasseh appeared only after Reuben and Gad 143 00:11:39,799 --> 00:11:42,179 accepted Moses' conditions of war. 144 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:45,919 Then he included Manasseh with this. 145 00:11:46,059 --> 00:11:47,460 I wonder why he did that. 146 00:11:47,759 --> 00:11:48,720 Well, let's find out. 147 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:53,159 Israel proceeds the conquest. 148 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,899 The killing of the people, the taking of the cities, 149 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,960 the plunder, everything begins to happen and roll forward, 150 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,899 and certain Manasseh clans actively took territory by force 151 00:12:06,899 --> 00:12:10,000 to do what God wanted them to do. 152 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:12,620 It says in verse 39, 153 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:16,720 that the sons of Mehar, the son of Manasseh, 154 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,480 went to Gilad and captured it. 155 00:12:19,580 --> 00:12:25,759 In other words, that small tribe underneath the leadership of Manasseh 156 00:12:25,759 --> 00:12:27,679 actually went and conquered the city. 157 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:34,159 Why this distinction is important? 158 00:12:34,500 --> 00:12:37,340 It's the heart of Numbers 32. 159 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:39,940 So let me develop this for you. 160 00:12:40,620 --> 00:12:43,360 So here's Reuben and Gad, and here's Manasseh. 161 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:47,500 So we learned already that they had asked this request. 162 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,279 There was self-interest asking for favor 163 00:12:51,279 --> 00:12:56,320 even before the fighting and the conquering were set out. 164 00:12:56,899 --> 00:12:58,299 Yeah, but you know we want this. 165 00:12:59,960 --> 00:13:02,500 And yet Manasseh over here, they didn't ask for favor. 166 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:04,840 They simply fought for the sake of Israel 167 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,620 because God told them to conquer the land. 168 00:13:08,539 --> 00:13:10,600 So you begin to see the difference. 169 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:12,179 Now let's take it one step further. 170 00:13:12,179 --> 00:13:17,519 They negotiated with Moses. 171 00:13:19,039 --> 00:13:22,379 Conditionally, or he wouldn't have been afraid 172 00:13:22,379 --> 00:13:23,559 that they were going to separate. 173 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,080 So there was some concerns, there was some friction. 174 00:13:27,639 --> 00:13:31,240 But Moses being skeptical made them promise to fight first 175 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,860 before they inhabited the land. 176 00:13:34,399 --> 00:13:37,559 You will conquer what God said for us to conquer. 177 00:13:38,019 --> 00:13:39,980 You will join forces with us. 178 00:13:39,980 --> 00:13:42,440 We started as 12, we'll stay as 12. 179 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,200 And then Manasseh demonstrated participation 180 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,039 without any request or favor. 181 00:13:48,779 --> 00:13:51,320 And they were faithful to the obedience of God. 182 00:13:51,899 --> 00:13:52,799 It's just like us. 183 00:13:54,139 --> 00:13:55,879 How many have ever bargained with God? 184 00:13:58,319 --> 00:14:01,279 Yeah, okay, couple hands on that one. 185 00:14:01,860 --> 00:14:02,899 It doesn't work very well. 186 00:14:03,539 --> 00:14:05,259 Another thing, personal gain. 187 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,720 Think about this, the protection of their families 188 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,580 in the east away from the war zone. 189 00:14:12,419 --> 00:14:14,039 They weren't involved in the war. 190 00:14:15,519 --> 00:14:16,820 They weren't in the midst. 191 00:14:16,940 --> 00:14:18,879 Their families were safe on the other side. 192 00:14:21,379 --> 00:14:24,240 And then the property enrichment. 193 00:14:24,860 --> 00:14:27,759 They saw something that advantaged them. 194 00:14:27,919 --> 00:14:31,419 Not that it was wrong, but what they did was, 195 00:14:31,519 --> 00:14:33,559 again, not typical. 196 00:14:34,399 --> 00:14:36,600 They were motivated, the Manasseh tribe 197 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:39,600 were motivated by obedience and action 198 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:41,279 for the good of Israel. 199 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:47,480 And then lastly, they risked division and disunity 200 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:50,139 by virtue of even asking the question 201 00:14:50,139 --> 00:14:52,299 because of their personal interests, 202 00:14:52,620 --> 00:14:55,220 put about the interests of Israel. 203 00:14:56,379 --> 00:14:59,059 So there's now a distinct carriage 204 00:14:59,059 --> 00:15:02,440 that's going on here between that which is obedience 205 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:07,399 and that which is, again, the desire for certain things. 206 00:15:08,039 --> 00:15:10,399 And again, Manasseh, they stabilized unity 207 00:15:10,399 --> 00:15:12,820 and strengthened the war campaign 208 00:15:12,820 --> 00:15:14,779 because of their presence and obedience. 209 00:15:15,379 --> 00:15:18,919 So you begin to see the contrast of these three tribes. 210 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,799 Now let's take a look at what we have here. 211 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:27,620 Here's the settlement that was finally put into motion. 212 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,539 The Jordan River, you can see it down on the map down there. 213 00:15:33,060 --> 00:15:36,059 Manasseh is on both sides, so let me outline it for you. 214 00:15:36,220 --> 00:15:37,720 That's how big Manasseh was. 215 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:39,600 It was on the east of the Jordan 216 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,220 and it was on the west of the Jordan. 217 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:45,600 Now, question. 218 00:15:45,980 --> 00:15:49,000 Why did the tribe Manasseh live on both sides of the Jordan? 219 00:15:51,759 --> 00:15:52,899 What do you think about that? 220 00:15:53,159 --> 00:15:54,139 Well, why did they do that? 221 00:15:54,259 --> 00:15:55,720 Why didn't they just live on one side? 222 00:15:57,460 --> 00:15:57,980 All right. 223 00:15:58,600 --> 00:15:59,740 We'll give you some answers. 224 00:15:59,740 --> 00:16:01,539 Unlike Reuben and Gad, 225 00:16:02,159 --> 00:16:05,460 Manasseh did not initially request land east of the Jordan. 226 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,679 The half tribe of Manasseh earned it through conquest. 227 00:16:09,759 --> 00:16:12,840 They captured territory from Og, the king of Basham. 228 00:16:13,679 --> 00:16:15,139 So they were doing God's will. 229 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:18,039 They captured it and as a reward, they were given the land. 230 00:16:18,820 --> 00:16:21,840 So Manasseh became increased, the word says, 231 00:16:22,159 --> 00:16:25,200 and the militarily they were strong 232 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:30,139 and they helped again manage the population of the land 233 00:16:30,139 --> 00:16:33,799 and they split their tribe into two. 234 00:16:34,899 --> 00:16:39,220 And again, if you remember why they needed the extra land 235 00:16:39,220 --> 00:16:41,860 was for the livestock. 236 00:16:42,519 --> 00:16:43,679 Now, this is not uncommon. 237 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:46,100 Remember in Genesis 13.6, 238 00:16:46,580 --> 00:16:49,019 that Abraham and Lot separated 239 00:16:49,019 --> 00:16:51,840 because the land could not support their large herds. 240 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,980 So they had a service. 241 00:16:55,659 --> 00:16:57,940 They broke bread and they separated. 242 00:16:59,559 --> 00:16:59,860 Okay. 243 00:17:00,460 --> 00:17:03,120 So both halves of Manasseh fought together 244 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,480 in the conquest of Canaan without any request for land. 245 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:10,259 They shared covenant loyalty in spite of the geography 246 00:17:10,259 --> 00:17:13,019 and these were the results of their actions. 247 00:17:13,519 --> 00:17:15,420 Having Manasseh on both sides, 248 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:17,380 and you can see how big that is, 249 00:17:17,900 --> 00:17:20,299 it strengthened Israel's eastern frontier. 250 00:17:21,299 --> 00:17:25,519 It maintained national unity between the trans-Jordan area 251 00:17:25,519 --> 00:17:28,220 east and west of the Jordan 252 00:17:28,220 --> 00:17:30,880 and the Canaan proper 253 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,940 that they were going to be conquering or did conquer. 254 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:37,220 Because of their maintaining unity and obedience, 255 00:17:37,619 --> 00:17:43,480 they were increased in number, it says, by numbers 26, 34. 256 00:17:44,660 --> 00:17:47,859 Now, let me contrast this to some other tribe. 257 00:17:47,859 --> 00:17:51,220 So now we're getting down to where we're going to live. 258 00:17:52,019 --> 00:17:53,920 There are certain things that had to be done. 259 00:17:54,539 --> 00:17:57,619 There's obedience that was expressed by some tribes 260 00:17:57,619 --> 00:18:00,119 and some tribes wanted more than others. 261 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,099 So now let's take a look at some tribes that developed 262 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:08,339 and yet there were others that decreased in number. 263 00:18:10,039 --> 00:18:11,079 I wonder why that happened. 264 00:18:11,299 --> 00:18:13,279 The tribe of Simeon is an example. 265 00:18:13,799 --> 00:18:16,200 Now we're in the land, we're possessing the land, 266 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:18,619 but here we have a dilemma. 267 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:22,980 Why did the tribe Simeon live within the borders of Judah? 268 00:18:23,180 --> 00:18:25,319 And if you notice down there, let me take this back. 269 00:18:25,660 --> 00:18:30,799 You see Judah and you see Judah surrounding Simeon. 270 00:18:33,019 --> 00:18:34,640 Well, let me give you some background. 271 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:39,119 Looking at Sinai census and then the Numbers census, 272 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:40,839 we can see some patterns. 273 00:18:41,839 --> 00:18:46,579 We can see that they dropped from 59,000 down to 22,000. 274 00:18:47,339 --> 00:18:48,880 They didn't increase in number. 275 00:18:50,099 --> 00:18:53,279 God didn't bless them, they just went about their way. 276 00:18:54,719 --> 00:18:57,220 Eventually Simeon was consumed 277 00:18:58,819 --> 00:19:01,339 and assimilated into the tribe of Judah. 278 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,700 Never having any judges, kings, or priests come from them. 279 00:19:06,700 --> 00:19:15,000 And I think that's a mistake. 280 00:19:16,819 --> 00:19:22,220 I think it's, I don't remember what book that is. 281 00:19:22,259 --> 00:19:23,519 I just saw that as a typo. 282 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:26,559 But in 1990, and I'll get that for you before we finish, 283 00:19:27,039 --> 00:19:29,180 the inheritance of the people of Simeon 284 00:19:29,180 --> 00:19:31,720 formed part of the territory of Judah. 285 00:19:32,460 --> 00:19:33,539 And it's what's interesting, 286 00:19:33,539 --> 00:19:37,099 Moses did not mention them in his final blessing of Israel. 287 00:19:37,660 --> 00:19:43,039 So their influence was waning, not increasing as Manasseh. 288 00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:44,960 Now, why do you think that? 289 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:48,180 Why did they fail as a tribe? 290 00:19:51,859 --> 00:19:51,940 Gail? 291 00:19:52,599 --> 00:19:55,039 Because they didn't want to be part of Israel anymore, really. 292 00:19:55,220 --> 00:19:56,880 They wanted to look after their own interests. 293 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,220 And unlike Manasseh, who was willing to fight with Israel 294 00:20:01,220 --> 00:20:04,279 to maintain their position within Israel, 295 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:08,079 the community of Israel, Simeon was not. 296 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:11,200 All right, and what else? 297 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:12,799 Take that one step further. 298 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:20,039 What happened when they started to divide out 299 00:20:20,039 --> 00:20:23,880 and begin to want to worship other Gods? 300 00:20:26,140 --> 00:20:27,420 They lost God's favor. 301 00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:28,819 Who was that? 302 00:20:28,819 --> 00:20:30,920 Well, we'll give you a name. 303 00:20:35,259 --> 00:20:38,420 Their fall follows the Baal-Peor judgment. 304 00:20:38,740 --> 00:20:40,960 Do you remember that whole thing that we went through? 305 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,440 And that's where we had a division 306 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,359 where some people wanted to worship, others didn't, 307 00:20:48,460 --> 00:20:50,880 they got in trouble, God came down and judged, 308 00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:53,519 and there was repentance on some people's hearts. 309 00:20:54,740 --> 00:20:57,640 There was disobedience, sexual immorality, 310 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:01,460 and idolatry with Moab eventually collapses the entire tribe, 311 00:21:02,519 --> 00:21:03,960 and they lost their identity. 312 00:21:05,740 --> 00:21:10,079 Zimri was a tribal leader who sinned openly 313 00:21:10,079 --> 00:21:13,859 and defied God, unlike Levi, the tribal Levi, 314 00:21:14,220 --> 00:21:17,740 who humbled themselves and repented of their actions. 315 00:21:18,339 --> 00:21:20,039 And God's long suffering, we know that. 316 00:21:20,579 --> 00:21:21,519 But they didn't repent. 317 00:21:21,819 --> 00:21:25,339 Nowhere in scripture could I find that they ever repented. 318 00:21:25,339 --> 00:21:30,079 The leadership level rebellion invites tribal judgment 319 00:21:30,079 --> 00:21:35,160 and there is no recorded repentance in the Bible of that tribe. 320 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:41,900 Now, one passion, caution, one passion is not governed by repentance. 321 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,599 Unity and obedience suffer. 322 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:50,980 God's judges, righteously, God preserves the body, 323 00:21:50,980 --> 00:21:56,920 just like today, by removing influences rather than removing belonging, 324 00:21:57,240 --> 00:21:59,339 meaning the oneness of that body. 325 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,220 So let's develop that theme a little bit. 326 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:09,380 So how does God preserve unity yet deal with disobedience? 327 00:22:11,259 --> 00:22:12,119 How does He do that? 328 00:22:13,380 --> 00:22:14,700 I mean, you can say, oh, you can get mad. 329 00:22:14,839 --> 00:22:16,460 Okay, get out of my house, don't come back. 330 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:18,019 That's not God. 331 00:22:19,019 --> 00:22:20,299 He's long suffering. 332 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:24,720 It could be a rhetorical question. 333 00:22:25,779 --> 00:22:28,000 Were you moving your hand or were you going to answer the question? 334 00:22:28,779 --> 00:22:31,519 I was going to answer, but it seems like the answer is right there already. 335 00:22:32,660 --> 00:22:33,140 Okay. 336 00:22:34,779 --> 00:22:39,200 All right, He values our covenant, our belonging, one another, 337 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:44,440 but will not allow destructive influences to destroy His body of the church. 338 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:50,519 You remember that Christ came and ministered first to the Jewish people, 339 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:56,420 and then when He died in Acts, He blessed the entire gathering 340 00:22:56,420 --> 00:23:01,339 and He unfolded the Jewish privilege into universal acceptance, 341 00:23:01,980 --> 00:23:06,420 and He gave them tongues of fire, and He established a coenia, 342 00:23:06,740 --> 00:23:10,440 a church that would declare God's message. 343 00:23:10,859 --> 00:23:13,700 That church lives today in you and me. 344 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:14,980 We are the church. 345 00:23:15,099 --> 00:23:16,400 It's not the four walls. 346 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:21,039 It is the church body of believers. 347 00:23:22,299 --> 00:23:27,900 So we look at that, and we say, okay, God deals with people in the church, 348 00:23:28,279 --> 00:23:30,480 but how do you maintain the unity in church life? 349 00:23:30,599 --> 00:23:34,019 He restrains before He removes. 350 00:23:34,900 --> 00:23:36,880 The goal is not to destroy the church, 351 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,700 because the church has to be the vehicle that God wants. 352 00:23:42,940 --> 00:23:45,480 God could do miraculous things, 353 00:23:46,039 --> 00:23:51,259 but He has chosen to use the church to declare His goodness to the world. 354 00:23:52,039 --> 00:23:52,940 There's no other way. 355 00:23:53,099 --> 00:23:56,039 He's bound by that, just like He was bound by the covenant, 356 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:57,859 and they were bound by the covenant. 357 00:23:57,940 --> 00:24:00,240 He's bound by the covenant that He made with us. 358 00:24:01,039 --> 00:24:02,859 So we are the church. 359 00:24:03,059 --> 00:24:03,960 We are the witness. 360 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:10,440 We are the declares, like the tribes of Israel should have been. 361 00:24:11,980 --> 00:24:17,140 So what He does, He, again, comes and He warns. 362 00:24:18,319 --> 00:24:24,099 He disciplines and He limits people and their reach, so to speak, 363 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:27,539 or their authority before ever removing them completely. 364 00:24:27,839 --> 00:24:31,059 In other words, He just eases them out of the influence of the church. 365 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:34,539 By removing people too quickly, 366 00:24:35,039 --> 00:24:38,039 and I've experienced this in my pastoral life, 367 00:24:38,339 --> 00:24:43,380 it would be to shatter unity and to create fear in people's hearts 368 00:24:43,380 --> 00:24:45,980 and turn discipline into rejection. 369 00:24:46,539 --> 00:24:49,059 That's why He moves ever so slowly. 370 00:24:49,660 --> 00:24:51,640 You ever come across things in your life and say, 371 00:24:51,980 --> 00:24:53,339 God, I need answers now. 372 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:55,880 And He moves slowly and slowly and slowly, 373 00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,559 and finally things get answered years later. 374 00:24:58,559 --> 00:25:00,039 Oh, my Lord, thank you. 375 00:25:01,220 --> 00:25:02,900 It's finally come about. 376 00:25:05,460 --> 00:25:07,279 So we don't want to shatter that. 377 00:25:07,859 --> 00:25:10,039 God instead protects the body. 378 00:25:10,539 --> 00:25:13,779 He limits damage, and He leaves room for repentance. 379 00:25:14,519 --> 00:25:17,700 That's what He looks for in the hearts of people that are rebellious. 380 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,700 He just doesn't excommunicate them. 381 00:25:21,859 --> 00:25:23,940 And then the example, here's our example. 382 00:25:23,940 --> 00:25:28,220 Saul remained king in title for a time. 383 00:25:29,220 --> 00:25:30,099 And boy, I tell you what, 384 00:25:30,180 --> 00:25:33,940 he gave David one run for his money over the years, 385 00:25:34,059 --> 00:25:34,940 and he was still king. 386 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,279 God removed his spirit, empowering influence, it says, 387 00:25:40,380 --> 00:25:42,460 in 1 Samuel 16, 14. 388 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,759 He was king in name only, 389 00:25:45,079 --> 00:25:50,759 but the anointing that he walked in was not there. 390 00:25:50,759 --> 00:25:54,779 It was flesh, and God then finally removed him. 391 00:25:56,180 --> 00:25:57,359 So here we are. 392 00:25:58,420 --> 00:26:01,220 Let's then take some of these things forward, 393 00:26:01,740 --> 00:26:05,640 and let us then compare the tribal roles 394 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:09,000 that we've been talking about to 1 Corinthians 12. 395 00:26:09,660 --> 00:26:12,279 Well, let's first offset what we're going to talk about. 396 00:26:12,799 --> 00:26:16,119 God's design for Israel was no accident. 397 00:26:16,740 --> 00:26:18,000 We talked about that. 398 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,440 And Israel's response and action to that, 399 00:26:21,539 --> 00:26:23,259 as we know, was up and down and around. 400 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:26,240 And then God's design for the church 401 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:33,259 by way of comparison to the body of believers, 402 00:26:33,420 --> 00:26:38,380 which were the Israelites back in when Israel was a large nation. 403 00:26:39,039 --> 00:26:41,480 And then the connection or response of us. 404 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:45,000 Well, first of all, the tribes have different talents. 405 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:46,839 And we learned that. 406 00:26:47,220 --> 00:26:49,099 Some were agricultural, some were fishermen, 407 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:50,339 some were tradesmen. 408 00:26:51,279 --> 00:26:56,140 Again, some with trade routes, others needed fertile valleys, 409 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:00,759 pasture lands, priestly duties, all different. 410 00:27:01,579 --> 00:27:05,359 And then God's plan was to unify that uniqueness. 411 00:27:07,279 --> 00:27:12,599 And we can say out of that many members but one people. 412 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:14,700 That's what Israel was. 413 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:17,599 Now let's transfer that over to what Paul talks about. 414 00:27:18,599 --> 00:27:21,839 God distributes his gifts today to each one of you. 415 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:23,839 You have gifts that God gave you. 416 00:27:24,420 --> 00:27:27,559 There are human inclinations that God develops. 417 00:27:28,579 --> 00:27:32,240 There are also giftings that you don't necessarily know 418 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:36,119 that you have that God develops through you or maybe even want. 419 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,119 So he distributes these gifts. 420 00:27:40,599 --> 00:27:43,680 We as humans do not choose what those gifts are. 421 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:48,059 In 1 Corinthians 12, 4 it says there are different kinds 422 00:27:48,059 --> 00:27:51,140 of gifts but the same spirit. 423 00:27:52,079 --> 00:27:53,079 So there we are. 424 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:55,000 What do we have? 425 00:27:55,259 --> 00:27:57,019 Old Testament, New Testament, the reflection. 426 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:00,079 God values unity through diversity. 427 00:28:00,660 --> 00:28:04,680 We are all baptized into one spirit into one body. 428 00:28:05,559 --> 00:28:09,400 Just like God was asking Israel to be. 429 00:28:09,660 --> 00:28:10,779 One people. 430 00:28:11,220 --> 00:28:12,500 One nation. 431 00:28:13,319 --> 00:28:15,779 Okay, let's go a little bit further. 432 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:19,680 So Reuben and Gad's strength required them to serve longer 433 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:22,720 than they wanted to and not withdraw sooner. 434 00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:26,700 And their participation was really needed. 435 00:28:28,779 --> 00:28:33,640 So the action or response was that though they were settled 436 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,099 in different places, Israel pursued common purposes. 437 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:40,720 Moses kept the common purpose or goal. 438 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:43,619 East and west of the Jordan belonged to them. 439 00:28:44,700 --> 00:28:48,380 And now in the New Testament, the church side of life, 440 00:28:48,900 --> 00:28:51,160 gifts are given by the spirit as it wills. 441 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:56,900 In 1 Corinthians 12, 11 and 26, those parts of the body 442 00:28:56,900 --> 00:29:00,019 that seem to be weaker are indispensable. 443 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,200 And then our connection or action is when one member 444 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:06,180 is honored, all rejoice. 445 00:29:06,799 --> 00:29:09,099 No member can say I don't need you. 446 00:29:09,099 --> 00:29:11,420 All gifts exist for the common good. 447 00:29:11,940 --> 00:29:12,900 And that's so common. 448 00:29:14,299 --> 00:29:16,980 I mean, the Israelites couldn't say that I don't need you. 449 00:29:17,220 --> 00:29:17,880 Well, they did. 450 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:22,259 But when it came down to it, they needed all the tribes 451 00:29:22,259 --> 00:29:24,400 to do the conquering, to do God's will. 452 00:29:24,940 --> 00:29:28,660 That was the perpetual difficulty that we had with them. 453 00:29:29,140 --> 00:29:31,039 So for the common good, that's us. 454 00:29:32,140 --> 00:29:33,519 All right, let's go one step further. 455 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:35,579 Calling and responsibility. 456 00:29:36,779 --> 00:29:41,960 Strength demands service to protect, to support, and to lead. 457 00:29:42,940 --> 00:29:44,279 So he would call them. 458 00:29:44,900 --> 00:29:46,059 He strengthened them. 459 00:29:46,480 --> 00:29:48,920 They were to serve, they were to support, 460 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:52,039 and they were to conquer the land and lead the nation forward. 461 00:29:52,700 --> 00:29:54,099 And what was Israel's action? 462 00:29:54,900 --> 00:29:57,740 Strength in one area brings obligation, not privilege. 463 00:29:58,299 --> 00:30:01,660 There is no position in the church today 464 00:30:02,660 --> 00:30:06,099 where you are called to showcase yourself. 465 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:09,880 It is the Lord working through you 466 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:11,660 to accomplish his goals. 467 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:18,859 Spiritual gifts are entrusted for service, not status. 468 00:30:19,339 --> 00:30:22,039 All roles are equally required. 469 00:30:23,079 --> 00:30:25,880 Those things that are seen, pulpit ministries, 470 00:30:26,099 --> 00:30:29,099 public ministries, those things that are not seen. 471 00:30:29,099 --> 00:30:33,759 The IT department, what George does in the back room up there, 472 00:30:34,059 --> 00:30:35,119 it's still important. 473 00:30:36,460 --> 00:30:40,720 And then God has appointed in the church those gifts 474 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:44,900 and we are responsible in stewarding our calling, 475 00:30:45,279 --> 00:30:47,900 not somebody else's calling, and say, 476 00:30:47,980 --> 00:30:49,420 gee, I wish I had that gift. 477 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:54,180 Find out what your gifts are and develop your gifts 478 00:30:54,180 --> 00:30:58,039 because your talent, your abilities 479 00:30:58,820 --> 00:31:01,299 are formulated before we were ever born. 480 00:31:02,500 --> 00:31:05,779 And as you come to Christ and you give yourself to him, 481 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:08,900 he gives you additional gifts to develop. 482 00:31:09,359 --> 00:31:10,359 For what? His glory. 483 00:31:10,819 --> 00:31:12,240 Not showcasing, but for him. 484 00:31:12,779 --> 00:31:13,640 For the use of what? 485 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:15,559 For the body in general. 486 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:17,859 For the declaration of his kingdom. 487 00:31:18,940 --> 00:31:21,400 And then the last one, disunity, 488 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:24,259 as we saw in Baal Peor or the judgment, 489 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:27,339 they chose not to follow God's design. 490 00:31:30,620 --> 00:31:33,660 Disunity leads to loss of function. 491 00:31:35,839 --> 00:31:36,700 Think about that. 492 00:31:37,220 --> 00:31:40,960 If you don't function, you create disunity, 493 00:31:41,420 --> 00:31:45,680 there will be consequences as the example in Simeon. 494 00:31:45,759 --> 00:31:49,380 Your influence will be less and less and less. 495 00:31:49,380 --> 00:31:53,480 And the final result was that Moses didn't even bless Simeon 496 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:54,980 before he died. 497 00:31:56,059 --> 00:32:01,700 God arranged the body that every member would have, 498 00:32:01,799 --> 00:32:02,759 no division. 499 00:32:03,579 --> 00:32:07,400 And disunity, again, emerges when members stop 500 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:09,259 valuing one another's place. 501 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:12,759 Well, I want your place because you have a better ministry 502 00:32:12,759 --> 00:32:13,519 than I do. 503 00:32:13,519 --> 00:32:18,259 You know, I see you see where that comes from. 504 00:32:19,960 --> 00:32:23,359 All right, let's connect some of these things together now. 505 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:25,700 We've been busy people. 506 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:29,039 And so we covered a lot of territory tonight. 507 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:32,900 Now, Paul applies a principle that we see one people, 508 00:32:33,740 --> 00:32:34,619 many roles. 509 00:32:35,500 --> 00:32:37,460 We see that in body ministry. 510 00:32:38,220 --> 00:32:41,200 God forms one unified people, 511 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:45,920 yet within that unity he assigns diverse roles, 512 00:32:46,539 --> 00:32:48,019 functions, and callings. 513 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:52,039 Only you can do what you can do for the sake of the body. 514 00:32:52,539 --> 00:32:54,279 When you don't fulfill your calling, 515 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:55,400 the body suffers. 516 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:58,940 And God, like Simeon, he'll replace you 517 00:32:58,940 --> 00:33:00,619 if you don't utilize the gifts 518 00:33:01,200 --> 00:33:03,220 because he wants his body to flourish. 519 00:33:04,980 --> 00:33:07,099 Unity does not mean sameness 520 00:33:07,099 --> 00:33:10,400 because, Lord knows, we are all different here. 521 00:33:11,900 --> 00:33:16,220 God's design is oneness with diversity, not uniformity. 522 00:33:16,839 --> 00:33:18,920 Ephesians 4, 4, and 6 tells us, 523 00:33:18,940 --> 00:33:21,420 there is one body, one spirit, one Lord, 524 00:33:21,619 --> 00:33:23,299 one faith, and one baptism. 525 00:33:24,319 --> 00:33:25,799 In Galatians 3, 28, 526 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:27,400 there is neither Jew nor Greek, 527 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,019 for you are all one in Christ. 528 00:33:31,619 --> 00:33:34,619 So the truth of that is that God does not have 529 00:33:34,619 --> 00:33:35,900 fragmented people. 530 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:43,099 He has one covenant people centered around himself. 531 00:33:46,540 --> 00:33:50,339 Ethical, social, cultural distinctions 532 00:33:50,339 --> 00:33:53,140 do not divide God's people. 533 00:33:53,660 --> 00:33:55,359 Isn't it wonderful that we can sit in a room 534 00:33:55,359 --> 00:33:57,579 and have a common denominator with us all? 535 00:33:57,799 --> 00:33:58,759 That's Christ Jesus. 536 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:00,539 And as long as we keep him center, 537 00:34:00,539 --> 00:34:05,599 those results or those differences will melt away. 538 00:34:06,559 --> 00:34:07,799 So we have many roles. 539 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:10,280 We have different functions within the same body. 540 00:34:11,079 --> 00:34:14,019 He intentionally gives each one of us different roles 541 00:34:14,019 --> 00:34:16,159 so that the whole community can flourish. 542 00:34:17,380 --> 00:34:20,300 And again, I was talking to Gail before the service. 543 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:23,500 We had a leadership dinner here Saturday night, 544 00:34:23,500 --> 00:34:25,860 and it was just such a blessing 545 00:34:25,860 --> 00:34:28,579 to see all the ministries represented 546 00:34:28,579 --> 00:34:31,300 and how they gave and who they are 547 00:34:31,300 --> 00:34:32,639 and how they ministered. 548 00:34:32,980 --> 00:34:34,239 How many people were there, Gail? 549 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:39,019 Yeah, 40, 50 people. 550 00:34:39,340 --> 00:34:40,639 You know, you wouldn't think that. 551 00:34:40,780 --> 00:34:43,980 Okay, you maybe think of George back there 552 00:34:43,980 --> 00:34:46,079 and Chris preaching, 553 00:34:46,199 --> 00:34:48,579 but there are so many faceted things. 554 00:34:49,159 --> 00:34:51,659 And the overlap was so wonderful 555 00:34:51,659 --> 00:34:53,719 that many people, like Gail said, 556 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:55,019 she has her fingers in everything. 557 00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:59,639 So I mean, you know, you can appreciate the fact 558 00:34:59,639 --> 00:35:04,280 that multiple functions create body life. 559 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:07,460 If we didn't have people contributing and doing, 560 00:35:07,780 --> 00:35:09,639 we wouldn't have what we have, 561 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:12,280 the luxury of being part of that being one. 562 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:14,900 And it was so blessed just to hear the names, 563 00:35:15,380 --> 00:35:17,219 see the people, connect faces, 564 00:35:17,559 --> 00:35:20,699 and do that as Chris introduced them 565 00:35:20,699 --> 00:35:23,440 and talked about each group 566 00:35:23,440 --> 00:35:25,099 and what they do just a little bit. 567 00:35:26,199 --> 00:35:30,199 So in Romans 12, 4, and 6, 568 00:35:30,460 --> 00:35:35,139 just as each of us has one body 569 00:35:35,139 --> 00:35:37,699 with many members, okay, 570 00:35:38,039 --> 00:35:40,039 two arms, two legs, hair. 571 00:35:40,719 --> 00:35:42,099 Well, I don't have too much of that. 572 00:35:42,619 --> 00:35:43,679 We have different gifts 573 00:35:43,679 --> 00:35:46,340 according to the grace given to each of us. 574 00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:48,739 The truth of that is basically this. 575 00:35:48,980 --> 00:35:52,260 Different callings exist not to compete, 576 00:35:53,260 --> 00:35:55,940 and that's what was so beautiful about that meeting Saturday 577 00:35:55,940 --> 00:35:57,440 that there wasn't any competition. 578 00:35:58,559 --> 00:36:01,420 But we were to serve the same mission. 579 00:36:01,539 --> 00:36:02,340 What is the mission? 580 00:36:02,599 --> 00:36:04,820 The Declaration of the Kingdom of God to Earth. 581 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:06,179 That's the mission. 582 00:36:07,539 --> 00:36:09,280 And you want to be a part of that. 583 00:36:10,199 --> 00:36:12,800 You don't want to sit in the pew and just receive. 584 00:36:13,780 --> 00:36:16,159 You want to participate in anything. 585 00:36:17,619 --> 00:36:20,480 To begin to see the body be strengthened 586 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:23,119 because of your ministry to the body. 587 00:36:24,300 --> 00:36:27,280 Unity without hierarchy or inferiority. 588 00:36:27,760 --> 00:36:31,500 God never ranks people by value, only by function. 589 00:36:32,559 --> 00:36:34,780 And 1 Corinthians 12, 25 says, 590 00:36:35,139 --> 00:36:38,219 so that there should be no division in the body, 591 00:36:38,519 --> 00:36:43,460 but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 592 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:45,380 All right. 593 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:48,380 The truth of that is that there's no role 594 00:36:48,380 --> 00:36:51,559 that is unnecessary and no calling that is superior. 595 00:36:52,019 --> 00:36:53,800 All are essential. 596 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:56,519 You are essential to the body. 597 00:36:57,719 --> 00:37:00,619 So let's develop a few more themes here. 598 00:37:01,659 --> 00:37:04,800 The New Testament pattern in 1 Corinthians says this, 599 00:37:04,900 --> 00:37:07,239 now you are the body of Christ, 600 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:09,519 and each one of you is a part of it. 601 00:37:10,019 --> 00:37:13,039 The truth is that God always has worked through people 602 00:37:13,039 --> 00:37:14,519 with diverse assignments. 603 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:16,320 That's body life. 604 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:18,760 Now we can have differences of opinion. 605 00:37:20,260 --> 00:37:22,659 We can think that the Lord's going to come tomorrow 606 00:37:22,659 --> 00:37:24,800 or we can think that God's going to restore 607 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:27,059 before he comes and visit the earth. 608 00:37:27,260 --> 00:37:28,300 Those are different opinions. 609 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:30,039 We don't know how that all works out, 610 00:37:30,179 --> 00:37:32,159 but we're serving one God, one Master, 611 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:33,079 for the sake of what? 612 00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:35,360 Declaration, for the sake of presence. 613 00:37:35,699 --> 00:37:36,420 Think about this. 614 00:37:37,760 --> 00:37:41,079 The nation Israel, just by virtue of their existence, 615 00:37:41,619 --> 00:37:45,059 put fear in the heart of those that were in the land. 616 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:48,320 What happened to Rahab? 617 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:51,699 She said, we know that you are a mighty nation. 618 00:37:52,519 --> 00:37:55,920 And so she sided with them and hid the people 619 00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:57,760 when they were scouting out the land. 620 00:37:59,619 --> 00:38:04,980 And the kings knew there was an aura of capability 621 00:38:04,980 --> 00:38:09,739 in God's presence as they went forth, just like you. 622 00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:13,800 When you talk with people, when you fellowship with people, 623 00:38:14,619 --> 00:38:21,159 God, there is an aroma quote that follows you as you go. 624 00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:22,579 Do you ever have people come up to you and say, 625 00:38:22,719 --> 00:38:24,619 well, you know, why do you live like this? 626 00:38:25,519 --> 00:38:27,420 You know, you're so different. 627 00:38:28,340 --> 00:38:30,619 Not that they're saying anything bad, but you're different. 628 00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:31,940 What is that? 629 00:38:32,260 --> 00:38:33,699 That's God in your life. 630 00:38:34,300 --> 00:38:36,019 And the more you yield to your gifts, 631 00:38:36,199 --> 00:38:38,719 the more you are in tune with what he wants 632 00:38:39,279 --> 00:38:41,699 as far as the kingdom of God is concerned, 633 00:38:41,699 --> 00:38:46,280 the more you can see fruit in your life just by virtue of being there. 634 00:38:46,780 --> 00:38:49,059 Just saying to somebody, can I pray for you? 635 00:38:49,980 --> 00:38:52,159 Or, you know, when you're in a supermarket, how are you doing? 636 00:38:52,780 --> 00:38:53,900 Well, I'm not doing so good. 637 00:38:53,980 --> 00:38:55,460 Okay, well, can I pray for you? 638 00:38:55,739 --> 00:38:58,900 Okay, that takes guts to do, but that's part of it. 639 00:38:59,199 --> 00:39:00,980 And you may never see that person again. 640 00:39:01,579 --> 00:39:03,360 But the impact of that prayer, 641 00:39:03,840 --> 00:39:05,980 the answered prayer that may come from that, 642 00:39:06,280 --> 00:39:09,260 is something that is impressionable in people's lives. 643 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:12,719 All right. 644 00:39:14,159 --> 00:39:15,380 Christ is the center of unity. 645 00:39:16,019 --> 00:39:19,780 The unity of God's people does not come from agreement on roles. 646 00:39:20,280 --> 00:39:21,860 Okay, Gail, you do this. 647 00:39:22,199 --> 00:39:23,179 Tia, you do this. 648 00:39:23,500 --> 00:39:25,139 And so forth and so on. 649 00:39:26,460 --> 00:39:30,579 The unity of God's people, again, is unique. 650 00:39:31,260 --> 00:39:33,599 And then it comes from submission to Christ. 651 00:39:34,599 --> 00:39:35,860 That's where it all starts. 652 00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:39,239 All right, key scriptures, Colossians 1.18, 653 00:39:39,480 --> 00:39:40,500 he's the head of the body. 654 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:45,079 John 17.21, that all of them would be one. 655 00:39:45,900 --> 00:39:48,059 And truth, that Christ is the center of the authority 656 00:39:48,059 --> 00:39:49,539 and the source of unity. 657 00:39:50,280 --> 00:39:55,300 So God forms one redeemed people, unified in Christ, 658 00:39:55,880 --> 00:39:59,679 assigns many roles so his purposes are fulfilled 659 00:39:59,679 --> 00:40:04,820 through diversity, cooperation, and mutual dependence. 660 00:40:05,340 --> 00:40:06,400 Why do I say that? 661 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:10,599 You can't be all things to all people, nor can I, 662 00:40:10,780 --> 00:40:12,619 but as long as we share our gifts 663 00:40:12,619 --> 00:40:14,380 and the callings that we have, 664 00:40:14,719 --> 00:40:18,300 we unitedly present Christ to people. 665 00:40:18,780 --> 00:40:21,239 I can't take your gifts. You can't take mine. 666 00:40:21,900 --> 00:40:24,719 I can't have it all, nor do I want it all at this age. 667 00:40:25,500 --> 00:40:28,619 So there is a yielding to what God wants. 668 00:40:29,199 --> 00:40:30,780 Unity is our identity. 669 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:33,300 Diversity is our assignment. 670 00:40:34,180 --> 00:40:36,760 Okay, one last slide. 671 00:40:37,099 --> 00:40:37,719 Let's see what time. 672 00:40:37,960 --> 00:40:39,360 Oh, we're 10 up. We're doing good. 673 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:42,960 All right, let's bring this home now. 674 00:40:43,760 --> 00:40:47,780 Israel's experience presents choices to us, 675 00:40:48,480 --> 00:40:50,739 and let's go through their experiences. 676 00:40:53,000 --> 00:40:55,079 Obedience over opinion. 677 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:59,139 Obedience to God's word makes priority 678 00:40:59,139 --> 00:41:03,800 over personal preferences or external or social pressures. 679 00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:06,099 He trumps everything. 680 00:41:07,199 --> 00:41:10,460 Obedience is the call to what he wants. 681 00:41:11,280 --> 00:41:14,500 He doesn't want to have to say to you 15 times, 682 00:41:14,579 --> 00:41:17,380 although he may, I want you to do this. 683 00:41:18,320 --> 00:41:20,739 You want to begin to be yielded enough 684 00:41:20,739 --> 00:41:22,960 where you can begin to hear God's voice, 685 00:41:23,380 --> 00:41:26,000 that still small voice on the inside. 686 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:28,159 It's not verbal words. 687 00:41:28,280 --> 00:41:30,179 Like I preached some longer time ago, 688 00:41:30,219 --> 00:41:33,079 there was only one time that God ever verbally spoke to me, 689 00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:35,159 and that's one time in my life. 690 00:41:35,400 --> 00:41:39,639 What he does, he gives me the inward communication 691 00:41:39,639 --> 00:41:41,659 from him to my spirit. 692 00:41:42,539 --> 00:41:44,360 In Matthew 12, 30, 693 00:41:45,619 --> 00:41:47,820 whoever is not with me is against me. 694 00:41:48,340 --> 00:41:49,860 Deuteronomy 30, 19, 695 00:41:50,039 --> 00:41:52,099 I have set before you life and death, 696 00:41:52,519 --> 00:41:53,860 therefore choose life. 697 00:41:54,960 --> 00:41:58,159 And then the rebellious side of it is this, 698 00:41:58,440 --> 00:42:01,199 fear-driven resistance that results in loss. 699 00:42:01,659 --> 00:42:05,239 We talked about Simeon as an example. 700 00:42:05,539 --> 00:42:06,539 Hebrews 3, 15, 701 00:42:07,239 --> 00:42:10,099 today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 702 00:42:11,199 --> 00:42:13,900 And then Psalm 78, 22, 703 00:42:14,059 --> 00:42:18,559 they did not believe God or trust in his saving power. 704 00:42:19,219 --> 00:42:20,559 Numbers 14, 11, 705 00:42:20,559 --> 00:42:24,699 how long will they refuse to believe in me? 706 00:42:25,219 --> 00:42:26,280 Remember, he cried. 707 00:42:26,980 --> 00:42:27,639 Jesus was here. 708 00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:32,019 What did he do before he had met the opposition 709 00:42:32,019 --> 00:42:33,480 and before he was taken away? 710 00:42:33,739 --> 00:42:35,920 He went out and he cried for Jerusalem 711 00:42:36,559 --> 00:42:38,860 that they didn't understand what it was all about, 712 00:42:38,980 --> 00:42:41,440 and he felt bad because of his declarations 713 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:42,820 and his kingdom message, 714 00:42:43,559 --> 00:42:45,099 and yet they rejected him. 715 00:42:46,039 --> 00:42:47,219 They rejected him. 716 00:42:52,699 --> 00:42:54,940 Okay, let's go to unity versus division. 717 00:42:56,179 --> 00:43:01,699 Unity brings and is maintained when Christ is the foundation. 718 00:43:02,760 --> 00:43:05,139 Now, it can't be people, names. 719 00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:08,199 Well, I go to this ministry, 720 00:43:08,380 --> 00:43:09,579 or Chris is my pastor. 721 00:43:09,780 --> 00:43:10,679 Chris will tell you, you know, 722 00:43:11,059 --> 00:43:12,699 you don't bank on that stuff. 723 00:43:12,820 --> 00:43:13,739 He's just a messenger. 724 00:43:14,280 --> 00:43:16,619 It's Christ is the center, the foundation. 725 00:43:16,619 --> 00:43:20,360 Unity in God is not uniformity. 726 00:43:20,900 --> 00:43:23,380 It always presents diversity of gifts, 727 00:43:23,880 --> 00:43:27,300 binds them together through love, submission to God, 728 00:43:27,860 --> 00:43:31,079 and mutual accountability to one another. 729 00:43:32,460 --> 00:43:34,059 In 1 Corinthians 1, 10, 730 00:43:34,260 --> 00:43:35,539 get along with each other, 731 00:43:36,099 --> 00:43:38,159 don't take sides, it says. 732 00:43:39,019 --> 00:43:42,820 And unity increases when God's will governs our decisions. 733 00:43:42,820 --> 00:43:45,920 The word defines the truth, 734 00:43:46,440 --> 00:43:49,599 and God's glory is the common aim in life. 735 00:43:50,860 --> 00:43:52,420 Now, what does division look like? 736 00:43:53,260 --> 00:43:57,179 Division begins in the heart and the mind of people 737 00:43:57,179 --> 00:43:59,800 and manifests itself in the body. 738 00:44:00,280 --> 00:44:01,519 It all starts here. 739 00:44:02,079 --> 00:44:05,239 Well, I think I should be recognized more than I am. 740 00:44:06,000 --> 00:44:08,460 I think I wish I had that or whatever. 741 00:44:08,460 --> 00:44:12,719 1 Corinthians 12, 25, each part is what? 742 00:44:13,260 --> 00:44:14,880 Is caring for one another. 743 00:44:15,159 --> 00:44:17,820 The focus is not on me, it's on somebody else. 744 00:44:19,460 --> 00:44:24,199 Again, the relational emphasis is discord, 745 00:44:25,179 --> 00:44:26,719 dissension, and strife. 746 00:44:28,380 --> 00:44:30,340 The structural emphasis, then, 747 00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:33,880 is also the separation with chasms in the church. 748 00:44:34,659 --> 00:44:35,980 1 Corinthians 11 says, 749 00:44:35,980 --> 00:44:38,880 I am told that you cannot get along with each other 750 00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:39,519 when you worship. 751 00:44:40,519 --> 00:44:42,639 You are bound to argue with each other. 752 00:44:42,860 --> 00:44:44,719 What a place that must have been. 753 00:44:46,019 --> 00:44:47,500 And then issues of the heart. 754 00:44:47,920 --> 00:44:51,380 Self-interest, fear-driven isolation. 755 00:44:52,500 --> 00:44:54,820 Christians should not, and hear me, 756 00:44:55,280 --> 00:44:58,880 Christians should not disengage from the body of Christ 757 00:44:58,880 --> 00:45:02,519 simply because their feelings or their territory 758 00:45:02,519 --> 00:45:04,840 differs from somebody else. 759 00:45:05,920 --> 00:45:09,219 Mark my words, today's independent nature 760 00:45:09,219 --> 00:45:12,360 in people's unsettled heart 761 00:45:12,360 --> 00:45:15,300 says that they are right no matter what. 762 00:45:15,440 --> 00:45:17,420 And you've ever talked with people, you know this. 763 00:45:17,940 --> 00:45:19,579 You can't even communicate to them. 764 00:45:19,659 --> 00:45:21,260 You say one row and we're going, boom, 765 00:45:21,579 --> 00:45:23,179 boy, this is like venom. 766 00:45:25,300 --> 00:45:28,079 But don't take your marbles and go elsewhere. 767 00:45:29,260 --> 00:45:29,940 Because you know what? 768 00:45:29,940 --> 00:45:33,480 You go to another church, the same issues are there. 769 00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:36,059 And usually the finger comes back to yourself. 770 00:45:36,920 --> 00:45:37,820 What's your heart like? 771 00:45:38,239 --> 00:45:38,880 Who are you? 772 00:45:40,280 --> 00:45:41,679 Can you prefer one another? 773 00:45:42,579 --> 00:45:45,480 Can you live within the gifts and capabilities God gave you? 774 00:45:46,320 --> 00:45:46,659 All right. 775 00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:51,300 So I didn't give you many questions tonight 776 00:45:51,300 --> 00:45:53,219 because I wanted to get through this material. 777 00:45:53,539 --> 00:45:54,639 It was kind of long. 778 00:45:55,840 --> 00:45:59,199 And Christ in the end is the unifying authority. 779 00:45:59,199 --> 00:46:02,699 And God places his people in different callings 780 00:46:02,699 --> 00:46:06,019 yet binds them together with shared covenant responsibility. 781 00:46:06,579 --> 00:46:12,000 And it is as was then one mission, one body, one Lord. 782 00:46:13,079 --> 00:46:16,860 So we can't say enough about what God's doing in the earth today 783 00:46:16,860 --> 00:46:20,500 because he is certainly moving and stirring in the earth. 784 00:46:21,940 --> 00:46:25,139 And thank the Lord that it's just not quiet waters. 785 00:46:26,139 --> 00:46:28,340 Oh, there's differences of opinion. 786 00:46:29,519 --> 00:46:31,079 Heads of state are arguing. 787 00:46:31,699 --> 00:46:32,500 Nations are differing. 788 00:46:33,900 --> 00:46:34,880 Kingdoms are toppling. 789 00:46:35,380 --> 00:46:36,000 But you know what? 790 00:46:36,500 --> 00:46:40,519 That's all ushering in the words that we pray. 791 00:46:41,420 --> 00:46:44,039 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 792 00:46:44,539 --> 00:46:46,480 on earth as it is in heaven. 793 00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:50,219 You can't have a redeemed society on earth 794 00:46:50,219 --> 00:46:53,519 without first getting rid of 795 00:46:53,519 --> 00:46:57,920 that which is the rubble and the destitute lives of people. 796 00:46:58,420 --> 00:47:00,639 Now we hope that they all repent. 797 00:47:01,719 --> 00:47:05,679 And we want to be there and ready to reconcile with them 798 00:47:05,679 --> 00:47:10,400 one to another so that they can see the kingdom of God too. 799 00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:13,539 And if not, God brings judgment. 800 00:47:14,679 --> 00:47:16,679 Father, we thank you for this time together. 801 00:47:17,679 --> 00:47:23,940 Lord, your word is so simple yet so deep 802 00:47:24,679 --> 00:47:29,059 that it takes us our lifetime to understand 803 00:47:29,059 --> 00:47:31,239 some of your principles and your ways. 804 00:47:32,260 --> 00:47:36,099 But thank you that we understand that you stand for truth. 805 00:47:37,679 --> 00:47:42,619 You stand for holiness because you are holy, 806 00:47:42,739 --> 00:47:44,019 because you are truthful. 807 00:47:44,019 --> 00:47:47,860 And that you desire from each one of us in this room 808 00:47:47,860 --> 00:47:53,679 obedience and the desire for maintaining unity 809 00:47:53,679 --> 00:47:57,599 within the body of Christ, where we live, 810 00:47:57,719 --> 00:47:59,599 where we work day by day. 811 00:48:00,139 --> 00:48:01,480 Thank you for this opportunity. 812 00:48:01,800 --> 00:48:03,340 We bless you in Jesus' name. 813 00:48:03,900 --> 00:48:04,159 Amen. 814 00:48:08,639 --> 00:48:11,519 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church 815 00:48:11,519 --> 00:48:14,079 as we praise God and discuss His word. 816 00:48:14,739 --> 00:48:17,800 Don't forget to join us for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 817 00:48:17,800 --> 00:48:20,199 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 818 00:48:21,239 --> 00:48:23,300 Be blessed and have a great day!