Numbers 28
LORD instructs Moses regarding sacrificesverses 1-2
And the LORD spoke to Moses saying
Command the children of Israel
and say to them
MY offering and MY bread for MY sacrifices made by fire
for a sweet savor to ME
shall you observe to offer to ME in their
due season
Daily offeringsverses 3-8
You shall say to them
This is the offering made by fire which you
shall offer to the LORD
two lambs of the first year without spot day by day
for a continual burnt offering
the one lamb shall you offer in the morning
the other lamb shall you offer at even
A tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering
mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil
It is a continual burnt offering
which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a sweet savor
a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD
The drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin
for the one lamb – in the holy place shall you cause the
strong wine to be poured unto the LORD
for a drink offering
And the other lamb shall you offer at even
as the meat offering of the morning
and as the drink offering thereof
you shall offer it – a sacrifice made by fire
of a sweet savor to the LORD
Sabbath offeringsverses 9-10
And on the Sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot
and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering
mingled with oil – and the drink offering thereof
this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath
beside the continual burnt offering
and his drink offering
Monthly offeringsverses 11-15
And in the beginnings of your months you shall offer
a burnt offering to the LORD
Two young bullocks – and one ram
seven lambs of the first year without spot
three tenth deals of flour for a meat offerings
mingled with oil – for one bullock
and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering
mingled with oil – for one ram
and a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil
for a meat offering unto one lamb
for a burnt offering of a sweet savor
a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD
And their drink offerings shall be
half an hin of wine to a bullock
and the third part of an hin to a ram
and a fourth part of an hin to a lamb
this is the burnt offering of EVERY MONTH
throughout the months of the year
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering to the LORD shall be offered
beside the continual burnt offering – and his drink offering
Passover & Unleavened Bread offeringsverses 16-25
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD
and in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast
seven days shall UNLEAVENED BREAD be eaten
In the first day shall be a holy convocation
you shall do NO MANNER OF SERVILE WORK therein
BUT you shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering
to the LORD – two young bullocks – one ram
seven lambs of the first year
they shall be unto you without blemish
and their meat offering shall be flour mingled with oil
three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock
two tenth deals for a ram
several tenth deal shall you offer for every lamb
throughout the seven lambs
one goat for a sin offering
to make an ATONEMENT for you
You shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning
which is for a continual burnt offering
After this manner you shall offer daily – throughout the seven days
the meat of the sacrifice made by fire
of a sweet savor unto the LORD
it shall be offered beside the continual burnt
offering and his drink offering
And on the seventh day you shall have an holy convocation
you shall do NO SERVILE WORK
Feast of Weeks or Pentecost offeringsverses 26-31
Also in the day of the firstfruits
when you bring a new meat offering to the LORD
after your weeks be out
you shall have a holy convocation
you shall do NO SERVILE WORK
BUT you shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savor
to the LORD two young bullocks – one ram
seven lambs of the first year
And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil
three tenth deals to one bullock
two tenth deals to one ram
several tenth deal to one lamb
throughout the seven lambs – one kid of goats
to make an ATONEMENT for you
You shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering
and his meat offering
(they shall be unto you without blemish)
and their drink offerings
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 Command the children of Israel, and say to them, my offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savor to me, shall you observe to offer to me in their due season. (4150 “due season” [mow’ed] means appointed time, appointed place, appointed meeting, sacred season, set time, designated time, or unit of time)
DEVOTION: The LORD had the calendar year established for the children of Israel. HE wanted them to remember certain events in their history and HE wanted to establish certain celebrations to keep them in proper relationship to HIM.
Each celebration is a reminder of what the LORD is doing for HIS people. They will not only remember the reason for the celebration but it will give them a teaching tool for their children. Each generation will review history with their children to show how great a God they are serving.
We need to do the same with our celebrations. When we remember the past and the different holidays we have we need to instruct our children on how great the LORD has treated us in the present. Our testimony to our children is very important for their future. If our testimony is real they will understand that our worship is real.
Today we have a younger generation who are not staying in church because they think they don’t need it because they lack the truth of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
The book of Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything in our life. “A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time of war and a time of peace.” This is just a couple found in the third chapter for us to think about in our time here on this planet.
What designated time are we in now? It is thought that the time is short for our enemy as the return of the LORD could be coming soon. Are you ready to meet the LORD? We all will meet HIM in the time set by the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Always remember that we are on a schedule and the LORD established it before the foundation of the world.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 And on the Sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof. (6241 “tenth deals of” [‘issarown] means tenth part, tithe, one part in ten equal parts, a measure of dry things; especially of corn and flour; or ten percent of something)
DEVOTION: The LORD continues to give instructions regarding what HE expects from HIS people each Saturday. There was to be no work done on Saturday. All the cooking had to be done before sundown on Friday night and there was to be no cooking until after sundown on Saturday.
During this time period there were to be these special offerings to the LORD each Saturday of the year. To meet the expectations of the LORD the priests there had to be a barnyard full of animals.
Who was to bring these animals? It was to come from the tribes of Israel. There had to be a giving spirit among the people. The people had to bring the animals for sacrifice. It cost them something to worship the LORD each Saturday.
They also came together on special occasion called feasts to honor the LORD. We need to see what was involved in worship in the Old Testament.
Today we worship the LORD and their needs to be a giving spirit in each congregation. If the people don’t bring their tithes and offering to the LORD each Sunday the work of the LORD will not be completed and the LORD will not receive glory from HIS people.
The LORD expects us to give our time and talent to HIM as well. HE expects us to serve HIM with a joyful heart each week. The Israelites were to come with a joyful heart and we need to do the same.
CHALLENGE: Worshiping the LORD should never be chore but a celebration of what HE has done for us in the past as well as what he is doing in the present and will do in the future.
: 16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. (6453 “Passover” [pecach] means festival of Passover, a seven day festival celebrating ‘god’s “passing over” the houses of the Israelites because of the blood of the lamb, which culminated in the people’s exodus from Egypt, the paschal lamb, or festival of the Passover)
DEVOTION: Passover is to be celebrated each year to remind the children of Israel of their deliverance by the LORD from slavery in Egypt. They were in Egypt for over four hundred years. The end of their stay there was one when they cried out to the LORD for deliverance and HE gave it.
Did they appreciate HIS deliverance all the time? NO!! They were complainers. They were rebellious. They were normal people like we have today in our local churches.
Many don’t appreciate the salvation the LORD provided when HE died on the cross to atone for our sins. It is only because of what the LORD has done that we can receive blessings. It is only because of what the LORD has done that we can have times of celebration.
The children of Israel forget this fact and we do at some times as well. God has delivered us from the lake of fire for eternity. We will be spending our eternal state in a place called Heaven.
Are we celebrating with the understanding of what we have ahead of us in the near future? Each year the children of Israel were to instruct their children in the fact that they were slaves but now they are free. There was a time when they owned nothing and now they were going to be in the Promised Land.
When they were obedient they would celebrate but when they were in captivity they would remember that they had failed to obey the LORD. The feasts were to remind the children of Israel of the blessings they have received from the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Our celebrations should do the same for us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 18 IN the first day shall be a holy convocation you shall do no manner of servile work therein. (5656 “servile work” [‘abodah] means service, work, enforced labor or activity directed toward making or doing something, business)
DEVOTION: The LORD wanted one day a week dedicated to worshiping HIM alone. HE didn’t want any work to be done that was normally done during the week. HE wanted to be the center of attention of the children of Israel especially on this day.
During each of the times of worship glory was to be given to the LORD alone. HE wanted them to realize that everything they had was provided from HIM alone. Too often they thought that they were the ones who were doing all the work and they deserved what they had because of their labor. This is true today as well.
We have a tendency to think that everything we earn or have has been because of us. That is not true. Everything that we have or will have comes from God because HE has given us the ability to work. HE is the one who has provided us with the knowledge to do what we do so well. No matter what occupation we have it is a gift from the LORD and we need to honor HIM with a gift as well.
Sunday today is the day that we worship HIM. In the Old Testament they worshiped on Saturday which was their Sabbath. They were supposed to honor the LORD at least once a week with their tithes and offerings. There were special holidays where they were to give extra to the LORD for the purpose of worship.
When we take a break on each Sunday from our normal work week, we should make sure that we spend that day worshiping HIM in spirit and in truth.
CHALLENGE: Are you setting aside one day a week to honor the LORD? Is it genuine heart-felt worship that you are giving to HIM?
: 25 And on the seventh day you shall have an holy convocation; you shall do no servile work. (4744 “convocation” [miqra] means sacred assembly, calling, a calling together, reading or convoking)
DEVOTION: The LORD knew the memories of HIS people. HE established feasts that all the men were required to attend each year. There were three main feasts, as well as, other lesser feasts.
This chapter deals with the sacrifices that were to be offered at these feasts. There were also weekly offering. There were also monthly offerings.
There were special instructions for each of the offerings. These instructions were to be followed correctly or the sacrifices would not be a sweet savor to the LORD.
If they were a sweet savor the LORD could bless them. As they honored HIM, HE would honor them. That is why HE gave instructions regarding a daily sacrifice, monthly sacrifice and regular feast sacrifices. This kept short accounts with HIM and HE would bless them regularly.
Because of the short-term memory of HIS people these became continual reminders of HIS provision for them. These instructions were given in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land. Once in the Promised Land they were to be continual reminders of the LORD’S work in their lives.
We have short-term memory also today. We know that the LORD has blessed us and HE gives us instruction to gather together in sacred assemblies each week to remember the resurrection of HIS son, Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews, we find that there were a group of people who thought they didn’t need to gather together each Sunday. They were wrong. If they wanted the LORD to bless them, they needed to gather. That was not a gathering in the woods or at a football stadium or in their living room watching church on the television. HE wanted them in a building that was dedicated to worshiping HIM in a group. Community was important to the LORD in the Old Testament and it is important to HIM in the New Testament.
HE gives us other occasions to remember HIS blessings on us. We call them holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Throughout the year we are called to remember HIS blessing on us.
Are we honoring HIM with our memories of HIS blessing to us each week? Once the children of Israel stopped remembering HIM, they went into captivity. Is that going to happen to us??? Let’s get together and worship HIM!!!
CHALLENGE: Find a local church that honors the LORD and worship with them on a regular basis. Use your spiritual gift in that local body for the glory of the LORD and HE will bless you.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Daily sacrificesverses 2-8
Two lambs of the first year
Burnt offering
One in morning
One in evening
Tenth part of an ephah of flour
Meat offering
Drink offering
Fourth part of a hin of wine
Sabbath worshipverses 9-10
Two lambs of the first year
Ten deals of flour
Drink offering
1st of each monthly sacrificesverses 11-15
Two young bullocks
One ram
Seven lambs of the first year
Three tenth deals of flour
Half an hin of wine
One kid of goats for a sin offering
Passover 1/14verses 16-25
Seven days
Unleavened bread
First day: no manner of servile work
Burnt offering
Meal offering
Atonement
Drink offering
Seventh day: no manner of servile work
Feast of firstfruitsverses 26-31
New meat offering
Holy convocation
No servile work
Burnt offering
Meat offering
Drink offering
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 3, 6-8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 24, 26, 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Mount Sinaiverse 6
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sin offeringverse 22
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Ordainedverse 6
Atonementverses 22, 29
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mosesverse 1
Children of Israelverse 2
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
11–15 The sacrifices at the beginning of the month were of great proportion. These were times for celebration and the blowing of the trumpets in worship (see 10:10). Whereas two lambs were specified for the daily offerings (and two more on each Sabbath), the animals for the New Moon holocaust sacrifices included two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs. Each animal sacrifice was accompanied with flour, oil, and wine; in addition, a goat also was to be offered as a sin offering. The NIV translates the beginning of v.11 as “On the first of every month.” This is the intent, but the Hebrew phrasing is “in the first of your months.” As the land is the Lord’s gift to his people, so time is his gift to enjoy the land. Each month is a marker of his blessing, a time for special rejoicing. Later in Israel’s history, the New Moon festivals may have become opportunities for excess, for licentious behavior. In the Prophets there are times when God says to his erring people, “I hate your New Moons” (cf. Isa 1:14). There is always a latent danger in the most festive occasions to be forgetful of God’s intention for us to respond to his wonder. Compare contemporary celebrations of Christmas and Thanksgiving, times where few celebrants give much serious thought to God. (Allen, R. B. (1990). Numbers. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 951). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
28:11–15. On the first day of each month the community was to present an enhanced burnt offering in addition to the regular one just described. This must consist of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. With each animal there must be an appropriate grain offering and drink offering. Also the New Moon festival was to include the offering of one male goat … as a sin offering. Earlier the Lord had instructed that the blowing of trumpets be an integral part of the New Moon festivities (10:10). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). Numbers. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 249). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
11–15. The new moon sacrifices. The importance of the new moon festival is shown by the number of extra sacrifices required, as many as at the festivals of unleavened bread and weeks (18–31), and by its frequent mention elsewhere in the Old Testament. It was an opportunity for family worship (1 Sam. 20:5–6; 2 Kgs 4:23) and all trading ceased (Amos 8:5). Like the other Old Testament festivals it prefigured the new age inaugurated by Christ (Col. 2:16–17; cf. Isa. 66:23). Sin offering (15). See Additional note on Old Testament sacrifice (p. 226). (Wenham, G. J. (1981). Numbers: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 224). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
Verses 9–15
The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace. Now we have here the sacrifices appointed, 1. For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning sacrifice, and the other to the evening, v. 9, 10. This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time. In Ezekiel’s temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings (Eze. 46:4, 5), to intimate not only the continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah. This is the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his sabbath, so it is in the original, v. 10. We must do every sabbath day’s work in its day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath’s work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof. 2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things put forth by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in heaven, Ps. 89:37. The offerings in the new moons were very considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them (v. 11, etc.), besides a sin-offering, v. 15. For, when we give glory to God by confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. Some have questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (Amos 8:5), blew the trumpets (ch. 10:10), and went to the prophets to hear the word? 2 Ki. 4:23. And the worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa. 66:23. (Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 229). Peabody: Hendrickson.)
11 ¶ And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
In the beginnings of your months, which though not reckon-among the solemn feasts, Lev. 23, yet were celebrated as such, by the sound of trumpets, Numb. 10:10, by extraordinary sacrifices, by abstinence from servile works, Amos 8:5, and by attendance upon the ministry of God’s word, 2 Kings 4:23. And God ordained it thus, partly that by giving God the first-fruits of every month they should acknowledge him as the Lord of all their time, and own his providence, by which all times and seasons, and all the fruits and blessings of them, and actions done in them, are ordered; and partly that it might be a type of the future renovation of the world by Christ. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 1, p. 324). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
11–15. The new moons were seasons of peculiar solemnity in the Jewish church, and seem to have been held in almost equal veneration with the sabbath. See 2 Kings 4:23. But it hath not pleased the Holy Ghost to give his gospel church so particular an account of the cause of their institution. There can be but little question that they had an eye to Jesus, to whom all ordinances pointed. And by comparing the thing itself with what is said of the solemnity of the worship observed in the season of the new moon, by the prophet Isaiah, a light seems to be thrown upon the subject, as if the ceremonies in them had an eye to the spiritual worship in the church of the Lord Jesus. There it is said, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Jehovah. See Isaiah 66:23. And I venture to observe, upon this passage, that the Hebrew will admit of this translation of it, from new moon to His new moon, and from sabbath to His sabbath: as if Jesus, who is the well known and allowed Lord of the sabbath, was particularly referred to. Matt. 12:8. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Genesis–Numbers (Vol. 1, p. 717). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Ver. 11. And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto the Lord, &c.] On the first day of every month, when the new moon appeared; that this was religiously observed appears from the blowing of the trumpets over the sacrifices on this day, from attendance on the word of the Lord, by his prophets, on this day, and from abstinence from worldly business on it, Numb. 10:10; 2 Kings 4:23; Amos 8:5 two young bullocks, and one ram, seven rams of the first year without spot; this was the burnt-offering, and a very large and costly one it was: more creatures were offered on this day than on a sabbath-day; not that this was a more holy day than that, but this was but once a month, and therefore the expense might be the more easily bore, whereas that was every week. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 844). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The CHURCH in an age of CRISIS by James Emery White
So, Gabler concludes, welcome to the new American Dream. Not where every little girl can have the opportunity to get an education and strive to reach her full potential, limited only by her hard work, persistence, and dedication. No, today it is the birthright of every girl’ to be a rich, beautiful, brilliant, powerful, Ivy League-educated Mistress of the Universe who will live not just the good life but the perfect one.” (p. 73)
Shadowy Things
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
The closing verses of Colossians 2 contain a litany of holidays and regulations that were plaguing the newly formed New Testament church. Essentially, any other regulatory system is not a God-ordained means to evaluate spiritual purity.
Dietary and man-made holidays can be carried out by a total unbeliever and can be easily faked. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
Paul told the Galatians these things were “weak and beggarly elements” that enslaved them to the observations of “days, and months, and times, and years” (Galatians 4:9-10). Even the Old Testament Law was merely a “shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things” (Hebrews 10:1).
Even more dangerous, however, was the worship of natural, “unseen” things that would plunder the Christian of eternal reward (Colossians 2:18). Worshiping angels (messengers) is simply wrong. Worshiping fleshly intellectualism (the rudiments of the world) leads to error. Worshiping asceticism (voluntary humility) is foolish.
These phrases in Colossians are unique to Scripture. The emphasis seems to be on a natural mysticism—using physical or naturalistic imagery to find spiritual meaning. All of the form and imagery of the flesh and the man-made rules and regulations made “after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:22) do not honor God—they merely satisfy the flesh.
The “joints and bands” of the body (church) bring about a godly increase. “Holding the Head” ministers and nourishes the twice-born (Colossians 2:19-23).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
1 Thessalonians 3
Paul is not able to visit Thessalonica so he sends Timothy instead.
INSIGHT
Affliction is part of life. Sometimes circumstances afflict us; sometimes other people afflict us; sometimes we afflict ourselves. In the midst of affliction, we need encouragement. Paul writes that he sent Timothy to visit the Thessalonians “to establish and encourage” them because of their afflictions (vv. 2-3). Paul feared for their spiritual well-being. When we see others in the midst of affliction, we should be quick to encourage them. Rebuke, exhortation, counsel, and instruction all have their time and place, but encouragement is one of the most powerful ministries on earth.
(Quiet Walk)
HOW TO TEST THE SPIRITS
…try the spirits… 1 John 4:1
How is this testing to be done? How are we to know whether certain spirits are true or false?
There are those who claim that the gifts of the Spirit are absolutely essential, and that unless men and women are able to manifest certain gifts of the Spirit, they have not received the Spirit. They say, for example, “You have not received the Holy Spirit unless you are able to speak in tongues or have done this or that.” They refer to a particular gift, and they say that if you have not experienced that, you have not received the Spirit, in spite of the fact that the apostle Paul asks the question, “Do all speak with tongues?”(1 Corinthians 12:30). The whole of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians is designed to show that the gifts are distributed by the Spirit. He may or may not give these gifts, and the manifestation of gifts is not an essential proof of the possession of the Spirit.
But let me go on to particular matters. A very dangerous way of testing or examining the claim to having the Spirit is to judge in terms of phenomena, as in the gift of healing or the particular result of a ministry. These are the tests that are put up. People say, “Surely this man must be right. Haven’t you heard what he has been doing? Haven’t you heard of the cures he is able to bring about? Look at the results he has had.” The test of phenomena, taken alone, is an extremely dangerous one because evil spirits can work miracles; our Lord warned His followers that these spirits would be able to do such marvelous works.
The fact that people are full of fervor does not imply that they have the Holy Spirit. Evil spirits are often very fervent. Great excitement is not a proof of the Spirit; great energy is not a proof of the Spirit; much assurance or confidence is not a proof of the Spirit.
A Thought to Ponder: The test of phenomena, taken alone, is an extremely dangerous one because evil spirits can work miracles.
(From The Love of God, pp. 21-22, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Risen with Christ
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
The twice-born have been raised with Christ and the “new man” is effectively positioned with Christ in glory. We have been made alive “together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5) and in the eternal reality of our Creator, who “made us sit together in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6).
Thus, the command to seek the “above” realities is not merely a theological idea but rather a profound order to embrace the reality of our new empowerment to walk with Christ in a new life (Romans 6:4). Indeed, we have been newly created by the Creator in “righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Therefore, since we are God’s workmanship, it is not possible that God could create His children for any other purpose than “good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
Obviously, our Lord knows that we are still in “earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). That is precisely why He promised to provide all of our earthly needs if we would but “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33)—including our necessary “patient continuance in well doing” (Romans 2:7). Remember, “God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
The environment of the world constantly opposes the reality of “above.” Even the wisdom of above seems counterintuitive; it is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Yet we are still expected to seek to live like we are above because “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Reesearch)
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