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Home Email About Us Services Articles Bulletin From God's Word Area Events Announcements Calendar Prayer Requests Plan of Salvation Audio Sermon Library Photographs	"I Will" October 19, 2003 "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man, And He laid His right hand upon me saying, 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last'"(Rev. 1:17). Attitudes toward God have changed. In our time it is common for people to adopt a casual attitude toward God. Often missing is the reverence that characterized other times. True, we can have a closeness with God. We may even approach him boldly (Hebrews 14-16). At the same time, we must understand that God is never just another "buddy." John was given a vision of one "like a son of man." With eyes like fire and "like white wool, white as snow," this man had a voice that was like the sound of many waters. His face was "like the sun shining in its strength." What was John's reaction? He fell at this man's feet as a dead man. He realized that he was standing in the presence of the Son of God. This reaction is typical of those who stood in the presence of God. Isaiah could only think of his own sinfulness. Daniel completely lost all strength. Standing in the presence of God is an awesome experience. It is one that invokes the deepest sense of reverence. We need to remember that God is God. Reverence for Him must always characterize our worship. We do not come before some supernatural buddy. We bow humbly before the God of the universe. [Doug Post]
	Historical Context (part 1) By Doug Post In our Sunday morning Bible class we have been studying the Holy Spirit from the view of those living during Bible times. The Historical Context is a very important element in Bible study. We are removed by close to 2 thousand years from the time when the New Testament was written. That being the case, it is extremely important that we ascertain the historical context in which a given book was written. The purpose is to ensure that we understand the text of scripture in the same way as the original readers. A passage cannot now mean (to us) what it never meant (to them). This is pertinent to the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, especially the question of an indwelling. 1. The New Testament documents came into being miraculously (by means of inspiration and revelation). 2. The New Testament documents were confirmed miraculously (by signs). 3. The original readers were witnesses and possibly participants in the working of miracles. 4. In the context of a miraculous age, the original readers would have likely understood everything written in the New Testament about the Holy Spirit as being miraculous. 5. It is highly unlikely that the concept of "a hibernating/dormant non-miraculous, personal, literal indwelling Holy Spirit" would have even made sense to them. 6. Therefore, we must be careful not to use any verse of Scripture in a way that does not fit its original historical context and its original readers' understanding. The Holy Spirit miraculously gave us the Word and He continues to influence us through that Word.
	Willing Hearted Moses had been up on the mountain for 40 days. God had given him the 10 commandments on tables of stone again. God also gave him the pattern for building the tabernacle. God had told him how to make it. He had told him what materials were needed to make it. Moses then gathers the people of Israel together and tells them what materials were needed (Exodus 35). He tells them that whoever is of a willing heart should bring what is needed. In verse 21, it says that "everyone whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing" brought the materials needed. In verse 22, we read, "as many as were willing hearted" offered the necessary items. We read in verse 29, that the children of Israel brought " a willing offering." The people in fact brought so much that later in chapter 36 Moses had to tell the people to quit bringing things. They had brought more than enough to build the tabernacle. In the New Testament we are told to have a willing heart as well. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Romans 12:8 tells us to give liberally. Do you give to God? Or do you keep everything you have and refuse to offer anything to God? When time comes on Sunday to give to God, do you get upset that you are to give some of your money? Do you try to keep hold of it? Even after giving it, do you wish you had not given it? God desires us to give back to Him some of what He gives us. All that the Israelites had to give to God for the building of the tabernacle had been given to them by the Egyptians. God had blessed the Israelites by putting the Egyptians in the frame of mind to give them great wealth. God blesses us with many things. Just as the Israelites gave willingly, we should give willingly. Just as they gave great amounts, we should give liberally.