INVESTING IN PEOPLE... ONCE AND FOR ALL
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
WHAT WAS THE BEST THING IN HEAVEN?
GOD INVESTED HIS BEST IN SIN LOST PEOPLE...
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
ONE OF THE SADDEST VERSE OF THE BIBLE: NO ROOM
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
WHEN YOUR BEST IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH --- ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH?
IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY SIN OF ANY NATURE IS A SERIOUS MATTER,
WE ARE NOT TO PALLIATE OR MAKE LIGHT OF SIN...
Forgiveness of sin must be accompanied by true repentance and confession.
Then godly sorrow comes and quickens the spirit of man to QUIT the sin and to
CHANGE...
Human repentance could never completely satisfy God's righteousness.
Thus we need offerings that could PROVIDE A COVERING for sin.
Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you
bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the
herd, and of the flock. 3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a
male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. 4 And he shall put his hand upon the
head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
The one who offered his offering laid his hands upon the head of the offered
animal:
TO EMPHASIZE THE SUBSTITUTE NATURE AND ASPECT OF HIS OFFERING.
The animal is being offered FOR THE PERSON ---
SO LAYING THEIR HANDS ON THE OFFERING FOCUSED THEIR AWARENESS
THAT THIS ANIMAL WAS DYING FOR THE SINS OF MAN.
These offerings were an attempt to RESTORE THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIP
of fallen man to:
1. BUILD BRIDGES TO GOD AND FELLOWMAN...
2. TO TEAR DOWN THE WALLS THAT WILLFUL SIN CREATED...
NOW, IF MAN WILLINGLY SUBMITTED HIS OFFERING BEFORE THE ALTAR
OF GOD... THIS WOULD COVER HIS SIN FROM YEAR TO YEAR...
THE BLOOD WAS SPRINKLE AROUND THE ALTAR TO MAKE ATONEMENT...
BLOOD WAS APPLIED TO:
1. THE RIGHT EAR
2. THE RIGHT THUMB
3. THE RIGHT GREAT TOE...
THERE WAS ALLOWED GRAIN OFFERINGS --- OLIVE OIL...
THE REQUIREMENTS WAS TO BE OF THE FIRST FRUIT...
FOR THE ATONEMENT OF SIN MAN HAD TO OFFER HIS BEST...
Leviticus 2:12 As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD:
but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.
NO CRIPPLE, NO BLIND, NO BLEMISHS --- IF GRAIN THE FIRST FRUITS...
WHAT WAS THE BIG DIFFERENCE IN CAIN AND ABEL?
Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of
the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his
flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
IF THE FAMILY WAS POOR AND COULD NOT AFFORD THE OFFERING THAT WAS
DEMANDED --- TWO BROTHERS OR TWO FRIENDS GO SPLIT THE COST...
AND GOD TOGETHER...
WE GIVE BY OUR ABILITY...
Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send
relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
THE VERY POOR PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO MAKE AN OFFERING OF
SMALL BIRDS...
In Hebrew we find two words for THE BIRD OFFERING:
TURTLE DOVE --- a peaceful, gentle habited bird... TURTUR***
THE PIGEON or SPARROW, HEBREW --- TISIPPOR ***
a small family of grain eating birds...
These small birds were SOLD for A FARTHING
FIVE OF THEM WAS SOLD FOR 2 FARTHINGS...
FARTHING WAS A SMALL COIN, A TENTH OF A DENARIUS...
A DENARIUS WAS EQUAL TO A DAYS WAGES FOR A COMMON WORKER...
A FARTHING --- IS A HALF PENNY BY OUR STANDARD...
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall
on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
EVERY FIRST MALE CHILD WAS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LORD...
Numbers 18:15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the
LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man
shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM THAT ON THE EIGHT DAY THAT
EVERY MALE CHILD WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE LORD...
SO ABRAHAM PRESENTED HIS SON (ISAAC) BEFORE THE LORD ON THE
EIGHT DAY ... AS COMMANDED (Gen. 17:12 and Gen. 21:4)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,
A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN THAT MINISTERED UNTO THE LORD THAT STOOD ON
A PROMISE... SIMEON MET THE ONCE AND FOR ALL... SIMEON GOT TO HOLD
THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER...
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the
same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost
was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not
see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the
temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom
of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine
eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for
the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
ANNA THE PROPHETTESS INVEST HER ALL IN THE ONCE AND FOR ALL...
ANNA SAW GOD'S BEST...
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
GOD INVESTED HIS BEST IN YOU...
THE GIFT OF BABY JESUS BECAME THE ONCE AND FOR ALL SACRIFICE...
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:10 (NLT) For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body
of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
Hebrews 10:10 (MSG) God's way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all
sacrifice of Jesus.
RICH PEOPLE, SHARED PEOPLE, POOR PEOPLE YOUR MITE WILL TOUCH
IF YOU COME TO JESUS...
Mark 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make
a farthing.
CONCLUSION: WHAT ARE YOU INVESTING IN PEOPLE?
COULD YOU INVEST MORE? DO YOU CARE?
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
