THE VEIL IS GONE, COME ON IN…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (This is a two part lesson.)
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
AN OLD SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER USED TO TELL ME: IF YOU FORGET YOURSELF FOR OTHERS, OTHERS WILL NEVER FORGET YOU…
HONEY, I MET GOD IN MY GIVING…
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38 (MSG) Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
I once read a story about a BAKER that the Lord had really blessed his business. He was so thankful for God’s blessings on his family. One day as the Preacher was delivering his lesson the man felt touch by God’s word that he decided he would do something for the poor families in his church. The BAKER talked to the Pastor and said he would bake 20 extra loaves of bread a day. He asked the Pastor to pick 20 needed, poor families to come by the bakery every morning. Each family was allotted one loaf of free bread a day. The families would send a child by the bakery and pick up their loaf of bread.
The rich baker so enjoyed watching the children come to pick up the bread. After a few days the BAKER was watching and the kids would push and shove each other to get the bread. Some were almost mean to the others grabbing the biggest loaf of bread they could see. NO ONE SAID THANK YOU, except this one little girl dressed in rags. She would wait to be the last one and she always got the SMALLEST LOAF. But she never FORGOT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BAKER. The little girl would always KISS THE BAKER’S HAND and Say THANK YOU, SIR.
The baker was amazed every day the pushing and shoving of the 19 kids, grabbing the largest loaf they could see and then running home. One day the BAKER asked the beautiful little girl what her name was. She told him her name was GRETCHEN. Gretchen’s father was killed in the coal mines and her mother made a living washing other people’s clothes and cleaning houses. The whole family pitched in and helped the mother. Gretchen told the BAKER how much they loved and appreciated what he was doing to help the church’s poor families.
One evening the BAKER was praying and he felt the need to pray for Gretchen’s family. He drove by the shack where the family lived and was really burdened for them. Daily, as he made the bread he prayed for the 20 families. But seems Gretchen’s family lay heavy in his heart. Every time Gretchen KISSED HIS HAND AND SAID THANK YOU the baker was broken for them.
Gretchen always got the smallest loaf. ONE MORNING GRETCHEN GOT HOME AND HER FAMILY PRAYED AND BLESSED THE BAKER AND THE LORD FOR THE BREAD AND THE KINDNESS OF THE BAKER. When the mom finished praying they broke the bread and was eating the bread they found a large sum of money in the little loaf. There was 30 pieces of silver in the little loaf.
The mother immediately sent Gretchen running to the BAKER and she said: MR. BAKER, THERE HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE MISTAKE, SOME HOW MONEY WAS IN OUR LOAF OF BREAD, A LOT OF MONEY. You must have dropped money in the dough? The baker explained to Gretchen: HONEY, IT IS NOT A MISTAKE, I PURPOSEDLY PLACE THE SILVER IN THE SMALLEST LOAF. THE MONEY IS YOUR REWARD FOR THE KISS AND THE THANK YOU SHARE EVERY MORNING. The Baker went on to tell Gretchen: I TELL MY WIFE EVERY DAY A LITTLE ANGEL KISSES ME FOR GIVING TO THE LORD…
COME INTO THE INNER COURT...
WE HAVE A STANDING INVITATION INTO THE THRONE ROOM OF THE MOST HIGH GOD.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
Few ever ACCEPT THE INVITATION or learn the BEAUTY OF REAL WORSHIP… We must learn the real secret to HOPE, JOY and PEACE is found in HEART FELT WORSHIP and coming into the PRESENCE OF A HOLY GOD. We need a daily personal relationship.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
SEEMS THE GOOD OLE BOYS WERE WEAK IN THE AREA OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER… THE WOULD SLEEP THROUGH WORSHIP TIME?
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
HEAVY WITH SLEEP? WAKE UP, LET US BULD THREE CHURCHES … ONE FOR JESUS, ONE FOR MOSES, AND ONE FOR ELIJAH --- WHEN THEY WERE AWAKE? SLEEPERS THROUGH WORSHIP CAN’T BUILD ANYTHING?
Luke 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
THERE ARE TWO COURTS OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
THE OUTTER COURT --- The people’s area.
THE INNER COURT --- The visitation port to the heart of God.
PEOPLE COULD COME INTO THE OUTTER COURT, ONLY PRIEST COULD GO INTO THE HOLY PLACE.
IN THE HOLY PLACE PRIEST WOULD CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES, PUTTING OFF THE DIRTY AND DRESS IN CLEAN GARMENTS.
WHEN THE PRIEST OPENED THE OUTTER COURT DOORS SINGING AND PRAISING STARTED…
Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The men of God would take off their shoes and lay prostrate before the altar. They would begin giving glory to God…
Remember Moses was told: TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES, YOU ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND.
1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The priest then shared with people the praise and worship
THE OUTTER COURT HAS TO DO WITH THE EXTERNAL… This gate of the complex faced the north and he had an exit to the court yard…
Ezekiel 40:20 And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.
The OUTTER COURT was SHOWSMANSHIP, more for men’s eyes and the applause of man. Priest got good in the external part of worship.
Priest got so very good with the external rituals --- THEY BECAME POLISHED and PERFECT at their task.
They could really sharpen and clean their tools. They used their personalities and skills to cut the flesh of the offerings. They became EXPERTS AT CEREMONIES AND RITUALS.
The outter court was a big area and roomy.
MEN DISPLAYED THEIR TALENTS --- IT IS THE FLESH/MAN… WITH EXTERNAL WASHING…
IT IS A SAD DAY IN THE CHURCH WHEN WE COUNT ON FAMILY, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO DO THE WORK OF GOD… SCEVA’S 7 SONS LEARNED ABOUT THE OUTTER COURT EXPERIENCE…
Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
THE INNER COURT WAS CALLED THE HOLY OF HOLIES… THERE WAS A FOOT THICK VEIL THAT SEPERATED THE HOLY OF HOLIEST FROM THE OUTTER COURT. THE INNER COURT SPEAKS MORE OF INTERNALS TRAITS. It was SMALL and LIMITED space…
The inner courter HAS MORE TO DO WITH PERSONAL ATTITUDES, THANKSGIVING, HOLINESS --- THE SPIRIT AND HEART OF GOD… your PERSONAL, PRAYER….
Ezekiel 40:23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.
Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 44:27 And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD. 28 And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF REAL WORSHIP.
LOVE THE LORD
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
THE INNER COURT SPEAKS OF TOTAL SURRENDER OF HEART, SOUL AND MIGHT…
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
RISE ABOVE EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS…
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
CLEANSE THE TEMPLE… WATER OVER ALTAR MEANT OFFERING ACCEPTED…
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
THE HOLY OF HOLIES
INNER COURT THE WAS A PROCESS OF WASHING BOTH FEET AND HANDS
The priest then shared with people the praise and worship.
WHEN THE HIGH PRIEST LEFT THE HOLY OF HOLIES HE WOULD STAND ON TOP OF THE 8 STEPS AND FACE THE CROWD IN THE OUTTER COURT… THE OTHER PRIEST WOULD COME AND STAND WITH THE HIGH PRIEST HE WOULD BLESS THE PEOPLE --- THEN ALL THE PRIEST AND ALL THE PEOPLE WOULD LAY PROSTRATE AND WORSHIP GOD…
THE NEW TESTAMENT EXTENDS A NEW INVITATION FOR ALL TO COME BOLDLY INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES…
THE VEIL IS GONE…
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
WE HAVE AN INVITATION TO KNOW THE HEART OF THE FATHER.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
GOD’S ANOINTING BREAKS THE YOKE…
Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
CONCLUSION: WHILE WE WERE AT THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM OUR GUIDE TOLD US ABOUT THE HOLY OF HOLIES AND HOW THE PEOPLE IN THE OUTTER COURT KNEW THEIR OFFERING WAS ACCEPTED BY GOD. All through the day the priest and people were doing their duties. Near sun down, the priest in charge of the altar would carry water and wash the altar from bottom to top. When the people saw clear water running over the back of the altar they knew their offerings were accepted. He went on to explain something from the cross… The mean Roman soldier took his spear and slabbed Jesus body… NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS…
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
When the water ran down Jesus’ body every Jewish person understood, the sacrifice is finished and it has been accepted. Jesus helps us to understand the invitation behind the veil, all people can come boldly before the throne of God.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson.
Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
