1. Welcome back to our worship assembly! Things are being done a little differently, but we’re back. I hope you are happy to be here!
2. Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Honda made a "Musical Road" for a commercial in Lancaster, CA, that played the William Tell Overture when you drove on it. At first, it wasn't too exciting. But as you picked up speed, you could actually hear a song played by the tires hitting the grooves in the road at just the right time, and it put a big smile on your face. But alas, some people complained, and they paved over the grooves. Sometimes, our lives seem mundane with brief moments of happiness that can be stolen by the critics, but a deep inward joy from the Holy Spirit that does not fade comes from the presence of the Lord.
4. There is a connection of joy and the presence of God in our lives.
I. We Know, God Wants Us to Do WHAT He Asks
A. We Have a Tendency to “Pick and Choose”
1. If it feels good, we do it. If it doesn’t, it’s optional
2. Yet deep down, we know what we should be doing.
B. Sacrifices (Korban) Are Intended to Bring Us Near (Karov)
1. “Sacrifice” isn’t always “fun” [Passover Lambs/Cross
2. But it is always necessary
[Have you experienced the joy of sacrificial giving yet? – We can be like the widow with her mites, giving sacrificially or the crowd, giving from abundance. (Mark 12:41-44)
• Paul boasted of the Corinthians’ giving – 2 Corinthians 9:1-2 (stirred Macedonians)
• Not of guilt or compulsion -- 2 Corinthians 9:7 (God loves a cheerful giver)
• Giving (sacrifice) that glorifies God – 2 Corinthians 9:13-14
13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
3. Sacrifice Puts Us into the Presence of God
[12% of OT sacrifices dealt with sin; the rest were about a cookout meal with God -- presence
II. But Do We Know, God Wants Us to Do AS He Asks?
A. God Never Intended His Will to be a Burden – 1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
B. Sometimes We Interfere with Our Service
1. Do what He commands – Leviticus 9:6 6 And Moses said, “This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”
2. Aaron Complies (Leviticus 9:7-12)
3. Nothing Happens – Leviticus 9:22 22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.
4. What was missing?
C. Serve Him with Joy – Psalm 100:1-2
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
1. Aaron lost his joy by golden calf episode – repented but no joy, kept guilt
2. God wants JOY in his service – Deuteronomy 28:45-47 45 “All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you. 46 They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. 47 Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,
3. Renewal in the Tent of Meeting (newly constructed) – Leviticus 9:23a 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting,
a. Altar of incense (composed of 11 spices, including Galbanum bad odor; 10 good)
b. Aaron learned he was part of something bigger than himself (It’s not about Aaron or us)
c. Aaron experienced the grace and joy of God
d. Repentance brings joy – Luke 15:7, 10, 32
4. The Second Blessing produced the glorious presence – Leviticus 9:23b-24 and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
a. Regained joy and perspective
b. Through Moses’ encouragement and instruction
1. We all get a little sad from time to time but if we are mired in sadness, God can’t use us
2. Much like Peter:
a. In his denials he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62) – not usable – went fishing
b. Renewed – John 21:15-19
3. So what do we do to renew our joy?
a. Remember God’s Value on Us – CHOSEN People – 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
b. Repent when necessary
c. Revere the One who redeems us
d. Respond with others – a Moses to encourage; people to serve
[As Aaron needed Moses, You are needed: children; grandchildren; spouse; neighbors on your block or hall
[Jewish birthday custom is to bless others on your birthday, rather than be blessed by others – the reason – they see themselves sent by God to be a blessing to others, not just to be blessed (Genesis 12:1-4)
4. When we renew our joy we are much more likely to see the presence and glory of God!
5. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
