The key we are talking about today is being planted in God’s
house. Today we discussed what God wants
the church to be. Hebrews 7 is where we
started. This letter addressed the Jews
who had become Christians and were going back to their foundation on the law as
the way to salvation. Genesis 14
recounts the original story of Melchizedek.
Along with a blessing Melchizedek brings bread and wine. Part of the tradition of the temple after
Abram was eating and getting food in the house.
The wine was a reminder of the blood covenant. The priest (Jesus is the priest now) blessed
the people. Part of the role of the
church is to speak blessing and remind people that they are equipped to run
their race and have the covenant to protect them. Abram then gave him a tenth. If the church is doing what it is supposed to
do, then its people are operating in blessing and thus feel compelled to offer
something to God.
Numbers 6 tells the story of building the tabernacle. There are also instructions about how the
priests should bless the people. This is
the main purpose of the church. Back in
Hebrews 5, Jesus knew who He was
because God said so. That should be the
same with us. Jesus is told He was a
priest, despite note being a Levite (Melchizedek was not a Levite either). Continuing from verse 7, we see that Christ
suffered so that we could be delivered.
It does not mean we do not suffer, but it does mean that God will
deliver us from it, and that the suffering is not inflicted by God, but removed
by Him. Verse 11 reminds us the God uses
us despite the junk in our lives. Living
by grace takes time, prayer, and practice.
We need the church to help us.
Continuing into Hebrews 6, it seems to say that if we get a hold of
righteousness, we can do far more than we could imagine (raising the dead is
elementary?). Grace qualifies us to do
powerful things for God. What builds God’s house and draws people in is
power.
To listen to the entire sermon go to http://ahwatukeechurch.com/ and click on
online media. To learn more about Living
Word Ahwatukee, visit http://ahwatukeechurch.com/
