• preparation of a tent
• the author of Hebrews was unable to speak of the details
• priests perform ritual duties
• high priest priest enters second section, Most Holy Place
• must have blood
• for his sins
• unintentional sins of other people
• the Holy Spirit communicates through this ceremony “the way into the holy places is not yet opened whiles the first section is still standing”
• gifts and sacrifices offered
• unable to perfect the conscience of the worship
• only deal with food,drink, and washings imposed on the body until the holy place is open

New Covenant:

• Christ arrives through a greater and more perfect tent not of this creation
• Christ did not use goat or calf blood. Christ used his own blood securing redemption
• How can you compare the blood of goats and bulls with the  blood of Christ? You can’t–by the power of the Holy Spirit Christ offered himself to God
• purifies our conscience from dead works so we can serve the living God
• Mediator enables us to receive an eternal inheritance
• Redemption from transgressions under the first covenant through death
• Christ offered a better sacrifice because heavenly things demanded a better sacrifice
• Christ was offered as a sacrifice for things in heaven itself not holy things created by physical hands

In a country whose wealth has surpassed many if not most, I am somewhat afraid of my/our tendency to find security in riches. Yet riches dare not be a security, but an easy trap for one who fails to protect his/her heart. We currently have thousands of people in our country, whom some have been taken advantage of,  roaming city streets demanding the funds of others yet not realizing the dangers that reside in riches. What happens when you demand the dollar and the dollar no longer has value? Your heart becomes lost in a pursuit of the wind. Oh we are trying to solve surface issues rather than deep soul issues. We are crying out to the wealthy when we should be crying out to our Lord. The Lord hears and will answer. Our answer is not in riches our answer is in the Lord. We must declare Jesus as our only hope!

Gordan MacDonald

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Gordan, affectionately known as GMAC, and his wife Gail are nearing the end of their pastoral ministry in the northeast. With their church body aging and young people fleeing Gordan has a hunch that something has to change to stem the tide. Gordon, assisted by those within and without the church, realizes that his role must change in order to foster an environment of cross generational training. What Gail and GMAC must do is figure out how to have the body “go deep”. What good things will they give up to cultivate people? What must they use their time to engage in without apology?  How will they get their church to go deep in their Christian walk?

The story was suspenseful as you move through the life of a pastor and his wife seeking to develop people who will continue the ministry of Christ long after they are gone. It was suspenseful as you waited to see how each character was developed throughout the book. It was neat to observe that MacDonald discovered that the life of the church was going to grow through depth of  study in Scripture and richness in relationship with others.

One will be motivated to be intentional with their life. You will also be encouraged to think strategically about God-designed relationships, especially relationships with neighbors.

This was not a theological book so I will refrain from making any comments about theological disagreements though there were a few.

I would recommend this book to small group leaders.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How do parties attempt to add to the gospel? I’ve certainly watched people try to add translations to the gospel. I’ve seen individuals attempt to add dress styles to the gospel. I’ve seen people try and attach attendance to church events and service in those events to the gospel rather than a response to the good news of Jesus. Unfortunately, in some cases I altered my behavior as Peter and allowed these things to distort the gospel. It should be unacceptable to allow cultural milieu define the gospel. This can also be altered in the opposite direction when individuals attempt to dress cool and establish a style somehow attempting to connect it to the gospel.

The dark temptation

“Perhaps, though, underneath it all, there is a more sinister reason for our dislike of theology. Quite simply, we do not like to admit to ourselves that God has spoken to us, and spoken clearly. For then we would have to confess that we have not obeyed him. And so we fear and loathe gospel-theology, with its blunt talk of God and his ways. Instead we naturally prefer theological vagueness. There in the shadows, undisturbed by the harsh light of divine revelation, we are free to fashion our gods to our hearts’ content; we can make a religion that is no more than comforting experience, moralism, or whatever we choose.

And, we go on, doesn’t such doctrine-free Christianity give less for people to fight over? Doesn’t it help unite the church? This was exactly the argument used by Erasmus, the prince of the humanists. ‘The sum of our religion is peace and unanimity,’ he once said, ‘but these can scarcely stand unless we define as little as possible’. But what, then, would people be uniting around?

As Erasmus showed, the temptation to sideline theology is subtle and strong. But the story of the humanists makes it quite clear: without theology, without the doctrines of the gospel, there can be no true unity, and no substantial reformation.

What Luther saw was that Christianity is a matter of theology first and foremost. God reveals his truth; we believe, confess and press in to know it. Only with that dynamic could reformation sweep through the church. May God make us all such theologians!”

After Paul had been teaching for 14 years he ventured to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus to meet with influential leaders. Paul wanted to confirm the content he had been speaking throughout Asia Minor. Paul willfully put the content of his teaching at the disposal of other leaders. Servant leaders will always make themselves vulnerable to other leaders in order to confirm the accuracy of what they are preaching/teaching. Paul wanted to confirm freedom from circumcision through Christ, because Jewish leaders in distant lands were attempting to add circumcision to the gospel. Paul was courageous enough to have nothing to do with those who attempted to change the gospel. James, John, and Cephas vocally acknowledged God’s grace on the ministry of Paul and Barnabas adding that they only be eager to remember the poor. Circumcision was irrelevant to saving faith through Christ. This decision by the leaders of Jerusalem, the apparent pillars of the church, to support Paul’s work to the Gentiles was ginormous then and throughout church history.

A group of Christ followers along with Paul addresses the churches that are in Galatia. Why do I so often forget the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice to deliver me from sin and this present evil age? Christ, The Generous, recognized my disturbing propensity to sin and took action according to God the Father’s will. My most treacherous sin is attempting to add anything to God the Father’s plan to send Jesus to earth who made the only provision for helpless people like myself bring glory to God. Is God’s plan through Christ not enough for me? Sure, but my propensity is to add something to it.

I find the importance of sitting under accurate instruction as some followers of Christ in Galatia are led astray by some teaching a distorted gospel. Shame on me for accepting anything more or less than the simplicity God’s good news of sending His son Jesus Christ on my behalf. If I ever dare to teach anything more or less than Christ being the atoning sacrifice for my life let me be accursed. May I courageously seek the applause of God  and not man while on this earthly endeavor. May I faithfully be God’s servant and not a puppet of humans.

I found this song by Aaron Keyes early this morning and found it encouraging.

I have to wonder from I Peter 2 and Romans 12 what my sacrifices look like. Am I weary of offering my life as a sacrifice to God daily? Is my life blemished by conformity to the world? Am I weary of transforming my mind (Colossians 3)? Do I know what is good, acceptable, and perfect as a sacrifice? Should I legitimately expect to see the favor of God from what I humbly offer Him? Not that life becomes prosperity of that the blessings flow into my life. No, observing the favor of God as He transforms and moves lives to worship Him.

I was going to add a photo of a sick animal to this post, but as I looked at the animals it was nauseating to look at the animals. The sick animals were disgusting! How could priests become so disoriented to accept these offerings? How do I avoid apathy and stagnation where I become loose with offerings?