Wandering in Order - SERMON NOTES
Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.
Intro: (1) series recap (2) summary/overview in 2:1-2 (cf. picture → explain “twelve” tribes) (3) orchestra
Arranged for Worship
1. Levites (1:47-54, 2:17): (1) not in census (cf. Exodus 32) (2) safety “barrier” b/w God/Israelites (cf. 1:53, splash zone) (3) sacrifice needed to come into God’s presence (cf. Is. 6:1-5, tbrncl pic)
2. East side (2:1-9): (1) sons of Leah, minus Levi/Simeon/Reuben (2) Judah the preeminent tribe (cf. background in Gen. 37-38, 49:9-10) (3) second threesome in census → grace over natural order
3. South side (2:10-16): (1) cursed sons (Reuben, Simeon), son of maidservant (Gad) (2) first trio in census (Reuben oldest) (3) he and Simeon cursed (sexual sin, violence) → sin’s ongoing impact
4. West side (2:18-24): (1) sons/grandsons of Rachel → third trio in census (2) Joseph receives longest blessing in Gen. 49 (cf. “double blessing) (3) God redeems suffering
5. North side (2:25-31): (1) sons of maidservants → last trio, least favored (2) nothing notable
about past/future of these tribes, yet they still have inheritance (3) regular folks part of the plan
Principles for Worship
1. Worshiping God: (1) camp order → three characteristics of God (2) God is unique → no other gods, only the Lord is personal (3) God is near → Christ, Spirit, eternity (cf. Rom. 8:31, 38-39) (4) God is holy → presence of Levites, reminder of God’s desire for us to live holy lives (Lev. 19:2)
2. Worshiping together: (1) tabernacle the place of gathering (2) what is our motivation for
attending church? (4) goal of recentering around Christ → greeters, coffee team, conversations, scripture, music, communion, pastoral prayers, sharing, giving (5) worship guide as tool
3. Worshiping individually: (1) God at center of camp → worship is placing God at center of life (2) false things at center → money, success, pleasure, family, sex, recognition (cf. Eccles.) (3) Mt. 13:44 → what is your greatest treasure (4) life not worth it apart from God (cf. Ex. 33:15-16)
Conclusion: (1) “hallowed be your name” → invictus vs. piano salesman (2) begins by with faith in Christ
Intro: (1) series recap (2) summary/overview in 2:1-2 (cf. picture → explain “twelve” tribes) (3) orchestra
Arranged for Worship
1. Levites (1:47-54, 2:17): (1) not in census (cf. Exodus 32) (2) safety “barrier” b/w God/Israelites (cf. 1:53, splash zone) (3) sacrifice needed to come into God’s presence (cf. Is. 6:1-5, tbrncl pic)
2. East side (2:1-9): (1) sons of Leah, minus Levi/Simeon/Reuben (2) Judah the preeminent tribe (cf. background in Gen. 37-38, 49:9-10) (3) second threesome in census → grace over natural order
3. South side (2:10-16): (1) cursed sons (Reuben, Simeon), son of maidservant (Gad) (2) first trio in census (Reuben oldest) (3) he and Simeon cursed (sexual sin, violence) → sin’s ongoing impact
4. West side (2:18-24): (1) sons/grandsons of Rachel → third trio in census (2) Joseph receives longest blessing in Gen. 49 (cf. “double blessing) (3) God redeems suffering
5. North side (2:25-31): (1) sons of maidservants → last trio, least favored (2) nothing notable
about past/future of these tribes, yet they still have inheritance (3) regular folks part of the plan
Principles for Worship
1. Worshiping God: (1) camp order → three characteristics of God (2) God is unique → no other gods, only the Lord is personal (3) God is near → Christ, Spirit, eternity (cf. Rom. 8:31, 38-39) (4) God is holy → presence of Levites, reminder of God’s desire for us to live holy lives (Lev. 19:2)
2. Worshiping together: (1) tabernacle the place of gathering (2) what is our motivation for
attending church? (4) goal of recentering around Christ → greeters, coffee team, conversations, scripture, music, communion, pastoral prayers, sharing, giving (5) worship guide as tool
3. Worshiping individually: (1) God at center of camp → worship is placing God at center of life (2) false things at center → money, success, pleasure, family, sex, recognition (cf. Eccles.) (3) Mt. 13:44 → what is your greatest treasure (4) life not worth it apart from God (cf. Ex. 33:15-16)
Conclusion: (1) “hallowed be your name” → invictus vs. piano salesman (2) begins by with faith in Christ
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
2024
July
Being Smart with Smart PhonesFighting for Joy During the HolidaysThe Patriarch of PeaceMe and MaxChrist our ShepherdPromises of PeaceGrief and the HolidaysWhy the Old Testament is ImportantWalking Through PainBiblical Sexuality: Further ResourcesThe Sin of SodomSexuality ResourcesWhy a Fall FestivalSexuality and the GospelPlanning for PeopleThreat or Opportunity20 Traits of Biblical CommunityPeace Through Scripture MemoryWho I Am In ChristLife TogetherShould I Forgive an Unrepentant Person?Advent Booklet: Devotions for the Advent SeasonPractical PrayerAdvent | Comfort in SalvationComfort in AfflictionRemember That God RemembersA Theology of Racial ReconciliationA Practice of Racial ReconciliationQualifications of an ElderLook UpChasing EternityChasing Eternity: WisdomThe Season of LentChasing Eternity: WorkChasing Eternity: TimeChasing Eternity: Life and DeathPiano LessonsChasing Eternity: Wise WordsConversations With ChristThe Rat Race RiskChild-like HumilityAn Animated Tour of PhilippiansDiscovering Spiritual GiftsPsalm 33Living the Dream: Repurposing SinLiving the Dream: ProsperityPancake DelightLiving the Dream: GuiltLiving the Dream: Cultivating FaithfulnessLiving the Dream: Forgotten?Faithfulness in Times of PlentyLiving the Dream: TestingLiving the Dream: CourageLiving the Dream: The Joseph StoryPreparing to ShareWhy a Spring Fling?Encouraging EldersBible Reading ResourcesPraying with NehemiahDrawing Your Self-PortraitThe Cure for LonelinessThe Loneliest Time of the YearSpending the Day with GodCreation Points us to ChristChrist's Offer of EternityIn EverythingRemembering God in the MessBeing Real About our StrugglesYou FailedUnderstanding GloryA Great Big Thank YouThe Treasure of LightAn Open Letter LifePictures of God's StrengthOverwhelmed Before the LordJericho's Time-Tested LessonResurrection RefugeChristmas with ZacchaeusConnecting Kids and MissionsInternal Battles/External Community