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Bringing the Ark into Jerusalem… (2 things)
God blesses us because we chose to worship / live as a sacrifice / and obey His Word!
1st – Moving the Ark… vs. 1-29 Read: I Chronicles 15:1-15
1st – David built houses for himself in Jerusalem…vs. 1
David needed more than one house – because he had more than one wife…
The practice of adding wives was forbidden for a King – Deuteronomy 17:17…
And King Solomon followed / exceeded his father by having 1000 wives – I Kings 11:3
We must be very careful of the example we give to others / our children…
We may be able to ‘handle’ temptation – but it might destroy them!
One man’s freedom in Christ – can be another man’s undoing…
Be sensitive to each other’s weaknesses – protecting each other from sin!
David prepared a Tent (Tabernacle) for the Ark in Jerusalem…
The Tabernacle was not a Jewish church…
The Tabernacle was not a ‘church’ for the Jews to come and worship on the Sabbath…
The Israelites could not come into the Tabernacle – only the priests…
The Tabernacle was not a house for God…
It was never intended to be a ‘house’ for God – God does not need a place to live…
Acts 7:49 – “‘Heaven is my throne, the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build a dwelling place for me?’”
The Tabernacle was a place to meet with God…
It would be a place where people could come and meet with the Lord…
It provided unique access to an unapproachable / holy / righteous God…
The Tabernacle was a tent – everything was portable…
Because this is not our home – we are only here for a short stay – Hebrews 11:13-16
Far too often we get way to attached to things in this life and forget…
We are not home yet – our home is a place we have yet to see – our home is heaven…
We need to remember to keep a light touch on things here – just living in tents!
2nd – Looking to the example of the Word …vs. 2-15
David gathered all the people of Israel to Jerusalem (possibly during one of the festivals)…
He then assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites…
The Levites were divided into 3 different families (the 3 sons of Levi)…
From Gershon – 130 men led by Joel – responsible to take care of the Tabernacle…
From Merari – 220 men led by Asaiah – responsible for the courtyard…
From Kohath – who were responsible for the menorah / table / altar / and the Ark…
120 men led by Uriel / 200 men – Shemaiah / 80 men – Eliel / 112 men – Amminadab…
David also called on Zadok and Abiathar the priests (sons of Aaron)!
David told the Priests and Levites they had to carry the Ark…
David understood the reason why they had failed the first time…
Was because they had not gone to the Word of God to consult how to carry the Ark…
So rather than bring the Ark on a cart (following the example of the Philistines)…
Or looking to the abilities of others (trusting in the strength of Uzzah)…
David went to the Word – God had specific instructions on how to move the Ark!
Exodus 25:14 – “Fit the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.”
If you want to have a great church / blessed life – follow the Word…
Happiness / our eternity depends on what we do with the life God has given us…
He has given us an instruction manual so we can be successful…
It is through hearing the Word we get to know and have a relationship with God…
It is in the Word we learn about God’s expectations / will for our lives…
It is through hearing God’s Word we learn how to enter eternal life!
John 5:24 – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…”
3rd – Worshiping in the presence of the Lord… vs. 16-24 Read: I Chronicles 15:16-24
David then organized Levities from Merari into a worship team…
They were divided up into 3 different sections:
The singers – Heman / Asaph / and Ethan – were to sound the cymbals of bronze…
Zechariah and 8 others – led on the stings – along with the women (Alamoth)…
Mattithiah and 6 others – played harps – 8 stringed instruments (Sheminith)…
Leading them all was the worship leader – Chenaniah – because he was skilled…
Shebaniah and some priests also blew trumpets before the Ark of God!
This is one of the rare places in the Bible where we get an example of a worship team…
We see a couple of important principles here when it comes to worship…
It is nice to have a variety of instruments to allow lots of people to get involved…
It is important to make sure that those who are leading – are skilled!
It is necessary to have order and structure in the worship – I Corinthians 14:40
But most importantly – worship prepare our hearts to enter the presence of the Lord!
We come to church full of all the business of the week – our mind racing…
Worship is important – it prepares our heart to listen to the Word of God!
4th – The bitterness of Michal… vs. 25-29 Read: I Chronicles 15:25-29
David along with the Levites / singers / and priests came into Jerusalem with joy!
David and the Levites were wearing robes of fine linen…
The Linen garments were meant to keep them from sweating…
Ezekiel 44:18 – “They must wear line linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.”
If we are ‘burnt out’ – it is likely because we are depending on ourselves – not Jesus
Not that we do not get tired IN serving the Lord – just not tired OF serving the Lord…
Working for God – serving the Lord – should not be a burden – it should be ‘no sweat’…
We should find serving Jesus is not a burden – Matthew 11:28-30
When Michal – the daughter of Saul saw David dancing – she despised him…
She came out and mocked David for making a fool of himself with his dancing…
It is likely Michal was still upset about David taking her from Phaltiel – II Samuel 3
That bitterness and spite now erupted in open contempt for David…
When we are hurt by someone – and refuse to forgive – it plants a seed in our heart…
It grows into bitterness – we become consumed with what ‘they did to us’!
Its roots grow down deep – poisoning and hardening our hearts!
Michal never had any children…
The suggestion is that David never again went to be with Michal…
In the end Michal’s bitterness did not hurt David – she only hurt herself!
Forgiveness is not for the one who did us wrong – it is for us…
It sets us free – we do not dwell on the past – we get to move forward in Jesus!
David answered – ‘I danced before the Lord’ – II Samuel 6:21-23…
And David was more than willing to be even more ‘foolish’ for the Lord…
We worry too much about what other people think about us…
If we stand out – what will the people think / what will they say…
WHO CARES – God was willing to become a man and die for us on the cross!
Dancing is a controversial topic in the church today…
There are certainly sensual dances that are inappropriate – do not honor God…
Yet David danced – and the ‘Lame man’ leapt in the Temple – Acts 3
So run through the streets shouting out praises for God…
Dance for Jesus so the whole world knows – the goodness of God!
Do something crazy – because God did something crazy to save you!
2nd – The Psalm of David… vs. 1-43 Read: I Chronicles 16:1-6
1st – David placed the Ark in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem…vs. 1-6
He then offered burnt offerings before God…
The burnt offering is an offering of submission – surrendering yourself totally to God…
A free will offering – no one was required to offer the burnt offering…
God is a gentleman – He will not force us to do anything we don’t want to…
God does not make anyone go to heaven – He just provides the way…
God does not make us surrender our lives to Him – we have to choose to give it!
The whole animal would be burnt on the bronze Alter – completely consumed by fire…
God does not just want part of us – He wants us to be completely sold out to Him!
A tool is only effective when it submits itself to the master’s commands….
If we only follow the Lord when we want to – we are not much use to the Lord…
If we are to be effective for the Lord – we must submit ourselves to the Lord…
Hebrews 12:29 – “For our God is a consuming fire.”
Then he offered peace offerings before God…
The peace offering is an offering of fellowship – having a meal with the Lord…
The fat of the animal was burnt on the bronze Altar – but the rest was to share…
The ‘picture’ – having a meal with God – He got part / you got part…
By having fellowship daily with the Lord – you grow to know the Lord!
Instead of hanging out with the world – spend time with the Jesus!
How can we tell others / teach others / lead others to someone we do not even know…
The more we read our Bibles – the more we spend time in fellowship with believers….
The more we take time to pray and hear from the Lord – the better we will know Him!
A sweat aroma to the Lord…
The smell must have been amazing – BBQ at God’s house !
Often when we think of animal sacrifices – we get a negative picture in our mind…
But in truth God was inviting His people to share a meal with Him!
When David had finished – he blessed the people and gave them bread / meat / and raisins!
2nd – Psalm for the dedication of the Tabernacle… vs. 7-36 Read: I Chronicles 16:7-36
On the day the Ark arrived in Jerusalem – David gave a 7 part Psalm to Asaph / Levites…
1st – Talk about the Lord… vs. 7-9
He opened up the Psalm calling o the people to talk about the Lord…
Talking about the wonderful things he had done – so people would know about Him!
If we do not tell people about Jesus – who will – Romans 10:13-17
2nd – Because those who seek the Lord – find him… vs. 10-11
Those who seek His strength – seek His face – those who seek the Lord rejoice…
In Acts 8 – an Ethiopian eunuch traveled hundreds of miles – to come to the Temple…
And because the Eunuch was seeking God – God was seeking the Eunuch!
If we are truly looking to find God – He is always willing to answer…
Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
3rd – So remember what the Lord has done… vs. 12-22
David called in Israel to remember the marvelous works of God – how He choose Israel…
Remember the covenant He made with Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob…
The promise to give them the Promised Land – while they were still few in number…
When God protected them – even from kings / nations far greater than they were!
God choose Israel to be His special treasure – but not cause they were the best…
In fact for just the opposite reason – because they were the least!
No one credited Israel for destroying the armies of Egypt…
Israel was a nation of slaves – all the credit went to God alone – Deuteronomy 7:7-16
God does not look at our qualification to see if we can be saved…
God does not pick just the brightest – beautiful – wealthy – I Corinthians 1:27
In fact those are the exceptions – God tends to choose the ‘foolish’ of the world…
God picks us – the foolish because then the world sees God in us!
Then the world knows that God can save/use anyone – I Timothy 1:16
4th – And proclaim the salvation of the Lord – every day… vs. 23-27
Tell the nations about Him – because he is not like their false gods…
The gods of the people are idols made by their hands – God made the Heavens!
The world looks to false answers for hope – Money / Freud / Governments…
But these things have not power to save them – only Jesus is the answer!
5th – By giving sacrifices to the Lord… vs. 28-29
What does God want us to give Him – we are to give Him the glory due His name…
We are to give him a sacrifice – the sacrifice of living a holy life – Romans 12:1
We like to be in control – we really like to be in the driver’s seat of our lives…
But God is asking us that we lay down our desires / dreams / ambitions…
A sacrifice that is holy and acceptable (well pleasing) to God!
I Samuel 15:22 – “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…”
6th – Then the world will tremble before the Lord… vs. 30-33
Because the world is firmly established – and it will not be moved…
God has established His plan for the world – and nothing will change it – Matthew 5:18
He is coming to judge the nations – and every knee will bow – Philippians 2:10
There are only two kinds of people when it comes to God…
Sinner who have received the free gift of salvation in Jesus – and sinners who have not…
For those who reject Jesus – all that waits them is certain and terrifying judgment…
Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…”
7th – And give thanks to the Lord – Amen… vs. 34-36
Because He is good / because His mercy endures forever / because He saves us!
We tend to focus in life on the things we do not have – but think we need…
If it was a need God would provide – Luke 12:31 – if we do not have it – do not need it!
We overlook the important things – the goodness of God / His mercy / His salvation…
God calls us to be thankful for all things – for all God has done for us – every day!
I Thessalonians 5:18 -“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God…”
3rd – Where to worship God… vs. 37-42 Read: I Chronicles 16:37-43
David left Asaph and his brothers to minster before the Ark in Jerusalem daily…
It is thought that Abiathar the priest was included in this list…
He was the high priest there in Jerusalem – ministering before the Ark…
But Zadok was also high priest – he offered sacrifices at the Tabernacle in Gibeon…
The one that Moses had built – it was still the official location sacrifice to the Lord!
Then all the people departed – and David returned to bless (worship) at his own house!
So where was the best place to worship – Jerusalem / Gibeon / at home…
Often we assume we are blessed because of where we are…
We pray in a church building – because we assume God hears us better there…
But being blessed by God has nothing to do with our location…
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