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