This sermon outline helps us see how we ought to be carrying out our service for Jesus Christ. It also shows us how we can be better able to do the work of God. Brother John Moxley’s book entitled The Tabernacle In The Wilderness was invaluable and cited in part of this outline. Just putting this message together was a walk through the life of a Levite! May it help each servant of God to pay the strictest attention to their calling in life!
Title: “Pastor, How Can I Be Better Able For God’s Work?”
Text: I Chronicles 9:13 Read from verse 10
(1 Chronicles 9:10-13) “And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin, And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.” (KJV)
Introduction:
• We find, in the genealogies and records of God’s people, a description of the aptitude of certain individuals that God wants us to remember.
• These priests were men that evidently were fit for the work of God in such a way that God wanted all to know about it.
• God wanted mankind to see this example so much that the Holy Ghost had them penned in the pages of our Bibles!
• 1, 760 men were ABLE FOR THE WORK OF THE SERVICE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD!
• The Bible plainly declares that we who are “in Christ”, men, women, and children that are saved, are PRIESTS unto God!
(Revelation 1:6) “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (KJV)
(Revelation 5:10) “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (KJV)
(Revelation 20:6) “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (KJV)
• We have an example to live up to here in our text. I know that Christ is our pattern for living, but we have human examples here. My point is that if they can have this testimony, then we can too!
• We all want God to say to us when we see Him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!
• If you are like me, then we want to please God and do what we can to serve Him adequately!
• What can we learn from these Godly men? What was it about them that would cause them to be exceptional in their conduct of service!
Notes derived from John Moxley’s book entitled The Tabernacle In The Wilderness
Proposition: There are three things that pervaded their life that I believe moved them to serve God in a marvelous way!
I. Notice They Knew About Their Calling FROM God!
A. Pedigree
i. Born into service – Numbers 17:1-8 (We are born into service through our Salvation experience!)
ii. God ordained that the descendents of Levi would be apart of the spiritual leadership of Israel!
B. Longevity of Calling
i. They served God in different ways, but unless an age was prescribed, they serve as long as they were able to do the work as they were right with God!
C. We are called to salvation in Christ, then we are called to serve him in many fronts; for example:
i. As a disciple
ii. As an Ambassador
iii. As a servant
iv. As a soldier
v. As a co-laborer
vi. As a vessel
vii. As a priest
D. We must get a hold of the truth that God has called each of us into an arena of service for Christ!
i. What a privilege!
ii. What an honor!
iii. What an opportunity!
E. I believe that because these particular men referred to in our text knew they were called of God, that this moved them to “go the extra mile” for God!
II. Notice They Knew About Their Calling UNTO God!
A. It is important to distinguish priests from the High Priest.
i. High Priest – go between, intercessor
ii. Priest – Levite – They help maintain the place of worship and helped the High Priest, by their acts of service!
1. If they did not do their jobs, then the High Priest would be limited!
B. “Since we are priests of God and of Christ, we have access into the presence of God. The priests who were appointed for the service of the Tabernacle could come into the presence of God only one time each year. How wonderful for us that we may come at any time.” – Moxley page 51
(Hebrews 4:15-16) “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (KJV)
C. “The priests who were appointed for the service of the tabernacle had specific jobs. We also have specified jobs in the church. All of the Levites did not offer sacrifices. Some Levites were shepherds, tent repairers, farmers, wood cutters, kitchen workers, etc. Some were appointed as maintenance men and laborers in the construction of the Tabernacle. Moses was the overseer, Bezaleel, Aholiab were under him, and others worked to construct the Tabernacle.” – Moxley page 51
D. “Some of us must be content to be unnoticed in God’s work. We must be workers together in building the church of which Christ is the head. While the pastor has the most visible role, some will have to teach, some will sing, some will keep the nursery, some will help keep the church grounds maintained, etc., and ALL are to win lost men to Christ. Numbers 1-4 gives information about the different services to be performed.” – Moxley page 51
E. With all of this stated, we must realize that these men new their calling required work in many areas, and they were glad to do what God has chosen them to do!
III. Notice They Knew About Their Calling FOR God!
A. The Levites, among their peers, were somewhat a spectacle.
B. Their clothing set them apart from everyone else in the entire world; not just Israel.
C. They actions that were seen from close and from afar were a testimony of God!
D. They were leaders in many ways to their fellow man. Their functions in the day to day worship of Israel to the Most Holy One were very special and these men of whom we are referring to in text knew this all too much. It caused them to go for God!
E. Remember that God set a cloud over the Tabernacle by day and a pillar of fire by night. The Levites followed this guidance and when the Levites acted everyone else followed suit throughout the camp!
F. “One of the primary duties of the Levites was moving the Tabernacle. The tabernacle was designed in such a way that it could be taken down and moved whenever God led them to do so. God led them by a cloud in the day time and a pillar of fire in the night. As long as the cloud remained on the Tabernacle during the day and the fire remained on the Tabernacle at night, the children of Israel remained where they were – – whether it was for two days, a month, or a year. When the cloud was taken up, they knew it was time to pack up and move. By this, they always knew God was leading them and that He had not forsaken them.
Each family of the Levites – The Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites – had specific jobs to do in the moving of the Tabernacle from one location to another:
i. Kohathites:
1. They carried the instruments and furnishings of the sanctuary of the tabernacle (the ark, table, candlestick, altars, etc.) when Israel moved forward – after they were covered and prepared by Aaron and his sons.
(Numbers 4:5-6) “And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it: And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.” (KJV)
See Numbers 4:1-15
ii. Gershonites:
1. They carried the curtains of the tabernacle, the first covering, the covering of badgers’ skins, the hanging of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the court. Ithamar, Aaron’s son, was in charge of the Gershonites. See Numbers 4:21-28.
iii. Merarites:
1. They carried the boards of the Tabernacle, the bars, the pillars and sockets. They also carried the pillars of the court, the sockets, pins and cords of the court. The sons of Merari were also in Ithama’s charge. See Numbers 4:29-36″ – Moxley pages 142-143
G. When they moved everyone followed and moved as well.
H. This speaks to us that we are to Call others for God! Their actions spoke to others for God as well as the people seeing the cloud and fire signs.
I. These individuals were very aware that they communicated truths to other for God and they conducted themselves accordingly!
Conclusion:
• To make a long story short, we need to realize that God said these men we “VERY ABLE” to do the work of God.
• I hope you can see why I think God said this about them.
• I hope that you will strive to let God work in your life so you can be “VERY ABLE” AS WELL!
To The Sinner:
• Be saved!
To The Christian:
• Learn from these people’s examples and be better able to serve God!
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