According to the Pattern

According to the Pattern

2005054

Topic # 154 (authority)

Introduction:

A. As Christians and as a local congregation, we need to be committed to having a biblical identity.

1. Acts 3:22-24 – key to having a biblical identity: give heed to Jesus.

a) Stop, take into account; follow the instructions given.

2. Having a biblical identity: means we must examine the scriptures & conform our lives & religious practices to what has been revealed.

3. This church endeavors to follow Jesus Christ & what He said.

4. We seek to life Him up in praise & give Him the glory.

B. Col 3:17 – do all things in His name. Jesus is placed at the very center of our lives.

C. Must remember: God wants us to do what He said to do: not as we please.

1. Popular way today is opposite: take bible & conform it to our lives. Change Bible to what we want it to say.

2. Ideas: we live in a time where problems so big/complex that bible can’t possibly contain all the answers.

3. No way people can agree on doctrinal matters in religion. Therefore God is content with many faiths & churches.

4. This leads to all sorts of confusion & discouragement; trouble.

5. Take Bible & conform it to our lives.

I. A look at a familiar text: Heb. 8:5

A. Hebrew writer says Moses was warned by God as he was about to build tabernacle: make all things according to the pattern.

B. Many features of OT system were put into place by God to picture what would eventually become reality through Jesus.

1. e.g., various details in Jewish tabernacle served to foreshadow the good things conferred upon believers.

2. Good things to come were pictured by various elements of the Mosaic system.

3. Heb. 9:11; 10:1 – law – a shadow of good things to come.

C. When building tabernacle – it was crucial for Him to make all things according to the pattern – which came from the perfect mind of God.

1. Num 8:4 – even detailed furnishings inside had to be made exactly like the pattern God revealed to Moses.

D. While Christians have not been instructed to rebuild the tabernacle, when studying passages like this – we must carefully explore for any underlying principles that pertain to us.

1. Just as God expressed His mind to Moses gave instructions to Him,

2. He has expressed His mind to us:

a) Heb. 1:1-2 – we have instructions to follow.

b) We must go by these instructions if we hope to spend eternity in heaven.

II. The principle in Hebrews 8:5.

A. Reread verse.

B. God’s purpose is carried out when His plan is followed.

1. Tabernacle is an excellent example.

2. God had a purpose in mind when instructing Jews to build tabernacle.

a) Not done accidentally.

b) Not an exercise to keep Jewish workers busy.

C. What was the purpose?

1. Immediate? Jewish worship.

2. Ultimate purpose: it was symbolic of new covenant blessings.

3. The pattern, or blueprint, was designed to implement God’s purposes – both immediate & ultimate.

D. We might restate the principle in this context:

1. God, in his perfect mind, forms a purpose, then He reveals His pattern, with admonitions to follow His instructions.

2. Only when man follows His pattern is God’s purpose carried out.

3. Stated negatively: if we do not follow God’s pattern, we fail to carry out His purpose.

E. What if Moses ignored God’s pattern – followed his own plan?

1. Would tabernacle have fulfilled God’s purpose?

2. Would it have effectively functioned in the foreshadowing of the new covenant?

3. Only as we follow God’s pattern – can it be said that we have performed His purpose.

F. We need to acknowledge how purpose & pattern go together.

1. Behind every pattern revealed by God – there are divine purposes which are fulfilled to the extent that we follow His pattern.

III. A practical application: the local church.

A. God, in His wisdom, set up the local church.

1. In the NT, we read of congregations in Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc.

2. Christians got together. Formed themselves into local groups, worshipped together, edified each other, and joined together for the preaching of the gospel.

B. When God set up the church – let there be no doubt – God had certain purposes in mind.

1. If we want a local church to fulfill the purposes intended by God – we need to follow the pattern.

2. Difficult? Complicated?

3. Is this just our tradition?

a) Absolutely not.

b) It IS about keeping w/in everything the Scriptures teach.

C. What does the pattern suggest:

1. On elders/deacons? Acts 14:23 – appt’d elders in every church.

a) Overseers in the church; shepherding the flock. Not just figureheads.

2. On our preaching & teaching? Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 4:6

a) We preach/teach w/in the parameters of God’s word.

b) If we refuse this – our souls in danger – Gal. 1:6-9

3. on the way we use church resources in benevolence – 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 9:11-13

a) What is the pattern? Church funds sent to brethren.

b) To disregard it, no matter how sincere our motives – is to go outside bounds of authority.

c) Pattern suggests that individual funds are not under these same restrictions – Gal. 6:9-10; Lk. 10:30-36.

4. On the way we worship.

a) There’s a reason for singing a cappella. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16

b) Not just because we enjoy being different. It’s about respecting God’s way.

1) But it doesn’t specifically say you can’t play an instrument.

2) No where is there a specific prohibition.

c) a real world scenario:

1) Apollo 13 – explosion 50 hours into mission.

2) 4 days to get home – no way to purify the CO2 they exhaling.

3) NASA engineers worked continuously; devised a plan to keep astronauts alive.

4) When astronauts received the plan they:

a> Didn’t argue w/the engineers.

b> Didn’t alter the plans – saying there were no specific prohibitions against things they may have wanted to add.

d) They followed plan exactly – operating with 100% faith/trust in NASA engineers – knowing their lives depended on it.

e) They made it home because they respected the plan; the pattern.

f) Make this application to worship.

1) If pattern suggests singing – we need to follow it. Do it God’s way.

2) We put 100% trust/faith in God, knowing our souls depend on it.

g) Same true w/the LS; prayer; preaching; giving. Follow pattern so worship will be acceptable.

6. In all matters that have to do w/the local church we should follow the pattern given by God.

IV. What about those who do not follow the pattern?

A. What should be our attitude toward them?

B. God has said something about what we participate in & who we associate with.

1. He has spoken clearly about participation & association.

2. Instead of acting on what Jesus said, many act on impulse, or whim. Give into emotion & act w/o prayer, study, or care.

C. Eph. 5:11 – what does God say?

1. 1 Tim. 6:3-5 – from such withdraw yourself. (NKJV)

2. These verses make it clear that there are some we must not associate with or help.

D. 2 John 9

1. This encompasses people. (Whoever that may be.)

2. This encompasses their teaching. (Not according to Christ’s doctrine.)

3. This encompasses association & participation with them & their deeds.

E. Psa. 1:1

F. This is not arrogance. Not haughtiness. It IS respecting the pattern.

1. Does not excuse abrasiveness toward those who disagree w/us religiously. <look for a fight>

2. Do not have right to come across as a know-it-all, pompously looking down on others who have not be taught on the importance of respecting God’s pattern.

3. 1 Pet 3:15 – w/gentleness; meekness

4. If we have been offensive in the way we have handled the truth – we need to repent & change the way we deal w/others.

5. 2 Tim. 2:24-26

Conclusion:

A. What we have talked about today – not a matter of being conservative or sound. It is a matter of being right.

1. Acts 2:42 – it about continuing in the apostle’s doctrine.

2. Why?

a) Because we love God.

b) Because we want to honor Jesus & carry out divine purposes.

3. This is not the mentality of a Pharisee.

4. It is the mentality of a servant who wants to obey God!

B. Heb. 8:5 may not call upon us to build a tabernacle – yet the principle is applicable in every generation.

1. It has always been necessary to follow any pattern given by God.

2. This is the only way we can carry out His purposes.

C. God’s instruction manual tells us how to be saved? Have you been saved?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



According to the Pattern 2005054 Topic # 154 (authority) Introduction: A. As Christians and as a local congregation, we need to be committed to having a biblical identity. 1. Acts 3:22-24 – key to having a biblical identity: give heed to Jesus. a) Stop, take into account; follow the instructions given. 2. Having a biblical identity: means we must examine the scriptures & conform our lives & religious practices to what has been revealed. 3. This church endeavors to follow Jesus Christ & what He said. 4. We seek to life Him up in praise & give Him the glory. B. Col 3:17 – do all things in His name. Jesus is placed at the very center of our lives. C. Must remember: God wants us to do what He said to do: not as we please. 1. Popular way today is opposite: take bible & conform it to our lives. Change Bible to what we want it to say. 2. Ideas: we live in a time where problems so big/complex that bible can’t possibly contain all the answers. 3. No way people can agree on doctrinal matters in religion. Therefore God is content with many faiths & churches. 4. This leads to all sorts of confusion & discouragement; trouble. 5. Take Bible & conform it to our lives. I. A look at a familiar text: Heb. 8:5 A. Hebrew writer says Moses was warned by God as he was about to build tabernacle: make all things according to the pattern. B. Many features of OT system were put into place by God to picture what would eventually become reality through Jesus. 1. e.g., various details in Jewish tabernacle served to foreshadow the good things conferred upon believers. 2. Good things to come were pictured by various elements of the Mosaic system. 3. Heb. 9:11; 10:1 – law – a shadow of good things to come. C. When building tabernacle – it was crucial for Him to make all things according to the pattern – which came from the perfect mind of God. 1. Num 8:4 – even detailed furnishings inside had to be made exactly like the pattern God revealed to Moses. D. While Christians have not been instructed to rebuild the tabernacle, when studying passages like this – we must carefully explore for any underlying principles that pertain to us. 1. Just as God expressed His mind to Moses gave instructions to Him, 2. He has expressed His mind to us: a) Heb. 1:1-2 – we have instructions to follow. b) We must go by these instructions if we hope to spend eternity in heaven. II. The principle in Hebrews 8:5. A. Reread verse. B. God’s purpose is carried out when His plan is followed. 1. Tabernacle is an excellent example. 2. God had a purpose in mind when instructing Jews to build tabernacle. a) Not done accidentally. b) Not an exercise to keep Jewish workers busy. C. What was the purpose? 1. Immediate? Jewish worship. 2. Ultimate purpose: it was symbolic of new covenant blessings. 3. The pattern, or blueprint, was designed to implement God’s purposes – both immediate & ultimate. D. We might restate the principle in this context: 1. God, in his perfect mind, forms a purpose, then He reveals His pattern, with admonitions to follow His instructions. 2. Only when man follows His pattern is God’s purpose carried out. 3. Stated negatively: if we do not follow God’s pattern, we fail to carry out His purpose. E. What if Moses ignored God’s pattern – followed his own plan? 1. Would tabernacle have fulfilled God’s purpose? 2. Would it have effectively functioned in the foreshadowing of the new covenant? 3. Only as we follow God’s pattern – can it be said that we have performed His purpose. F. We need to acknowledge how purpose & pattern go together. 1. Behind every pattern revealed by God – there are divine purposes which are fulfilled to the extent that we follow His pattern. III. A practical application: the local church. A. God, in His wisdom, set up the local church. 1. In the NT, we read of congregations in Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc. 2. Christians got together. Formed themselves into local groups, worshipped together, edified each other, and joined together for the preaching of the gospel. B. When God set up the church – let there be no doubt – God had certain purposes in mind. 1. If we want a local church to fulfill the purposes intended by God – we need to follow the pattern. 2. Difficult? Complicated? 3. Is this just our tradition? a) Absolutely not. b) It IS about keeping w/in everything the Scriptures teach. C. What does the pattern suggest: 1. On elders/deacons? Acts 14:23 – appt’d elders in every church. a) Overseers in the church; shepherding the flock. Not just figureheads. 2. On our preaching & teaching? Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 4:6 a) We preach/teach w/in the parameters of God’s word. b) If we refuse this – our souls in danger – Gal. 1:6-9 3. on the way we use church resources in benevolence – 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 9:11-13 a) What is the pattern? Church funds sent to brethren. b) To disregard it, no matter how sincere our motives – is to go outside bounds of authority. c) Pattern suggests that individual funds are not under these same restrictions – Gal. 6:9-10; Lk. 10:30-36. 4. On the way we worship. a) There’s a reason for singing a cappella. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 b) Not just because we enjoy being different. It’s about respecting God’s way. 1) But it doesn’t specifically say you can’t play an instrument. 2) No where is there a specific prohibition. c) a real world scenario: 1) Apollo 13 – explosion 50 hours into mission. 2) 4 days to get home – no way to purify the CO2 they exhaling. 3) NASA engineers worked continuously; devised a plan to keep astronauts alive. 4) When astronauts received the plan they: a> Didn’t argue w/the engineers. b> Didn’t alter the plans – saying there were no specific prohibitions against things they may have wanted to add. d) They followed plan exactly – operating with 100% faith/trust in NASA engineers – knowing their lives depended on it. e) They made it home because they respected the plan; the pattern. f) Make this application to worship. 1) If pattern suggests singing – we need to follow it. Do it God’s way. 2) We put 100% trust/faith in God, knowing our souls depend on it. g) Same true w/the LS; prayer; preaching; giving. Follow pattern so worship will be acceptable. 6. In all matters that have to do w/the local church we should follow the pattern given by God. IV. What about those who do not follow the pattern? A. What should be our attitude toward them? B. God has said something about what we participate in & who we associate with. 1. He has spoken clearly about participation & association. 2. Instead of acting on what Jesus said, many act on impulse, or whim. Give into emotion & act w/o prayer, study, or care. C. Eph. 5:11 – what does God say? 1. 1 Tim. 6:3-5 – from such withdraw yourself. (NKJV) 2. These verses make it clear that there are some we must not associate with or help. D. 2 John 9 1. This encompasses people. (Whoever that may be.) 2. This encompasses their teaching. (Not according to Christ’s doctrine.) 3. This encompasses association & participation with them & their deeds. E. Psa. 1:1 F. This is not arrogance. Not haughtiness. It IS respecting the pattern. 1. Does not excuse abrasiveness toward those who disagree w/us religiously. <look for a fight> 2. Do not have right to come across as a know-it-all, pompously looking down on others who have not be taught on the importance of respecting God’s pattern. 3. 1 Pet 3:15 – w/gentleness; meekness 4. If we have been offensive in the way we have handled the truth – we need to repent & change the way we deal w/others. 5. 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Conclusion: A. What we have talked about today – not a matter of being conservative or sound. It is a matter of being right. 1. Acts 2:42 – it about continuing in the apostle’s doctrine. 2. Why? a) Because we love God. b) Because we want to honor Jesus & carry out divine purposes. 3. This is not the mentality of a Pharisee. 4. It is the mentality of a servant who wants to obey God! B. Heb. 8:5 may not call upon us to build a tabernacle – yet the principle is applicable in every generation. 1. It has always been necessary to follow any pattern given by God. 2. This is the only way we can carry out His purposes. C. God’s instruction manual tells us how to be saved? Have you been saved? D. I N V I T A T I O N