 |
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrine
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
Christ's Presence In Bethel (2)
GENESIS 28:19
Good News From The Redeemer
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
SEPTEMBER 18, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #285
Jacob the patriarch was blessed to dream of a ladder, or staircase, stretching from earth to heaven (Genesis 28:10-15). This ladder was a type of Christ (John 1:51; see a preceding message). To memorialize this event, “he called the name of that place Bethel” (v.19), which Hebrew name is translated “house of God” (v.17). Bethel is a type of the church of Christ, the congregation of saints.
The presence of Christ in Bethel had various effects. In the preceding message we observed that His presence made Bethel “the house of God” and “the gate of heaven.” We here continue.
The presence of Christ in Bethel made it an “awesome” place (v.17a). Not in a terrifying way, as was Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:10-13). But in a gladdening way, as was Mount Zion (Psalm 48:1-3,11-14). Jacob was therefore “afraid” filially, not servilely.
Likewise, the presence of Christ in His church makes her an “awesome” place. His presence gladdens as it did in Mount Zion, not terrifies as it did at Mount Sinai. His church is therefore assured “For you have not come to the mountain that ... burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest [i.e. Mount Sinai] .... But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven [i.e. the church of Christ], to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrews 12:18-24). What an awesome place is the church of Christ! How gladdened, not terrified, are those who are of her! How filial, not servile, is their fear of God!
The presence of Christ in Bethel made it the place where God was worshipped (vv.20-22). Jacob worshipped God in Bethel because of what God had promised: companionship -- “God will be with me”; protection -- “God will keep me in this way that I am going”; provision -- “God will give me bread to eat and clothing to put on”; favor -- “I [will] come back to my father’s house in peace.”
Jacob worshipped God in Bethel by doing three things. First, he vowed allegiance to Jehovah alone (the first vow recorded in Scripture): “the LORD shall be my God.” Second, he erected a memorial pillar so that others here could find God: “this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house.” Third, he promised to financially support the Lord’s work: “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (v.21b).
Likewise, the presence of Christ in His church makes her the place where God is worshipped. The church of Christ today receives the same things promised by Christ to Jacob at Bethel: companionship, protection, provision, and favor.
The church therefore worships God in the same manner as did Jacob at Bethel. All her members vow allegiance to Jehovah alone, declaring “Christ shall be my God” (as in Philippians 2:9-11, paraphrased). They all also serve as a memorial pillar of Christ, each standing as the “pillar ... of the truth” holding Him forth for all to behold (1 Timothy 3:15). And they all financially support the Lord’s work with their offerings: for the maintenance of their pastors and missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Philippians 4:10; 1 Timothy 5:17f); for the relief of the poor (1 Corinthians 16:1-4); and for whatever other service Christ may be pleased to place before them.
Undoubtedly some will now ask, “Since Jacob promised a tenth or tithe of all his increase to God (Genesis 28:22), and since God required a tithe under the Old Covenant (Leviticus 27:30), should Christians today tithe?” Since the Old Covenant has been abrogated and replaced by the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13), and since no commandment to tithe is found in the New Covenant, there is today no requirement from God to tithe. (The New Covenant principle is set forth in 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 & 1 Corinthians 16:2.) However, no one today should be faulted for freely imitating or even emulating the worthy examples of Jacob and Abraham (Genesis 15:18-20).
Do you worship the Christ of Bethel?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
 |
| Gregory Ickes - WebMaster |
|---|
| www.norwich.net/surety |
| Sherburne, NY |
| Chenango County |
