1 CHRONICLES 23 In Chapter 22 we saw David charging his son Solomon to build a house for the worship of True and Livi

1. 1 CHRONICLES 23 • In Chapter 22 we saw David charging his son Solomon to build a house for the worship of True and Living God. • We learned that in the O.T. the “house of God” was a buildingwhere the people of God would meet to worship and learn of the living God. • In the New Testament the “house of God” is now made up of men and women who have come to God by way of the Cross of Jesus — • Individually — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

2. You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. • Corporately — 2 Corinthians 6:16 ….For we are the temple of the living God; Ephesians 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. • We learned how worship in the O.T. (from Solomon forward) took place where the fire came down and the offering for sin was made for the sin of David and the nation. • All of that was pointing towards and is a picture of how real worship is rooted in the Cross of Jesus.

3. Our worship tonight is legitimate and meaningful and acceptable to God because of the Cross of Jesus. • Our worship tonight is our response to WHO God is and WHAT God has done to save us. • Then we saw David give a number of exhortations to Solomon. • I want to revisit one of them as we launch into Chapter 23. • In verse 15 of chapter 22 David said — Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”

4. Let me read that verse from the KJV — Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee. • Remember — the building of the house of the Lord speaks to us of our co-laboring with Jesus (2 Cor. 6:1) in building His Church. • There are a lot of Christians who sit around and wait for the Lord to direct their lives into some specific service • “Lord, what do you want me to do — where do you want to place me in the Body of Christ?” • Those are not only legitimate requests — they are absolutely essential in regards to serving the Lord

5. They’re essential because ministry is all about • > His will being done — not mine, not yours • > Making ourselves available for the tasks He has made us to do and desires us to do. • But a lot of Jesus loving, Bible believing men and women are sitting dead in the water waiting to have the Lord direct their lives. • In Genesis 24 we read of how Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer(we know his name from Gen. 15:2), to find a wife for Isaac. • Eliezermade a statement that resonates with the charge of David to Solomon.

6. Genesis 24:27 KJV ….I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren. • Eliezerknew the big picture — find a wife for Abraham’s son. • But it was as he was moving in the generalities of that task that he received specific direction by the Lord. • HERE’S THE PICTURE — You have to be moving in what you DO know of the will of God to find the next bit of it. • You need to be moving in the revealed will of God for every believer

7. Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Bible Study) and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. • Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness • This is the BIG PICTURE of God’s plan for our lives. • We are to be seeking the interests of the King and His Kingdom. • The Church (all believers around the world) is the not the same as the Kingdom of God — but it is expression of the Kingdom of God.

8. The church local is the expression of the Kingdom of God in a given locality. • You might not know at this moment what the specific call of God upon your life might be • Or you might know it — but you don’t know when or where. • Be moving in the Big Picture — • Serve the plans and purposes of the King and His Kingdom as it is expressed in the local church. • I guarantee you that as you arise— as you are doing — you will find the Lord with you, directing you into the unique will of God for your life.

9. If you are just sitting back — if you are just a consumer — you are like a boat dead in the water. • Did you know that the rudder of a boat is useless unless the boat is moving faster than the current? • You can’t steer it unless it is moving! • CHAPTER 23 • 1When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. • That’s a gracious way to describe old age isn’t it? • David is old and full of days.

10. Let me read to you the verse that Valerie gave to me while we were sitting in the front room of our house on Cherry Ridge Circle — not long after we moved down from Lake of the Pines. • I have to tell you that in thinking of that morning I was so moved —  • Just thinking of what a wonderful, godly, beautiful wife the Lord has given to me — how He has used her so many times to speak into my life. • When we lived in that house I knew exactly where I would find her on any given morning — sitting in a specific place in that front room, Bible in hand.

11. I would always sit across from her. • One morning she said, “The Lord gave me this verse for you from Psalms • Psalm 71:17-18 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come • Here I am — pretty full of days. • Not quite filled to the brim but the Lord willing about 80% full

12. Definitely gray hairs • And here you are — for the most part on Monday nights — another generation. • I am so humbled to proclaim the might and the mercy and the love and grace of God to all of you week after week. • Last week Valerie and I drove down to Southern California for our family vacation before going to Family Camp. • I went to Peet’s Coffee in Costa Mesa Saturday morning to work on Sunday’s study in John. • While I was there I ran into a long time friend Brian Brodersen.

13. It was a great time of fellowship. • At one point I shared with him how I I don’t have time to waste. • God sent me to plant Metro and pastor Metro specifically in the areas of teaching and vision. • I’m turning 60 this October and there is so much to be done. • So much to be done in Metro • so much existing ministry to be developed and matured • so much ministry that is still in the concept stage that needs to be prayed in an staffed.

14. I also believe that there is so much ministry God wants Metro to be involved in • outside of these walls • outside of this city • outside of this region. • I can’t think of the stuff that’s burning in my heart as separate from all of you. • I can’t get Brooklyn, New York, out of my mind and heart. • I know that God’s not done with me in England; so I have to believe that God has plans for Metro concerning England.

15. There’s Ilkley — a town in West Yorkshire • There’s Leeds — a university city and a center of commerce in Britain that so needs the Word of God. • Lord don’t forsake me until I have communicated these things to the next generation. • Those of you that are over 40 — don’t ever sit around the peripheral. • Those of you who are 18-30 — it’s time to step up and dive into Jesus — dive into all that He died for you to experience in Him.

16. David was old and filled with years — but he was far from finished! • The intensity of his love for the God of glory • His intensity for the people to experience the glory of God never diminished! • He said, “Lord now I want to declare your glory to the next generation.” • David understood thatby God’s design there were moving partsthat needed to be in place within the house of the Lord • each one essential to the end of God being worshipped

17. each one essential for the care for the people of God. • So in this chapter he’s going to set the Levites in order. • The Levites ministered from thirty years old to fifty years old. • They were prepared for their ministry from twenty five years old to thirty years old. • When they reached fifty — they weren’t finished with ministry — their ministry shifted focus.

18. Instead of maintaining the courts of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) and the vessels within it • they stayed within its courts to minister to the next generation of Levites. • This is really important — • important for those who are young adults, and those who are adults but not so young. • We live in a culture that fights against age. • Plastic surgery, Botox, nips and tucks, hair coloring • All in an effort to deny the fact that we’re getting older.

19. Most young adults can not conceptualize growing old. • When I perform weddings the couple will face each other and make their vows to the Lord and to each other • they’re looking into each others eyes and they will say, • “And forsaking all others I promise to keep myself for you alone as long as we both shall live” • Sometimes I chuckle to myself because I’m thinking — “They have no idea what they’re saying!

20. They don’t know about sickness and health over a few months — let alone over the course of a life time. • They don’t know about “for better or worse” over a few hours — let alone over the course of a life time. • Valerie and I have been married 34 years this past June. • When you are 19 going on 20 (which is how old Valerie was when she married me), 34 years old seems ancient — let alone being married for 34 years.

21. The Word of God places a huge value on those who • > have walked with the Lord for years • > understand and value the things of the Lord and have come to know the ways of the Lord. • QUOTE: Brooke Fraser song “Here’s To You” — • Cheers to the furrows on our brow • To each hard-won victory • Cheers to the losses that grew us up • Killed our pride, and filled our cup  • The Bible says this about Moses —  Psalm 103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

22. It’s one thing to see the works of the Lord • But it is another thing all together to know His ways. • That man or woman is a treasure in the Body of Christ. • I have to tell that when the Lord put it in our hearts to start Metro it made zero sense on so many levels. • You don’t START something when you’re 52 years old. • You’re supposed to be close to finishing something at that age. • Then there was Psalm 71:17-18!

23. The Lord saw the scene in this room. • He wanted to use the furrows on our brow • He wanted us to share with this generation about each hard-won victory • He wanted us to share the losses that grew us up and Killed our pride, and filled our cup  • Should the Lord tarry — and as you grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior • you will have furrows on our brow • You will have victories in Christ to share • You will be able to talk to another generation the losses that grew you up and Killed your pride, and filled your cup 

24. So here is David — and when he is old and full of days he is doing some of his greatest work • in preparing a generation to know the God of glory and experience the glory of God. • 2David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites. 3The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men. 4“Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 shall be officers and judges, 54,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.”

25. There are a lot of moving parts involved to facilitate worship! 6And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These family groupings within the tribe of Levi were described hundreds of years before in Numbers 3-4. 7The sons of Gershonwere…. 8The sons of Ladan… 10And the sons of Shimei 12The sons of Kohath…. 13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things,

26. that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14But the sons of Moses the man of God were named among the tribe of Levi. • Being a member of the tribe of Levi was not enough to be a priest • one had to be a descendant of this particular family of Aaron. • Please don’t miss this — Aaron and his sons didn’t apply for that ministry — they didn’t audition for it — they didn’t bid for the job • God set them apart for it.

27. There are a lot of people who say • That’s what I want to do • And they think that desire = calling. • There are those who say —  • That’s what I want to do • So I’m going to go to school and learn how to be that and do that. • Surely those called must give themselves to study and prepare for that which God has set them apart • But no amount of study and skill can place you into ministry.

28. That doesn’t sit well with some people • because they process work in the house of the Lord and the Kingdom of God on the same basis that they process a career in the work place. • They think it’s not fair that some get to do certain work in the house of the Lord when they think they are just as capable, if not more so. • That’s not a new problem! • There were three men (Korah, Dathan and Abiram) who thought just like that in the days of Moses and Aaron.

29. Numbers 16:3; 8-11 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”….. 8And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? 11Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” • There is no substitute for the call of God on a life for ministry.

30. Paul referred to his office and ministry as an apostle on the very same basis. • Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, • Galatians 1:15 15But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, • Ephesians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, • When my pastor was teaching through Ephesians he had us do a little exercise with that verse. • YOUR NAME, a WHAT? by the will of God.

31. When I first got saved mine read • Richard, a high school football coach by the will of God. • I had no idea that God was using that as part of my training to be a pastor. • For some here tonight it is • YOUR NAME, a wife by the will of God • YOUR NAME, a husband by the will of God • YOUR NAME, a mom by the will of God • YOUR NAME, a dad by the will of God • YOUR NAME, an artist by the will of God • YOUR NAME, a student by the will of God.

32. Even within that calling there are callings — • a children’s church teacher by the will of God • a servant on the media team by the will of God • a deacon by the will of God • a worship leader by the will of God • We had such a great time last week praying and planning about training men and women for ministry. • One of the highlights of our time together was when one of the brothers involved in the discussion said that the training process must include a process to recognize calling and commision.

33. We were so excited about complementing lecture time with a separate time of working through the material in small groups with the instructors and leadership — and in that time let the Lord reveal his callings on their lives. • 15The sons of Moses…. • 17The sons of Eliezer…. • 18The sons of Izhar…. • 19The sons of Hebron…. • 20The sons of Uzziel…. • 21The sons of Merari…. • 23The sons of Mushi…..

34. 24These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 25For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 25For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” After being delivered from death and bondage in Egypt the nation of Israel spent forty years wandering in the wilderness.

35. For forty years God manifested Himself to them as a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day. • Whenever the pillar of fire moved — or the cloud moved — the Israelites were to follow. • Back in the Book of Numbers we learned that the main responsibilities of Kohath and Gershon and Merari were the packing up — transporting — and setting up again the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. • That’s changed now because the Tabernacle (which was essentially a tent) has been replaced by the permanent structure that Solomon is going to build.

36. HERE’S THE PICTURE — • The Lord never changes — but ministry does. • David is forward looking. • 27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.

37. David even assigns the responsibility for keeping the house of the Lord clean! • Metro — there is a little army at work here that you never see • They work to make sure this building is clean and ready so that you can worship the God of glory and experience the glory of God • DON’T MISS THIS — 27For by the last words of David • David is just consumed with the worship of God • Psalm 27:4 KJV One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

38. His last words have to do with setting in order everything necessary for the people of God to worship God — from the practical to the musical. 30And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. 30And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord.

39. He wouldn’t see it with his own eyes — • but in his love for the Lord • and his zeal to see Him loved by others • David had vision for the house of the Lord and planned for that vision to be undertaken • 32Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord. • Old Testament picture of deacons • QUOTE: Adam Clarke — The Levites were, properly speaking, servants to the priests, and were employed about the more servile part of divine worship.

40. CLOSING THOUGHT — David is not doing all of this as • the CEO of Temple Mount Investment Properties • or the Managing Director of Temple Logistics and Human Resources Incorporated. • David is a visionary who is moved and inspired by his passionate and personal love of God. • He is utterly overwhelmed by • the beauty of God • the faithfulness of God • the mercies of God • and the grace of God.

41. David had discovered that the loving kindness of God is so real and so great that it is better than life itself! • God Himself is the centerpiece of his vision • Everything about his vision and foresight and planning had as it’s chief end — the glory of God and the worship of God. • What moves us as individuals? • What moves us as a church?