Stay where you are and build Me a house
Exodus 25/1Corinthians 7-9
How to get the most out of Hungry Bible
OT
25:8-9 I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you.
NT
7:17-24 You must accept whatever situation the Lord has put you in, and continue on as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. You should continue on as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you–but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, the Lord has now set you free from the awful power of sin. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world. So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God.
9:24-27 Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
OT Flash Points
Make Me a house
Description of the materials and form of the facility
Then what goes into it
Think God doesn’t give specific instructions?
NT Flash Points
Details – laws bind up the believer so that we devour each other
The main thing – getting the crown, the prize of the High Calling
Stay where you are
Perspective
The vague “go do something for God” that young people are motivated by when they are new Christians is not the “go” of Scripture
Disciples make disciples
First step in becoming a disciple is learning that God gives specific instructions
Not necessarily 5-year plans, but step-by-step we follow His instructions