Why Do You Worship? - Exodus 25:8-9,17-22; 29:38-46

The Faith Builders Bible Class has been made up of the older men in First Baptist Church of Heber Springs for many years. During the past twenty or more years there have been very few [if any] that were physically able to work at a steady job, especially one of hard labor. However, there is no single group in the church that is more involved in contributions to the church.

There are so many ways that active members can contribute that there is no reason for anyone to feel left out of church activates. Even the home bound have found avenues of service through an established call-service that is extended to other home bound, and or those in the hospital, nursing homes, and retirement homes.

Members of our class that are active and able organized a construction group called the Nail Benders many years ago. They bought a covered trailer and equipped it with a well organized set of tools. They have a complete set of the needed equipment to build a small church, Sunday school rooms, or a parsonage. These men have their own portable homes that they move to the building site to live in while they construct for God. They have built churches all over Arkansas, and several in other states. This has formed one of the mission arms of the church.

Others in this class have made it known that they were available to furnish transportation to members of the church that have a need to visit a doctor, hospital, or see a dentist. Then there are always two or three that enjoy visitation to the homes of those that have missed church, or have a crisis in their home. There is and has always been a cry for help among God’s people. The background for this study today was in Egypt and the senior adult that was called to help was 80 years old at the time.

We have all heard of the Israelite descendants of Jacob who were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years, when they cried out for deliverance and god sent the 80 year old fugitive named Moses to bargain for their release. Pharaoh finally released God’s people from bondage and they were allowed to take with them great amounts of silver, gold, and fine linens as they made their way toward the Promised Land. After years of wandering in the wilderness and maintaining a rebellious state of mind toward God, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, God delivered his law for their guidance and also his demand that they build a tabernacle to be used to worship him.

The explicit plans were given to Moses regarding the size of all the rooms and the furnishings of the tabernacle, including the materials with which they were to be built. It was made clear that the people would be responsible for the building of the worship center. All of the workers were to contribute to the building according to their skill and ability. Even the women and children got involved as they were called on to donate their jewelry they had brought with them out of Egypt.

All of the structure of the tabernacle was to be formed from Acacia wood. The reason was that the Acacia timber was abundant and could be used for construction as well as for wood for heat and cooking. All members of each family could be involved in the production of the building materials and the needed fuel. There was a place for everyone to be involved in God’s plan to build a tent for His worship.

When the tabernacle was finished and made ready for the people to use in worship, God demanded that Aaron and his sons be brought in and washed or anointed as priest to serve the people as their priest. When one looks back just a few months ago and remembers that Aaron was involved in the making of an idol bull calf to be worshipped as the god that brought them out of Egypt—it is hard to understand why he was chosen to be the new priest of all the people. Just remember that God has chosen me and you to do a work for him and we may not understand why—but no one else can take our place. We are totally responsible and therefore must be totally committed and willing to contribute what ever we are ask, or directed.

Last Sunday our pastor, Brother J. R., preached a wonderful sermon from the book of Acts indicating that the people had a problem; a new need arose in the church and they selected seven new members of the church to fill that need. They contributed to the solution of a problem in the church. He then related this to a new need that has arisen in the Children’s Department of our church. The church should not have to beg for help. There is someone out there that has the ability and they should step forward and contribute to the work that needs to be done for our little ones. This is not a unique problem. I feel sure that the same kind of need exists wherever you attend church and the opportunity is there for you to give of your time and talent as your contribution to God’s work.

Just remember that there is no time or place for retirement from God’s work. Moses was 80 when he started this humongous task of leading God’s people out of bondage. The Faith Builders Class will probably average seventy-five or more and every one with health that permits, in constantly contributing to some work of the church. Work for the night is coming when man’s work is done. If a great work is completed, you will feel better if you did your part.