Introduction: In part one of "Man's Approach To God" we saw the First Step was to enter the "Gates" with "Thanksgiving" and the Outer Court with "Praise". However, we have not entered the place of "Worship" as of yet. The Second item of business was to deal with our sin at the Brazen Altar. There we learned the ugliness of sin, that the wages of sin required the death of a lamb. There must be Godly sorrow and repentance

Part Two will deal with the next step on our journey into the presence of God. After the Priest offered the sacrifice for sin at the Brazen Altar, his next stop would be at the "Laver". Here he would wash his hands and feet on the way to the Holy Place. This teached us the process of "Sanctification" or cleansing need in our daily walk.

(1) What Is The Laver And What Does It Teach Us Today ?

* Exodus 30:18-21 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

(A) Look at what the Laver is made of: Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses ( Mirrors) of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

(B) The Laver was "Mirrors and Water". It taught Self Examination and Self Purification. Before you go off the deep end let me remind you, there is a cleansing and purification that God does "for" us in the New Birth, but there is also a cleansing and purification we must do through "putting off" the old man and "putting on" the new. The Word is our cleansing agent in our daily walk with the Lord. (More later)

(C) There was a "Constant" need of cleansing. Many times a day the Priest would "Look and Wash".

* At the Altar: I see God's demand for sin to die there --- that I die not.

* At the Laver: I see God's demand for cleansing as often as I would approach the Holy Place ------- that I die not.

* At the Altar: I see the Lamb that died for my sins ------ that God did for me.

* At the Laver: I see Myself, and the need for constant cleansing ----- that I do for God.

* At the Altar: God deals with "all" my sin.

* At the Laver: I deal with with specific sins from my "walk and works". Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

What takes place at the Laver is very important ------------- That I Die Not !

* Washing my Hands: I purify my "Work, Acts, Deeds."

* Washing my Feet: I purify my "Walk, Ways, Behavior, Habits" not pleasing to God.

(D) We all have our "Blind Spots" that need a look in the mirror of God's Word. Often we try to rationalize our "spots." Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

It Is Through The Word I See What I "Should Be" And What I "Could Be"!

It Is The Word That Either "Cleanses or Endicts", "Cleanses or Judges" !

(E) What do we often do ? Compare ourselves to others ------- "I'm as good as --------------------------- 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

(2) Is The Principal Of The Old Testament "Laver" Found In The New Testament ? Remember: The Laver Stood Between The Altar And holy Place ! Why? That I Not Die !

(A) The Corinthian Church developed bad habits in church worship. One problem was that they came to the "Lord's Table" (Communion) in an irreverent manner. ( Read 1 Cor. 11: 20 - 26 )

* Paul's Warning: 1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (Unworthily: Gr. Anaxios: Irreverently, unfit ( Has to do with the attitude)

He has declared us "worthy", but we must show reverence and respect by coming with clean hands and a clean heart !

(B) There was a rule around my home when I was growing up; " Don't come to the table with dirty hands"! Paul said: 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

NOTE: When we "rush" into the Lord's presence, sit at his table irreverently, not reflecting, soul searching, we are only celebrating our judgment.

(C) We get to the place you can leave "feeling good" but you are headed for judgment if you have not seriously examined yourself.

* The Results: 1 Corinthians 11:30-31 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (DIE) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(D) How much sickness and premature deaths do you suppose are the result of our lighthearted rushing into his presence, sit down with dirty hands and feet.

(3) Wasn't The Corinthian Church Full Of The Holy Ghost Power, Gifts ? YES !

* Their Big Mistake and Ours: If we think the manifestation of Spiritual Gifts are a sign that "we" are alright.

NOT TRUE: You may walk into His Holy Place, sit down at the table, "Feel" the fire of the Candlestick (Spirit), be "Moved" at the Glory, "Feel" his presence, BUT if there is sin that is unconfessed, unrepented, you have dirty hands and feet. You are still under the judgment of Almighty God.

(A) The Priest may enter and serve, but he would die. It is dangerous to come with sin, unforgiveness, and a bad attitude and pretend everything is alright.

* Our Reasoning: Tongues and Gifts are evidence of the Holy Ghost presence, SO, If I'm still speaking in tongues, everything must be alright. WRONG !

* Question: Do you only "feel" His presence while you are "in" the Holy Place ? Or, does he still operate "outside" the Holy Place.

(B) God controls the manifestation of his Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

* Why does God give us a "Word of Wisdom" (Because we have need of it)

* Why does God give us "Gifts of Healings" ( Because we need it )

* Why does God give us a word of "Prophecy" ( Because we need comfort, strength)

NOT BECAUSE "WE" ARE "SPIRITUAL AND FULL"

WHEN GOD MANIFEST HIS GIFTS IT IS NOT A SIGN THAT I AM "UP HERE", BUT RATHER I AM "DOWN THERE" AND GOD SEE'S MY NEED AND MINISTERS TO ME !

(4) Jesus Set The Example Before His Disciples At The "Last Supper".

*The Custom: You always washed the feet of your guest as they entered your home. The Disciples prepared the meal but left off washing one anothers feet. No one took the role of a Servant. They go through the Supper with "dirty feet" arguing over things like, "who's the greatest", or "who is going to betray." Peter said: "Not me" I'm spiritual, though others may deny, NOT ME !

*What Does Jesus Do ? John 13:5-10 After that he poureth water into a basin, (LAVER) and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save(Except) to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

* The Lesson: We have already been to Calvary, washed in the blood, but walking through this world I get my feet and hands dirty. I pick up attitudes and ways that need washing by the water of the Word.

Some spend hours watching the filth of this world on Saturday nights, but one hour of the Word on Sunday morning is too much !

Many come to the Lord's House on Sunday and smell up the place with your attitudes

MY BURDEN: God's people have relaxed, slacked up, don't take sin seriously, come irreverently assuming God doesn't notice or care.

WOULDN'T YOU RATHER ENTER HIS PRESENCE WITH CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART ?

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE NEEDS ARE MET, GOD'S GLORY REVEALED

 

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