Public Service at Surabaya - Sunday, July 01, 2007

Based on Tabernacle structure, the epistle of Jude refers to the covering of badger skins, which signifies the protection and attention of God toward the true church as well as the separation from the false ones, just as wheat is separated from tares; the wheat will be gathered into the barn while the tares will be burnt in the fire.

One of the false churches is named the fleshly church (starting vs. 8). Now let us see its sign written in verse 12.

Jude 1:12
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

The fleshly church is like clouds without water, carried about by the winds.

Let’s compare with Job 37:11
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds.
The true church is clouds with moisture/water. Surely we know that clouds in the sky contain water, which then falls and becomes raindrops.

Deuteronomy 32:2
2 Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass.

The rain is the true teaching word (clouds saturated with water).
Unlike the true church, the fleshly church is clouds without water (dry) because they reject to be filled with the true teaching word. As empty clouds will be easily carried about and gone by the winds, so will the fleshly church fade away and perish forever.

There are two winds by which the fleshly church is blown and carried away:

1. the wind of temptations
   Mark 4:37
   37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
   The great wave and wind of temptations in the sea of the world will fill the ship of life, which is not filled with teaching word, with the water of problems. Thus, we have to be careful in hearing the teaching word, lest we become boring because the dryness and emptiness will cause the wind of temptations comes and brings the water of unsolved problem to sink the ship into the sea.
   Sinking if the ship = falling from faith and perishing.
   Let us now correct ourselves. Many problems in our lives indicate our emptiness of teaching word. If we are full of the water of teaching word, the other water will be unable to enter.
2. the wind of heresies
   Ephesians 4:14
   14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
   The church of God will not grow spiritually and remain children if they reject to be filled with the true teaching word (solid food). It thus does not mean that the word of gospel is unimportant. On the contrary, it is very important but we must also notice the situation and condition, that is, the word of gospel (milk) is intended for those who have not believed in Christ yet (novices). But those who have faith in Christ for years need the teaching word (solid food). If a Christian rejects the teaching word, his spiritual growth will be disturbed and remain stunted – even if he is physically twenty years old already. Children (symbolizing Christians who reject the teaching word) have no firmness so that they are easily deceived by the wind of heresies. They will depart from the faith and fall away from the true teaching word. There is nothing more than destruction in hell for them, just like empty clouds passed by the wind and found no more forever.

In 1 Timothy 4, Apostle Paul reminds us to live in the Spirit that we may expressly reject heresies.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

As long as we live in the Spirit, we will be firm about the true doctrine, which means:

• we will hold fast to the true doctrine, which has become our life experiences.
• we will expressly reject other doctrines, which are contrary to the one that we hold.

If we hear the true teaching word with positive response, we will be seared with the mark of the true teaching word.
Once we react to another doctrine, we let our conscience be seared with the mark of the heresy. The deeper our conscience is seared, the harder it will be and we will not accept the true doctrine anymore.

Let me tell you this testimony: there was someone close to me and he was very enthusiastic about the teaching word. A long distance was journeyed still to hear the teaching word. One day he was invited by his boss to attend a fellowship. He then told me and mocked the fellowship. I had told him not to attend the fellowship again, but he said that he could deal with it to honor his boss. Now he has been caught up in that fellowship since then. We were so close but now so distant. I have tried to bring him back to the true doctrine but he replied simply with laughter. Now I pray for him day and night. This is a very serious matter and I learn from this lesson. When we give a reaction to another doctrine, our conscience is seared and hardened, and we will refuse the true doctrine sometime. We must be careful, therefore.

The desire of God is that we are filled with the true doctrine through the process below:

• Hearing the word of Christ / the true doctrine anointed by the Holy Spirit.
  Romans 10:17
  17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Indonesian: firman Kristus the word of Christ).
  By hearing the word of God under the anointing of Holy Spirit, we will be able to:
  • hear the word as a life need, so that we will never feel bored of hearing the word of God.
  • hear the word in humbleness, so that we will always appreciate the word of God. For example, the woman of Canaan whose daughter was severely demon-possessed. God said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” The woman was humbled (since Israel was the sons or sheep of God, but the Gentiles were dogs), but in the Spirit she said: “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table." For that reason, we need humbleness to be able to appreciate and consume the word of God.
  • hear the word unlimitedly by age, experience, intelligence, and any other worldly things.
• Giving a response to the word that we have heard.
  Romans 10:19
  19 But I say, did Israel not know (Indonesian: menanggap respond)? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation."
  Israel responded the word of God negatively, but we will be able to respond positively as long as we are under the anointing of Holy Spirit.
  How to respond the word of God? The mind understand and the heart believes.
  The mind understands but it is not enough. The word should not become only knowledge, we have to believe it.
  When we believe, the word is turned into the faith to justify and save our souls – so that the clouds will not pass away by the wind.
• Obeying or doing the word of God.
  Romans 10:21
  21 But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people."
  Because Israel rejected and disobeyed the word of God, the Gentiles get a chance to hear and obey the word of God. Therefore, we should give a positive response by obeying the word of God.

While the true doctrine is being preached, God is stretching out His Hands to us (“All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.") If we are able to hear, understand, believe, and practice the word of God, we are stretching out our hands to God and the mighty Hands of God will hold our hands. We will not deceive and be deceived.

Why are we often tossed by the wind?

• Because we do not yet practice the word / the word do not yet become our blood and flesh.
• Because we are not held yet by the strong Hands of God.

Whoever hear and obey the true doctrine are called the pillars of faith; they will not fall but endure like the saturated clouds will not pass away by the wind. There are in the court of Tabernacle sixty pillars symbolizing the sixty heroes of faith:

1. The fifty-six pillars represented the persons from Abraham to Joseph, Jesus’ father.
2. The four pillars of the gate represented Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Luke 3:23-34
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,

Matthew wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the King (the first pillar).
What is known in a king is victory over enemies.

Psalms 20:9
9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.

(save = give victory)
Thus, the first pillar is termed faith and victory, the victorious or steadfast faith.
There are three enemies:

1. world
   James 4:4
   4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
   We are often defeated by worldly matters, such as bustle and riches. We are often busy with activities until we have no time to go to church; or, we often seek money in illegal manner so the pillar falls. Let us now ask God to give us victorious faith.
   Hearing until obeying the teaching word = being the pillar of faith.
2. flesh with its passions, desires, emotions, and ambitions.
   Romans 8:6-7
   6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
   7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
   The desires of the flesh lead us to disobedience. If we obey the word of God, however, we will prevail over the flesh.
3. death / sins
   1 Corinthians 15:26
   26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
   In short, the victorious faith overcomes the world, flesh, and death.

Mark wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the Servant (the second pillar).
What is desired in a servant is obedience. Jesus as the Servant had become obedient to death.

Philippians 2:7-10
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

An obedient servant has the power of the King to defeat enemies. We should not want the power first, but the most important is to have faith and obedience. Today many people are taught to get the power first, but if the power is gained not by obedience, they will go in the wrong way and perish. Moses, for instance, was commanded to speak to the rock that it would yield water for the people of Israel to drink, but he struck it. Water then indeed came out abundantly – but Moses had broken the commandment of the Lord. And the bad news, people can only see the abundant water to this day – while it is not according to the word. As a consequence, Moses went in the wrong way; he went into his burial place and not Canaan. This is for our lesson, that we must firstly have faith and obedience to get the right power and go in the right way.

Luke wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the suffered Man (the third pillar).
This third pillar is called faith and suffering; the suffered faith or the approved faith. When we suffer affliction as Jesus had experienced, we must be strong to have the approved faith. Jesus Christ is the suffered Man and acquainted with grief, and none esteemed Him (Isaiah 53). He was despised and beaten. This was also counted as a common thing, but Jesus accepted it all. Earthen vessel will break if someone hits, even when it contains much money because it becomes heavier. Nevertheless, the teaching word we have in our vessels makes us endurable/approved as the word in 2Corinthians 4 says “we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed: we are perplexed, but not in despair: persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

John wrote the gospel to show Jesus as the Son of God (the forth pillar).
This forth pillar is called faith and righteousness/holiness. All life aspects must be true both physically (marriage, finance, study) and spiritually (ministry). Faith cannot be separated from righteousness. Faith alone is not enough as it is said in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Thus, these are the pillars of Tabernacle, especially the four pillars of the gate signifying faith: the victorious faith + faith and obedience + faith and righteousness + the approved faith. The four pillars conclude merely in those who hear and obey the word of God.

Tabernacle was built in the desert, in which the people of Israel could neither sow nor harvest, but they did not find it hard to live because the Lord Himself cared them. Just because of the existence of Tabernacle, the Lord could care the people of Israel. This gives us explanation that life is not hard as long as we understand Tabernacle teaching. No matter how difficult it is to live in the dessert of the world, God Himself cares for our lives.

After the four pillars were done, Moses hung up the screen of the court gate.

Exodus 40:33-35
33 And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Let us now become saturated clouds hearing until obeying the teaching word, lest we become empty clouds blown by the wind. In such a manner, we become the pillars of Tabernacle. Then, the screen was hung up; meaning Christ as the Head is responsible for and present in our lives.

When the cloud of glory (the presence of the Lord) filled the tabernacle:

• Moses could not enter into it. Also when the temple of God built by Solomon was consecrated, the priests could not continue ministering the Lord (1 Kings 8). In the Indonesian Bible, The term “continue ministering the Lord” is written “continue standing before the Lord”. What does it mean? We can do nothing but God by His merciful Hands does everything in our lives. We do not need to do any other thing, only trust in God totally. The merciful Hands of God act, everything that is impossible to men is made possible.
  We often find it hard to surrender; that’s why God lets us down for some times that we may trust God. Seeing that, we should not be desperate in all things, but we should give it all up to God. We will see how the merciful Hand works to do everything in our lives.
• neither able to enter nor stand; implying the tearing of the flesh since the flesh profits nothing. It more means the presence of God covers and changes our fleshly being into spiritual men as perfect as Christ is. We will be lifted up to glorious heavens / the cloud of glory.
  Matthew 24:30-31
  30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
  31 “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  His elect = clouds filled with the word = pillars of faith lifted up to the cloud of glory ; from one end of heaven to the other, to the gentiles who want to give themselves to be filled with the teaching word.

In conclusion, we should become the pillars of faith and surrender our lives when the presence of God is real in the midst of us. God by His merciful Hands is able to do everything that we need. We are weak and incapable, just surrender to God. He will act and change us little by little until we become as perfect as He is and see Him face to face in glorious heavens.
God bless you!