Category Archives: worship

complete devotion

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Leviticus 1     The book of Leviticus picks up on the Exodus theme of sanctification, with only a slight twist.  The issue in Leviticus is not how can I escape Egypt?  but how can I express my devotion to the LORD? … Continue reading →

Posted in commitment, discipleship, holiness, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: connecting

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Exodus 26      There was a place where the Hebrews came to worship, to connect with the divine presence which they were following in the wilderness.  That place was the tabernacle.  It was a physical manifestation of the glory of God … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, grace, growth, holiness, sanctification, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: access

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Exodus 24 The ESV Study Bible explains that the distinctions made between three groups is “preparing Israel for the tabernacle.”  It was a symbol, preparing people for the symbol.  Moses could commune with God face to face, and represented the … Continue reading →

Posted in fear, forgiveness, grace, holiness, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

Joseph: out of the pit

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Genesis 41:1-36.   Joseph had been retrieved from a pit and sold to slave traders.  That is how he wound up in Egypt.  He was  wrongfully accused by his master’s wife, and thrown into another “pit” – a prison.  Years later, … Continue reading →

Posted in dependence upon God, Joseph, ministry, witness, works, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

plagues and the future

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Revelation 15.  First the good news: When God’s wrath is finished – there will have been a harvest of worshippers who praise him for his great deeds and holy ways.  This will happen in spite of the bad news.  During … Continue reading →

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following Jesus

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

John 11:55-12:19.   There are many who count themselves as followers of Jesus.  The question is “Why are you following him?” Judas followed him for the occasional dip into the moneybag. Do you follow Jesus for financial gain? Mary followed Jesus … Continue reading →

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emotions from the Holy Spirit

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Luke 19:28-44.  Two emotions are expressed in this passage.  First, the spontaneous joy that the disciples felt as they introduced Jerusalem to its king.  When the Pharisees objected to this display, Jesus told them that “if these were silent, the … Continue reading →

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how the Holy Spirit manifests

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Luke 10:25-42.  Luke puts together two stories from Jesus’ life in which the messages seem to be complete opposites. In the first story, Jesus explains to a lawyer that devotion to God is not enough.  In order to inherit eternal … Continue reading →

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the living stone

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Peter 2:4-10.  Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words by comparing them with those who had opportunity to accept Christ, but had rejected him.  They had a temple made with dead stones.  Christ is the living stone, rejected by … Continue reading →

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only Jesus: access to God’s presence

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Hebrews 8:1-9:10.  God had revealed a pattern in the old Jerusalem temple that predicted what Jesus has now accomplished for us in the heavenly temple.  Under the old covenant, access to the presence of God was restricted.  Only the priests … Continue reading →

Posted in atonement, confidence, deliverance, grace, Jesus Christ, prayer, redemption, worship | Tagged , | Leave a comment