Bathing our Body and Cleansing our Soul

O. T. #240  "Bathing our Body and Cleansing our Soul"
March 5, 2014
Exodus 30-Part 2
Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.  Exodus 30:25

LET IT GLOW

Do we wash, bathe, before we enter the House of God for worship? Probably all of us would answer "Of course." We clean our body to rid it of its filth and dirt, but do we clean our soul of its filthy sins by confessing them to Jesus and asking forgiveness? Usually, I do this inside the church, not thinking of doing it before entering it. Are you with me?
The priests in Moses' day had requirements about cleansing and anointing.  
We have talked about being a praying people and a grateful people, and now we will discuss being a cleansed people.

First was the brazen altar of sacrifice and then the brazen laver. Brass signified judgment. Both had to be used, or death would occur. The priests had to wash their hands and feet prior to any ministry. Our initial cleansing comes first at the altar of sacrifice, through Christ's shed blood. Repeated cleansings are needed daily and are received as we bathe in the Word of God (John 15:3) and confess our sins to the Father (1 John 1:9). (Falwell)

There was no floor in the Tabernacle, so the feet of the priests would get dirty. Also, the handling of the sacrifices would defile their hands.
The laver was made out of brass mirrors (38:8). The mirror is a picture of the Word of God (James 1:23-25) and the laver illustrates the cleansing power of God's Word (John 15:3; Ps. 119:9). When we trust Jesus Christ, we are "washed all over" once and for all, but it is necessary to confess our sins and "wash our hands and feet" if we want to enjoy fellowship with the Lord (1 John 13:1-11).
(Wiersbe)

Do we daily bathe in God's Word? How seriously do we take God's Word?

LET IT GROW

The kingdom of priests is made up of anointed people, also.
The anointing oil:

• was made up of specific amounts of special ingredients, a unique blend of myrrh (4 qts.), 12 1/2 pounds of each cinnamon, calamus, and cassia. (This is the first mention of the last three spices.) Then all was mixed with olive oil. (verses 22-24)
• was set apart for use only in the Tabernacle.
• was made by a skilled perfumer, apothecary. (verse 25)
• was a sacred oil to not have common use. (verses 32-33)
• was to be used to anoint the furniture within the Tabernacle. Whatever touches them shall be holy. (verse 26-29)
• was used to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. (verse 30)

Anointed is a verb meaning to wet or daub a person with olive oil. Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed at the beginning of their service. this ritual identified a person or object as set apart for god's special purposes. (MacArthur)

Today, when elders wish to anoint with oil (James 5:14), plain olive oil is used. (Falwell)

God's people are anointed today by the Holy Spirit of God. 1 John 2:20, 27)

2 Cor. 1:21-22 NIV say, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.


Are we living as anointed people, set apart for God's service?
Is His Spirit within our heart?

LET IT(My Sins) GO

-and let God...
-so God will...
-and be...