Music... 00:00:01.36\00:00:25.99 Welcome to another installment 00:00:26.02\00:00:27.86 in our Series that we've entitled: 00:00:27.89\00:00:29.86 "The Sanctuary, Salvation and our Savior" 00:00:29.92\00:00:33.93 and the focus of our study today is the Candlesticks 00:00:33.96\00:00:38.03 or the Menorah or otherwise known as the Lampstand 00:00:38.07\00:00:41.67 that was located in the Holy Place of the sanctuary. 00:00:41.70\00:00:45.27 Now, to my right, we have this beautiful LED 00:00:45.31\00:00:49.28 of the Menorah and it was covered in pure gold 00:00:49.31\00:00:53.25 made of wood 00:00:53.28\00:00:55.18 and it was to be in the shape of an almond tree, 00:00:55.25\00:00:59.92 there were seven lamps of fire that were burning there, 00:00:59.95\00:01:03.66 there was one central stand 00:01:03.69\00:01:06.06 with six stems going out from the central ones 00:01:06.09\00:01:09.50 and at the top of each one of these lamps 00:01:09.53\00:01:12.67 was an almond-shaped bowl that was to be filled with oil 00:01:12.73\00:01:17.51 daily by the priest 00:01:17.57\00:01:19.67 and also, there were wicks that were burning there as well 00:01:19.74\00:01:22.44 and the priest's responsibility was to insure 00:01:22.48\00:01:26.21 that these lamps were burning continually 00:01:26.25\00:01:29.88 in the Holy Place of the sanctuary. 00:01:29.95\00:01:32.55 It was the only source of light 00:01:32.59\00:01:35.56 in the Holy Place of the sanctuary 00:01:35.59\00:01:38.49 and it was the place from which light emanated 00:01:38.53\00:01:42.50 and there was a golden glow that would fill the room 00:01:42.56\00:01:46.84 of the Holy Place. 00:01:46.87\00:01:48.80 As we can see, there are three articles of furniture 00:01:48.87\00:01:52.74 in the Holy Place of the sanctuary... 00:01:52.77\00:01:54.94 the Candlesticks... the Altar of Incense... 00:01:55.01\00:01:57.15 and the Shewbread 00:01:57.18\00:01:59.38 and the focus of our study today is the Candlesticks 00:01:59.41\00:02:03.22 and when we talk about the sanctuary, 00:02:03.25\00:02:05.39 we're talking about God's plan of restoration... 00:02:05.42\00:02:07.62 it is to bring us back... 00:02:07.66\00:02:09.19 He wants to bring us into the Courtyard experience... 00:02:09.22\00:02:12.43 into the Holy Place... 00:02:12.46\00:02:14.03 and into the Most Holy Place Experience 00:02:14.06\00:02:17.27 and we noted that Adam and Eve before the fall... 00:02:17.30\00:02:21.20 were in a face-to-face encounter with God... 00:02:21.24\00:02:23.61 had that encounter... 00:02:23.64\00:02:25.37 that conversation with God as to a friend 00:02:25.41\00:02:27.71 but because of the fall, 00:02:27.74\00:02:29.08 the entire human race was placed outside the gate 00:02:29.11\00:02:32.35 and it's God's plan 00:02:32.38\00:02:34.18 through the illustration of the sanctuary, 00:02:34.22\00:02:36.75 to bring us all the way back 00:02:36.79\00:02:38.69 to that intimate face-to-face relationship with Him. 00:02:38.75\00:02:41.72 Now, when we look at the Lampstand, 00:02:41.76\00:02:44.46 we note that the reason why the fire is able to burn 00:02:44.49\00:02:50.23 is because of the oil that has been provided 00:02:50.27\00:02:54.17 and the oil represents the Holy Spirit 00:02:54.24\00:02:57.64 that is to fill us on a daily basis 00:02:57.67\00:03:01.01 and the only reason why we are able to shine for Jesus 00:03:01.04\00:03:05.41 is because of the indwelling spirit of God. 00:03:05.45\00:03:09.35 There are several different things 00:03:09.38\00:03:12.39 that the light from the lampstand illustrates 00:03:12.42\00:03:16.49 and first of all, this has Christological implications 00:03:16.52\00:03:19.83 meaning that it points to Jesus Christ. 00:03:19.89\00:03:22.66 The Menorah... the light emanating in the sanctuary 00:03:22.70\00:03:26.07 first and primarily points to Jesus 00:03:26.10\00:03:28.90 as Jesus said in John chapter 1 verse 9, 00:03:28.94\00:03:32.27 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. " 00:03:32.34\00:03:35.64 Jesus is our spiritual illumination. 00:03:35.68\00:03:39.21 Jesus is the One that gives us light, 00:03:39.25\00:03:42.95 Jesus is the source of light and truth 00:03:42.98\00:03:46.65 and so, first and foremost, 00:03:46.72\00:03:48.92 the light that burns in the Holy Place 00:03:48.96\00:03:52.76 represents Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.79\00:03:55.16 There is a secondary significance 00:03:55.20\00:03:57.73 and this has ecclesiological implications 00:03:57.77\00:04:01.20 talking about the church. 00:04:01.27\00:04:02.80 So, first and foremost, 00:04:02.84\00:04:04.31 this is talking about Jesus the light of the world 00:04:04.34\00:04:07.11 and secondarily this refers to the church... God's people... 00:04:07.14\00:04:11.45 you and I... 00:04:11.48\00:04:13.11 the Bible says, "You are the light of the world" 00:04:13.15\00:04:17.59 in Matthew chapter 5 and verse 14. 00:04:17.62\00:04:20.09 Now, we are not the source of light, 00:04:20.12\00:04:22.92 we are a reflection of the light of God 00:04:22.96\00:04:25.66 so, not only is Jesus the light of the world, 00:04:25.69\00:04:29.90 but the church as evidenced in the seven lamps of fire 00:04:29.93\00:04:34.90 that were burning before the throne in the book of Revelation 00:04:34.94\00:04:37.31 representing the seven churches... 00:04:37.34\00:04:38.67 the church is to be the reflection of God's light, 00:04:38.71\00:04:44.41 we are the light of the world, 00:04:44.45\00:04:47.08 we are to be the agents that disseminate truth 00:04:47.12\00:04:51.09 to a dying world. 00:04:51.12\00:04:52.45 The oil, as we mentioned, is the Holy Spirit 00:04:52.49\00:04:56.09 according to Luke chapter 4 verse 18 00:04:56.12\00:04:57.83 and Zachariah chapter 4 verse 6, 00:04:57.86\00:04:59.46 the oil that is poured into the lamps is the Holy Spirit 00:04:59.49\00:05:04.53 and as we noted earlier, 00:05:04.57\00:05:06.07 we don't burn because of ourselves, 00:05:06.10\00:05:08.50 we don't give light because of ourselves, 00:05:08.57\00:05:11.44 we give light because of the Holy Spirit 00:05:11.47\00:05:14.34 that dwells in each one of us. 00:05:14.38\00:05:16.95 When the Spirit comes in, 00:05:16.98\00:05:18.91 we manifest the fruit of the Spirit, 00:05:18.98\00:05:21.38 we manifest love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, 00:05:21.42\00:05:26.99 goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance... 00:05:27.02\00:05:29.66 the graces of Jesus Christ are a light to the world 00:05:29.72\00:05:33.96 and when we talk about our witness... 00:05:34.00\00:05:36.30 talk about light... talk about sharing Jesus... 00:05:36.36\00:05:39.13 many times we talk about the proclamation of the Word, 00:05:39.17\00:05:43.07 but in reality, it's also talking about 00:05:43.10\00:05:47.31 the proclamation of the life. 00:05:47.34\00:05:49.51 The strongest evidence of the reality of Christ... 00:05:49.54\00:05:53.35 of the living Christ... 00:05:53.38\00:05:55.25 is a loving and lovable Christian 00:05:55.28\00:05:58.45 so, as the Spirit is poured into our lives, 00:05:58.49\00:06:01.09 we are able to be a light... 00:06:01.12\00:06:03.53 be a witness to those that are around us. 00:06:03.56\00:06:07.13 The priest that put oil into the lamps 00:06:07.16\00:06:10.97 represents Jesus our High Priest in heaven 00:06:11.00\00:06:13.90 so, how fitting an illustration it is. 00:06:13.94\00:06:16.81 Jesus our High Priest in heaven, we are the vessel... 00:06:16.84\00:06:19.97 He pours in the Holy Spirit into us 00:06:20.01\00:06:22.51 which enables to be a light to... to emanate the... 00:06:22.54\00:06:25.98 the character of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit to others 00:06:26.01\00:06:29.75 and this is an important part of our Christian experience. 00:06:29.78\00:06:33.52 You see, being a Christian 00:06:33.56\00:06:35.09 is not just about living in our own community 00:06:35.12\00:06:37.53 and having people that believe all the same that we do... 00:06:37.56\00:06:40.23 the same things that we do 00:06:40.26\00:06:41.73 and just living in our little club 00:06:41.76\00:06:43.90 and talking theology amongst ourselves, 00:06:43.93\00:06:46.23 no, the Christian experience is about being a light 00:06:46.27\00:06:50.34 to the world as well. 00:06:50.37\00:06:51.71 It's about sharing your faith. 00:06:51.74\00:06:53.31 It's about sharing the gospel. 00:06:53.34\00:06:55.04 It's about sharing the good news of a crucified and risen Lord. 00:06:55.08\00:06:59.81 Another thing about the elements in the Holy Place 00:06:59.85\00:07:03.99 was this word in the Hebrew, "Tamid" 00:07:04.02\00:07:06.96 which literally means "continually. " 00:07:07.02\00:07:09.89 Each one of the elements in the Holy Place 00:07:09.92\00:07:13.13 was to be continually before the Lord. 00:07:13.16\00:07:15.86 The priest was to tend to the bread 00:07:15.90\00:07:18.53 and keep it continually before the Lord, 00:07:18.57\00:07:21.74 the word "Tamid" here is used again 00:07:21.77\00:07:24.74 and then, we have these three elements: 00:07:24.77\00:07:27.68 Bread, Incense, and Candlesticks 00:07:27.74\00:07:30.41 representing Bible Study, Prayer and Witnessing 00:07:30.45\00:07:35.35 and each one of these was to be continually before the Lord, 00:07:35.38\00:07:39.79 the bread was to be a continual presence. 00:07:39.82\00:07:42.32 The light was to be continually burning 00:07:42.36\00:07:44.76 and the incense was to be continually ascending to God. 00:07:44.79\00:07:48.86 In other words, each one of these elements 00:07:48.90\00:07:52.53 of Bible Study... of Prayer and Ministry 00:07:52.57\00:07:56.17 are not just a one-time thing, 00:07:56.20\00:07:58.37 but it is to be Tamid... continually something 00:07:58.41\00:08:02.51 that the Christian by the grace of God 00:08:02.54\00:08:05.85 practices to sustain their spiritual life. 00:08:05.88\00:08:09.15 The word "Prayer" and "Witnessing" 00:08:09.18\00:08:11.55 is to be continually a part of our Christian experience. 00:08:11.59\00:08:16.49 Here's a quotation from "Steps to Christ" page 79, 00:08:16.52\00:08:20.30 "God might have committed the message of the gospel, 00:08:20.33\00:08:24.07 and all the work of loving ministry, 00:08:24.10\00:08:26.74 to the heavenly angels. 00:08:26.80\00:08:28.37 But in His infinite love 00:08:28.40\00:08:29.90 He chose to make us co-workers with Himself, 00:08:29.97\00:08:33.34 with Christ and the angels, 00:08:33.38\00:08:35.44 that we might share the blessing, 00:08:35.48\00:08:38.08 the joy, the spiritual uplifting, 00:08:38.11\00:08:40.65 which results from this unselfish ministry. " 00:08:40.68\00:08:44.75 You think about the implications of what this is saying, 00:08:44.79\00:08:48.96 who would you rather give a Bible Study... 00:08:48.99\00:08:52.66 me or the Angel Gabriel? 00:08:52.69\00:08:55.20 Now, that's a no-brainer... 00:08:55.23\00:08:57.73 the Angel Gabriel... 00:08:57.77\00:08:59.23 and the question is, 00:08:59.27\00:09:00.67 why would God choose frail human beings like myself 00:09:00.70\00:09:05.87 to be given this... just wonderful task... 00:09:05.91\00:09:09.98 this awesome responsibility of taking the good news to others 00:09:10.01\00:09:14.52 when He has far more capable entities and individuals 00:09:14.55\00:09:18.69 like the Angel Gabriel? 00:09:18.72\00:09:20.19 Why would He choose individuals like us? 00:09:20.22\00:09:23.19 Well, one of the reasons according to this quotation 00:09:23.22\00:09:26.49 from the book "Steps to Christ" 00:09:26.53\00:09:27.86 is this element of joy. 00:09:27.90\00:09:30.03 Now, I remember when I was a Bible Worker 00:09:30.07\00:09:33.03 in South Central Los Angeles, 00:09:33.07\00:09:34.64 we pitched a tent there on Florence and Figueroa 00:09:34.67\00:09:37.71 those of you that are from that area of the country, 00:09:37.74\00:09:40.74 you know that it's a tough part of town 00:09:40.78\00:09:42.58 and we went out door-to-door and canvassed the people 00:09:42.61\00:09:46.55 and we would ask them, a very simple question, 00:09:46.58\00:09:48.82 "Do you have a prayer request?" 00:09:48.85\00:09:50.29 and we'd write them down and we'd go back to our rooms, 00:09:50.32\00:09:51.65 we'd pray for those individuals 00:09:51.69\00:09:53.02 and it was a miracle of miracle that summer... 00:09:53.05\00:09:54.52 changed my life forever. 00:09:54.56\00:09:55.89 We would have these people come into our tent 00:09:55.92\00:09:59.96 and from night to night, 700 to a 1,000 people 00:10:00.00\00:10:04.17 gathered together in that tent 00:10:04.20\00:10:05.57 and there were miracles that summer. 00:10:05.60\00:10:08.40 At the end of that summer, I saw an individual 00:10:08.44\00:10:11.64 that I had been the first contact, 00:10:11.67\00:10:14.01 I had knocked on their door... 00:10:14.04\00:10:16.61 I brought them to the meeting, 00:10:16.64\00:10:18.91 they came to the meeting... 00:10:18.95\00:10:21.12 they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior... 00:10:21.15\00:10:24.25 they accepted the truths in Scripture... 00:10:24.29\00:10:27.39 they fell in love with Jesus the Way the Truth and the Life, 00:10:27.42\00:10:30.36 and I saw that man getting into the water and being baptized, 00:10:30.39\00:10:33.26 and I remember to this day, standing by the pool... 00:10:33.29\00:10:37.13 standing as that man was being baptized... 00:10:37.17\00:10:40.27 with tears of joy streaming down my face 00:10:40.34\00:10:43.91 as I saw that person that I had been so... 00:10:43.94\00:10:47.48 so just... just humbled to be used 00:10:47.51\00:10:50.25 to lead that person to Jesus Christ, 00:10:50.28\00:10:52.98 giving their life over to God in the waters of baptism 00:10:53.01\00:10:56.65 and I wanted to... there was a feeling of joy 00:10:56.69\00:10:59.92 and elation that I cannot describe 00:10:59.95\00:11:03.16 and if you've never led someone to Jesus Christ, 00:11:03.19\00:11:05.56 I want to ask... I want to encourage... 00:11:05.59\00:11:07.36 to pray to God and say, 00:11:07.40\00:11:08.80 "Lord, give me an individual to share my faith with... " 00:11:08.83\00:11:10.80 and here I was by the side of that pool 00:11:10.87\00:11:13.37 and that man was getting into that water 00:11:13.40\00:11:14.74 and it was an experience of joy and I'm so thankful to God 00:11:14.77\00:11:19.64 that He has given us the privilege 00:11:19.67\00:11:22.71 of being a light to the world. 00:11:22.74\00:11:24.98 He doesn't need us... 00:11:25.01\00:11:26.95 are you kidding me? 00:11:26.98\00:11:28.48 He doesn't need me... 00:11:28.52\00:11:29.98 He could do this Himself with His angels 00:11:30.02\00:11:33.36 but He doesn't want us to miss out on the joy 00:11:33.39\00:11:37.29 and the return that we have 00:11:37.33\00:11:39.69 and the thing is, when you get to heaven, 00:11:39.73\00:11:43.60 do you know, you can't take anything. 00:11:43.63\00:11:47.44 You can't take your house, you can't take your car, 00:11:47.47\00:11:50.41 you can't take your 401K, 00:11:50.47\00:11:52.37 you can't even take your body... 00:11:52.41\00:11:53.94 praise God for that, 00:11:53.98\00:11:56.01 you could only take your character and people. 00:11:56.04\00:11:59.48 Now, think about the implications of that. 00:11:59.51\00:12:02.92 Have you ever gone to a place and you went by yourself 00:12:02.95\00:12:07.16 and you're seeing this beautiful waterfall... 00:12:07.19\00:12:10.23 picturesque sunset... 00:12:10.29\00:12:12.36 and you're there by yourself. 00:12:12.39\00:12:14.80 Have you ever thought to yourself, 00:12:14.83\00:12:16.46 "Oh, I wish so-and-so could be there... 00:12:16.50\00:12:18.77 I wish this individual was there 00:12:18.80\00:12:20.70 so he could experience this with me... 00:12:20.74\00:12:22.70 I wish they could experience the joy 00:12:22.74\00:12:24.61 of what this time and this place really is... " 00:12:24.64\00:12:28.41 but you are by yourself 00:12:28.44\00:12:30.45 and I believe that one of the reasons 00:12:30.48\00:12:31.91 that God called us to be a light and a witness for Him 00:12:31.95\00:12:34.68 is that when we get to heaven, 00:12:34.75\00:12:36.28 He knows we can't take any material possession with us, 00:12:36.32\00:12:39.25 no investment... 00:12:39.32\00:12:40.66 no 401K... 00:12:40.69\00:12:42.09 but when you get there, you can bring people with you 00:12:42.12\00:12:45.89 and how much greater return and joy it is 00:12:45.93\00:12:50.20 to know that when you lead someone to Jesus Christ, 00:12:50.23\00:12:53.44 you allow God to shine through you 00:12:53.50\00:12:55.10 through the fruit of the Spirit, 00:12:55.14\00:12:56.67 you allow God to use you in a Bible Study 00:12:56.71\00:12:59.14 or to lead someone to Jesus Christ, 00:12:59.17\00:13:00.64 that throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, 00:13:00.68\00:13:03.55 that that person will be there. 00:13:03.58\00:13:06.61 What a joy it will be as you see them 00:13:06.65\00:13:10.52 criss-crossing the universe in eternity 00:13:10.55\00:13:14.39 after a billion or trillion years, 00:13:14.42\00:13:16.99 what a return... you can look at that person... 00:13:17.03\00:13:20.10 "I'm so glad I shared my faith with them, praise God... " 00:13:20.13\00:13:23.26 and God knows that the return of that investment 00:13:23.30\00:13:28.14 of our time and resources will give eternal returns 00:13:28.17\00:13:32.97 in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:13:33.01\00:13:35.54 I want to encourage you to stay with us as we study 00:13:35.58\00:13:39.75 how God has called us to be a light for Him 00:13:39.78\00:13:43.85 to burn for Him... to shine for Him... 00:13:43.89\00:13:46.15 to give the character of Christ for Him, 00:13:46.19\00:13:48.02 we're going to take a short break right now 00:13:48.06\00:13:49.82 and stay with us as we return to study 00:13:49.86\00:13:52.66 how Christ wants to shine through us 00:13:52.69\00:13:55.43 as evidenced in the Menorah and the Lampstand. 00:13:55.46\00:13:58.43