A Bush, Basket, and Basin

Exodus, chapter 3. Nice to see everyone here today. It's a pleasure to be here. I trust the Lord will bless His word to all our hearts.

Now I want to talk about a bush and a basket and a basin. I'll just read some of the appropriate verses and be up here as short a time as possible. You most likely know the history.

Look at verse number 2 of Exodus, chapter 3. And watch the emphasis on the bush. Verse number 2. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, Moses, in the flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush. And he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. Notice the next verse. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses, and he said, here am I. Now you know the next verses, I'll just read here briefly.

Here's the bottom line, verse 10. Come thou therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. You think of the reaction.

Verse 11, Moses said unto God, who am I? Verse 12, certainly I will be with thee. Verse 14, God said unto Moses, I am that I am. And he said, thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I am, has sent me.

Now it's very instructive to go into the next chapter, but time is of an essence. Deuteronomy, please, chapter 26 for the next reference. Moses is here again.

He's saying in verse 2, that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land unto the Lord thy God, giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket. Please notice that. And thou shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.

Look at verse 4. And the priest shall take the basket, got it, the basket, out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God. And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God, a Syrian ready to perish was my father. And he went down into Egypt, sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation great and populous.

Now, the rest of the chapter is very instructive, but we'll read on. John's Gospel, please, chapter 13. John's Gospel 13.

For sake of time, verse 4. The Lord Jesus in the upper room. He riseth from supper. That's the last Passover.

Laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. And after he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then, of course, we have the dialogue between the Lord and Peter.

Look at verse 10. Jesus said unto him, He that is washed, he that is bathed, needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are clean, but not all.

Look at verse 13. Ye call me Master and Lord. And ye say, well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Now, those are the readings.

The Lord will look after his word. A bush. A basket.

A basin. Now, I want to use these three portions by way of application. I think I know the interpretation, but it's application for a few minutes to start this session this morning.

Now, these have been on my heart for a while. And as I've listened to the prayers of the Lord's people in our homes, and here last night and this morning, now I can sense that there's a number of folk, and they want to hear the voice of God for their lives. Whatever age group you're in and wherever you come from today, and we're in the same category.

I want to point out that from the story of the bush, there's a man called Moses, and he gets direction. There might be somebody in this audience, maybe more than one, and you're needing direction in your Christian pathway. That's in keeping with what our brother William has given out there that first time.

Then I want to spend a minute on this basket. And this passage describes the devotion of the heart of an Israelite when they arrive in the land. At this particular point, Moses is likely around 120.

All these 34 chapters of the book of Deuteronomy cover approximately a year. And you remember that he died at 120 on Mount Gilboa and all the rest of it, or Mount Nebo. Then I want to spend a bit of time on the ministry of the basin.

That's in a context of defilement. Nothing to do with our conversion. But we'll see in a minute or two the needs for 2017.

I want to hang on these three thoughts. Direction, devotion, and defilement. I'll summarize it.

You're a young believer here today. Let us all turn for a minute or two to Exodus chapter 3. And I'll point out one or two simple things to you. Now, you likely know the truth better than I do, but we're here to help one another.

Here's a man called Moses. Here's the context. He's around 80 years of age.

He's in the backside of the desert. He has been there for a long time. He has seen these bushes burning.

But on this occasion, it got his attention. This bush was burning, but it wasn't consumed. Now, the Lord could see that he got his attention.

That's a miracle. I would like to suggest to this audience that that bush primarily speaks typically of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's where we start at the cross.

When he went into the dark domain of death. We often point out that he consumed the fire in contradistinction to all other sacrifices. What a miracle.

And he finished the work that the Father gave him to do. Dispensationally, the bush speaks of the nation of Israel. There's no nation on earth.

Right from Egyptian conditions to this present time. And into the great future and the tribulation that we heard about last night. People are determined to put the bush out.

And put it into nonexistence. But God will uphold that nation. Right in our generation.

And right into the great millennium reign of Christ. And they will be the earthly seed into the eternal state. For the glory of God.

Let's make it personal. As Moses looks at that bush, it's a miracle. And the Lord has given him a personal message.

To be very practical, he's really saying, Moses, that's you. You all know the history. He was in the backside of the desert for 40 years because somewhere after his life.

And to put it in a simple sentence, they wanted to put his light out. But God preserved him. And now he wants to give him a message.

So you have your Bible open here. Each one of these could be developed. But I'll just give you what I've been enjoying recently.

See in Exodus chapter 3. Verses 1 to 2. The bush. The burning bush. It's discovery.

You can fill in the details. See verses 3 to 4, it's display. You've got to look at it.

See verses 5, for example, it's demands. He's in the presence of God. This is a holy place.

Take off the shoes from off your feet. God said to him. See verses 6 to 8. It's the declaration of God through the miracle of the burning bush.

Verses 9 through 15, it says direction. Now, I didn't read you the chapter. Or the verse, but I'll quote it to you.

He's 80 years of age, you're there at a bush. Do you think the man ever forgot that great sight of the burning bush? I take it never. You read Deuteronomy chapter 33 and verse number 16.

You know what he said? The goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush. He's 120 years of age. And he's about to go to eternity.

What's this chapter all about? Direction. And I have listened carefully of recent weeks. There's a number of the Lord's people.

And they're crying out for direction. Maybe you're here today. Maybe you left home this morning and you said to yourself or to the Lord.

I hope there's some they'll give us something about how I would know the will of God. For my life. Guidance.

Direction. And it's not all for the younger folk. They're included for sure.

I know a case right now of a mature Christian. There's all kinds of examples, but here's one. They're at a crisis point in their life.

And they have to make a decision. In view of their condition of their body. Do they take chemo? Or do they not? Maybe there's somebody right in that very category.

In our own family. I remember our daughter calling me from Japan. And after her serious surgery, she said to me, Dad.

I have a decision to make. What's that? The specialist has told me. The decision is yours.

If you don't want to take chemo. A few days will do you. She didn't want to take it.

But she had to make a decision. In the mercy of God. She made the right decision as far as we can see as we look back.

Nine years ago. She took the chemo. It's a very simple illustration.

But dear brethren, let's not miss it today. There's younger folk. I know another young man.

And he doesn't know what university to go to in this fall. All kinds of offers have been made. Maybe you're about to go to the altar of marriage.

And you have a reservation. Should I wear it or should I not? There's all kinds of settings in life. Maybe there's a shepherd here or maybe more than one.

And you have vital decisions to make relative to the testimony of the assembly. And if you make the wrong one. You have to live with it.

We're all the same. We believe that Moses that day. He got direction from the God of heaven.

He was told he was going to be the leader. To bring the nation out of Egypt. And likely was one of the greatest leaders of the Old Testament.

Over two million people left that night. Number one, he's the leader. He was at a crucial point.

He was at a crisis. And he had to make the right decision. And I can't go through all the different points.

But he bowed to the will of God. Like I asked you. As I ask myself right now.

Whatever circumstance you're in. Now let's be honest. We can sing about it and we can quote it.

But it's not easy. It's all right to talk about it. I bow me to thy will, O God.

And all thy ways adore. See these names that our dear brethren have been talking about? That brother will kill Patrick. Is a contemporary of mine.

We sat as young fellows in the same assembly years ago. And he's hanging on a thread. Decisions have to be made.

Just to give us an example. You got a message today. We need direction.

And we need guidance. I'll just say this about it and pass on. See if we lived in the Old Testament.

It was physical. And you could see it. Examples, there's all kinds of them.

I'll just take one. See the nation of Israel? They moved out of the land of Goshen and into the wilderness. By night, the pillar of fire.

By day, the cloud. That's the Shekinah glory. Same one.

When they knew. Physically looking at it. There's all kinds of other examples.

See when you come to the New Testament. It's spiritual. Can only be ascertained through the word of God.

And the direction of the Holy Spirit. Somebody says, man, I don't know where to read. Dear saints, I would recommend.

Read your normal reading. And if you have got a burden on your heart today. And you don't know what to do.

Here's the way it works. After 60 years on the road to heaven. With a little experience.

God can take the very passage. That you're reading. And it has nothing to do with interpretation.

And the spirit of God can direct you right there. And you'll get assurance. This is the way to go.

Walk there in. The clock goes faster than I can talk. Devotion.

Dear believers. How's your devotion to the Lord Jesus? Personally. Corporately.

In the assembly. In whatever facet of life. This is a very important issue.

It doesn't matter how much you know. And it doesn't matter how far up the ladder you've gone. In the events of academia.

Devotion to the Lord Jesus. Is what really counts. I haven't time to reiterate experiences.

But recently. In other parts of the world. I've been totally amazed.

At the devotion. Of beloved people. Not only brethren, sisters included.

How close are we to the Lord today? Turn your Bible for a minute or two to Deuteronomy 26. And I'll point them out to you. No time to develop them.

But you see. Here's the devotion. Of a potential.

Israelite that will land in the land of Canaan. Moses is telling the rising generation. Here's direction for you.

And here we'll test your devotion. And to put it in one word. That's worship.

How do you feel about the Lord Jesus? Right now. Now you've got your Bible open. Let me point them out to you.

See. There are conditions for worship. Which display.

The devotion of our hearts. I didn't even take time to read it. But in Deuteronomy 25.

At the end of that chapter. And verses 1. And the first part of 2 of chapter 26. Tell us.

Amlek is to be blooded out. From underneath. The clouds of heaven.

There will be war with Amlek from generation to generation. It's a picture of the evil principle within every one of us. The flesh.

No one tells them. Worship. Is not a product.

Of the flesh. That's where it starts. See there's conditions.

For worship. See here's another one here. Look at verses 2 to 4. The demands of worship.

I'll summarize it. Moses telling these dear people. He said, folk, when you get into the land of Canaan.

You take that basket. Of fruit. And you place it at the altar.

I take it. The brazen altar. In the courtyard.

At. The tabernacle in Gilgal or Shiloh. And that.

Altar speaks. Of the death. Of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And as they watch the innocent victim slain. And except that I know the rest of it. Their devotion to the Lord Jesus.

Is expressed. And encouraged and developed. See when they are there.

Can you see him there? He takes that. That there's the Israelite. And he takes the basket.

And he sets it down at the altar. And then there's the words of worship. I read it to you.

The Syrian ready to perish was my father. That's Jacob. He fits the picture.

And all the things that he said about it. Tell you another thing. These individuals represent the nation.

And there's a place to worship. And that's Deuteronomy all over the place. Where the Lord has chosen to place his name.

And the corporate setting. A holy priesthood can function. In a New Testament assembly.

I'd love to develop that too. Here's the response to worship. I didn't read it.

But it's in the chapter. Look at verse 12. See it says here.

The tithing in the third year. The stranger and the Levite had to get it in every cycle. Of seven years.

The third year was the year of tithing. Just interpret that for 2017. Here's the same idea.

See whenever we sit at the Lord's Supper. And we function as a holy priesthood. We put into words.

What we think of the Lord Jesus Christ. The devotion. Of our hearts to Christ.

When I asked you beloved brethren. I know that every personality is different. And we're not all public people.

And worship has nothing to do with spiritual gift. But it's the response of the heart. When we thank God for what Christ has done.

And poured out his soul unto death. Oh dear brethren. What are we prepared to do for him? I was telling the folk here.

This past week. I'll just give you a quick example. Here's a dear man.

And he's in assembly fellowship. And he's involved in a function I'll call it. That he's involved from 4 o'clock every day.

Till after 12 midnight. Seven days a week. When he's in the assembly.

Lovely brother. Married with family. Had a cup of coffee with him not too long ago.

I said to him brother. Lovely to see you here on a Lord's Day morning. How come.

You never come to the gospel meeting. Or the prayer meeting or the Bible reading. Or the ministry meeting.

Or any special effort we have. I said Stan. I have to make my living.

And I said to him brother. And I won't tell you his name. It would be very little.

To give the Lord. One night out of seven. To promote his cause.

When I looked at him. I asked him. Brother do you really love the Lord? Do you ever thank him every day that you'll never be in hell.

And you'll be in heaven forever. He dropped his head. Said nothing.

I don't know anything about conditions here. But dear brother I want to ask you. What about your devotion.

To the Lord Jesus Christ. I like Peter. John 21.

It took the Lord to tell him three times. Or ask him. And on the third occasion he got the message.

Lord thou knowest all things. Thou knowest. That I fondly love thee.

I would like to ask this audience. As I ask my own heart. Dear saints of God.

Do you want the blessing. Of the Lord in your life. Well if you do.

We'll need to develop more in our devotion. To the Lord Jesus Christ. I'd love to tell you about some other places.

Where we have been. To watch that but time wouldn't allow it. I was going to refer to.

That section in John. Gospel chapter four. And those few verses.

Ten mentions of the word worship. I'll have to leave that. Now he got the message.

Direction. The burning bush. Devotion.

The basket. I'll have to leave the other things. I want to talk for a minute about the basin.

You've likely read it a hundred times. It's really come home to me recently. This very passage.

Can you see them? They're in the upper room. Above street level. The last Passover is just finished.

Watch this. It's in the gospel of the deity. Where the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is presented as the eternal son of God. He takes his outer garments off. And he takes the towel.

And he takes the water. And he puts them in the basin. There was nobody to do it.

Under Jewish conditions at this time. Ritual and tradition and all that. Somebody should have been washing the feet of those dear people.

But he did it. Now, here's the bottom line. He says to Peter.

I won't tell you something. There's a difference between the bath. And the basin.

The bath is a once for all experience. That answers to conversion. And all that it brings.

Salvation. It's like the priests of the Old Testament. And how they were consecrated, sanctified and set apart.

That's a lovely line. You can't develop that either. But it's the background.

But he says, now listen. Peter. You don't need the bath.

You need the basin. Now, you know, the historical thing is obvious. These people likely had open sandals.

They had walked through the dusty streets of Jerusalem to make to the upper room. And it's pretty obvious that the water was the cleansing. And the towel was what dried their feet.

You think of the Lord Jesus. And the gospel of the deity. Bowing at their feet.

No wonder I read to you the teaching. See, it's describing defilement. And he says to them, now listen, men.

You say, your master and Lord. I've showed you an example. That you do as I have done.

To wash one another's feet. It's not so much the physical side. But it's a spiritual import.

Now, here's a point. Young believer. You and I are saved by the grace of God.

Our salvation is absolutely secure. But on the way to heaven, we can get defiled. When we live in a corrupt world.

I often point out that one of the greatest tools that the devil uses. Now, he didn't invent it. What he uses in 2017.

Is a personal computer. You've heard me at this before. But I feel in my heart today.

We're needing to say a word. There's tremendous positive things. And I surf the net every day.

People say that's ridiculous. Well, we need God to preserve us, each one. I know of cases recently.

Where the net, as we call it. Has brought people into disaster mode. And the bottom line for some was this.

They had to be put away from assembly life. Oh, be careful little eyes. What you see.

Please pause a minute. We need the ministry of the basin. When you see the cleansing.

Is the negative side. And the towel is the positive side. I like that.

Balance ministry. We need a little comfort. That's what the towel speaks about.

Imagine Peter, for example. Feeling the comfort of the towel. Around his feet.

Fantastic. See all these families that have been prayed for today. And they're only a sample of many more that I know personally.

And I want to tell you more than ever. They need the ministry of comfort. We all need it.

It's time for me to sit down. 30 minutes are up. When you think of the message today, you likely get more profound things than I can give you.

When you think of the bush. There he is. Direction.

We need it. When you think of the basket. Devotion.

Oh, may we develop in our devotion to the Lord Jesus. See the basin. We need to be reminded.

That that defilement has to be removed. Nothing to do with our conversion. But to be useful and effective for God.

We need to be involved. I've said enough. The Lord bless you all for coming.

And listening to the Holy Word. We thank the Lord for his kindness to each one. Where would we have been but for the grace of God.

Thank you very much.