Great High Priest

We attended a great presentation by Green Valley Baptist Church of a
life-size representation of the Old Testament Tabernacle as it was during the time of Moses. It was built to exact specification and included all of the elements of the tabernacle (or reasonable facsimiles... no actual gold or seal-skin.) It was really a neat way to get an idea of the mindset of the Jewish people in that time as they went to worship. This is a rare picture of the inside of the "Holy of Holies" where only the high priest was allowed to enter once a year. In real life, it was totally dark, only illuminated by the power of God himself.
In my daily Bible study, I have been reading in the book of Hebrews and the passage for today was about Jesus as the high priest. (God seems to work out these "coincidences" in our lives, doesn't he?) Hebrews 4:14-5:10
In the time of the tabernacle, there were Levites who were the tribe of priests, and God would call out one man to be the "Great High Priest." He was appointed to represent man in matters related to God. We was a man, with all of the weaknesses and temptations of human life. He, therefore, could relate to those whom he represented. He also became submissive and obedient to God through his life and through cleansing rituals, and appropriate sacrifices and because of that, was allowed into God's presence to petition God for His mercy concerning the sins of the people.
As they told us at the tabernacle presentation, everything in the old testament tabernacle pointed toward the new testament covenant through Jesus. In this case, God called Jesus to be the Great High Priest, forever. He was appointed to represent man in matters related to God. He was a man, with all of the weaknesses and temptations of human life. He, therefore, could relate to those whom he represented. He also became submissive and obedient to God through his life and through appropriate sacrifices and was able to petition God for His mercy concerning the sins of the people.
God is so great at giving us understanding through examples. The sacrifice has been made by the Great High Priest. Come to Him so that He may represent you before God in the "Holy of Holies."

Rev up for Ministry!

Ok, that title is pushing it a little.

This past Sunday I was ordained into the gospel ministry during a wonderful ceremony which followed an ordination council. To clarify for some of my friends on the meaning of the ordination, I thought I would talk a little about it on this blog.

I shared with our church several years ago that I felt God was stirring my heart in a big way to be more involved in ministry. Shortly after that, our church voted to make me a licensed minister which let me know that they agreed with what I was sensing as a call to full-time ministry. At that point, I began to more fully seek what my specific call to ministry might be. God continued to bring people along my path to help me mature spiritually and I continued to serve in a ministry position at my church.
God continued to stir my heart and change my passions toward ministry as well as beginning to open and close doors in my life. Our church's growth caused them to open a position for part-time minister of education to emphasize our Bible study classes and sunday school. At that point, God gave me a push to speak up again and the church created a position of minister of education and music. I felt He was calling for me to stop my school teaching position and take the ministry position, so I did. I was very comfortable with that decision and with the help of my pastor as a mentor, I began to prepare to be ordained into the gospel ministry.
Being ordained into the gospel ministry has nothing to do with getting a job at a church. It is only a recognition by church and other ordained men that they agree with what I felt God was doing in my life and that that direction was as a minister sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was not ordained as a "music minister", or a "pastor", or an "education minister", but into the Gospel ministry to be used wherever God takes me throughout my life. I am serving now as Minister of Education and Music at First Baptist Church of Maysville and will be as long as God wants me to. Another aspect of being ordained is that if God moves me to minister in another place, people will know that a southern-baptist congregation, along with other ministers have examined me and found my beliefs and spiritual walk to be in line with what they believe the Bible says. In that way, another congregation may be more comfortable allowing me to minister among them. I am excited to serve the Lord where I am now, and wherever He wants me to serve. I am thankful for the outpouring of love that was shown to me and my family on that day as well.

I hope that explains where I am in my life of ministry.
Please continue to pray for me as I try to serve Him!
Kyle