Message Notes

(I) A BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP RITUAL

1. Prescribed by the Lord Himself Deuteronomy 26

2. Special Features

a) Planned

“You shall take some of the first of the produce of the ground… put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide”  Deuteronomy 26:2

“Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God.”  Deuteronomy 26:4

b) Proclamation

i) Historical

“And you shall say and answer before the LORD your God:
My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous…
The LORD brought us out of Egypt…
He has brought us out to this place and has given us this land…
And now behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.”  Deuteronomy 26:5-10

ii) Personal

“Then you shall say before the LORD your God:
I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given
To the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me.”  Deuteronomy 26:13-14

c) Prayer

“Look down from Your holy habitation , from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as Your swore to our fathers, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.”   Deuteronomy 26:15

d) Promise

“Today you have proclaimed the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.
Also today the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you on high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God, just as He has spoken.”  Deuteronomy 26:17-19

(II) A POWERFUL CHALLENGE

1. To Examine Our Giving as part of our Worship

2. To Emulate the Examples found in the Scriptures

3. To Expect the Lord’s Approval and Blessing as we walk in full obedience

A PRAYER

We know the paths wherein our feet should press,

Across our hearts are written Thy decrees,

Yet now, O Lord, be merciful to bless

With more than these.

Grant us the will to fashion as we feel,

Grant us the strength to labor as we know,

Grant us the purpose, ribbed and edged with steel,

To strike the blow.

Knowledge we ask not- knowledge Thou has lent,

But, O Lord, the will- there lies our bitter need,

Give us to build above the deep intent

The deed, the deed.

– John Drinkwater –