Exodus 38:1-8 • Hot, Cold, Or Lukewarm?

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

If you remember in Ex.35-40 we’ll be looking at the construction of the Tabernacle as well as the various articles for the Tabernacle.…

And the Priestly Garments for those who minister in the Tabernacle…

So this section of the book involves & revolves around the Work that will be done for the Lord - It’s all about Israel’s obedience to the Lord.

So far we’ve looked at several things pertaining to Israel’s Obedience:

In Chapter 35, Israel’s Obedience Involved: Their Priority, Giving, the Holy Spirit, and Sufficiency.

In Chapter 36, Israel’s Obedience Involved: The Actual Building of the Tabernacle.

In the 1st half ch. 37 and we saw the Israelites obedience as it pertains to all the furnishings that will be inside the tabernacle.

Vs. 1-9 The Arch of the Testimony -

The center of worship

Vs. 10-16 The Table of the Showbread

12 loaves of bread: Speaks of God provision for His people

To us it points to Jesus who is our nourishment.

Vs. 17-29 - Golden Lampstand & Alter of Incense

God is our continuous light

and we should always be in prayer

2. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to Ch. 38 and our study for today where we go from the inside of the tabernacle to the outside of the tabernacle the outer courts. .

The Title of today’s message is: Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?

Because as you’ll see in a second we are looking at 2 items that are outside of the tabernacle: Altar of Burnt Offering & Bronze Laver

Which both items points to our desire to live for God.

1. The Altar of Burnt Offering & The Bronze Laver Vs. 1-8

This Bronze Laver was in the Courtyard of the Tabernacle… just after the Altar of Burnt Offering…

The Priest would wash their hands & feet not for hygiene but for holiness… it was done symbolically.

Mark 7:3 NKJV

3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.

Luke 11:38 NKJV

38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

This Altar of burnt offering was: 7 ½’ sq. & 4 ½’ tall… it was in the Courtyard of the Tabernacle…

The Burnt Offering is outlined in Lev.1: it was an offering of Consecration…

So both of these items speaks of wanting consecrated for God…

Lord I want to be consecrate unto You… set apart for You… not half hearted… not lukewarm…

Turn w/ me to…

In Rev.3:14-22, Jesus condemns the church of Laodicea for being Lukewarm… a part of 3 cities…

Revelation 3:14–22 “14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit …”

Colosse: 10 miles east… located in the beautiful Lycus River Valley.

Colosse is at the base of snow capped Mountain called Cadmus, 8,013 ft. Which provides Cold, Clean drinking water… Refreshing…

Hierapolis: 6 miles north, Pammukale, resort town… with very hot mineral springs… the whole hill side is white because of the mineral deposits… Therapeutic… Healing…

Both water sources were piped into Laodicea, you can still see the clay pipes till this day…

but by the time the water got there… it was neither Hot nor Cold… it was not Therapeutic… nor Refreshing…

It was Lukewarm and good for nothing, those in Laodicea would have understood perfectly what Jesus was saying…

Application: I want you to be therapeutic or bring healing to others… & I want you to be refreshing to others.

But, your lukewarm… your indifferent… apathetic… half hearted…

This is a reminder of how our Lord despises indifference and complacency in our walk with Him.

Being lukewarm means sitting on the fence, neither fully committed to God nor completely turned away.

It is a state of spiritual lethargy, where passion has cooled and indifference has settled in.

APPLICATION: As Christians, we are called to be alive in Christ, vibrant and fervent in spirit.

Romans 12:10–11 NKJV

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Why should we avoid being lukewarm? Because a lukewarm Christian reflects a faith that has not truly grasped the depth of God's love and the sacrifice of Christ.

It is a faith that does not transform, a faith that does not disrupt the status quo or challenge the norms of society with the radical love of Jesus.

To be alive in Christ means to live a life that is reflective of His love and filled with purpose.

Each of us has a calling, a unique role in the Kingdom of God. Whether it is in our families, workplaces, communities, or churches, we are called to embody the love and truth of our Savior.

We need to heed the warning against lukewarmness and ask the Lord to ignite our hearts anew.

ENDING….