Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church
September – December 2014
Daily Devotional
for Sermon Series
Intimacy with God
a study of the Old Testament Tabernacle
Week 5: October 20-November 2
Please note! Because Sunday October 26 is our anniversary
celebration this devotional is in preparation for the sermon
delivered on Sunday November 2. You have two weeks to
meditate on this devotional.
The following series of daily readings, questions, and prayers
has been designed by Pastor Tom Cullen to lead up to the
sermon for the coming week. There are six daily studies for
each week. Allow about 20 minutes a day to complete each
daily devotional.
The weekly sermons can be heard at scbc.com Each week’s
daily devotional guide is also available online at en.scbc.com.
Sermon Schedule
Intimacy with God
October 19 – Our power source (Exodus 25:31-40)
October 26 – Anniversary Sunday
November 2 – The need for Christ centeredness
(Exodus 25:23-30)
November 9 – Prayerfulness (Exodus 30:1-10)
November 16 – Come through the blood of Christ
(Exodus 25:11-22)
November 23 – We’ve been given everything we need ….
(Exodus 16:1-8)
November 30 – Experiencing intimacy with God
(Malachi 1:6-10)
Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Fall 2014
Sermon Series Devotional Guide
Intimacy with God
a study of the Old Testament Tabernacle
This week we continue to stand in the Holy Place, the first
room of the tabernacle proper. It is a gold paneled room that
measures about 30 feet by 15 feet, exactly twice the size of the
next room called the Most Holy Place.
The golden lampstand which we looked at last week is so
beautiful that it is hard to take our eyes off it. But soon as our
eyes adjust to the light, our gaze is attracted to another
dazzling piece of furniture on the opposite side of the room,
the right (north) side. Here we see the Table of Showbread.
It is a beautiful table overlaid with pure gold. It is not a large
table, standing a little over 2 feet high, 3 feet long and 1 and ½
feet wide. Still, for a small table it is brilliant with the light of
the lampstand reflecting off it.
And this piece of furniture not only captures our eyes but also
our taste buds! For on the table is 12 loaves of bread - the smell
is heavenly. If we enter the Holy Place on the Sabbath they are
freshly baked. But we must not touch (at least not right away!)
This bread is immediately for God. Can you imagine His
delight as He gazed at the pure bread offering that sat
continually before Him? But the good news is that every
Sabbath the priests are invited (commanded) to eat the bread.
Once again we are reminded through this study that it is
possible to be intimate with God. This week let us draw up a
chair to God’s banqueting table and feast on this bread of
heaven.
Monday October 20
Read
 Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16
Study
1. What materials were used to construct the table?
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2. Cite all the uses of gold in these passages.
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3. Acacia wood is an incredibly tough wood, it resists decay
like no other wood. Look up the following passages and
think of how Jesus is like acacia wood.
Isaiah 53:2 _____________________________________________
Isaiah 53:8 _____________________________________________
John 15:1 ______________________________________________
Psalm 16:10 ____________________________________________
Acts 2:31 ______________________________________________
Scholars believe that this unique kind of wood represents
Christ’s humanity. Can you see how they would arrive at that
conclusion?
4. Read Matthew 2:11 and record what it says about gold.
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Gold is an extremely rare material that is valued above all
other metals. As we read Scripture we discover that it is
emblematic of Jesus’ deity. The Bible clearly states that Jesus is
divine (John 1:1; John 10:30-33; John 20:28), and ascribes such
divine attributes to Him as eternal existence (Revelation 1:8),
omnipresence (Matthew 28:20), omniscience (John 2:24-25) and
omnipotence (Philippians 3:21).
Reflect
 If acacia wood represents Christ’s humanity and gold
represents His divinity what does the table point you to?
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The unity of the divine and the human in Christ is a great
mystery. But it is also a wonderful truth that is taught
throughout Scripture. Jesus is unlike any other person who has
ever lived. Both His divine and human natures are perfectly
combined in one person. When God calls us to come to His
banqueting table He is calling us to Himself, in the person of
Jesus Christ.
Pray
 Spend some time praising God for Jesus Christ and the
amazing fact that He came fully human and fully divine.
For our church:
 Pray that we as a people would hunger and thirst for God.
Ask Him to keep us from wanting the qualities that God
brings into our lives (peace, joy, love, hope etc.) without
wanting Him. Pray that we desire God and God alone.
 Pray for Junior Church. This ministry occurs every Sunday
morning at 9:30 and is designed for children in grades 5,6
and 7. The leaders are Helena Wong, Lis Lamb and
Florence Yu. Pray that as they give themselves to God in
service He will bless them with the knowledge that the
“Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.”
Psalm 32:10)
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Tuesday October 21
Study
1. Read each of the Scriptures below and then draw a line to
match it with the corresponding occasion in the opposite
column. Look for a common thread that seems to weave
together every mention of a table:
2 Samuel 9
Celebrating the presence of the
Bridegroom
1 Kings 2:7
Those appointed to the
kingdom
Psalm 23:5
A show of kindness to
Barzillai’s sons
Luke 5:27-35
Prepared in the presence of his
enemies
Luke 22:26-30
A remembrance of Jesus
John 12:1-3
The acceptance of Jonathan’s
son as his own
1 Corinthians 10:21-22
The inability to sit at both the
Lord’s table and the table of
devils
1 Corinthians 11:24-26
In honour of Jesus after He
raised Lazarus from the dead
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2. What is the common thread weaving together these
experiences?
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Reflect
 My neighbour tells me that he never hires someone to work
in his garden (he has a very large garden) without first
“breaking bread” with him. He understands that something
special happens as we gather around a table and eat
together. Being asked to sit at another’s table is both a
privilege and a sign of acceptance. The table, in Bible times
and today, is the center of fellowship and friendship.
With this in mind SLOWLY read Revelation 3:20. Don’t
skim this verse. Mull it over in your mind. What is Jesus
saying? What is the picture He is giving you? What is the
promise He is giving you? How does it relate to intimacy
with God? This is a great promise given to you by our God
who loves you deeply.
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Pray
 Pray back to God the truths that He has spoken to you
today.
For our church:
 Remember those who care for and teach our 2 and 3 year
olds while we are worshipping at 9:30; Alice Lee (teacher),
Elaine Ling (supply teacher), Amy So (unit leader), Philip
So (teacher), Stella Tsang (teacher), Ray Hsien (teacher),
Daphne Lee (teacher), Sandy Chan (supply teacher), Betty
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Liu (supply teacher), Cosan Chiu (pianist). Pray that their
teaching will not be “with wise and persuasive words, but with
a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
 Pray for the many 2 and 3 year olds that are in our church.
Pray that even at a young age they may have the “power to
grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
and to know this love that surpassed knowledge – that they may be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians
3:18,19)
 This coming Sunday (October 26) our church will be
celebrating our 27th anniversary. Remember how God
warned Israel as they were about to enter the promised land
and spend some time thanking God for what he has done in
our midst. God said to Israel … “When you have eaten and are
satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given
you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing
to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving
you this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:10-12)
Wednesday October 22
Read
 Leviticus 24:5-9
Study
1. How many loaves were to be baked? (verse 5)
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2. What do you think the number of loaves represents? (verse
8b)
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3. How often is the bread to be set before the Lord? (verse 8a)
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4. Who are to eat the bread? (verse 9)
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Note: Presumably the bread was hard baked and would not spoil from
Sabbath to Sabbath. It is possible though, that it may have been taken
off at a convenient time – after the Sabbath was over – and eaten by
the priests. This was the background of the famous incident when
David ate the consecrated bread (1 Samuel 21:6; Matthew 12:4)
5. Bread performs two functions – it both satisfies and
sustains. Physically, when it comes to living healthy lives,
food consumption is not an option. Can you see
similarities to our spiritual lives? How?
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6. Read Exodus 25:30. What is the bread called here?
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This bread is most often called showbread. (No, it is not, as
one person mistakenly read, shortbread!) This name comes
from the Hebrew word that means bread of the face, or bread
of presence, because the loaves were set before the face or
presence of the Lord continually.
Reflect
“The fact is significant that the priests could eat of the holy bread
on the seventh day, when freshly baked loaves took its place. The
bread had to remain on the table before God’s presence until He
was satisfied. God’s rest, which represented His satisfaction, was
commemorated every Sabbath. In Genesis 1:31 we read that after
God had created all things He said that it was good (He was
satisfied) and then we read that He rested (Genesis 2:1-2). In the
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same way, the bread of the Presence had to appear before Him
until He was satisfied. Not until He was satisfied with the
portion offered before Him could the priests then partake of the
holy bread.”1
Turn to Isaiah 53, these are prophetic words about Christ’s
incarnate life, read until you read the word satisfied.
When on the cross, the one who is the bread of life was set
before God. In that moment the tabernacle shadow, the
showbread, found its fulfillment. Can you accept the fact that
God is satisfied with you because He is satisfied with Jesus?
If not, please speak to Pastor Tom, or a close Christian friend to
clarify this issue of your standing before God.
Pray
 God is a God who gives abundantly. Give thanks to God for
Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for you.
For our church:
 Pray for the group of teachers who look after the 2 and 3
year olds during the 11 o’clock hour; Angela Lo
(teacher/pianist), Hugo Mak (teacher), Anissa Lam
(teacher), Lora Chan (teacher), Yau Ling (supply teacher),
Diana Zao (unit leader). Ask God to make this promise
real in their lives today, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a dear, he enables me to go on the
heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)
 As we prepare to celebrate our 26th anniversary this
weekend pray that as a church we will “grow and build itself
up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
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Thursday October 23
Read
 John 6:1-13
Study
1. Why did the crowds follow Jesus? (verse 2)
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2. How did Jesus react to the arrival of the crowd? (verse 5)
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3. Why did He ask Philip such a question? (verse 5-6)
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4. When faced with a need how do you react? Do you begin
to compute on a human level or do you turn to the Lord
who has promised to supply all our needs?
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5. Describe what Jesus uses to meet the huge need (verses 810). What is remarkable about this?
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6. What is the result? (verse 11)
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Reflect
After Jesus abundantly provided for everyone He told His
disciples to gather the food that was left over (verse 12). Take
special note of how many baskets were left over (verse 13).
How many disciples were there? As God’s servants, do you
think there are lessons here for us?
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Pray
 Let your prayer grow out of your reflection. Do you trust
God to supply for your needs?
For our church:
 Remember those who teach our Junior and Senior
Kindergarten classes at 9:30 on a Sunday morning; Tammy
Chung (teacher), Thomas Lee (teacher), Josee Chan (special
needs teacher), Enoch Lai (teacher), Joanna Tsang (Unit
head), Wing Mei To (teacher), Elva Wong (teacher), Grace
Chow (pianist). Pray this promise for the teachers: “The Lord
will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sunscorched land and will strengthen your frame.” (Isaiah 58:11)
 Pray that as a church we would truly hunger for the “bread
from heaven”. Ask God to forgive us if we have hungered for
bread that does not satisfy. Ask Him to grant us such a
hunger for Him that we will all call out to Him until we are
satisfied.
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Friday October 24
Read
 John 6:22-40
Study
1. The same crowd who witnessed the miracle we read about
yesterday is again gathered around Jesus. Why did they
fail to understand the spiritual significance of the sign?
(verse 26)
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2. What were their motives in seeking Jesus? Are you more
concerned about spiritual development than material
prosperity? (verse 27)
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3. In verse 27 Jesus says “do not work for food that spoils, but
for food that endures to eternal life which the Son of Man
will give you.” How did the people relate this word:
(a) to the work they were expected to do? (verse 28)
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(b) to the work of Moses compared with Jesus? (verses 3031)
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4. What work did Jesus:
(a) require from them? (verse 29)
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(b) offer from Himself? (verses 32-40)
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5. What therefore, is the answer to the question in verse 28?
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6. How do verses 35-40 present God’s answer to humanity’s
hunger?
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Pray
 Pray the words of the song:
“Give me one pure and holy passion;
And give me one magnificent obsession!
Give me one glorious ambition for my life,
To know and follow hard after you.”
For our church:
 Scripture tells us that we belong to God, we are the people of
His pasture, the flock under His care. (Psalm 95:7) Today, pray
those who teach our Junior and Senior kindergarten classes
during the 11 o’clock hour would know God’s shepherd like
guidance and tender care; Dorothy Wong (unit head), Joy
Jeung (teacher), Cherie Luk (teacher), Tammy Ngai
(teacher/pianist), Jessica Szeto (teacher, pianist), Denise Ng
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(teacher, pianist), Timothy Ma (supply teacher), Jonathan
Tsang (supply teacher).
The weekend of October 25-26
Read
 Leviticus 24:5-9
Study
1. We have studied this passage earlier in the week. But
notice verse 7. What does God tell the priests to do with
the bread? (Note: The incense was not eaten. It is not edible. It
was burned with the “memorial portion” of the bread.)
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2. What does Matthew 2:11 tell you about frankincense?
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3. Frankincense is an incredibly aromatic incense. Apparently
it smells like balsam wood. It is a gum resin that was
ground into powder and burned on the altar while the
priests ate the showbread on the Sabbath. When you think
of it, this is a great picture of the Christian life. As we eat
(read: commit/obey/follow) the bread of life (read: Jesus Christ)
we are like the aroma of Christ.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-15. How does Scripture makes this
point?
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Reflect
 “Today many Christians are spiritually starving. Some
attend churches that feed them the humanistic, philosophic
opinions of the world. Others attend churches that feed
them the husk of spiritual experience without sound
teaching from the Word of God. Jesus stands knocking at
the door of our lives asking for admission.”2
He wants us to feed on Him. (Can you get a more intimate
relationship than that?) The question is, are you relying on
Christ alone to satisfy you and sustain you?
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 Pray: Write out your prayer to God.
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Endnotes
1.
Beth Moore, A Woman’s Heart (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1995),
111.
2. David M. Levy, The Tabernacle, Shadows of the Messiah, (New
Jersey: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1994) 56.
Additional Notes
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