Scripture Readings: Numbers 3:1-51; 1 Cor 12:27-31 • Text: Numbers 3:1-51
Song: “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”

Introduction
Have you ever been to a youth camp or an adult retreat where emotions ran high, so the leader and the campers decided to have a spontaneous Lord’s Supper? Or maybe there were so-called decisions for Christ, so the youth leader decided to baptize the converts?

This is a common state of things today: the sacraments administered by an unordained person in youth camps and adult retreats, especially among parachurches. Self-appointed evangelists, pastors and missionaries are also very common today.

What does the Bible say about this? What does the book of Numbers say?

Last week, we considered Chapter 1 which consists of a census of all of Israel’s males 20-60 years old, according to the twelve tribes. We also looked at Chapter 2 which tells us how the camp is to be arranged, and how the whole nation is to march towards the Promised Land.

We come now to Chapter 3, a chapter dealing with Israel’s priests and Levites. Who are they? What are their duties?

One of the main themes of Numbers is the right worship of God by his people dwelling in the wilderness. We learned in Chapter 2 that the Tabernacle, where God dwells, is the center of the camp – God is the center of their worship and life. Chapter 3 gives us details on the qualifications of Israel’s God-appointed priests and Levites and the duties God assigned them. It also shows us how the people are redeemed by God so they can worship God acceptably. All of these were commanded by God, “Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses” (Num 1:54; 2:34; 3:51).

This is God-centered worship, doctrine and life! Our theme this afternoon, then, is

In the Wilderness: God-Centered Worship:
1. God-Appointed Officers
2. God-Assigned Duties
3. God-Redeemed People

Read more here.