Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

Exodus 30 Bible Study (The Altar of Incense/The Census Tax) | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Friday, October 26, 2018

Scripture References

Exodus 30Leviticus 16Leviticus 10Esther 29Psalms 66Psalms 19Isaiah 58

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores the Altar of Incense in Exodus 30, revealing how it represents the believer's prayer life. He emphasizes that true prayer must be authorized by God’s standards and fueled by the sacrificial work of Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1Prayer is not a religious chore but a sweet fragrance that God genuinely delights in and is drawn to.
2True intimacy with God is impossible without a consistent life of prayer; nearness to the veil requires nearness to the altar.
3Our prayers are only sanctified and made acceptable through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
4God prioritizes the sincerity and quality of our heart connection over the length or quantity of our words.
5Service, evangelism, and other ministries are good, but they must never be used as a substitute for personal and corporate prayer.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1How does the imagery of prayer as 'perfume' or 'incense' change the way you feel about approaching God?
2Pastor Batarseh mentioned that 'those who pray are nearest to God.' Have you noticed a correlation between your prayer life and your sense of God's presence?
3What does it mean practically to 'mingle' our prayers with the sacrificial work of Jesus? How does this protect us from legalism?
4Why is it so easy to substitute 'burnt offerings' (busy work/service) for the 'altar of incense' (prayer)? How can we guard against this?
5Discuss the concept of 'unauthorized incense.' Which of the New Testament barriers to prayer (hypocrisy, unforgiveness, etc.) do you find most convicting?
6How can we develop a prayer life that focuses on 'quality' while still maintaining the 'discipline' of time?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Examine your heart for 'cherished iniquity' or unresolved conflicts that may be polluting your 'incense' before you pray.
Focus on heart engagement rather than the clock; aim for five minutes of meaningful conversation over an hour of distracted rambling.
Establish a 'morning and evening' rhythm of prayer to ensure your spiritual altar stays warm and attended to.
When praying corporately, consciously direct your words to God alone rather than trying to impress or move the people listening.
Ask God to wash your prayer life in the blood of Christ, repenting for times you have prayed with wrong motives or empty phrases.

Personal Reflection

Take time to quietly reflect on these prompts.

How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me through this message?

What areas of my life need to change in light of this teaching?

Who can I share this truth with this week?

What is one specific action I will take as a result of this sermon?

Prayer Points

Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.

Notes

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