For our scripture passage this morning, turn with me, if you would, to Numbers chapter 10. Numbers chapter 10. As I've been spending a little bit of time in the U.S., I came a couple weeks ago, and driving with the radio on, and so it's been impressed upon me once again, we are living in different times than years past. The supernatural now is something very much right out in the open. And crop circles in England, by some, right on radio, are taken as extraterrestrials trying to speak to the human race. And all around you can find New Age gurus who can put you in touch with the Ascended Masters to help direct your life. Astrology and the horoscope can help you understand how the cosmic forces can influence you and how you should direct your life. Mediums can put you in touch with the deceased. Psychotherapists can put you in touch with former lives. Christians of all sorts and stripes also vary in their view of the supernatural. Many would say, of course God speaks to us. And he speaks to us through the Bible, but only parts of the Bible. Others would say, well, God speaks to me when I feel it is right. Dear friends, does God speak today? Is there a clear word from God for this world? Jesus said, Father, sanctify my disciples in the truth. Your word is truth. Numbers chapter 10, the first 10 verses. The Lord said to Moses, Make two trumpets of hammered silver and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to assemble before you. When a trumpet blasts or when an alarm is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps of the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the same signal. So there were different signals that the priests blew and the people could distinguish the different signals. The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. this is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpet, then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies. Also at your times of rejoicing, your appointed feasts and new moon festivals, you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God. God commanded Moses to make two silver trumpets. What are these trumpets? Well, it was God's way to communicate with his people. Now, God communicated with Moses, we read in chapter 7, for instance, in verse 89, there in the tabernacle, God communicated with Moses face to face. It appears that God spoke to Moses in an audible voice. But God did not speak to his entire people that way. He commanded two silver trumpets to be made. Now these silver trumpets were to remind Israel of something very important. Where had Israel heard the sound of the trumpet before? Do you remember? At Mount Sinai. In Exodus chapter 19, I'd like to read a couple of verses. Verse 16 and following. On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning with a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. And Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. The people of God here in Numbers 10 have left Sinai and they are now in the desert about to set out on their trip. But God commanded two silver trumpets to be made in order to remind His people of the same God of the covenant that they had met at Mount Sinai. And indeed, that smoke, that they had seen the smoke and fire over Mount Sinai in the form of the pillar of fire still accompanied them as that pillar of fire descended over the tabernacle. And the sound of the two silver trumpets would remind Israel of that God of Sinai, their covenant God, who was speaking to them. When the trumpet sounded, there was no mistaking the sound. If there is a sound that is not mistaken, it is the sound of a trumpet. And I believe that the metal silver gives one of the brightest tones for instruments like trumpets. Now what was the first call that God gave through the trumpets? We read in verse 3 and 4, when the trumpet was sounded, the people were to come. One trumpet called the elders, two trumpets called the people. I hope you can see the beauty of this first trumpet call. How many of you remember the consequences of Adam and Eve's sin? Do you remember God created Adam and Eve? He created a garden in the midst of his creation, a beautiful garden with great trees and God would meet Adam and Eve there. He would commune with his people. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, you remember the sad consequences? They were driven out of the garden and a great angel was placed at the entrance of the garden with a flaming sword prohibiting them prohibiting them from entering God's garden and God's presence. But now when God saves His people from Egypt He takes them into the desert. The trumpet sounds saying Come! The Passover lamb has been slain, covering their guilt. And the trumpet sound sounds and says, Come! This is a call of grace. This is a call of love. This is a call of mercy. And God's first word to His people is, Come! In spite of the fact that Israel was in the middle of a desert, their delight and their sustenance would be God's presence. Come. God's people have been a worshiping congregation from the beginning. One term for Israel is the congregation of Israel. It's one of the most common terms in the Old Testament to describe Israel. People of God, do you know that what we are doing right here this morning is one, if not the, most natural activity for a Christian. God's first Word is come. His definition, His name for His people is congregation. What we are doing here this morning is the most natural thing for a Christian. You know how many times in the New Testament we are expressly commanded to meet together to go to church? You know how many times the New Testament expressly commands? Only once. Now for my work of church planning, this could be a little bit embarrassing, you know. And by the way, in Hebrews 10, it's sort of in passing. The reference to not forget to meet together is just kind of sort of in passing. I mean, the author doesn't even make a big deal about reminding people to go to church. And so many people today, both here in the United States and in Costa Rica where we're trying to plant a church, they say they believe in God, they're a Christian, but church, uh-uh. Have to get up on Sunday morning, go to church, work with people that you might not get along with, give my money. Maybe some missionaries or evangelists would have liked the Lord to place a few more kind of clearer passages in the New Testament, reminding people not to forget church. you know what even if we didn't have one verse even if we didn't have one verse in the New Testament it wouldn't be necessary because the essence of being God's child is coming and meeting and worshiping together you see it's a curse to be expelled from God's presence and when we realize that it was a curse and it is a curse to be expelled from God's presence left to ourselves as a curse when we realize it is a blessing to be called by God's grace back into His presence I think we can all see can't we that this first trumpet call is a call of grace and love Our Lord Jesus in His earthly ministry emphasized God's gracious invitation to sinners. He said, Whoever comes to Me, I will in no wise turn away. Jesus said, Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, I will give you rest. Paul says we are Christ's ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf, come, be reconciled to God. The author to the Hebrews encourages us to approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. People of God, the first trumpet call is good news. The first trumpet call is the Gospel. It is the call of grace. It is the message that has encouraged people like Jilsum a member of our church in Costa Rica to share the Gospel with so many. His life was transformed by God's grace and he wants to share it with others. You know what? When we forget that we were saved by grace, that's when we forget to call others. If we think we're here in God's presence on our own merits, on our own righteousness, There's no reason to call others. Let them come on their own merits. But when we realize that God's trumpet call came to us in the desert, expelled from God's presence, far from His blessing, under His curse, and His call has come, then that will certainly encourage our hearts to sound the same call to others. We're thankful that God has opened up so many opportunities through the World Reformed Fellowship to encourage other church leaders. You know, we get off track so often. We all know that there are many theological currents that do not give priority to God's grace. And our fellowship, thankfully, is able to remind many and to be a force reminding and teaching many leaders. And many pastors indeed are coming to appreciate more deeply Scripture's doctrines of God's grace. Friend, this morning, have you heard the first trumpet? Have you responded in faith to God's call, Come, if not, do so. He offers to all who come forgiveness, salvation, eternal life. The absolute assurance that He will be your God and you will be His people. The next trumpet blast we find in verse 5 was the order to march. By God's order, Israel marched. When the trumpet sounded, the camp marched. When the captain sounded the alarm, his people marched. Israel was not always called to march. At times they camped, and even for extended periods. But at the sound of the trumpet, no one could mistake the call. The children maybe were playing. Mom and dad were maybe working. But when the trumpet sounded, everyone said, Listen, what is it? What is the sound? It is to march. Let's get busy. pick up steaks, pack up the tent. It's time to march. After all, there was no other way for Israel to get to Canaan from Egypt, was there, than to march. Egypt was not to be their home. The desert was not to be their home. And in the meantime, Israel was a people on the go. A people on the march. When God's voice was heard by means of the two silver trumpets, the camp was to pick up its tents and to begin the march in an orderly fashion. In one sense, the church today is on the march, isn't it? We've been delivered, as it were, from spiritual Egypt, from bondage to sin, from slavery to the devil. We are headed for the new Canaan, our spiritual inheritance. But in the meantime, we must march. You know, Jesus many times uses this language in his ministry. His first word to the disciples as they mended their nets or as they sat at the publican's table was, follow me. Later he said to the crowd, it is necessary to be my disciple to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. Jesus said in John verse 10, And my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. God's call to Israel was follow me. The trumpets sounded, the tents were lifted, the pillar of fire traveled and his people marched. Jesus' call to his disciples was and is. Follow me. The true Christian hears and follows. Brother or sister in the Lord, Has God been calling you to a particular task? Follow me. Church of Jesus Christ, is God calling your church to a particular or a continued mission? Let us hear and respond to God's silver trumpet call, the voice of the Lord. Thirdly, verse 9, God's trumpets, God's voice called His people to war. No one likes to have to think about war. In these days in which our country is engaged in conflict and violence, we are faced with the difficult and unhappy aspects of war. But the reality of Israel's existence in Canaan would bring attacks upon her and Israel would be forced to defend herself. At the time of war, God commanded Israel to sound the trumpet. But did you notice as we read our passage, the trumpet this time isn't so much for the people to hear. It's not the ram's horn calling the people to come. If you read the passage, God says, when you go into battle, sound a blast on the trumpet. you will be remembered by the Lord your God. It's almost as if this trumpet blast is for God Himself. And indeed, do you remember when God set the rainbow in the clouds, what He said? He said, I will see it and remember My promise. You know, God has given us many times visible, in this case, audible signs to remind us that God publicly for all to hear or to see once His promise is proclaimed. And the trumpet blast was to be sounded over Israel, not for Israel's sake, in one sense, but as a public testimony that God would hear and would deliver His people. You know what? Today, the church, of course, is not a physical nation that fights its enemies with swords made of steel. But there are nevertheless enemies of the church that seek our destruction and there is a spiritual battle. And we find in the New Testament that it is the same voice of God, His Word. Just like the silver trumpets in the Old Testament. God's Word is the sign of God's victory. When God's Word is announced, we proclaim publicly God's victory. When God's Word is announced, we herald God's final victory and we should never forget it. How many remember in the Gospel account when John the Baptist was in jail? John knew what was coming. He knew his head was in danger at any minute. And John was wondering, he had proclaimed the coming of God's kingdom. He had proclaimed judgment and salvation and he didn't see that Jesus was doing things the way that he thought maybe was going to happen. And he sent two friends to Jesus. And you remember what Jesus did? He healed and he preached and he said to the two friends of John, go back to John and tell John that the lame walk, the blind see, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. You see, the proclamation of the Gospel, Jesus says, is proof that the kingdom has come. Blessed is he, Jesus says, blessed is he who is not ashamed of me. Blessed is he who does not doubt. You see, God's victory doesn't always come in the way or the time that we think it should. For John the Baptist, it hadn't come in the way or the time that he thought maybe it would. But the point that Jesus wants to make is that the preaching of the good news to the poor was a sure sign that God's victory would prevail. Blessed is he who does not doubt, who is not ashamed. In Mark chapter 1, Jesus healed many. The next day, the word had spread far and abroad. And as the sun rose, the street was filled with people seeking Jesus. And as the disciples got up and went to find Jesus, everybody was asking for Jesus. He wasn't in the house and they found Him apart praying. And they said, Jesus, come back to the house. Everybody is there wanting to be healed. Do you remember what Jesus said? He said, let us go to the other villages to preach the good news because this is why I came. And Jesus left those people standing in the street unhealed to go and preach the gospel. Jesus' preaching, among other things, was the announcement that God's kingdom triumph, would triumph. All who would believe the message would be saved. And God establishes covenant with those who receive by faith the good news. And at the same time, even as we receive the message of salvation and of victory, you know what? We, as we respond to the trumpet call and we come, we're handed our own trumpet. In the Old Testament, it was the priests who blew the trumpets. But what does Peter say? We've all been transformed into a kingdom of priests. I believe we're all to be trumpet blowers in one way or another. God in Christ has made us all a kingdom of priests. A church which is silent is like Israel forgetting to blow the trumpets. But an obedient church will sound the gospel trumpet. and will be remembered by God. I want to talk briefly about the spiritual battle that we are in. Some of you here present remember World War II. Others of us have been told about the sacrifices and the times of that period in our nation's history. War is no fun. Materials are rationed in order to supply the troops. The country is in constant alert. There are sacrifices to be made, including sending your own children to the battlefront. And in some ways, the Church of Jesus Christ is called to engage in a spiritual battle that includes all of these same aspects. I think many Christians and many churches wish to ignore or seek to ignore the spiritual battle we are called to be engaged in. I think sometimes we're tempted to put our lives on cruise control. Blinders. Do you remember why they put blinders on the horses in the old days? So the horse wouldn't see something that might frighten it. And I think sometimes we Christians put on ourselves blinders because we might see something in this world that rattles us, that shakes us, doesn't fit in our comfort zone. Many Christians, I believe, are trying to make it through life just as comfortably as possible, but in effect, that is to adopt the world's values. For you see, I don't think it makes much difference to the devil if you're an outright atheist or a cruise-controlled Christian. Neither one affects His kingdom in any way. In Scripture, of course, we find a different message completely. Jesus' first words according to Mark, His public ministry was begun by the words, the kingdom of God has arrived. Repent and believe the gospel. Another kingdom had just invaded. Christ's kingdom had come to make a fatal and final attack on the devil's kingdom. Jesus said he came to bind the strong man and he was going to sack his house. Jesus came on the attack. And Jesus' followers, you and me, would be left to finish the job. That's what being a Christian is about. It's about war, my dear brother or sister in the Lord. It's about war. The war against sin, against Satan, against the powers of darkness. You remember what Paul said in Ephesians chapter 6. We are to put on the whole armor of God. Why? So that in the end, when the smoke is cleared, when the dust is settled, you might be found standing. You see, at the end of the day, at the end of the fight, The ones on the ground are the losers. And maybe you've still got to be leaning against your sword. But if you're still standing, you're part of the victors. Paul says, put on the armor of God so that when all is said and done, you might be found standing. We've been called to battle. Peter reminds us to gird up the loins of our mind that to be sober, to be self-controlled, So, that is, we should take very seriously our task in this world. People of God, not only should we not fear the assault of the devil, not only should we not fear the assaults of the devil, we should actively seek out ways to destroy His power. Jesus said that since His kingdom had come on the offensive, it is as if the devil and his legions shut themselves in hell closed the gates he said but those gates of hell are not going to be able to withstand the onslaught the fury of my kingdom indeed we should seek out the enemy without fear and every time the gospel is announced and that's why Peter could say I'm not ashamed of the gospel because it's God's power every time the gospel is announced, we hear God's own promise of victory. Don't you think that God will hear His own word and respond? I want to say that in our ministry in Latin America, in Costa Rica, often we feel the weight of the battle. Certainly the work of school administration, the whole school construction is overwhelming and my wife Aletha often goes to bed exhausted at night. As we seek to minister in our church planting efforts in Costa Rica, in the drug-ridden community of Los Cuadros, in our evangelism, often our strength, our time, fail us. As God has continued to open many, many doors for our work with the World Reformed Fellowship, we feel the burden of having so many needs that we will never be able to meet in our own strength. And of course we are mindful that God alone has brought us this far. And we confess that we depend for the future on this same God. We know God has answered many of your prayers. and we thank you for remembering us. The people of God, whether we be tired or not, whether we be young or old or whatever condition, let us push forward. Push forward to the very end and let us be found standing. Let us join together as God's kingdom of priests and sound the trumpet call of God's glorious coming victory. What do you say? Fourthly, verse 10. The trumpets were to accompany Israel's festive occasions when the Israelites gathered together for their feasts. The parties that the Israelites had were parties remembering God's work. And their religious and social areas were so closely joined. I don't think it was such a bad idea. But in the middle of the party, God said, sound the trumpet. Sound the trumpet. You see, every aspect of Israel's life, even their times of rejoicing was to be under God's Word. And the trumpets of Sinai, the trumpets of the covenant, the trumpets of God's Word were to be sounded on every occasion as the people worshipped, when they marched, when they went into battle, and when they rejoiced together. Please notice that God recommends rejoicing. In the law, feasts often lasted an entire week, sometimes longer. The year of jubilee was an entire year. We should be careful, and I'm not intending any subtle references here, but we should be careful that our church is the nice, solemn, orderly expression, as all of you are here sitting so respectfully before me. But in our recreation, in our work, God's presence is totally out of our mind. As if church is church, and play is play, and work is work. As if there is a separation in our lives in which God has no say. In the middle of their feasts, God wanted the trumpet sounded, reminding them that always, all their life was to be under His Word. I would like to speak especially to the young people here present, and of course it applies to all of us. Young person, God Himself prescribes good, healthy rejoicing. the world didn't invent that such a shame when today we think it's the world that provides all the fun and it's the church that wants to take it all away you know all the wonderful and good things of this world were given by God the fun activities that we engage in the good food God's given to us personal relationships that God grants us all these are given by God and they're given for rejoicing they're to be received with rejoicing they're given for life but you know what God knows that so often we misuse we pervert and we twist for wrong ends the good things God's given to us God gives us the good things of this world to enhance our life and to bring real joy but the sin in our hearts so often takes the good things and twists it so that they become a curse in our own lives. And that's why God said in the middle of the party, sound the trumpets. I don't want you to forget who gave you these good things. I want to remind you, who is your deliverer? Who is your God? Who is your Savior? Young person, I would like to say that if in some of your activities it would be really weird and really strange for someone to say something out of the Bible So, I want to ask you if maybe that party isn't a prelude to life, but rather a prelude to death. If God and His Word would be so out of place that it would be unthinkable to mention it, I think that all the good things that God is giving us to rejoice in may be in that situation be used rather as a prelude to death. Think about it. Let us celebrate life. Life in the best sense of the Word. That life that is defined, that is sanctified, and that is nurtured by God through His Word in Christ and in His Spirit. As we have seen over and over again, Jesus takes up many of these same themes in His ministry. I think Jesus was conscious that He was sounding God's trumpet call in His earthly ministry. How many of you remember how Jesus will return? With the sound of the last trumpet. The last trumpet will announce Him who is truly author and finisher of our salvation. Because after all, in Jesus, and only in Jesus, can all these things that we've talked about this morning be found. It is in Jesus that we gather before the Father for worship. In Jesus, and only in Jesus, can we march successfully in this life. In Jesus and only in Jesus can we face the battle and be found victorious. And only in Jesus can we truly rejoice in this life. Indeed, it was Jesus who said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. People of God, there is still a final trumpet to be sounded. And Jesus will wrap everything up and He will hand the kingdom over to His Father. But until then, the two silver trumpets must continue to be sounded. Will you hear? Will you respond to the voice of God? Will you sound the trumpet for others to hear? The trumpet that calls sinners to come to God's presence, called by grace to worship the only true Savior. The trumpet that sends us to march after Jesus wherever He might lead. The trumpet that announces God's victory, even as it calls us to make sacrifices for the battle. And the trumpet that reminds us on every occasion that even in our rejoicing and our recreation, that God must be Lord of our life. At the beginning of this message, we asked whether the Christian today can know for sure if God speaks clearly. I hope the answer is clear. God has indeed spoken a clear and certain word for every aspect of our lives. Through His Word, in Christ, through the power of His Spirit. People of God, sound the trumpet. Amen. Father, thank You that You are a God who speaks to Your people. Thank You, Father, that You speak clearly and in a day and age of so much confusion and competition for wisdom and knowledge. Thank You, Father. We can have the assurance that you speak a clear word for our lives in Christ and through your word. O Lord, grant your church the wisdom and the ability and the courage to sound the trumpet, Father. Call many to you through grace. Encourage us and direct us in the march. Give us, O Lord, hearts fit for the battle. And remind us in every occasion, even in our rejoicing and our play, that you are Lord of our lives. Father, help us to sound forth the trumpets. Amen.