Build My Church |
Today at Open Door Church, Pastor Allan asked our teacher Linda to share about the Tabernacle and God’s church. I took notes and present an edited sermon for you.
Matthew 16:18 Upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.
The Children of Israel had spent 430 years as slaves while living in an Egyptian culture. Many had adapted the religious ways of the Egyptians as they worshiped their foreign gods. Somehow they had lost their Jewish traditions and faith.
Through many miracles God
sent Moses to deliver them and they began a journey to the Promised Land. God knew that they needed something concrete
to look upon and a place to worship and atone for their sins.
God told Moses: Exodus 25:8 "Have
the people of Israel
build me a sanctuary so I can live among them.
This was a major transition
from bondage in Egypt
to freedom.
God gave intricate directions
for the tent tabernacle, with its coverings and furnishings. The High Priest was elaborately outfitted in
special garments each representing God’s holiness.
Moses with God’s help had the task to
teach the people a new and different way to worship and serve the true and
living God.
The people were stubborn and
rebellious and often turned from God, thus ending up in captivity. God was faithful to send Prophets and Judges
to bring them back to their roots.
The nation was many times in great
peril, and King Solomon was commissioned to build a temple for God. Again, detail was important, elaborate and
magnificent.
When the tabernacle was
completed, King Solomon cried out to God and God heard and answered by sending
His glory cloud and fire from heaven.
2 Chronicles
7:1 Now when Solomon had finished
praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the
sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Covenants were being made as
shadows and types of the New Covenant of Eternal Life through Christ Jesus.
It is all about worship of Jesus - -
Allow your life and daily walk to be a continual worship to God. Spend time in worship and build your
foundation on Christ Jesus.
When Jesus was on earth, his habit
was to often go to the temple. It was
there that the scrolls were read and discussed.
Even as a child of 12 years old Jesus was found in the temple discussing
the Old Testament with the scribes and teachers. Luke 2: 47
Everyone who heard Jesus, was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Jesus began his early
ministry often visiting the Synagogue and teaching the people. One day he came to His home town.
Luke 4:16-18 And he
came to Nazareth ,
where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the
synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
And when he had opened the book, he found the
place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable
year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister,
and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened
on him. And He began to say to them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in
your ears.’
Be aware that Jesus taught in
the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus respected the temple
and was angry about the misuse of the tradesmen doing business there. “My house shall be
called a House of Prayer,” said Jesus.
Jesus often healed people in
the temple, and He hasn’t changed.
After He died on the cross and
rose from the dead, He commissioned his disciples to fast and pray and wait for
the Holy Spirit. It was there in an
upper room they experienced their personal Pentecost with tongues of fire.
Today there is still
persecution here and abroad. Many are
killed and others are put in prison for their faith in Jesus. Through it all, God is moving in unusual ways.
As a believer you have access into the Holy
of Holies and into the very presence of God. It is time for us as
individuals to become stewards of His presence, for we are the temple of the
Holy Spirit.
Be aware that God is building His Church.
3 comments:
Difficult times never scare the Author of life. It's a fallen world, but not for eternity. I pray for our nation and for the Holy Spirit to wash across this land and draw His people to Him to serve as an example to the world of His love and grace.
He is the Rock --- MY Rock --- and my foundation. I'm a Rock addict and have many in my yard and house and always think of Jesus. Never forget what He has done and where He has gone. Can hardly wait to see Him officially, face-to-face. I'm so happy with how He broke into my life and protected me more than 60 years ago. All I can count on. Thank you!
God blless
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