The Tent of Meeting (continued)
How interesting! God had the people of Israel build a “Tent of Meeting” as part of the tabernacle, however, only the High Priest was allowed to enter the place of His very presence, and he was only allowed to do this once a year? In addition, bells had to be sewn onto the robe of the High Priest in order to announce his presence, so he would not die (See Exodus 28:33-35). How is it a tent of Meeting if it is not accessible? It almost sounds more like a chamber of horrors!
Obviously, one of the lessons we see from this lack of accessibility is the tremendous thing Jesus did for us when He opened up our way into the very throne room of God. We have been given a beautiful gift through His sacrifice that allows us to develop an incredible level of intimacy with God. However, what about the people who lived before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? Was there no way for them to experience the personal presence of God? Could it be that there is more here than meets the eye?
One thing I have noticed about human behavior is that we have a tendency to take the things of God and use them as He never intended. When I was a student at LCU there was a door at one of the Catholic Churches nearby on which “the face of Jesus” appeared. It was crazy to see people come from all over the area to worship this image. Just imagine what they would have done with the Tent of Meeting if it was opened to the public? The same has been done in our own churches. I have seen people treat an auditorium as if it is the “sanctuary of God”. Unfortunately, there are some people that have more trust in, and a better relationship with the Bible than in the God who had the Bible written.
God wants to “Meet” with us, but what if He never intended for it to be at one specific place? Suppose the Tent of Meeting demonstrated the awesome gift Jesus would provide, but was off limits to most of the people because God wants to meet us in our everyday lives?
There is a powerful book written by Gary Thomas called, “Sacred Pathways”. The premise of his book is that there are many different ways to meet God and develop intimacy with Him (in fact, he writes about 9 different pathways). Different personalities experience the power and presence of God through different means. One person may experience closeness to God through being outdoors, enjoying nature and its wonders, while another will never feel closer to God than when they serve someone in a real and profound way. One person may realize the presence of God through study of a Bible passage in which they glean a new gem, while another needs quiet and solitude to hear Him speak. Many people typically have two or three pathways that are particularly meaningful to them, and all of the pathways Gary Thomas talks about are significant.
Where do you meet with God? Do you have a special place? Where can you go, or what can you do that helps you hear the voice of God and feel His presence more clearly and more distinctly? God is accessible! That is why He planned for and then sent Jesus. The Tent of Meeting is now in our hearts and souls. Do you know yourself well enough to recognize the pathway(s) that will best feed your soul? If you go to the following website, you can take an assessment that helps you recognize which pathway(s) are more significant to your walk with God: http://www.sacchurch.org/action-steps/sacred_pathways.htm
I would love to hear back from you as to what pathways are significant to you. Maybe together we can brainstorm ideas to help make intimacy with God a more powerful realization in your life!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 7
The Tent of Meeting
Imagine living in a time where the prescription for everything that ails you is to have leeches draw blood from you. Whatever your symptoms, leeches! From fever to a rash to a sore throat to headaches, leeches! Even broken bones would need to be properly cared for with—leeches! For centuries these blood-sucking creatures were a mainstay of medical care. What brought about such a primitive and barbaric practice, and how could it be a bastion of medical science for 2500 years when its results were questionable and sporadic, at best? In today’s medical world, doctors realize there is not a basic cure for everything. Different symptoms demand different medical care. And, while leeches still have some value in the medical world, it is only for specialized treatments that they are prescribed (like when a finger is reattached in order to stimulate circulation).
Unfortunately, some people fall into the same trap when it comes to worshiping God and experiencing intimacy with Him. They prescribe a common method of experiencing Him, even if some of their forms have become outdated. They would have you believe that what worked for them is the solution for everyone else. “God is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” If it worked in the past, then it should continue working today, and even tomorrow. But, could it be that an age more “enlightened” than our own will look back at some of our practices in religion and shake their head, wondering what we were thinking?
Consider the use of a church building and especially the auditorium, or “sanctuary”, as some people refer to it. Whether by actual teaching, or merely by practice, it appears this has become our modern-day “Tent of Meeting”. Many hold the view that this is THE PLACE to meet with God. As a result, everyday encounters with Him are missed or misunderstood. Some see this as the place to bring people in order to help them see the truth and be converted to God. However, how was any of this the case with the original Tent of Meeting? For one thing, Gentiles were not even allowed into the courtyard. Second, only those who were already set apart for God as priests could enter the Tent of Meeting. It was certainly not the place where teaching was done. That happened in the homes (or at least it was supposed to—See Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Thirdly, how many instances of conversion actually take place at the Tabernacle or Temple? John the Baptist led people away from the Temple, out into the wilderness, to call them into a right relationship with God. When Jesus sent His apostles out to preach about the Kingdom of God, they did not call people to gather at the Temple. They showed them the activity and love of God in their very midst, as they went about everyday living.
The Tent of Meeting was a portable facility that enabled the presence of God to dwell in the midst of the camp of the Israelites. It represented God being at the core of their community. Everything else revolved around Him! However, it was not where God encountered the people. He met them in their everyday lives! Today, we have no Tent of Meeting because He has taken up residence within us. He still meets us in our everyday lives! Let us be careful not to turn His Tent of Meeting into more than what it is. We must consistently reevaluate our religious practices instead of unquestioningly accepting what has been done for generation after generation, or we might find ourselves prescribing leeches in an era of modern medicine.
(Next week we will continue with some more thoughts on the Tent of Meeting)
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Imagine living in a time where the prescription for everything that ails you is to have leeches draw blood from you. Whatever your symptoms, leeches! From fever to a rash to a sore throat to headaches, leeches! Even broken bones would need to be properly cared for with—leeches! For centuries these blood-sucking creatures were a mainstay of medical care. What brought about such a primitive and barbaric practice, and how could it be a bastion of medical science for 2500 years when its results were questionable and sporadic, at best? In today’s medical world, doctors realize there is not a basic cure for everything. Different symptoms demand different medical care. And, while leeches still have some value in the medical world, it is only for specialized treatments that they are prescribed (like when a finger is reattached in order to stimulate circulation).
Unfortunately, some people fall into the same trap when it comes to worshiping God and experiencing intimacy with Him. They prescribe a common method of experiencing Him, even if some of their forms have become outdated. They would have you believe that what worked for them is the solution for everyone else. “God is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” If it worked in the past, then it should continue working today, and even tomorrow. But, could it be that an age more “enlightened” than our own will look back at some of our practices in religion and shake their head, wondering what we were thinking?
Consider the use of a church building and especially the auditorium, or “sanctuary”, as some people refer to it. Whether by actual teaching, or merely by practice, it appears this has become our modern-day “Tent of Meeting”. Many hold the view that this is THE PLACE to meet with God. As a result, everyday encounters with Him are missed or misunderstood. Some see this as the place to bring people in order to help them see the truth and be converted to God. However, how was any of this the case with the original Tent of Meeting? For one thing, Gentiles were not even allowed into the courtyard. Second, only those who were already set apart for God as priests could enter the Tent of Meeting. It was certainly not the place where teaching was done. That happened in the homes (or at least it was supposed to—See Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Thirdly, how many instances of conversion actually take place at the Tabernacle or Temple? John the Baptist led people away from the Temple, out into the wilderness, to call them into a right relationship with God. When Jesus sent His apostles out to preach about the Kingdom of God, they did not call people to gather at the Temple. They showed them the activity and love of God in their very midst, as they went about everyday living.
The Tent of Meeting was a portable facility that enabled the presence of God to dwell in the midst of the camp of the Israelites. It represented God being at the core of their community. Everything else revolved around Him! However, it was not where God encountered the people. He met them in their everyday lives! Today, we have no Tent of Meeting because He has taken up residence within us. He still meets us in our everyday lives! Let us be careful not to turn His Tent of Meeting into more than what it is. We must consistently reevaluate our religious practices instead of unquestioningly accepting what has been done for generation after generation, or we might find ourselves prescribing leeches in an era of modern medicine.
(Next week we will continue with some more thoughts on the Tent of Meeting)
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 6
The Bronze Laver
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” How many times have you heard this statement? You will find this verse right next to the one that says, “God helps those who help themselves.” Neither of these are really Scripture, but the concept of this first statement can easily be supported. Over and over again there is an emphasis in the Scriptures on our necessity to be washed in order to dwell in the presence of God. David begged God to wash him clean and remove his sin after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Psalm 51:2, 7, 10); John the Baptist called people to “a baptism (washing) of repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus told Peter during the last meal He had with His disciples prior to being taken and killed, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Paul was told by Ananias, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
The need to be clean to dwell in the presence of God is a message taught as early as the construction of the tabernacle. God instructed the Israelites to build a laver of bronze that was placed between the altar of burnt offerings and the tent of meeting. Moses writes, “And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they may not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 30:19-20). The message here is simple: Be washed before you enter into the presence of God, or DIE! Approaching God’s altar or His dwelling place is not something to take lightly. Without proper preparation, it is a dangerous place to be!
It is interesting that the washing of water is not a once-for-all-time act. God knows His priesthood is going to need a continual cleansing and requires them to learn this lesson by what He requires at the Tabernacle. It is not that God will have nothing to do with them when they are unclean. The altar of burnt offering provides the means to be cleansed from their sin. Like the father of the Prodigal son, God runs to the unclean child who shows repentance and dresses them in a new robe, killing the fattened calf in order to fellowship with them. However, there is a respect for the holiness of God that must never be forgotten. While He runs to the child who chooses to repent from living among the unclean pigs, He still demands our efforts to show respect for His holiness before we barge into His presence.
Once again, Jesus is the fulfillment of what God requires at the Tabernacle. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). The cleansing by Jesus is perpetual and allows us into the presence of God. What the Tabernacle points to is fulfilled once-and-for-all in Jesus. As the Scriptures reveal, being washed is vital! How wonderful that God satisfies His own requirement and our need through Jesus!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” How many times have you heard this statement? You will find this verse right next to the one that says, “God helps those who help themselves.” Neither of these are really Scripture, but the concept of this first statement can easily be supported. Over and over again there is an emphasis in the Scriptures on our necessity to be washed in order to dwell in the presence of God. David begged God to wash him clean and remove his sin after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Psalm 51:2, 7, 10); John the Baptist called people to “a baptism (washing) of repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus told Peter during the last meal He had with His disciples prior to being taken and killed, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Paul was told by Ananias, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
The need to be clean to dwell in the presence of God is a message taught as early as the construction of the tabernacle. God instructed the Israelites to build a laver of bronze that was placed between the altar of burnt offerings and the tent of meeting. Moses writes, “And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they may not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 30:19-20). The message here is simple: Be washed before you enter into the presence of God, or DIE! Approaching God’s altar or His dwelling place is not something to take lightly. Without proper preparation, it is a dangerous place to be!
It is interesting that the washing of water is not a once-for-all-time act. God knows His priesthood is going to need a continual cleansing and requires them to learn this lesson by what He requires at the Tabernacle. It is not that God will have nothing to do with them when they are unclean. The altar of burnt offering provides the means to be cleansed from their sin. Like the father of the Prodigal son, God runs to the unclean child who shows repentance and dresses them in a new robe, killing the fattened calf in order to fellowship with them. However, there is a respect for the holiness of God that must never be forgotten. While He runs to the child who chooses to repent from living among the unclean pigs, He still demands our efforts to show respect for His holiness before we barge into His presence.
Once again, Jesus is the fulfillment of what God requires at the Tabernacle. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). The cleansing by Jesus is perpetual and allows us into the presence of God. What the Tabernacle points to is fulfilled once-and-for-all in Jesus. As the Scriptures reveal, being washed is vital! How wonderful that God satisfies His own requirement and our need through Jesus!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Mission Minded
WANTED: People with confidence and equipping to handle the role of a priest for God’s service. Skill set should include: The ability to provide sound counsel and teaching based upon the nature and will of God; a desire to share the love of God through word and deed; a love for the souls of people; and a humble spirit with the emotional make-up of being a peace-maker.
God is looking for more than just a few good men and women! He has called each of His followers to become part of “a Royal Priesthood”. In fact, the job opening listed above is really a REQUIREMENT FOR ALL OF GOD’S FOLLOWERS!!! Peter states, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The blessing of being God’s chosen people and His treasured possession brings with it the responsibility of representing Him and even calling others out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God always intended for His people to serve as a priesthood to the rest of the world! His challenge to the Israelites as He called them into covenant with Him at Mt. Sinai was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). They were His “treasured possession among all the peoples,” but He also said, “all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5). In other words, He was not content with only the Israelites knowing Him in this special relationship. That is why He poured out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the same manner that He did to the Jews in Acts 10. That is why God went out of His way to show a eunuch that he could now be acceptable to God and worship in His presence in Acts 8.
There are none whose lives are so messed up that God does not care for them and want to restore order and peace to their existence! We are His priesthood—representing Him to the fallen world and helping the fallen see the cleansing and new life available to them through Jesus. Do we even think about others in a priestly way? Do we see our need to reconcile people to the LORD? Will we fulfill our call to be missionaries and priests, or will we leave that up to the “professionals”? (This terminology is foreign to God’s word and intention!)
This morning you will have an opportunity to hear about mission work being done by others through our support. Be excited about what is going on and how we get to play a small part in that, BUT, don’t think that fulfills your duty as a priesthood for God! If you are not ready to share the truth about who God is and what He offers in Jesus, when will you be ready? What are you doing to develop the confidence and abilities to help others get right with God? You are God’s priesthood! Will you fulfill your role?
-Scott
God is looking for more than just a few good men and women! He has called each of His followers to become part of “a Royal Priesthood”. In fact, the job opening listed above is really a REQUIREMENT FOR ALL OF GOD’S FOLLOWERS!!! Peter states, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The blessing of being God’s chosen people and His treasured possession brings with it the responsibility of representing Him and even calling others out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God always intended for His people to serve as a priesthood to the rest of the world! His challenge to the Israelites as He called them into covenant with Him at Mt. Sinai was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). They were His “treasured possession among all the peoples,” but He also said, “all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5). In other words, He was not content with only the Israelites knowing Him in this special relationship. That is why He poured out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the same manner that He did to the Jews in Acts 10. That is why God went out of His way to show a eunuch that he could now be acceptable to God and worship in His presence in Acts 8.
There are none whose lives are so messed up that God does not care for them and want to restore order and peace to their existence! We are His priesthood—representing Him to the fallen world and helping the fallen see the cleansing and new life available to them through Jesus. Do we even think about others in a priestly way? Do we see our need to reconcile people to the LORD? Will we fulfill our call to be missionaries and priests, or will we leave that up to the “professionals”? (This terminology is foreign to God’s word and intention!)
This morning you will have an opportunity to hear about mission work being done by others through our support. Be excited about what is going on and how we get to play a small part in that, BUT, don’t think that fulfills your duty as a priesthood for God! If you are not ready to share the truth about who God is and what He offers in Jesus, when will you be ready? What are you doing to develop the confidence and abilities to help others get right with God? You are God’s priesthood! Will you fulfill your role?
-Scott
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