Build My Church

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. 

 

Jesus is our Rock and our foundation.  He is building His church that will stand.  A church not made with hands but a living body of believers.

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.