Sunday Message, February 28, 2010
Series: Walk Through The Bible
Title: Gods Promise or my Performance?
Scripture: Luke 23: 44-49
We are going to conclude our study of the tabernacle or tent of meeting not that we have exhausted the topic there is actually much more to looked at but we want to continue our journey through the Bible- and understanding the tabernacle helps us piece together much of the teaching from here on-
Each item in the tabernacle finds it fulfillment in Jesus Christ which is significant for each one of us- especially as we look at the final item.
Review tabernacle or tent of meeting = God would dwell among his people as the journeyed to the promise land this tent would become the tabernacle and later the temple,
Outer court
The gate one way Jesus said I am the way only one way to God- which we will see as we continue
The brazen altar sacrifice was made Jesus Christ - the final sacrifice.
Brazen Laver inspection time to be set apart sanctification- by the word and Holy Spirit
The actual tent had two parts the Holy Place with three items of worship
Golden lamp stand light - table of shew bread fellowship altar of incense prayer of saints.
Right behind the altar of incense was a veil or curtain that separated the Holy Place form what was called the Holy of Holies
The priests would come and go over 700 times in a year into the Holy Place to do their duty but would never go behind the veil that was left for only the appointed high priest who would enter once a year on the day of atonement.
No one could go behind the curtain without special arrangements preparation selection and with the blood offering to be placed on the altar this happened once a year day of atonement at one with God.
Tradition tells us a rope was tied around the priests angles, just in case the offering was not accepted or they did not follow correct procedures so they could pull the dead pries tout without having tot go in and face death themselves.
This is how holy God is he stands above us over us yet welcomes us into his presence.
The high Priest would enter and stand before the only item in the holy of Holies - ark of the covenant
The ark also called the ark of testimony or the ark of the covenant - manna was placed in this altar the rod Moses used in the dessert- the ten commandments were placed in this altar.
It symbolized Gods covenant with his people.
The word ark- in Hebrew is the word for box or coffin.
It is referred to as the ark the ark of the covenant the ark of the Lord- ark of God- ark of the testimony.
It means simply a box or a box- like boat- this word ahs been used a couple of time before-
Moses baby Moses was placed in a small papyrus boat ark it kept him safe and he became the one to deliver Gods people. Gods plan unfolded through him to deliver the people from slavery.
Noah- Noahs ark - Gods deliverance provision those who trusted him entered the ark were safe and saved from destruction.
The ark of the covenant is Gods provision and promise of deliverance for his people.
The ark of the covenant was the most precious and powerful item in the tabernacle.
It also reveals again if we have not got the picture already that God is holy set apart form us- we are not holy in and of yourselves- there is no one righteous no not one.
All our righteousness what we think is right a good honorable worthwhile if it is done with out God- in my own strength for my glory it is like filthy rags not acceptable to God.
This is where we get it really twisted in our world and how we look at things from our point of view-
But this ark where God was present was a holy place- to touch it without the blood from the altar of sacrifice to come without the acceptable sacrifice meant death.
A practical lesson- in 2 Samuel 6 there is a interesting and powerful account recorded for us which drives this point home the ark had been taken by the enemies and David overpowered the opposing army and decided he would bring the ark back to Jerusalem .
So they gather some men together- and have a new cart brought to transport the ark- as they are bringing the ark back the ox stumble and the ark is about tot topple so one of the men- Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark so it would not fall to the ground.
Was this a good act good intentions he meant no harm but as he reached out and touches the ark God struck him dead.
The journey stops David is mad the ark sits in a barn for three months- the farmer is greatly blessed while the ark is at his place.
After three months David calls the Levites the priests to come and carry the ark to Jerusalem.
See David did not read the instructions this ark was not to be placed on a cart it had rings which poles were placed through and the Levites were to carry it it was not to touch the ground or have unclean hands touch it.
When the high priest came before this ark they brought with them the blood from the sacrifice at the brazen altar and poured the blood on the mercy seat - God accepted this and covered over the sins of the people and accepted them and continued to journey with them leading them to the promise land.
They did not come empty handed or with their own sacrifice a life had to be given innocent blood had to be spilt out not their blood they like us are not innocent
Here answers a great problem for us how do we come before God today? We do not have a temple with a Holy Place but God never changes- he is still Holy we are still sinners.
There is one statement an event in the bible which makes it all possible for us approach God.
When Jesus was on the cross and he said it is finished and he gave up his spirit- he died he shed his blood he was innocent never sinned - a pure innocent sacrifice was made.
Luke 23: 44-49
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things
2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
When God does the doing God gets the glory when I do the doing I get the glory.
1 John 2:12I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
The veil in the temple was torn in two ripped apart opened up making it possible for us to come not on our own but through him.
Many say we Christians make too much of Jesus Christ but Jesus is all there is He is our only hope he makes it possible for us to come to God be accepted by God to receive forgiveness and new life eternal life.
If I come on my own offer to God even my best it will not be accepted.
Why is this important to us it has everything to do with each of us now having the right and privilege to come right into Gods presence we are now priests who are told to come boldly into God very presence and make our requests known.
Hebrews 4: 14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We have the opportunity and great amazing privilege as saints - priests to come right into Gods presence with confidence assurance that he welcomes us hears us like the priest did once a year.
This approach to God was a radical changed Jesus brought and taught a whole new understanding of God to them.
Up to this time the people would approach God with fear and trembling dont get to close dont go beyond this point stay behind the fence did we perform the sacrifice correctly?
Will God accept us? Did I do all that is required did I live up to the law did I slip up some place?
We have freedom to approach God we have peace with God.
This puts a whole new perspective on Freedom and Peace form Gods point of view.
Many think freedom is doing whatever we want no restraint or taken from being slaves or in prison to gaining freedom but with understanding freedom is our right to approach God freely we do not need to sacrifice to come tot eh temple go through all the rituals and follow all the laws that were put in place.
Peace is not merely the absents of conflict it is being accepted welcomed by God the barrier is removed the price has been paid we no longer have to approach God in free but with confidence knowing he accepts us we are forgiven no barrier remains all has been accomplished.
When we read that Jesus came so we can experience Gods peace many look around and say where is this peace? Look at our world look at my world there is conflict strife- battles I have my own personal battles look at all the suffering caused by war injustice peace there is no peace.
The next time you are challenged by these comment ask the person making them how much do they know about the tabernacle? The veil and how it was torn apart when Jesus died.
They will most likely look at you as if youre a bit nuts what does that have to do with peace? Well everything.
We miss the real meaning when we take the worlds definitions of words like peace and freedom and apply them out of context to what God is up to.
Freedom We have never been slaves- I have never been in prison why do I need freedom.
Jesus says you are slave to sin I have come to set you free.
You can experience God his love forgiveness accepting you and you can approach him at any time- come boldly into his presence.
We do not live under the law all the rules and regulations- our relationship with God is not in our own performance but in the finished work of Jesus Christ who took our place became the ultimate sacrifice his blood keeps on cleansing us from all sin.- his blood was applied it is sufficient to save us.
He is our deliverer as the ark delivered the people he is our ark.
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Why is this so important because all other religions are based on our performance to get to God.
Whether they have high moral virtues such as Buddhism- it is still based on how you perform =- your efforts your achievements this is what will determine your state in the next life.
J.W. it is based on your good works not the finished work of Jesus because Jesus was merely a great man not God.
Hinduism your works your lot in life- is determined so make the best of where you are at and you r will have a better state in the next life all based on your own performance.
Performance based religions lead in one of two directions.
- If life seems to be going my way I succeed I make good money have a good position play golf really well an make millions of dollars-
I can easily conclude I must be living right I can determine my own destiny- I am in control of my life- I am really my own God- I have entitlement to do as I please looks the gods are on my side.
Tiger Woods in his confession said he was getting back to his Buddhist roots I want to suggest he followed the Buddhist values to their logical conclusion.
Most performance based religions lead to an upper level where the leaders dictate to others. They are above the rules and regulations they hold others to. They live in self denial and deception that they have arrived.
They try to fool others they are something they are not.
Jesus encountered this with the Pharisees.
They look good on the outside but youre a mess on the inside you place restraint on the people and do not even live up to the standards you put in place.
The other path is to self abasement I am a nobody I am worthless I am a mess I am a failure I fail so often I wonder if God will accept me have I done enough to please him.
God will strike me down live in fear and guilt.
When life throws you a curve a set back you begin to beat yourself up where did I go wrong
Maybe I am not praying enough giving enough serving enough.
Both approaches miss out on all God has done for us both are based on my performance not Gods grace mercy and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.
Even as bible believing Christians many times we can be find ourselves living more under my performance then embracing Gods amazing grace.
Our relationship with God should be lived out with confidence = freedom peace motivated by his love to honor and glorify his name knowing he loves us so much he gave all so we can know him.
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