Tabernacle Prayer
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· 3 viewsA message on prayer using the Tabernacle as a model for approaching God.
Notes
Transcript
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
I have not felt very funny for several weeks, but this week I came across something that peaked my dad-joke persona. 5 ants rented an apartment with 5 other ants. Now they are ten-ants together.
Introduction
Introduction
Today is October 2nd and it is once again the first Sunday of the month. Our theme throughout 2022 has been Pray First. In our text this morning we read God’s instructions to Moses regarding the Tabernacle. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God, built to His specifications, where he would meet His people. As they entered the Tabernacle, they passed through seven stations, following God’s instructions, to experience His presence. Today, even though we no longer need the physical Tabernacle to meet with God, these same steps can help us connect with Him. This prayer model will take us through each station of the Tabernacle and serve as a model to meet with God. To Experience God. To get answers to prayer from God.
Let’s quickly examine it together.
Body
Body
1. The Outer Court
1. The Outer Court
And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
The Israelites entered the Tabernacle with thanksgiving and praise, we can start our prayer time the same way
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Look at Joshua 6:1-20
Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.
And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.
And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
We see it again and again, In 2 Chronicles 20 we read again where King Jehoshaphat leads the people of Judah into battle singing.
2. The Laver
2. The Laver
And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
The next step in the Tabernacle was a bowl of water where people were reminded of their sinfulness and their need to be cleansed and forgiven by God. Checking our hearts and motives and surrendering our lives to God is an important part of daily prayer.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. The Brazen Altar
3. The Brazen Altar
And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
In the Old Testament, everyone had to regularly bring animal sacrifices as payment for their sins. Today we don’t have to do that because Jesus paid for our sins once and for all with His blood on the cross.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Thank God for the gift of Jesus. Thank Jesus for his sacrifice and love. Let the power of the cross and what it means for your life really settle in your spirit. In addition to expressing your gratitude, claim the power of transformation and healing that the cross of Jesus Has in your life. remember the 4 benefits of the cross that we have discussed previously.
Jesus is our Savior
Jesus is our Healer
Jesus is our Sanctifier
and Jesus is our Soon and coming King.
4. The Altar of Incense
4. The Altar of Incense
And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
A small altar of burning incense stood at the entrance to the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled. The people of God entered God’s presence as they worshipped His names. this altar represents worship and the pleasure it gives God when we worship Him.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Jehovah -Rohi : The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord My Provider
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord My Peace
Jehovah-Raphi: The Lord My Healer
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord my Righteousness
Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is There
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh: The Lord my Sanctifier
Jehovah-ElElyon: The Lord Most High
5. The Candlestick
5. The Candlestick
And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
The next piece of the Tabernacle was the seven-branched golden candlestick. The fire represents the Holy Spirit and how we are called to be light in the world’s darkness.
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
When Jesus left the earth, Christian were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He calls the Holy Spirit our “Advocate” We cannot do what God has called us to do without His supernatural power. It is through the Holy Spirit that God comforts us, guides us and empowers us.
6. Table of Shewbread
6. Table of Shewbread
And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
In the Tabernacle, a table with twelve loaves of bread represented the importance of reading God’s Word daily.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
God’s Word is an incredible gift and a powerful tool, and it has great relevance and impact on our prayer life.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
7. The Ark of the Covenant
7. The Ark of the Covenant
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
The Final place in the Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies, where God;s presence dwelled. There, the priest interceded by praying on behalf of the people of God. In the same way, we intercede on behalf of those around us.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
We can make a difference when we spend time praying for others. Pray for those with whom you interact and connect.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Even though we no longer need the physical Tabernacle to meet with God, these same steps have shown us how to connect with Him.
Are you meeting with God?
Are you experiencing God’s presence and power?
Are you getting answers to prayer?
It all begins with having a personal relationship with the one who the Tabernacle points to - Jesus.
I encourage you to take these notes home and begin to meet God in prayer through These steps
Praise
Confession
Sanctification
Worship
The filling of the Holy Spirit
God’s Word
Intercession