Untitled Sermon (2)

Title: Is God Among Us?

Text: Exodus 17:7

Ø “And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?”

INTRODUCTION – The Question of Every Generation

Main Idea: Even before Sinai, before the Ten Commandments, Israel questioned God’s nearness. The same question echoes today—“Is God among us?”

Illustration:

Like Israel, humanity often forgets God’s past miracles when facing present thirst. At Rephidim, Israel saw bitter waters turned sweet, manna fall from heaven, and yet they doubted His presence when they thirsted again.

Description:

Exodus 17 is not about thirst alone—it’s about trust. God had already proved Himself, yet their hearts wandered.

GOD PRESENT IN THE WILDERNESS – THE ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM

Main Idea: God showed He was among them through the Rock, a type of Christ.

Description:

Moses struck the rock, and water flowed. Paul revealed the mystery:

Ø “They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)

Preaching Points:

1. The water flowed freely – symbolic of the Spirit poured out (John 7:37–39).

· “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (John 7:38–39, KJV 1900)

· “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, Declare his doings among the people, Make mention that his name is exalted.” (Isaiah 12:2–4, KJV 1900)

2. The Rock followed them – Christ is the ever-present God, walking with His people through every wilderness.

Illustration:

Even in the desert, the presence of God flowed with life-giving power. The Rock was not distant—it was in their midst!

GOD DWELLING AMONG HIS PEOPLE – THE TABERNACLE OF GLORY

Main Idea: God’s desire was never just to visit His people but to dwell among them.

Description:

At Sinai, God gave instructions for a dwelling place—a tent of meeting.

Ø “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)

The glory cloud filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34), and the people saw that God was truly among them.

Preaching Points:

1. The tent was temporary – a shadow of something greater to come.

2. The glory was external – it dwelt in the midst, but not within.

3. The Veil seperated

Illustration:

When the tabernacle was finished, the same glory that descended on Sinai now filled the tent. But it was still behind a veil—God was near, but not yet in them.

Transition Verse:

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22–24, KJV 1900)

GOD REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST – THE GLORY MADE FLESH

Main Idea: Jesus is the visible manifestationof the invisible God—the tabernacle of God among men.

Description:

John 1:14 connects directly to the tabernacle: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us.”

The glory that filled Moses’ tent now filled a man—Jesus Christ!

Preaching Points:

1. The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him bodily (Colossians 2:9).

2. He is Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23).

3. He was the Rock made flesh, the source of living water (John 4:14).

a. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14, KJV 1900)

Illustration:

Just as water flowed from the struck rock, blood and water flowed from Christ’s side. The same glory that once filled a tent now radiated from a living temple—Jesus Himself.

GOD DWELLING IN US – THE GLORY OF PENTECOST

Main Idea: At Pentecost, God no longer dwelt among His people but within them.

Description:

Acts 2 fulfilled the tabernacle’s purpose:

Ø “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”

This was not a visitation—it was an indwelling. The fire that once burned on Sinai now burned in human hearts.

Preaching Points:

1. The Holy Ghost is the same Spirit that led Israel (Isaiah 63:11).

a. “Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, Dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? That led them through the deep, As an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?” (Isaiah 63:11–13, KJV 1900)

2. The Spirit is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

a. “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1:26–27, KJV 1900)

3. We are now the temple of God.

a. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9, KJV 1900)

Illustration:

Daniel and the three Hebrew children knew this presence before Pentecost—God was with them in the fire! But in the New Covenant, He is in the fire of our hearts!

Transition Verse:

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell inthem, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1, KJV 1900)

CONCLUSION – GOD AMONG US, GOD WITH US, GOD IN US

Main Idea: The cry at Rephidim—“Is God among us?”—was answered at Pentecost: Yes, He is in us!

Summary Points:

The Rock followed them – God among us.

The Tabernacle stood among them – God with us.

The Holy Ghost fills us – God in us.

Closing Verse:

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:17–18, KJV 1900)