03 God With Us Forever

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

Week 1: God with His people — the Tabernacle filled with glory.

Week 2: God among His people — the Word became flesh and “tabernacled” among us.

Week 3: God in His people — through the Holy Spirit, God makes His home in us.

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Christmas is the turning point of God’s dwelling — from a tabernacle in the wilderness to the Word made flesh to the Spirit dwelling in us.

Show the movement from tabernacle → Jesus → the Holy Spirit in believers.

Big Question: How close does God want to be to His people?

Christmas answers: closer than you ever imagined.

Opening Scripture:

GOD WITH US: THE TABERNACLE (Exodus 40:34–38)

Pop-up TENT

A. The tabernacle revealed God’s desire for proximity

A God who travels with His people.

Cloud by day, fire by night — God’s presence among wanderers.

B. But the tabernacle also revealed distance

Courts, curtains, and veils.

In the tabernacle, God was accessible primarily through sacrifice

God was present… but not fully accessible.

Tabernacle → temporary

Key:

The tabernacle was God drawing near — but not yet God dwelling within.

GOD AMONG US: JESUS, THE TRUE TABERNACLE

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

A. Christmas fulfills the tabernacle

dwelt = tabernacled (take up residence)

John uses the tabernacle verb intentionally. The presence that once lived in a tent now lives in a person.

God steps into our world

Into human suffering

Into human limitation

Into human story

B. Jesus is the new meeting place with God

No more altar → Jesus our sacrifice.

No more veil → Jesus our access.

No more lampstand → Jesus our light.

No more bread → Jesus our bread of life.

No more mercy seat → Jesus our mercy seat (Rom. 3:25).

C. In Jesus, God becomes touchable, visible, knowable

God’s glory wrapped in humanity.

God’s holiness wrapped in humility.

God’s presence wrapped in a baby.

Key: The tabernacle was a shadow; Jesus is the substance.

GOD IN US: THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLING IN BELIEVERS

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 “16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

A. Pentecost completes the movement of God’s presence

From tabernacle → to Christ → to church.

The Spirit fills not a tent, but a people.

B. You are now the temple of the Holy Spirit

This is the miracle of the New Covenant:

God doesn’t just walk beside us.

God doesn’t just live near us.

God makes His home inside us.

C. Christmas moves us toward Pentecost

The baby in the manger becomes the Savior on the cross, the risen Lord, and the Spirit-anointed Christ who sends His Spirit into our hearts.

Key: God moved from a tent, to a body, to your heart.

WE CARRY THE PRESENCE OF GOD NOW

A. Your home becomes a tabernacle

The presence of God is not confined to a building.

Wherever believers gather, God dwells.

B. Your life becomes a sanctuary

You carry God’s compassion, love, light, and truth wherever you go.

Your workplace, classrooms, and neighborhood become places of presence.

C. The mission becomes embodied

Just as Jesus entered our world, we enter the lives of others with His presence.

Missionaries are walking tabernacles, God’s presence moving into the places people live.

7 Ways We Carry the Presence of God:

Through our words — speaking life, blessing, and encouragement.

Through our compassion — showing God’s nearness through love and care.

Through forgiveness — revealing God’s mercy in a world of retaliation.

Through peace — bringing the presence of the Prince of Peace into conflict or chaos.

Through listening — embodying the God who hears us.

Through our households — making our homes small tabernacles of prayer, Scripture, and hospitality.

Through our witness — sharing the gospel and representing Jesus wherever we go.

Conclusion/Reflection:

How is God preparing me to carry His presence into my home, my relationships, and my world this Christmas and into 2026?

Talk It Over