Sermon Tone Analysis

A people for whom ‘God is with us’

Design and structure of the Tabernacle illustrates that God is a Holy God and we are Unholy/sinful people but that God wants to reconcile the unreconciliable - do the impossible: Dwell as a Holy God with an unholy people.

Illustration:

Intolerance and tolerance => big unifying dichotamy/Paradigm/ paradox of our culture.

What do we tolerate?

What should be not tolerate?

Tolerant of intolerance => lose your tolerant society but if you are not tolerant towards people who are intolerant towards you or others have lost your tolerant society => society cannot be tolerant !!! Hence the Prevent strategy, British values in schools, freedom of speech, incitement to hatred laws etc etc and politicians and the media forever getting befuddled by this paradox.

The big paradox for the Hebrews and Moses was how do we live with Holy God in our midst - if we are sinful, we die in his presence (judgements on Egypt) - but we can’t be Holy.

We have been given the Law but someone is going to be breaking something some how - how do we live with God among us?

Are we really Going to tell God, the creator (universe), our redeemer/rescuer that we would rather he didn’t!!!

Video

Our buildings also reveal something about who God is - there is a barrier - but we come by the cross , that we meet to hear God’s Word (Torah/Law) and break bread (Remember redemption - Sacrifice) and fellowship together (coffee & Welcome), to sing praise and enjoy him, to pray for the needs of the world, to spend time with him

A people who were committed to ensuring ‘God is with them’

2) The Construction of the tabernacle:

> They built it with skills and money V2

> Offering prompted to give by their hearts

> - Paul urges us to give our selves as living sacrifices as a spiritual act of worship - That doesn’t mean money is exempt but more is demanded

Illustration:

Wedding band - a thing of value

Are we a people committed to this:

> Praying, listening, serving, growing, giving?

A people who needed to remember who they are: Chosen & redeemed to be a blessing to the world

The sacrifices and observances and the categories of holy and unholy, clean and unclean (leviticus) remind them constantly that they need the Lord.

> That they are created out of love ....but rebellious (Gen 1-3)

> Chosen out of love.... but unfaithful ()

> rescued out of love .... but back sliding (Ex)

> to live with ‘God among them’

Jesus is described as the Tabernacle in the new testament Word became flesh and ‘dwelt/tabernacled’ among them

> Holy communion

> Word & Spirit

> Fellowship

> prayer

Experience his presence and pray that others do:

..

He wants them to enjoy fellowship with him and live with him forever