2019-02-24 Numbers 9:15-18
Notes
Transcript
15 On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
16 It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.
17 Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord’s command they camped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they camped.
15 On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
16 It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.
17 Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord’s command they camped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they camped.
19 Even when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites carried out the Lord’s requirement and did not set out.
20 Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days. They would camp at the Lord’s command and set out at the Lord’s command.
21 Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning; when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out. Or if it remained a day and a night, they moved out when the cloud lifted.
22 Whether it was two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle. But when it was lifted, they set out.
23 They camped at the Lord’s command, and they set out at the Lord’s command. They carried out the Lord’s requirement according to his command through Moses.
The tabernacle and fire point us to a present reality.
The tabernacle and fire point us to a present reality.
15 On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
We are the temple made clean by sacrifice of the Lamb and the work of the Great High Priest.
We are the temple made clean by sacrifice of the Lamb and the work of the Great High Priest.
15 On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
Illus: Growing up I loved to go to the movies.
When you go to the movie, everyone knows that the first 30 minutes were filled previews.
These previews are short snippets that give you just a taste of the full length feature.
Many times in the old testament we get previews of the full length feature God intends.
God’s desire was never to dwell in a tent or a temple.
I will text a thumbs up regularly to let some one
God’s desire was to use the tent and the temple as a preview of his great plan in Christ… to dwell in you.
When you look to the tent… think “that’s me”
Our story today is not some distant story of how God used to lead people back in the day.
It is the story of how God desires to lead us now.
21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
We are led by the cloud and fire of the Holy Spirit.
We are led by the cloud and fire of the Holy Spirit.
15 On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and it appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning.
Illus: Many times I read the bible and think… Life would be SO much easier if I had a giant cloud to follow by day and fire by night. Wouldn’t it be incredible to know God’s will in such a direct way?
Then I read the gospels and think.... Oh that Jesus were back with us again. How incredible it would be to be able to talk with God directly. To know him as a friend and listen to him speak.
But wait!!!! Have you actually read how well the people followed when they had the cloud and fire? One of the big things you will see as we walk through numbers is how we as people will rebel no matter how clear the presence of God was.
And when Jesus lived and walked the earth, how many people talked with God and rejected him. Even Peter denied him 3 times.
We as people need the presence of God in a way greater than residing in a tent, or walking in flesh. We need the presence of God residing in us.
The tent, the coming of Christ all led to the culmination of God’s plan on this earth, restored fellowship with Him, where he gave us a greater gift than even the bodily presence of Christ, we have God residing in us through the Holy Spirit.
1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.
3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.
II. The Christian life is a God dependent life.
II. The Christian life is a God dependent life.
16 It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.
17 Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
We see the need for a God dependent salvation.
We see the need for a God dependent salvation.
16 It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.
17 Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
Illus: We are all aware of our own sinfulness, and we all realize that we need someone to save us from our sin.
Let me tell you about the wonder of what God did… God became a man, lived the perfect life, died in your place brutally on a roman cross to forgive you of your sin. He rose from the dead so that you might have eternal life with him.
What great news is this. How wonderful that we have God’s gift of salvation.
God asks us to take a step of faith by first admitting our sinful brokenness to him, trusting his finished work on the cross, and placing our eternity in his hands.
That said, a saved soul will lead to a daily walk with Jesus.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.
2 He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
We need a God dependent daily walk.
We need a God dependent daily walk.
16 It remained that way continuously: the cloud would cover it, appearing like fire at night.
17 Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped.
Illus: This morning I have told you how we have become the Tabernacle, the temple of God. Jesus was your sacrifice, he is the great high priest, the fire and presence of God has come down to dwell in you.
It should make a difference.
The mark of whether you are really saved or not is whether you are transformed by God’s presence living in you.
Every day we should be transformed. Every day we should give up our will to follow after God.
The step of faith is not a step where you look and say I’m forgiven, now I’m good.
Real faith, genuine faith is looking to God and surrendering everything to depend on God and God alone.
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God,
Who truly guides your life?
Who truly guides your life?
18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord’s command they camped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they camped.
In life, where are your eyes fixed?
In life, where are your eyes fixed?
Illus: The call of the christian life is not only to put to death sin, but also our own headship in our lives.
If Jesus is the savior, he is also the boss.
If Jesus is the savior, He is also the treasure of your life.
Who are you really living for, who are you seeking to please? Yourself or God?
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.