03-26-06 Celebration & Dedication
God told Moses to build a tent where they could meet and God could be worshipped. He gave very specific details to Moses as to how the furniture and fixtures should be built and where they were to be placed in this tabernacle (tent of meeting). Yet, Moses knew that he could not build this building by himself. He lacked the technical skills and crafts that it would take. Such as how to hammer gold into a lamp stand, or how to weave golden thread with scarlet and blue linen to make the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Moses needed skilled craftsmen and laborers to accomplish this task and God provided them.
Exodus 31: 1-10 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lamp stand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”
As we celebrate this first service in our new tent of meeting, I want to let everyone know that we are here today because of the skilled craftsmen that God has placed among us. I marvel to see all that was done in a short period of time to allow us to move into this place. I want to congratulate each and every member of this congregation for all the hard work done. It was not just one person who made it possible, but all of you. You have truly had the anointing of God upon you as you have worked and labored these past few weeks.
Just as when Moses was building the tabernacle, it took many different kinds of artisans and laborers to get the job done. Unlike Moses who had to build the tabernacle from nothing, we had to take an existing building which had been neglected for a couple of years and make many different kinds of repairs and improvements.
We had many skilled craftsmen such as: electricians who fixed various light fixtures, carpenters who worked on the door in the back and built this beautiful cabinet for the TV and the sound booth, those who replaced the “cranberry salad” carpet in some rooms, and others who fixed various plumbing problems. Then there were other people who replaced moldy ceiling tiles, cleaned up nasty messes caused by leaks and neglect, those who battled bugs and wasps, cleaned out gutters, pulled vines off the outside of the building, shampooed carpets and pews, wiped down walls and cleaned out cabinets full of cobwebs and dirt.
Then there were those who set things up and made them work, such as the sound equipment and instruments and those who took pictures to record the activity. Not to mention the many, many hours of weeding out trash and junk, packing boxes, hauling away items to Goodwill and other charities, and moving all the equipment and furniture to here. I’m sure there are some areas that I have missed, and I apologize if I did so because so many of you worked after hours (because you worked a regular job during the day) when I was not here to see what you did. I assure you God saw it and is pleased. To say it simply, G.G. and I are very proud of each and every one of you and what together you have been able to accomplish! I am proud to be your pastor and know that with this kind of cooperative attitude that this church will accomplish much for the kingdom of God.
Now looking back at Moses and the Israelites, we see that after they had finished building all the furniture and fixtures of the tabernacle, they assembled it according to the pattern that God had given Moses.
Exodus 40:34-35 (NIV) Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
God came down and lived in this house that they had built. The greatest honor that could have been given to any of the skilled craftsmen was for God’s presence—His glory—to occupy their work. This meant that He approved of the work that it had been done correctly and to His standard as He had given it to Moses. If they had cut corners on the construction, then the glory of God would not have filled the place.
Today God does not live in buildings made by human hands, but He lives in human hearts. So we are the temples that God inhabits with His glory.
1 Cor 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? . . .
Yet, this building is a place that we have set apart where we can meet together and glorify His name. Friends, today I believe that what God wants to do in this place is to join with us here every time we meet. As we have dedicated this building, we have invited God’s presence to join with us and to fill us with His anointing. We have set this building apart as a place where people can come who are weary and tired and find rest for their souls. This is a place where the healing streams of God’s love and grace can help those who are hurting and bruised. It is a haven of refuge for those who have been tossed around by the storms of life and just need a quiet harbor to find shelter in. It is a place where we can freely worship our holy God with song and praise. It is a place where the truth of God’s word can boldly be proclaimed. It is a place where the mercy of God can be freely received by all who need to know His wonderful love.
May God bless this place with His glory!