God Is Good (The Glory Of God's Presence)

Many years ago, Thomas K. Beecher once substituted for his famous brother, Henry Ward Beecher, at the Plymouth church in Brooklyn, New York. Many curiosity seekers had come to hear the renowned Henry Beecher speak. Therefore, when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, some people got up and started for the doors. Sensing that they were disappointed because he was substituting for his brother, Thomas raised his hand for silence and announced, “all those who came here this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may withdraw from the church; all who came to worship God may remain. “

The example of godly leaders is helpful, but only the Savior is worthy of our worship and devotion.

Now for many of you today, Henry Ward Beecher is forgotten but the LORD God is not..

Transition To Body- Not Solomon’s Glory but the LORDS!

The context of the passage is: The fist temple is constructed approximately 1100 years after Abraham received a promise from the LORD God.

the first temple construction project has been successfully completed by Solomon the King

David his father had a mind and heart to build the temple and the prophet Nathan concurred at first but the Lord God said that was not David’s assignment. Mention side note on what may be placed upon our heart and mind versus what we are called to do

One would assume that people would want to celebrate Solomon and they would be celebrating King Solomon for this great work that he has accomplished as the third king of the people of God. Up to this point in the life of the LORD’s people, they’ve had a tabernacle, a tent construction in which they could come to worship. There’s never been a physical building or temple plant which they could attach an fixed address such as 61 Winthrop Street, Taunton, MA 02780. The Tabernacle has been the LORD’s people’s portable sanctuary (stop or go upon the LORD’s command)- the people of God have been experiencing a tent revival going for over 440 years (over 4 centuries or 44 decades)

And now king Solomon has constructed this beautiful worship edifice using the architectural plans sand resources provided to him by his father King David

King David in first Chronicles chapter 22 says his son Solomon is young and inexperienced. So King David prays that Solomon will receive wisdom to do the work of building the temple and that Solomon will be faithful in obeying the commandments of the LORD

the Ark being moved to its final testing place during the Feast Of Tabernacles

Body- God Is Good

Our Worship Is Outside The Inner Sanctuary (too)

What is the significance of the inner sanctuary? The Ark could only be seen in the inner sanctuary. Why the priests withdrawing from the Holy Place is significant? The priest are the set aside, set apart,consecrate, ordained leaders or ministers whom The Lord God chose to make sacrifices on behalf of the people for their sins. The priests are taken from the people. Now the priest are coming back to be among the people.

What was in the Ark reminded the people of the covenant the LORD God made with Israelites (those whom the LORD had contended) after they came out of Egypt

V11- the priests withdrew from the Holy place. Why? Why the priests being consecrated regardless of their divisions matters?

V12- Levite musicians join

V13 trumpeters & singers join in unison, as with one voice to:

Give Praise TO the LORD Give Thanks To the LORD

They raised their voices in praise to the LORD

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”

ESV

Our Worship Is To Be On One Accord

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

Galatians 5:13–15 ESV

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/gal.5.13-15.esv

Our Worship Is Thanksgiving And Recognizes The LORD God

2 Chronicles 5:13 ESV

13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,

for who He is (God is good) and

what He has done (his steadfast love endures forever)

The Lord God is good for what he has done!

God’s steadfast love endures forever

What has the Lord done for you today?

Have you ever asked yourself that question to remind yourself of the things gd the LORD God has done?

Every now and then we need to remind ourselves

Or rather take a stroll down the memory Lane our life’s experience

And look into our heart to remind ourselves of the wonderful things he’s done?

You ought not be like Janet Jackson and have to ask the LORD God “what what have you done for me lately!?”

Nehemiah 9:20 ESV

20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.

Nehe

Nahum 1:7 ESV

7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 27:13 ESV

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

Psalm 31:19–20 ESV

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 33:5 ESV

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Psalm 27:13 ESV

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

Psalm 34:8 ESV

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 33:5 ESV

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Psalm for giving thanks

Psalm 69:16 ESV

16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Psalm 100:4–5 ESV

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 33:

Psalm 107:1 ESV

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:8–9 ESV

8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 119:68 ESV

68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

Psalm 143:10 ESV

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Psalm 145:9 ESV

9 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Psalm 145:5–7 ESV

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

God’s steadfast love endures forever

Psalm 33:5 ESV

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Psalm 107:1 ESV

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Our worship Ought Invite The Presence Of The LORD God

2 Chronicles 5:14 ESV

14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

Only The LORD God Gets Glory In Our Worship

V14a- the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud.

V14b- And/so priests could not perform their service because of the cloud

Why is this significant?

We need to learn to get out of the way and the LORD God have His way

V14c- for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God

The temple had one more month to go before completion yet they are worshipping: sacrificing & celebrating

Transition To Close: What is the meaning of the temple for Christians?

What is the meaning of the temple for Christians?

Illustration: In 1715, Louis XIV of France died. Louis, who called himself “the Great,” was the king who made the infamous statement “I am the State!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was spectacular. His body lay in a golden coffin. To dramtize the ceased king’s greatness, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lighted, with only one special candle set above the coffin. Thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak. Slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle, saying, “ONly God is great!”

How Do we continue to worship & praise the LORD until His glory returns?

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

ESV

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

2 Corinthians 3:4–6 ESV

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

https://www.bible.com/59/1co.6.19-20.esv

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:16–18 ESV

16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

, ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/2co.3.4-6,11-18.esv

You are the temple of the living God

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1co.6.19-20.esv

Close: Goodness of God

And there is an even greater priest who came out from the inner sanctuary who came out from the presence of the Lord God....In fact he is the great high priest...

Jesus’ Glory!

John 17:3–5 ESV

3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

The Church’s Glory!

John 17:22–26 ESV

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

So Jesus had to die in order to be glorified!

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."”

John 12:23–26 ESV

23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

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John 12:23

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.17.1-11,16-17,20-26.esv

“Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.12.20-36.esv

“Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.4.31-38.esv

- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me...

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.”

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Hebrews 10:5–14 ESV

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

https://www.bible.com/59/psa.37.1,23,25-29.esv

Hebrews

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/psa.100.1-5.esv

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/psa.150.1-6.esv

“And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me, 'It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.'”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1ch.28.5-7.esv

“Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1ch.28.8.esv

“Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it."”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1ch.28.10.esv

“Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/heb.10.5-14.esv

Transition To Postlude

Close

1 Corinthians 11:7

1 Corinthians 11:7 ESV

7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 1:4–8 ESV

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.