John #06 The Word Dwelt Among Us
That you may believe … and have life
John #6
John 1:14
Isaiah 11:1 (NIV)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
Isaiah 7:14-15 (NIV)
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.
1. Tabernacled Among Us
What Was It?
A. Dwelling Place of God
1. Tent of Meeting, outside the camp, where Moses spoke with God for the people Ex 33 - spoke with God face to face
2. Then God gave Moses instructions for building The Tabernacle according to a pattern, that is a heavenly pattern. Through the Tabernacle he would no Longer meet ONLY with Moses but The Tabernacle would become The Dwelling place of God with the Israelites.
3. It consisted of
a- a set of 10 linen curtains draped over a frame 45 feet x 15 feet x 15 feet high. This was the tabernacle
b- a "tent" draped over that with 11 curtains of goat hair
c- over that a covering of red dyed rams' skins
d- then a 4th covering made of the smooth skins of either a porpoise or seal type animal called a dugong.
e- The Tabernacle had only 2 rooms inside, The Holy Place, 30x15x15 and the Holy of Holies, 15x15x15 containing the Ark of the Covenant
f- There was a courtyard around the Tabernacle where sacrifices were made
4. The Tabernacle was now in the Middle of the Camp NOT on the outside, God was dwelling with his People
IT was Also
B. God's Stamp of Approval
1. I love you and desire a more intimate relationship with you
2. You are MY unique people
It was Also
C. God's Choice
1. "I have chosen you" - 23 times in the OT God says "I have chosen you"
2. In John 15:16 You did not choose me, I have chosen you and in verse 19, I have chosen you.
-- So, The Tabernacle was a quite a meager house to be the dwelling place of God - a Frame, a covering of linens and animal skins and So Christ was according to scripture - "nothing that we should take notice of him" - his earthly house/dwelling was NOT worthy of him and had no hint to it's power and purpose
The Tabernacle was NOT Moses' idea but God's
Man would not have brought God to them like he did in Christ in Bethlehem
Ex 33 tells us that anyone inquiring of the Lord could go to the Tent of Meeting
So Jesus is the Way, The Truth and The Life no one comes to the Father except through him
In the Tabernacle the Lord spoke face to face with man
So the Word became flesh and dwelt face to face with man
D. It was also God's Provision for relationship with and forgiveness for his people
1. I want to add something here about God's provision in Christ for us that I see in the Tabernacle.
2. I've already told you that the Tabernacle had four coverings
a. the Tabernacle - Linen, blue, purple, and scarlet thread
b. the Tent - black goatshair
c. 3rd Covering - Ram's skin dyed Red
d. Outer Covering - Dugong - a sea cow i.e. a porpoise, or species of seal
3. Linen made from Flaxseed … was a symbol of purity and righteousness. It was woven and dyed with Blue, Purple, and Scarlet.
a. Blue was a color worn by priests.
b. Purple was a color worn by Kings, and
c. Scarlet is a color worn by the Rich and by the Warrior.
* Jesus Christ came and tabernacled among us our High Priest, Our King, Our Wealthy Warrior and our righteousness.
4. Goats' hair, Not just any goats' hair but black goats' hair.
a. In Leviticus 16 there is instruction regarding the "scapegoat" … have you heard that term before? Do you know what it means? "Sure, Pastor, it means some innocent guy who gets stuck with the consequences for the actions of somebody else"
Well, you are partly right. Where do you think that comes from?
b. After the High Priest had offered the sacrifice for the sins, he selected a live goat and takes it by the head and sprinkles blood from the sacrifice on the head of the goat. He confesses the sins of his people over the goat and sends the goat out into the wilderness carrying the sins of the people on his innocent head away from the people.
c. Jesus, Tabernacled among us to be our scapegoat to carry the effect of our sins away.
5. After the covering of fine pure linen, and the covering of black goatskins, is the covering of ram's skin dyed red. Do I have to explain this one?
a. Abraham had been told to sacrifice his son, Isaac. He was told to take him to the top of the mountain and put him to the knife. He made the altar, he laid his son down, he tied him down and raised his knife and the Lord stopped his hand and directed him to notice the bush beside him. There in the thicket, the thorn bush, was a RAM, caught in its branches. And the ram then became the sacrifice. The Ram's blood was shed in place of Isaac.
b. Jesus Christ came and tabernacled among us to be the sacrifice for us, our scapegoat, and righteousness
And
6. the Outer Covering is a bit strange, it's made some species of seal. That says a couple of things to me.
a. One … where did they come up with THAT? They are in the middle of the desert and they've got to come up this SMOOTH material made from a sea animal's skin. And
b. I think of an Old Man named Nicodemus and Jesus said "you must be born again" … you must be NEW, you must be transformed into a soft smooth new born creation. HOW? How do we come up with a sea cow? How can we be a new creation, fresh smooth, clean, Holy …
c. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, left Heaven and came to earth and Tabernacled among us that in the middle of the desert we can be made new, anyone that is in Christ is a New Creation, yes in the middle of the desert, in Christ we are born again, we are smooth as a newborn baby, or a seal for that matter, forgiven because of the Sacrifice of our Ram, Christ Jesus, our sins taken away from us by our scapegoat and now we stand in the Righteousness of Christ because of Royal, Priestly, Warrior Jesus Christ who tabernacled among us.
Well, that's a great lesson, Pastor, but I guarantee you … someone is thinking … “what's the point …?”
Two questions we need to ask in conclusion
The question too often posed is …
2. So, What?
The attitude that Jesus often receives from the world is … So what
Religion … that's ok
Celebration … Let's do it
Church … makes me feel like I'm part of something
Traditions … let's keep them,
but Christ … So, what?
Harsh? Am I?
Harsh or Honest?
That's OFTEN the attitude and it takes different forms
A. Blatant Apathy
1. Psalm 14 - Look at this picture of the world that we live in today.
?1? The fool? says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
?2? The Lord looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
?3? All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
?4? Will evildoers never learn-
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the Lord?
?5? There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
?6? You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.
?7? Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Jesus has camped, tabernacled among his people … and there are some who don't care …
2. John 6:66 - many turned their back and never followed him again
But it's not always so obvious … sometimes it is …
B. Subtle
1. Acts 26:28 - "Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?'"
Agrippa didn't say, "Paul that's crazy I don't believe it"
He didn't say, "that's an impossible story"
He didn't say "I don't want to receive Christ" … he just said what I've had many people say, three teenage boys I talked to in El Salvador, they said "I don't want to make that decision today" …
2. I'm not ready
3. when I get a little older
4. when I get my life together
5. when I have all the answers
6. when I am ready to commit, when I am ready to settle down … just not today …
C. Passively / Spiritually
By this I am talking about Christians who live a So What Life. Jesus Christ, has come to live in our lives … and yet …
1. don't live like it
2. lukewarm - the church at Laodicea was told by Christ in
Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
He explains the problem in verses 17-20
Revelation 3:17-20 (NIV)
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Who was he talking to? He was talking to a church … Christians …
3. know he's in the camp and we don't live like it
That's passively saying "so what"
Blatant, Subtle, Passively, So What …
D. So What? I'll tell you what
Stay with me for a minute …
1. The Tabernacle is Transitory -
a. The Tabernacle was a "portable housing for the presence of God" - they set up camp but expected to move on
b. Jesus came in a transition - God's presence among us in Flesh was a transitory one -
c. God's Presence with his people went through a series
- The Tabernacle
- The Temple
- Incarnation - The Word became flesh
- The Hearts of Believers - 2 Cor 6 19 do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? …"
- The Church - The Body of Christ 1Cor 12:27 Now youa re the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it
Eph 4
- Heaven - Rev 21:3 - The Dwelling will be physically and permanently With Man - no more tears, no more pain, no more sin, no more death, the old order will be passed and a new and eternal order will reign
d. The Fact that the word used here for Jesus on Earth was "tabernacle" further illustrates the TRUTH that he WAS somewhere else, he came and CAMPED here among us and he is MOVING On, he is going somewhere else
2. The Tabernacle is an Invitation - Understanding that Jesus was in transition, that he was God camping among us is in itself an Invitation to join him on his journey. He came in flesh but he was "pulling up tent stakes and going to a better place to set up a permanent encampment for his people
a. John 14:2,3 - I go to prepare a place for you … so that where I am you may be also
b. how do we get there?
c. 6 - I am the way the truth and the life
That brings us to the final question
What will you do?
3. So will I … ?
A. Receive Him / Join Him
1. encamp around him
God had the people set up the Tabernacle in the Middle of the Camp and then they pitched their tents AROUND him. But I don't guess they had to. They could have gone off somewhere else … gone off on their own. But they camped AROUND him, and Jesus Christ has come and set up a dwelling among us … will you receive him? Will you pitch your tent, give and build your life around him or will you go off in the desert by yourself and pitch your tent in the dark?
2. Christ in You is the Hope of Glory - Col 1:27 - Have you camped out in middle of nowhere? When it gets REALLY DARK, perhaps on a moonless night? Then noises start, and you are SURE that there are bloodthirsty grizzlies on the left, a pack of wolves on the right, bandits in front, and tax collectors behind … Turn on a flashlight, stoke the fire … it gives you hope until morning comes
Receive Him … Christ In YOU … the hope of Glory
Jesus Tabernacled among us and we Receive him …
So, will you receive him, will you …
B. Live in Victory -
The Tabernacle represented God's Presence and When God's Presence was with his people …
1. They were led by his presence
If you don't know where to go, Look to Jesus Tabernacled among us. Israel just camped around him and when the fire moved, they packed it all up and followed him, when it stopped they stopped
When the presence was with them …
2. they were victorious in battle
When the presence of God was with them,
3. Their daily needs were met
Manna every morning, quail every evening … a double portion on Friday for the Sabbath … God cares for his people when he dwells among them
4. Psalm 37:25-28 - I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; and you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off"
So what? So, receive him, live in victory, … so, will you …
C. Tell Someone Else
1. If the President were at your house for dinner today, would you tell someone? Or would that just be your little secret.
2. if Albert Pujols were staying at your house would you tell someone?
3. we need to tell someone
Jesus Christ has tabernacled among us … he dwells in our hearts …
in 1 Sam 4, Eli, the High Priest, had fallen and died after hearing his wicked sons were killed in battle. When his pregnant daughter-in-law, Phineas, found out she went into labor and gave birth to a son. She name him, Ichabod, which means "no glory" because she said "the glory of the Lord has departed from Israel."
When God no longer encamps among his people it is a devastating thing.
But the opposite of "Glory Departed" is "Glory Come Among His People"
The opposite of Ichabod is Immanuel
The good news today, the good news of the first Chapter of John's gospel is that we have a God of the Second Chance.
While you may find yourself, believer or unbeliever, where God's presence or his effectual presence has departed …
He is Immanuel, God with us, The Word made flesh, dwelling among us.
And where the Spirit of the Lord is,
Where the Tabernacle is there is Liberty,
Where the tabernacle is there is Freedom,
Wt Tab ... New Life,
Wt Tab ... Hope,
Wt Tab ... Forgiveness,
Wt Tab ... Reconciliation,
Wt Tab ...
Wt tab ...
because he is Immanuel, The Word Dwelt Among Us
So … What will you Do?
.
I read something yesterday that I want to rephrase and let you think about while I close today. A writer in a forward of a Hymnal said we need to work at being "Preoccupied with God"
Isn't that what the tabernacle was all about. It was about God being the center of everything we do.
Being Preoccupied with God
Let me rework the writers thoughts and think about this
"Worship has been defined as being preoccupied with God. How do we get to a place where we are preoccupied with God?
We do it by developing it intentionally. It's a matter of nurturing it. We have to deliberately turn our attention and focus toward preoccupation with Christ. We have to be developing worship habits. Intentional worship means a worshipper is not going to church hoping or even expect that worship will just happen; but intentionality means that a worshipper is going to church determined to make worship happen … Expecting to become a participant in worship.
"A church bulletin aptly (said): 'Too many Christians worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.' We must learn to work at our worship so that preoccupation with God becomes a part of life.
When you read scripture it is referred to aptly so as SERVICE … what is that? It is WORK … it is something done FOR someone else. Worship is FOR Christ it is preoccupied with the Divine. Liturgy, which is the word for a worship order means "common work"
We have to continually remind ourselves that worship is because Christ is LIVING among us. Would our worship be different if Christ were physically present? If we could see him with our pupils as well as our soul, would it be different? Would we be more intentional. If Jesus stood behind this pulpit, we would fall to our knees, perhaps on our face today. No one would have to ask us to do it. If he opened his arms and showed us the scars of his sacrifice, wouldn't our broken hearts ache and our eyes weep. Wouldn't we confess our sins freely if we saw their affect on the Savior who loved us with his life? What if Jesus led us to sing today, would HIS voice move you? Would we join him in singing? Would the words would take on deeper meaning. The Word of God read before us would be powerful and precious. It would cut us to the heart, if Christ were here. If Jesus walked the aisles and sat next to us, would we fuss and fight with another brother or sister in Christ or would we ask forgiveness and love them as Christ? If Jesus Christ were among us, we would volunteer for Childcare Ministry, or Awana, the choir loft would be full on the first Sunday of the month. If we knew Jesus would attend our church week after week, you'd be fighting for the front rows. People get here early, the offering plates would be full and overflowing with sacrificial but gracious gifts, prayers would be filled with serious, specific, importune pleas. If Christ were among us …
"People Christ is HERE. The Word became flesh and has made his dwelling place among us, born, lived, died, resurrected, ascended to the Father and now living in the hearts of his people the church."
He is HERE … He is HERE
He is Tabernacled among us *(adapted from Karen Burton Mains in the hymnbook Sing Joyfully)
What will you do?