[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. [30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. [60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. [90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. [120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. [150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. [180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. [210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. [240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. [270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. [300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. [330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. [360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. [390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. [420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. [450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. [480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. [510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. [540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. [570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. [599.98 --> 629.96] Thank you. [629.98 --> 659.96] Thank you. [659.98 --> 689.96] Thank you. [689.98 --> 719.96] Thank you. [719.98 --> 720.00] Thank you. [749.98 --> 779.96] Thank you. [779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. [809.98 --> 839.96] Thank you. [839.96 --> 869.94] Thank you. [869.94 --> 899.92] Thank you. [899.94 --> 929.92] Thank you. [929.92 --> 959.90] Thank you. [959.90 --> 989.88] Thank you. [989.90 --> 1019.88] Thank you. [1019.88 --> 1049.86] Thank you. [1049.86 --> 1079.84] Thank you. [1079.84 --> 1109.82] Thank you. [1109.82 --> 1139.80] Thank you. [1139.82 --> 1169.80] Thank you. [1169.82 --> 1199.80] Thank you. [1199.80 --> 1229.78] Thank you. [1229.78 --> 1259.76] Thank you. [1259.78 --> 1289.78] Thank you. [1289.78 --> 1319.76] Thank you. [1319.78 --> 1349.78] Thank you. [1349.78 --> 1379.76] Thank you. [1379.78 --> 1409.76] Thank you. [1409.78 --> 1439.76] Thank you. [1439.78 --> 1469.76] Lord of all. [1469.78 --> 1499.78] Jesus. [1499.78 --> 1529.76] Thank you. [1529.76 --> 1559.74] Thank you. [1559.76 --> 1589.74] Thank you. [1589.76 --> 1619.74] Thank you. [1619.74 --> 1649.72] Thank you. [1649.72 --> 1679.70] Thank you. [1679.72 --> 1709.70] Thank you. [1709.70 --> 1739.70] Thank you. [1739.70 --> 1769.68] Thank you. [1769.68 --> 1799.66] Thank you. [1799.66 --> 1829.64] Thank you. [1829.66 --> 1859.64] Thank you. [1859.66 --> 1889.64] Thank you. [1889.66 --> 1919.64] Thank you. [1919.64 --> 1949.62] Thank you. [1949.64 --> 1979.62] Thank you. [1979.64 --> 2009.64] Thank you. [2009.64 --> 2039.62] Thank you. [2039.64 --> 2069.62] Thank you. [2069.64 --> 2099.62] Thank you. [2099.62 --> 2129.60] Thank you. [2129.60 --> 2159.58] Thank you. [2159.60 --> 2189.58] Thank you. [2189.60 --> 2219.58] Thank you. [2219.60 --> 2249.60] Thank you. [2249.60 --> 2279.58] Thank you. [2279.60 --> 2309.58] Thank you. [2309.60 --> 2339.58] Thank you. [2339.60 --> 2369.60] Thank you. [2369.60 --> 2399.58] Thank you. [2399.58 --> 2429.58] Good. [2429.58 --> 2459.56] Thank you. [2459.56 --> 2489.56] Thank you. [2489.56 --> 2519.56] Thank you. [2519.56 --> 2549.54] Thank you. [2549.56 --> 2579.54] Thank you. [2579.54 --> 2609.54] [2609.54 --> 2639.54] Thank you. [2639.54 --> 2669.54] Thank you. [2669.54 --> 2699.54] Thank you. [2699.54 --> 2729.52] Thank you. [2729.54 --> 2759.52] Thank you. [2759.52 --> 2789.50] Thank you. [2789.52 --> 2819.52] Thank you. [2819.52 --> 2849.52] [2849.52 --> 2879.50] Thank you. [2879.52 --> 2909.52] Thank you. [2909.52 --> 2939.52] Thank you. [2939.52 --> 2969.52] Thank you. [2969.52 --> 2999.52] Thank you. [2999.52 --> 3029.50] So, from Exodus. [3029.52 --> 3059.52] [3059.52 --> 3089.50] I will show you. [3089.52 --> 3119.52] Thank you. [3119.52 --> 3149.52] Thank you. [3149.52 --> 3179.52] Thank you. [3179.52 --> 3209.52] Thank you. [3209.52 --> 3210.88] I know, for you. [3239.52 --> 3248.60] individual things prefigure or reveal or shadow the coming work of Jesus. If I'm honest with you, [3248.68 --> 3255.64] in fact, I think a lot of times when we evangelical Christian types do that, we're stretching those [3255.64 --> 3262.30] images beyond the point of tenability. Now, even as I say that, I mean, let me be clear, [3262.96 --> 3267.38] I think there are correlations, and I think that the symbols are meaningful and they're worth [3267.38 --> 3273.90] looking at, and I spent time in the Judean wilderness a few years ago, and we toured a [3273.90 --> 3280.26] life-size replica of the tabernacle, and we heard all sorts of those connections, and it was super cool, [3281.06 --> 3291.56] but the focus of the tabernacle for the life of the original hearer isn't about the particular [3291.56 --> 3298.82] items of furniture or about how they are applied to the life of the Israelites. Instead, the focus [3298.82 --> 3304.86] for the hearer is how these things function together, how the whole tabernacle functions, [3304.86 --> 3311.22] and then eventually the temple, right, how it functions to move Israel's relationship to God [3311.22 --> 3322.26] to a deeper and more intimate level. And I want to do the same. What matters to us this morning is that [3322.26 --> 3330.96] same function, right, the function of the tabernacle to draw people into the presence of God. Now, if your [3330.96 --> 3343.88] Bibles are open, jump to the end of the book, to chapter 40. Chapter 40 and verse 34 in Exodus ends by saying, [3343.88 --> 3351.82] then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. [3352.94 --> 3358.32] And Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory [3358.32 --> 3365.96] of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from [3365.96 --> 3372.16] above the tabernacle, they would set out. But if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out until [3372.16 --> 3377.48] the day it lifted. And so the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and the fire was in the [3377.48 --> 3387.04] cloud by night, and in sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. The cloud of God's presence [3387.04 --> 3399.56] settled on the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled it. The tabernacle is the place of God, [3399.56 --> 3409.62] the dwelling place of God in the Israelite community. So I think it's important then for us in this space [3409.62 --> 3416.60] and time to focus on the intention and the role the tabernacle played in the life of the Israelite. [3416.60 --> 3422.30] To the Israelites. So the question for us, the appropriate question for us this morning is not [3422.30 --> 3427.42] what do I do with this section, or what do I do with all these articles and the particular details [3427.42 --> 3434.82] of it, but what does the tabernacle tell me about God and how he deals with his people? [3435.86 --> 3440.86] In other words, the question is, what is the theology of tabernacle? [3440.86 --> 3451.40] Now the tabernacle, and later the temple, along with everything that takes place in it and is placed [3451.40 --> 3460.96] in it, are at the very center of Israel's relationship to God. And so throughout, whether or not it was [3460.96 --> 3469.52] understood by those who practiced it, right, these institutions, these places and items are a symbol [3469.52 --> 3477.38] of a higher, of a heavenly reality. For the people of Israel, it's through the tabernacle and then [3477.38 --> 3482.06] through the temple as the dwelling place of God that God can be found. [3484.60 --> 3492.84] Let me put it this way. The tabernacle is an earthly representation of a heavenly reality. [3492.84 --> 3500.86] And in fact, just like in the Garden of Eden, way back in Genesis 1 and 2 at the beginning, just like [3500.86 --> 3509.78] the Garden of Eden is the sort of center of creation and the place where God dwells, in fact, in Jewish [3509.78 --> 3514.90] rabbinical tradition, the Garden of Eden and heaven are almost one and the same thing. [3516.36 --> 3521.22] Just like the Garden of Eden is the place where God dwells and it's the center of creation, [3521.22 --> 3530.10] so too the tabernacle is in the center of the Israelite camp and all of life is centered around [3530.10 --> 3531.60] the presence of God. [3534.06 --> 3540.50] Now, if you've been with us in this look at the book of Exodus, we have seen over and over again [3540.50 --> 3544.68] a return to this theme of creation and recreation. [3544.68 --> 3553.22] In the plagues, we saw the creation order being undone for a period of time in order to allow [3553.22 --> 3556.18] chaos, the plagues, to reign temporarily. [3556.64 --> 3563.00] In the crossing of the Red Sea, we saw this formerly enslaved people emerging through that [3563.00 --> 3567.94] sea into new life, recreated as these people. [3567.94 --> 3574.42] In the Ten Commandments, we saw how an orderly God has intended for life to be ordered in [3574.42 --> 3575.66] response to his grace. [3576.86 --> 3582.94] Throughout the tabernacle story, allusions to the creation are made. [3584.14 --> 3591.96] In fact, we don't have to look at this precisely, but six times in these first five chapters, or [3591.96 --> 3598.04] these next five chapters, six times it says, and the Lord said to Moses, and then there [3598.04 --> 3600.46] are instructions given on how to build the tabernacle. [3601.24 --> 3609.08] And then in chapter 31, verse 12, it says, a seventh time, and the Lord said to Moses, [3609.88 --> 3612.40] and then he gives instructions on the Sabbath. [3613.84 --> 3614.28] Right? [3614.28 --> 3620.58] It's as if, for God and for Israel, the tabernacle itself is an act of recreation. [3621.16 --> 3621.24] Right? [3621.32 --> 3626.92] God claiming a little bit of the fallen world for himself in order in which to dwell. [3627.96 --> 3628.16] Right? [3628.22 --> 3639.04] A residence among humanity who rejected him in Adam and Eve in the sanctuary that was Eden [3639.04 --> 3641.28] in that little piece of heaven. [3641.28 --> 3642.12] Right? [3642.22 --> 3659.56] In the tabernacle, God is making himself a new sanctuary amid the wilderness of a sinful [3659.56 --> 3660.54] world. [3661.26 --> 3667.48] The tabernacle, and then the temple, is the center of Israel's religious life and activity [3667.48 --> 3671.00] because that is the place where God dwells. [3671.00 --> 3677.22] And without the temple and without the tabernacle, these people cease to be the active, worshiping [3677.22 --> 3678.32] people of God. [3679.30 --> 3686.08] In fact, the whole book of Exodus makes clear that by having these instructions at the climax, [3686.16 --> 3692.06] where they spend, you know, some 15 chapters on this part of the relationship, the very purpose [3692.06 --> 3700.28] for which Israel is recreated or is redeemed out of Egypt is to have God's visible presence [3700.28 --> 3704.68] among them and for them to be a worshiping people. [3704.68 --> 3715.46] And so, take that and all of that, that weight and that history, and then jump forward some [3715.46 --> 3717.40] 1500 years. [3717.76 --> 3717.90] Right? [3717.96 --> 3723.30] All of that meaning gets added to in the tabernacle and the life of the temple for the Israelite. [3723.30 --> 3729.74] And as we move forward from this time here in Exodus and in the wandering, eventually, as [3729.74 --> 3735.02] the people come into the land, they take the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and they set [3735.02 --> 3736.38] it up in Shiloh. [3736.78 --> 3738.86] And that becomes the center, the place. [3738.98 --> 3746.34] And then eventually, Solomon builds a temple and he brings the Ark of the Covenant from the [3746.34 --> 3753.04] tabernacle into the temple and all the people see the glory of God descend on the temple now. [3753.30 --> 3755.98] The temple is the place where God resides. [3756.66 --> 3760.96] Fast forward a few hundred years from there, that temple is destroyed when the people are [3760.96 --> 3762.12] carried into exile. [3762.74 --> 3768.02] Seventy years after the exile, people return, and you can read about it in Ezra and Nehemiah, [3768.10 --> 3774.10] but a second temple is built and they too have a ceremony of commissioning where they [3774.10 --> 3777.80] mark God's presence coming back in among the people. [3777.98 --> 3783.14] And then fast forward another few hundred years in the time of Herod the Great, just [3783.14 --> 3784.90] before Jesus' time. [3785.62 --> 3790.84] Herod the Great, in order to win the favor of the Jewish people, commissions that temple, [3791.00 --> 3794.74] that second temple, to be completely refurbished and done again. [3796.18 --> 3802.46] And so take all of that history, right, all of that priority of place and of purpose and [3802.46 --> 3809.94] identity and then read that behind Jesus' words in John 2, right? [3809.98 --> 3815.12] In John 2, Jesus comes into the temple and it's during this time of Passover and money [3815.12 --> 3818.30] changers and vendors have set up in the outer courts. [3818.70 --> 3823.30] And Jesus, if you know the story, he fashions a whip and he turns tables over, he kicks everyone [3823.30 --> 3827.34] out and the leaders come up to him and they say, by what authority do you do this? [3827.34 --> 3836.60] And Jesus says to them, destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days. [3837.72 --> 3844.24] To which they replied, it has taken 46 years to build this temple and you are going to raise [3844.24 --> 3845.22] it in three days? [3846.36 --> 3850.82] Now that 46 years refers to the refurbishing of Herod the Great. [3850.82 --> 3858.40] But really, the temple itself had been on these foundations for some thousand years before, [3859.10 --> 3860.84] even if it was destroyed and rebuilt. [3862.42 --> 3870.02] Now in that moment, John quickly adds that Jesus was talking about his body, right, the [3870.02 --> 3874.42] temple of his body and his resurrection after he died. [3874.46 --> 3877.44] But the Jews to whom he was speaking didn't know that. [3877.44 --> 3882.64] But Jesus is changing something. [3883.34 --> 3891.12] Or to be more precise, Jesus' incarnation changed something about how the presence of God is [3891.12 --> 3893.02] mediated to the world. [3894.10 --> 3894.58] Right? [3894.64 --> 3902.88] From the text of John, an illustration that something has fundamentally changed, John is [3902.88 --> 3907.68] showing us that something has fundamentally changed in the coming of Jesus in the theology [3907.68 --> 3910.42] of tabernacle, right, of God's presence. [3911.42 --> 3916.52] In fact, John makes this point even more explicit in his opening chapter. [3917.38 --> 3920.38] In John 1, verse 14, you can read, [3920.64 --> 3924.46] The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. [3924.46 --> 3932.16] You might not see it in English, but that word that's translated dwelling is from the Greek [3932.16 --> 3932.94] word skeno. [3933.38 --> 3939.32] It's the verbal form of the word that the Greek translation of the Old Testament used for [3939.32 --> 3940.30] tabernacle. [3941.62 --> 3943.84] And so, to make the point more explicit, we can say, [3943.84 --> 3950.76] Jesus, the word who was with God and who was God, the one in whom we see the glory of the [3950.76 --> 3957.64] one and only, full of grace and truth, Jesus tabernacled among his people. [3959.10 --> 3959.20] Right? [3959.26 --> 3968.06] John's intention in this gospel is to show that Jesus is the new, improved temple or tabernacle. [3968.06 --> 3975.00] To use the language that I used earlier, right, in Jesus, God is revealing himself as the true [3975.00 --> 3978.28] sanctuary amid the wilderness of a sinful world. [3979.12 --> 3979.68] Right? [3979.78 --> 3986.70] For us, and to see Jesus is to see God revealing himself as the true sanctuary amid the wilderness [3986.70 --> 3987.76] of a sinful world. [3988.72 --> 3997.06] Again, let me be really clear, because this new system, this new revelation doesn't replace [3997.06 --> 4000.22] the old system because it was somehow broken. [4001.32 --> 4008.44] Rather, this new system in Jesus is the culmination of what we read here in Exodus 25. [4009.22 --> 4009.36] Right? [4009.46 --> 4013.28] Jesus is the culmination of what this old system pointed to. [4014.52 --> 4022.84] One writer said that the glory that resided above the ark in the most holy place, to which [4022.84 --> 4030.00] the high priest had access only once a year, is in Jesus walking the streets of Jerusalem. [4030.78 --> 4032.00] I love that image. [4032.60 --> 4032.74] Right? [4032.80 --> 4039.08] The glory that descends onto the tabernacle, the glory that descended onto the temple, is [4039.08 --> 4043.20] in Jesus walking the streets of Jerusalem. [4044.10 --> 4050.00] And this theme of temple and tabernacle in Jesus is woven right through the whole of the [4050.00 --> 4050.30] Bible. [4050.80 --> 4051.32] Right? [4051.38 --> 4059.28] In Revelation 21, with the now return of Jesus to this earth at the head of the armies [4059.28 --> 4065.66] of all those who have gone on before us, and the descent of the new Jerusalem, the heavenly [4065.66 --> 4072.24] city, we read that there will be no temple in this city for Revelation 21, verse 22. [4072.64 --> 4076.76] The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [4076.76 --> 4083.72] So the dawning of this new age, the end of history as we know it, the very presence of [4083.72 --> 4089.56] God will again be in the midst of his people without being confined to a particular space [4089.56 --> 4090.50] or location. [4091.38 --> 4097.14] And like how the Garden of Eden and heaven are the same, so too in the new creation, when [4097.14 --> 4100.22] heaven comes down, but not to one spot. [4100.58 --> 4100.72] Right? [4100.72 --> 4103.90] All earth will be like the Garden was. [4104.40 --> 4106.76] That is the place of God's presence. [4109.52 --> 4114.86] And there's yet one more way that the temple and tabernacle has changed. [4115.34 --> 4120.90] As we wait for that glorious day, some time to come and come quickly, we pray. [4120.90 --> 4128.60] As we wait for that day, there is another state of God's tabernacling that we find ourselves [4128.60 --> 4129.32] part of. [4131.06 --> 4138.40] After Jesus' resurrection, he ascended into heaven, but not before he promised his continued [4138.40 --> 4141.96] dwelling with his people by the Holy Spirit. [4142.96 --> 4143.08] Right? [4143.14 --> 4149.30] And more than abide with us by the Holy Spirit, Jesus abides in us. [4149.30 --> 4149.76] Right? [4149.82 --> 4154.94] The dwelling place of God is now the very hearts of those who believe. [4154.94 --> 4161.54] The throne of God is not the Ark of the Covenant, but it is now the heart of every man and woman [4161.54 --> 4164.78] and child who confesses Jesus as Lord. [4165.62 --> 4171.82] And so in that same way that we have been talking, in you now, in you, God is making himself [4171.82 --> 4176.08] a new sanctuary amid the wilderness of a sinful world. [4176.08 --> 4182.04] The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians, [4183.46 --> 4189.16] Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? [4189.64 --> 4191.12] And then again in chapter 6, he says, [4191.48 --> 4196.72] Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have [4196.72 --> 4198.30] received from God? [4198.40 --> 4200.26] You are not your own. [4200.26 --> 4204.96] The church, and by this I mean individual believers, right? [4205.18 --> 4209.74] The church, collectively and individually, is the place where God dwells. [4210.32 --> 4216.32] The tabernacle of God, once external, is now internal in your hearts and souls. [4216.78 --> 4219.00] We are the tabernacle of God. [4219.10 --> 4222.70] God has taken residence in each of us who believe. [4222.70 --> 4233.92] And what's more, God now reveals himself in part through each of us in whom he dwells. [4236.50 --> 4237.92] So what does this mean? [4239.42 --> 4242.94] We're going to look at two, maybe three things. [4244.06 --> 4250.72] First, what this means, contrary to what some of us think and what some of us pray, [4250.72 --> 4254.76] the church building is not house of God. [4256.44 --> 4262.24] How many times have you prayed or heard, right, we come to the house of God to worship him? [4262.66 --> 4266.22] Or how many of us have prayed, right, we thank you that we can come to your house? [4267.20 --> 4271.98] Right, the dwelling place of God is not contained in these four walls. [4272.72 --> 4278.76] Right, the dwelling place of God is not contingent upon us creating some sort of sacred space [4278.76 --> 4283.24] with the right decorations and the right appointments and having the right ceremonies of anointing. [4283.72 --> 4290.98] The dwelling place of God is within each of us who have been touched and filled with the Holy Spirit. [4291.26 --> 4294.94] The church is not a building, it is a people, it is you. [4297.74 --> 4301.74] Now the people probably need a place to gather. [4302.66 --> 4303.88] And so maybe we have buildings. [4303.88 --> 4306.34] Notice the probably and the maybe. [4307.22 --> 4308.22] Because it's not necessary. [4309.44 --> 4312.38] You are the dwelling place of God. [4312.58 --> 4316.72] The church is the people who have God with them and that's why we gather. [4317.22 --> 4321.26] Right, that's why the rhythms of religious practice are so important. [4321.26 --> 4326.34] Because we are cultivating God's presence in our hearts and in our lives. [4326.34 --> 4333.46] We gather together as the body, as the church, precisely because God dwells in us. [4333.68 --> 4342.04] Or because there's a small part of our hearts or our mind that is longing for something that we just can't yet begin to explain. [4342.30 --> 4346.10] Longing for God to dwell in us more and more. [4346.10 --> 4356.18] Worship, like the tabernacle then, is a place where heaven and earth meet. [4357.52 --> 4362.62] Where we come together and we have a foretaste of the kingdom of God. [4363.46 --> 4368.60] We set one day apart in seven as a matter of following created order. [4368.76 --> 4372.42] Yes, to rest in God and to find God in us. [4372.42 --> 4375.14] It's about God's presence. [4376.10 --> 4383.80] And corporate worship then, as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to come, is a taste of eternity. [4384.06 --> 4391.42] And as Ecclesiastes says, God has placed eternity in every person's heart. [4392.54 --> 4398.06] Now the second thing is regarding then what we put into our temples. [4398.06 --> 4412.80] If our hearts, or more comprehensively, our entire selves, our heart and our souls and our minds are the dwelling place of God, [4413.80 --> 4423.20] should we not then be careful of what we expose our hearts to or what we take into our temples? [4423.20 --> 4432.44] When Paul was writing in 1 Corinthians 6, he's referring to certain illicit sexual practices of the Corinthian church. [4432.78 --> 4437.64] But in our culture, just like the Corinthian culture, we are tempted to say things like, [4438.00 --> 4438.96] it's only sex. [4439.28 --> 4440.20] It's no big deal. [4441.44 --> 4443.14] But that misses the point entirely. [4443.14 --> 4447.76] If you are a temple of God, it's not just sex. [4450.84 --> 4455.42] But it's something you are building in your temple. [4456.00 --> 4458.96] And I think actually that the analogy can go further. [4459.84 --> 4466.26] In the construction of the tabernacle, and if you spend time this week reading through these next few chapters, [4466.26 --> 4470.40] you will see that they are incredibly precise, [4470.72 --> 4476.66] and that not even the slightest deviation from the instructions would be tolerated or accepted. [4477.12 --> 4480.82] There can be no deviation from God's demands and his design. [4481.26 --> 4487.06] And yet, how many of us, when we think about our bodies now as a temple of the Lord, [4487.16 --> 4490.90] have that same high bar, that same high standard? [4490.90 --> 4493.44] And remember the order from a couple weeks ago, right? [4493.48 --> 4495.98] We don't demand a high bar in order to get in. [4496.26 --> 4500.34] The bar is high as a response for those who are in. [4501.58 --> 4503.76] But how many of us go through life thinking, [4504.46 --> 4506.40] just a little pornography? [4508.12 --> 4509.74] Go through life thinking, [4510.00 --> 4513.18] it's just a little gratuitous violence. [4513.62 --> 4514.66] It's just a little gore. [4514.74 --> 4516.42] It's just a little bad language. [4516.42 --> 4520.32] How many of us gorge ourselves on gossip or on slander? [4520.32 --> 4525.02] How many of us have become obese with hatred and anger that we just can't get rid of? [4525.26 --> 4526.92] These are the appointments of your temple. [4528.56 --> 4530.66] Consciously or unconsciously, [4530.76 --> 4535.18] our lives are a struggle between giving God the throne of our hearts [4535.18 --> 4538.88] and putting other things, idolatrous things, in his place. [4539.36 --> 4544.08] You, you are a temple of God. [4544.08 --> 4545.20] And hear that this morning, [4545.58 --> 4547.72] not with guilt or with judgment, [4547.94 --> 4551.44] but with grace and with aspiration to who God is. [4551.76 --> 4554.32] You are a temple of God. [4554.40 --> 4558.46] Hear that with all the worth that it puts into your being [4558.46 --> 4562.56] and into your heart and mind about who you are in Christ Jesus. [4562.92 --> 4565.24] You are a temple of God. [4565.24 --> 4569.36] But when you look at your life, [4571.00 --> 4571.70] is that what you see? [4574.94 --> 4576.96] Is that how you've treated? [4579.36 --> 4581.32] And finally, lastly, [4582.12 --> 4585.32] as you ask yourselves that question, [4586.32 --> 4590.38] the question about what we have put into our temples, [4591.18 --> 4592.78] we come to the heart of it. [4592.78 --> 4594.48] Because you see, [4594.54 --> 4597.78] this is another reason why we need corporate worship [4597.78 --> 4599.16] and why corporate worship, [4599.32 --> 4603.56] why gathering together as brothers and sisters is so important. [4604.10 --> 4607.28] We gather the body of those who believe [4607.28 --> 4610.34] in order to hear this message. [4610.98 --> 4613.96] We come to hear the message of forgiveness. [4614.82 --> 4616.90] We come to hear the message of grace. [4617.18 --> 4618.00] We come to, [4618.30 --> 4620.24] by the working of God's Holy Spirit [4620.24 --> 4622.40] in unique and powerful ways, [4622.40 --> 4623.28] in our gathering, [4623.28 --> 4626.78] to receive strength and courage to go on. [4627.98 --> 4628.90] Right here, [4629.12 --> 4630.68] we are called to repentance. [4631.48 --> 4632.24] And here, [4632.40 --> 4633.92] we find assurance. [4635.00 --> 4637.06] And that's not just some little thing [4637.06 --> 4638.92] that the worship team leads every once in a while [4638.92 --> 4639.62] that we tolerate [4639.62 --> 4641.02] because we want to get to the next song. [4641.74 --> 4644.28] That matters in what we do together. [4644.90 --> 4645.10] Right? [4645.16 --> 4647.74] We are here to hear the gospel proclaimed [4647.74 --> 4650.76] to the darkest corners of our hearts and our minds. [4650.76 --> 4653.98] We are here to have the truth told [4653.98 --> 4657.14] that we are lavishly loved children of God. [4657.22 --> 4660.56] We are here to be emboldened by the gospel of Jesus. [4660.76 --> 4663.36] We are here to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. [4663.64 --> 4664.32] And here, [4664.50 --> 4665.26] you are told, [4665.46 --> 4667.08] week in and week out, [4667.34 --> 4669.42] that even though I am more sinful [4669.42 --> 4670.90] than I could ever dare admit [4670.90 --> 4672.26] or really ever even know, [4672.26 --> 4674.48] I am yet more loved [4674.48 --> 4677.18] than I could ever imagine possible. [4677.84 --> 4679.48] And that out of that love, [4679.68 --> 4681.74] Jesus came into the world. [4681.90 --> 4682.18] Jesus, [4682.42 --> 4683.94] the true and better temple. [4684.18 --> 4686.32] Jesus tabernacled among us [4686.32 --> 4688.48] to live the perfect life of righteousness [4688.48 --> 4691.10] and to fulfill the demands of the law. [4691.36 --> 4693.10] And that his death on the cross [4693.10 --> 4695.60] was the great once for all sacrifice [4695.60 --> 4698.02] that all other sacrifices have pointed to. [4698.02 --> 4701.08] And that his resurrection out of that grave [4701.08 --> 4704.12] is God's victory over sin and death. [4704.22 --> 4706.98] And it is a guarantee of my resurrection. [4707.16 --> 4710.16] It is a guarantee of your resurrection by grace. [4710.44 --> 4712.20] That his exaltation now [4712.20 --> 4713.62] to the right hand of God the Father, [4713.72 --> 4715.58] that every knee should bow and tongue confess [4715.58 --> 4717.64] that Jesus Christ is Lord. [4717.76 --> 4719.90] His exaltation is his reward. [4720.24 --> 4723.68] And my exalting him is my reward. [4724.34 --> 4726.48] His glory is my joy. [4728.02 --> 4730.84] And as he is seated at the right hand of the Father, [4731.42 --> 4735.82] he and the Father send the Spirit to us. [4737.16 --> 4739.76] Be his presence in me. [4740.98 --> 4743.86] Be my life, Christ. [4746.16 --> 4747.42] And so now, [4748.34 --> 4750.46] make sure you hear this. [4750.46 --> 4753.96] If that message, [4754.38 --> 4755.60] that truth, [4755.94 --> 4758.50] is only ever heard in here, [4758.60 --> 4760.80] in this churchy space, [4761.46 --> 4763.46] or you only ever hear that up here, [4763.58 --> 4766.14] bouncing around in your mind space, [4766.50 --> 4767.94] you're missing the point. [4769.38 --> 4769.58] Right? [4769.64 --> 4771.12] We gather here [4771.12 --> 4773.78] in order to scatter out there. [4773.92 --> 4775.26] We journey in [4775.26 --> 4777.20] in order to journey out. [4777.46 --> 4777.60] Right? [4777.60 --> 4779.52] God tabernacles in us [4779.52 --> 4781.80] so that we can bring his presence [4781.80 --> 4783.16] out to the world [4783.16 --> 4785.88] as we go from this place. [4786.02 --> 4787.98] We gather to scatter. [4788.14 --> 4789.14] It's the very identity [4789.14 --> 4790.22] of what we do here, [4790.28 --> 4791.62] the very core of what we do here. [4791.86 --> 4794.36] We gather in the presence of God [4794.36 --> 4797.80] to be filled by the presence of God, [4797.90 --> 4800.18] to go with the presence of God, [4800.18 --> 4803.64] to be the presence of God [4803.64 --> 4804.80] in the world. [4806.72 --> 4807.94] We gather [4807.94 --> 4809.66] to scatter. [4810.64 --> 4812.04] What we do here [4812.04 --> 4813.82] has a direct impact [4813.82 --> 4815.62] on what you do out there [4815.62 --> 4816.70] and vice versa [4816.70 --> 4817.58] as you bring that [4817.58 --> 4819.08] into this place. [4820.38 --> 4822.82] The worship that starts here [4822.82 --> 4823.76] continues [4823.76 --> 4825.20] out there. [4825.68 --> 4826.82] In a different way, [4827.00 --> 4827.26] sure, [4827.60 --> 4828.08] absolutely, [4828.50 --> 4828.76] but [4828.76 --> 4830.80] because God goes with you, [4830.80 --> 4832.46] if you are a plumber, [4832.76 --> 4833.88] you do that as worship. [4834.56 --> 4836.10] Because God goes with you, [4836.14 --> 4837.14] if you are a teacher, [4837.48 --> 4839.02] you do that as worship. [4839.20 --> 4840.62] Because God goes with you, [4840.92 --> 4842.10] the how and the why [4842.10 --> 4842.80] of your plumbing [4842.80 --> 4843.82] or of your teaching [4843.82 --> 4845.14] or of your policing [4845.14 --> 4846.28] or your politicking [4846.28 --> 4847.16] or your parenting, [4847.60 --> 4848.14] your nursing [4848.14 --> 4849.10] or your volunteering, [4849.50 --> 4851.16] because God goes with you, [4851.26 --> 4852.74] the how and the why [4852.74 --> 4855.06] is part of what it means for you, [4855.46 --> 4856.82] the individual you, [4856.94 --> 4858.22] the particular you now, [4858.22 --> 4859.62] to be on mission [4859.62 --> 4861.02] with him [4861.02 --> 4862.08] in the world, [4862.42 --> 4864.68] to be God's tabernacle [4864.68 --> 4866.36] in the world, [4866.98 --> 4868.30] the place where he dwells. [4869.52 --> 4871.72] The how of God's presence [4871.72 --> 4872.42] in the world [4872.42 --> 4874.70] has fundamentally shifted [4874.70 --> 4876.14] from the tabernacle [4876.14 --> 4877.00] as a tent [4877.00 --> 4878.14] to you [4878.14 --> 4880.54] as God's tabernacle. [4881.70 --> 4882.10] You, [4882.40 --> 4883.88] how you live, [4883.98 --> 4885.20] how you love, [4885.42 --> 4885.66] you, [4885.66 --> 4886.86] how you lead [4886.86 --> 4888.32] and how you follow, [4888.52 --> 4888.72] you, [4888.86 --> 4889.94] how you serve [4889.94 --> 4891.86] and how you receive service, [4892.28 --> 4892.44] you, [4892.60 --> 4893.32] how you work [4893.32 --> 4894.34] and how you rest. [4894.76 --> 4897.48] You are the presence of God. [4897.90 --> 4899.68] You reveal him [4899.68 --> 4900.94] and his kingdom come [4900.94 --> 4903.06] and his kingdom come. [4904.46 --> 4907.78] That is a mission worth living. [4908.14 --> 4912.86] That is a purpose worth going after. [4912.86 --> 4916.28] That is your life [4916.28 --> 4919.06] of worship. [4920.36 --> 4923.36] You are the presence of God [4923.36 --> 4925.88] for those around us [4925.88 --> 4928.40] because God's presence [4928.40 --> 4929.94] lives in. [4931.40 --> 4932.08] Amen? [4932.94 --> 4933.62] Amen. [4933.88 --> 4934.26] Let's pray. [4934.26 --> 4940.44] Holy, [4940.44 --> 4942.64] heavenly God, [4943.64 --> 4946.90] may we [4946.90 --> 4949.04] know [4949.04 --> 4950.60] your presence [4950.60 --> 4952.76] among us. [4953.62 --> 4954.68] May we know [4954.68 --> 4955.54] your presence [4955.54 --> 4956.48] in [4956.48 --> 4957.48] us. [4959.02 --> 4959.62] And now, [4959.76 --> 4960.72] as we go [4960.72 --> 4961.76] on mission [4961.76 --> 4962.92] with you, [4963.66 --> 4964.62] as we go, [4964.78 --> 4965.44] may we go [4965.44 --> 4966.50] to reveal [4966.50 --> 4967.22] you [4967.22 --> 4968.20] to the world [4968.20 --> 4969.32] in all that we do. [4970.14 --> 4970.88] May we go [4970.88 --> 4972.10] with a boldness [4972.10 --> 4972.92] that comes [4972.92 --> 4974.12] from your spirit [4974.12 --> 4975.68] within our hearts, [4977.10 --> 4977.92] pouring out [4977.92 --> 4979.56] your love. [4981.08 --> 4981.84] Send us out [4981.84 --> 4982.14] now [4982.14 --> 4982.98] with this [4982.98 --> 4983.82] purpose, [4983.94 --> 4984.68] this purpose [4984.68 --> 4985.68] of worship [4985.68 --> 4986.78] and mission. [4987.98 --> 4988.96] Send us out [4988.96 --> 4989.54] because [4989.54 --> 4991.12] in Jesus Christ [4991.12 --> 4992.26] your presence [4992.26 --> 4993.04] among us [4993.04 --> 4994.24] has changed [4994.24 --> 4995.92] deeply, [4997.74 --> 4998.36] powerfully. [5000.30 --> 5001.14] And that now [5001.14 --> 5002.00] by your spirit [5002.00 --> 5003.32] we have changed [5003.32 --> 5003.94] deeply [5003.94 --> 5005.96] and with your power. [5007.30 --> 5008.24] It's in the name [5008.24 --> 5009.12] of Jesus Christ [5009.12 --> 5009.68] we pray [5009.68 --> 5010.70] and in the power [5010.70 --> 5011.78] of your spirit [5011.78 --> 5012.18] we go. [5014.86 --> 5015.38] Amen. [5018.96 --> 5041.28] Facing a test [5041.28 --> 5042.52] and finish [5042.52 --> 5044.56] that drives us [5044.56 --> 5046.74] to our knees [5046.74 --> 5048.26] a need [5048.26 --> 5051.42] that's undiminished [5051.42 --> 5053.04] destroys us [5053.04 --> 5055.08] draw for ease. [5055.74 --> 5056.76] We who [5056.76 --> 5057.80] we cease [5057.80 --> 5058.96] to know [5058.96 --> 5059.76] thee [5059.76 --> 5060.64] renew [5060.64 --> 5062.02] before [5062.02 --> 5063.46] your throne [5063.46 --> 5065.52] the solemn [5065.52 --> 5066.44] pledge [5066.44 --> 5068.06] we owe [5068.06 --> 5068.40] thee [5068.40 --> 5069.62] to go [5069.62 --> 5070.66] and make [5070.66 --> 5072.20] thee known. [5072.20 --> 5073.20] Amen. [5073.20 --> 5074.20] Amen. [5074.20 --> 5075.20] Amen. [5075.20 --> 5076.20] Amen. [5076.20 --> 5076.70] Amen. [5076.74 --> 5080.36] Where other [5080.36 --> 5081.12] lords [5081.12 --> 5082.12] beside [5082.12 --> 5083.34] thee [5083.34 --> 5083.84] O [5083.84 --> 5084.38] their [5084.38 --> 5085.50] unhidden [5085.50 --> 5086.74] sway [5086.74 --> 5087.94] Where [5087.94 --> 5088.72] forces [5088.72 --> 5089.68] that [5089.68 --> 5091.30] defile [5091.30 --> 5091.64] thee [5091.64 --> 5092.92] defy [5092.92 --> 5093.38] thee [5093.38 --> 5093.92] till [5093.92 --> 5094.98] today [5094.98 --> 5096.58] With [5096.58 --> 5097.06] none [5097.06 --> 5098.14] to heed [5098.14 --> 5098.58] their [5098.58 --> 5099.82] crying [5099.82 --> 5100.72] For [5100.72 --> 5101.62] life [5101.62 --> 5102.36] and love [5102.36 --> 5102.82] and [5102.82 --> 5103.92] light [5103.92 --> 5106.00] Unnumbered [5106.00 --> 5106.54] souls [5106.54 --> 5107.02] souls are [5107.02 --> 5108.46] dying [5108.46 --> 5109.20] and [5109.20 --> 5109.88] passing [5109.88 --> 5110.76] through [5110.76 --> 5111.32] the [5111.32 --> 5113.12] night [5113.12 --> 5115.22] We [5115.22 --> 5116.00] go [5116.00 --> 5116.66] through [5116.66 --> 5117.68] all the [5117.68 --> 5118.90] world [5118.90 --> 5119.56] with [5119.56 --> 5120.62] kingdom [5120.62 --> 5121.66] hope [5121.66 --> 5123.12] unfurled [5123.12 --> 5123.96] For [5123.96 --> 5125.00] all the [5125.00 --> 5125.82] name [5125.82 --> 5126.10] has [5126.10 --> 5126.84] power [5126.84 --> 5127.66] to save [5127.66 --> 5128.18] but [5128.18 --> 5128.84] Jesus [5128.84 --> 5130.00] Christ [5130.00 --> 5130.02] Christ [5130.02 --> 5130.38] the [5130.38 --> 5131.30] Lord [5131.30 --> 5138.58] We [5138.58 --> 5139.36] bear [5139.36 --> 5139.92] the [5139.92 --> 5140.52] torch [5140.52 --> 5141.02] that [5141.02 --> 5142.22] flaming [5142.22 --> 5143.14] fell [5143.14 --> 5143.72] from [5143.72 --> 5144.32] the [5144.32 --> 5144.92] hands [5144.92 --> 5145.40] of [5145.40 --> 5146.50] those [5146.50 --> 5147.36] who [5147.36 --> 5148.10] gave [5148.10 --> 5148.60] their [5148.60 --> 5149.18] life [5149.18 --> 5151.34] proclaiming [5151.34 --> 5151.90] that [5151.90 --> 5152.58] Jesus [5152.58 --> 5153.60] died [5153.60 --> 5154.10] and [5154.10 --> 5155.26] rose [5155.26 --> 5156.38] ours [5156.38 --> 5157.36] is the [5157.36 --> 5157.90] same [5157.90 --> 5159.62] commission [5159.62 --> 5160.60] the [5160.60 --> 5161.48] same [5161.48 --> 5162.56] battalion [5162.56 --> 5163.98] arms [5163.98 --> 5164.94] fired [5164.94 --> 5166.04] by the [5166.04 --> 5166.64] same [5166.64 --> 5168.30] ambition [5168.30 --> 5169.94] to thee [5169.94 --> 5170.24] we [5170.24 --> 5171.08] yield [5171.08 --> 5171.56] our [5171.56 --> 5172.68] power [5172.68 --> 5174.68] we [5174.68 --> 5175.68] go [5175.68 --> 5177.06] to [5177.06 --> 5177.68] all [5177.68 --> 5178.16] the [5178.16 --> 5179.32] world [5179.32 --> 5179.68] with [5180.26 --> 5180.68] kingdom [5181.22 --> 5181.68] hope [5182.26 --> 5183.68] unfurled [5183.68 --> 5184.38] no [5184.38 --> 5184.68] other [5184.68 --> 5185.68] name [5185.68 --> 5186.88] has [5186.88 --> 5187.68] power [5187.68 --> 5188.48] to save [5188.48 --> 5189.02] but [5189.02 --> 5189.68] Jesus [5189.68 --> 5190.92] Christ [5190.92 --> 5191.28] the [5191.28 --> 5192.68] Lord [5192.68 --> 5193.68] our [5193.68 --> 5194.68] love [5194.68 --> 5195.68] to [5195.68 --> 5197.68] our [5197.68 --> 5198.68] father [5198.68 --> 5199.68] who [5199.68 --> 5200.68] sustains [5200.68 --> 5201.56] them [5201.56 --> 5201.68] oh [5201.68 --> 5202.68] spirit [5202.68 --> 5203.68] who [5203.68 --> 5204.68] inspired [5204.68 --> 5205.68] Savior [5205.68 --> 5206.68] whose [5206.68 --> 5207.68] love [5207.68 --> 5208.68] constrains [5208.68 --> 5209.68] them [5209.68 --> 5210.68] to [5210.68 --> 5211.68] toil [5211.68 --> 5212.68] with [5212.68 --> 5213.68] seal [5213.68 --> 5214.68] untired [5214.68 --> 5215.68] from [5215.68 --> 5216.68] cowardice [5216.68 --> 5217.68] defend [5217.68 --> 5218.68] us [5218.68 --> 5219.68] from [5219.68 --> 5220.68] leper [5220.68 --> 5221.68] lepergy [5221.68 --> 5222.68] awake [5222.68 --> 5224.68] forth [5224.68 --> 5225.68] on [5225.68 --> 5226.68] thine [5226.68 --> 5227.68] errands [5227.68 --> 5228.68] send [5228.68 --> 5229.68] us [5229.68 --> 5230.68] to [5230.68 --> 5231.68] labor [5231.68 --> 5232.68] for [5232.68 --> 5233.68] thy [5233.68 --> 5234.68] sake [5234.68 --> 5235.68] we [5235.68 --> 5236.68] go [5236.68 --> 5237.68] to [5237.68 --> 5238.68] all [5238.68 --> 5239.68] the [5239.68 --> 5240.68] world [5240.68 --> 5241.68] with [5241.68 --> 5242.68] kingdom [5242.68 --> 5243.68] hope [5243.68 --> 5244.68] unfurled [5244.68 --> 5245.68] no [5245.68 --> 5246.68] other [5246.68 --> 5247.68] name [5247.68 --> 5248.68] has [5248.68 --> 5249.68] power [5249.68 --> 5250.68] power [5250.68 --> 5251.68] to [5251.68 --> 5252.68] save [5252.68 --> 5253.68] but [5253.68 --> 5254.68] Jesus [5254.68 --> 5255.68] Christ [5255.68 --> 5256.68] the [5256.68 --> 5257.68] Lord [5257.68 --> 5258.68] Jesus [5258.68 --> 5259.68] Christ [5259.68 --> 5260.68] the [5260.68 --> 5261.68] Lord [5261.68 --> 5262.68] we [5262.68 --> 5263.68] go [5263.68 --> 5264.68] to [5264.68 --> 5265.68] all [5265.68 --> 5266.68] the world [5266.68 --> 5267.68] his kingdom [5267.68 --> 5268.68] hope [5268.68 --> 5269.68] unfurled [5269.68 --> 5270.68] no [5270.68 --> 5271.68] other [5271.68 --> 5272.68] name [5272.68 --> 5273.68] has [5273.68 --> 5274.68] power [5274.68 --> 5275.68] to [5275.68 --> 5276.68] save [5276.68 --> 5277.68] but [5277.68 --> 5279.68] grace [5279.68 --> 5280.68] through [5280.68 --> 5281.68] faith [5281.68 --> 5284.68] and by [5284.68 --> 5285.68] the [5285.68 --> 5286.68] Holy Spirit [5286.68 --> 5287.68] you [5287.68 --> 5288.68] are the [5288.68 --> 5289.68] presence of [5289.68 --> 5290.68] God [5290.68 --> 5291.68] in the world [5291.68 --> 5292.68] but know that he goes with you [5292.68 --> 5293.68] and so receive [5293.68 --> 5294.68] his blessing [5294.68 --> 5296.68] for the journey of life [5296.68 --> 5297.68] and faith [5297.68 --> 5298.68] in him [5299.68 --> 5301.68] God go before you [5301.68 --> 5302.68] to lead you [5303.68 --> 5305.68] God go behind you [5305.68 --> 5307.68] to guard you [5307.68 --> 5308.68] God go beneath you [5308.68 --> 5309.68] to support you [5309.68 --> 5312.68] God go beside you [5312.68 --> 5313.68] befriend you [5314.68 --> 5315.68] God go within you [5315.68 --> 5317.68] be near you [5317.68 --> 5319.68] with you [5319.68 --> 5320.68] always [5320.68 --> 5321.68] and forever [5321.68 --> 5322.68] do not [5322.68 --> 5323.68] be [5323.68 --> 5324.68] afraid [5324.68 --> 5325.68] let the blessing [5325.68 --> 5326.68] and the presence of God [5326.68 --> 5327.68] come upon you today [5327.68 --> 5329.68] do not be afraid [5329.68 --> 5330.68] but go [5330.68 --> 5331.68] in peace [5331.68 --> 5332.68] to love [5332.68 --> 5333.68] and worship [5333.68 --> 5334.68] him [5334.68 --> 5335.68] amen [5335.68 --> 5336.68] amen [5336.68 --> 5338.68] salvation belongs to our God [5338.68 --> 5339.68] who stands upon the throne of God [5339.68 --> 5340.68] who stands upon the throne of God [5340.68 --> 5342.68] salvation belongs to our God [5342.68 --> 5343.68] who stands upon the throne of God [5343.68 --> 5344.68] and on the throne of God [5344.68 --> 5346.68] and on the throne of God [5346.68 --> 5349.68] salvation belongs to our God [5349.68 --> 5350.68] who stands upon the throne of God [5350.68 --> 5352.68] who stands upon the throne of God [5352.68 --> 5353.68] and unto the Lamb [5353.68 --> 5354.68] salvation belongs to our God [5354.68 --> 5355.68] who stands upon themi [5355.68 --> 5360.68] and on the throne of God [5360.68 --> 5361.68] who stands upon Aha [5361.68 --> 5381.44] who sits upon the throne and unto the land praise and glory wisdom and thanks honor and power [5381.44 --> 5395.44] and strength be to our god forever and ever [5395.44 --> 5421.44] amen and we the redeemed shall be strong in purpose and unity declaring our love [5421.44 --> 5438.16] praise and glory wisdom and thanks honor and power and strength be to our god forever and ever [5438.16 --> 5449.92] be to our god forever and ever be to our god forever and ever amen [5451.44 --> 5472.16] be to our god forever and ever be to our god forever and ever amen [5472.16 --> 5495.20] be to our god forever and ever be to our god forever and ever be to our god forever and ever amen [5495.20 --> 5497.20] guitar solo [5497.20 --> 5499.20] so [5499.20 --> 5503.20] so [5503.20 --> 5505.20] so [5505.20 --> 5509.20] so [5509.20 --> 5511.20] so [5511.20 --> 5515.20] so [5515.20 --> 5523.20] so [5523.20 --> 5525.20] so [5525.20 --> 5527.20] so [5527.20 --> 5537.20] so [5537.20 --> 5539.20] so [5539.20 --> 5541.20] so [5541.20 --> 5543.20] so [5543.20 --> 5545.20] so [5545.20 --> 5555.20] so [5555.20 --> 5557.20] so [5557.20 --> 5559.20] so [5559.20 --> 5561.20] so [5561.20 --> 5563.20] so [5563.20 --> 5565.20] so