Embracing God's Presence: A Journey Home

Devotional

Day 1: Incarnation: God's Pursuit to Dwell

God relentlessly pursues a dwelling among His people, exemplified through the incarnation of Christ. This profound truth invites all to come home to God, offering hope and salvation to those who feel distant. The birth of Jesus is a beacon, calling individuals to recognize God's enduring love and to establish a personal relationship with Him. [57:43]

Hebrews 4:15-16 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the truth of God's pursuit to dwell with you in your daily life?

Day 2: Eternal Dwelling: Our Ultimate Hope

The vision of a new heaven and earth is a powerful hope for believers, where God's presence means the absence of pain and sorrow. This future reality should inspire a life prioritizing the relationship with God over worldly pursuits, as the eternal tabernacle with God is the ultimate destiny for humanity. [54:27]

Revelation 21:3-4 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
Reflection: What worldly pursuits can you deprioritize to focus more on your relationship with God and the hope of eternal dwelling with Him?

Day 3: The Tabernacle: God's Presence with Us

The tabernacle, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, represents God's desire to be close to humanity. Believers are called to reflect on life's temporary nature and look forward to the eternal dwelling with God, which gives purpose and direction to our lives. [42:07]

Exodus 25:8 - "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life, mirroring the intimacy of the tabernacle?

Day 4: Living Temples of the Holy Spirit

The indwelling of God's Spirit transforms believers into living temples. This identity as carriers of God's presence should influence how one lives, motivating a life that honors the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. [43:08]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Reflection: How can you honor God with your body today, recognizing that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Day 5: Following God's Presence Today

The Feast of Tabernacles is a contemporary call to follow God's presence, reminding believers of the temporary nature of our current lives and the eternal home that awaits. Just as the Israelites followed the cloud, Christians are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. [49:32]

Leviticus 23:42-43 - "Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.'"
Reflection: What is one way you can actively follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life today, as a modern observance of the Feast of Tabernacles?

Sermon Summary

In the sermon titled "Home for Christmas Week 4" by Joey White, the central theme revolves around the concept of dwelling with God and the significance of the tabernacle as it relates to God's presence among His people. Joey White begins by addressing the importance of coming home to God, especially for men, in their decisions, marriages, and homes. He uses the birth of Jesus as a reminder of God's efforts to dwell with humanity and extends an invitation to those who feel distant from God or have never been saved to cry out to Jesus and invite Him into their lives.

Joey White then delves into the tabernacle in heaven, as described in Revelation 21, where God makes all things new and dwells among His people, wiping away every tear and eliminating death and sorrow. Despite this promise, he notes that many still chase after things other than God. He shares a personal family tradition of creating a tabernacle during Christmas to teach about Jesus becoming flesh and dwelling among us, emphasizing the temporary nature of life and the indwelling spirit of God in believers.

The sermon continues with a prayer for a deeper understanding of what it means to live with God, referencing John 1:1-4 to illustrate that Jesus, the Word, was with God from the beginning and is the source of life and light. Joey White also discusses the church's vision offering, which supports various ministries and building projects, and shares a personal anecdote about his family and their pet dog, Theodore, to illustrate the deep connection God desires with us.

Throughout the sermon, Joey White emphasizes God's desire to dwell with His people, as seen in the glory of the Lord filling the temple in Solomon's day and the cloud of the Lord guiding the Israelites. He connects the Old Testament tabernacle to Jesus in the New Testament, who is the ultimate tabernacle dwelling among humanity, and reminds believers that they are now the temple of the living God. He also discusses the elements within the tabernacle that symbolize Jesus and the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles as a reminder to follow God.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 1:1-4, 14 (ESV) — > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2. Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
> And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

3. Exodus 40:33-35 (ESV)
> So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

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Observation Questions

According to John 1:1-4, who is described as the Word, and what role did the Word play in creation?
What does Revelation 21:3-4 promise about the future dwelling place of God with His people?
In Exodus 40:33-35, what happened when Moses finished constructing the tabernacle? How did God's presence manifest? [44:02]
How does Joey White describe the connection between the Old Testament tabernacle and Jesus in the New Testament? [36:34]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that Jesus is described as the Word who was with God and was God from the beginning? How does this shape our understanding of Jesus' divinity and role in creation? [32:20]
How does the promise in Revelation 21:3-4 of God dwelling with His people in a place without pain or sorrow influence a believer's perspective on earthly struggles and priorities? [54:32]
Joey White mentions that the tabernacle was a temporary structure. How does this concept of temporariness apply to our earthly lives and bodies? [38:47]
What is the significance of believers being described as the temple of the living God? How should this understanding impact a Christian's daily life and decisions? [42:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on the idea that Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us. How does this truth affect your personal relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [33:16]
Revelation 21:3-4 speaks of a future without pain or sorrow. How can this promise provide comfort and hope in your current life circumstances? What practical ways can you remind yourself of this hope daily? [55:38]
Joey White emphasizes the temporary nature of our earthly existence. How does this perspective change the way you view your current life and possessions? What adjustments can you make to focus more on eternal values? [50:30]
Considering that believers are the temple of the living God, how can you honor God's presence in your daily actions and decisions? Identify one specific area in your life where you can better reflect this truth. [43:01]
Joey White shared a family tradition of creating a tabernacle during Christmas to remember Jesus' incarnation. What traditions or practices can you incorporate into your family life to keep the focus on Jesus during the holiday season? [51:58]
The Feast of Tabernacles serves as a reminder to follow God's presence. How can you be more attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure you are following God's guidance? [49:33]
Joey White calls for those who feel distant from God to come home. If you feel distant from God, what barriers are preventing you from drawing closer to Him? What practical steps can you take this week to begin removing those barriers and reconnecting with God? [57:39]

Sermon Clips

"Men, what if today you could come home and dwell with God? Live with him. Let him be among your decisions. Let him guide you and protect you in your home." [57:43] (Download)

"God brought you here today to tell you he loves you. He cares for you. He's done everything to be with you and today he's calling you home to dwell with him right now." [58:42] (Download)

"This reminds us that this life is temporary. This is a temporary body, a tent that we live in. It reminds us that because we believe in Jesus, that the spirit of God now dwells in us. That we are the temple of the living God." [52:31] (Download)

"The essence of God is to dwell with you. And a loud voice from the throne said, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among his people' and he will dwell among them." [55:38] (Download)

"He will wipe away every tear from your eyes. There will no longer be any death. There will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain. The first things have passed away. And God's making all things new for all eternity." [56:40] (Download)

"This is who God is and this is what he's done to be with you. But too often, we're dwelling and chasing after and following after so many other things other than God." [56:40] (Download)

"If you dwell with God and God dwells with you, you'll be successful. You'll bear much fruit. But apart from God, you can do nothing." [46:04] (Download)

"The cloud of the Lord hovered over the tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so that the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys." [47:10] (Download)

"And then the New Testament does something crazy. It points back to this very tabernacle, and Jesus being our tabernacle and tabernacled among us. And it says, because you believe in Jesus, now you are the temple of the living God." [42:07] (Download)

"You were created in such a way to dwell with God. Tabernacle with God. That's how he created you. And God is showing us here with Moses that his presence, his glory filled the tabernacle." [44:14] (Download)

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