Empowered by the Spirit: Centered on God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Empowered by the Spirit for Service

The Holy Spirit's role in the life of a believer extends far beyond personal spiritual experiences; it includes equipping us with specific skills necessary for God's work. This divine empowerment is essential not only for personal growth but also for the collective mission of the church. As believers engage in various ministries, their effectiveness hinges on the Spirit's empowerment rather than solely on their personal abilities. This empowerment allows for the completion of tasks that are beyond mere human capacity, echoing the way the Spirit filled the artisans in Exodus to skillfully construct the tabernacle. [59:47]

Exodus 31:3-5 says, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze."

Reflection: Consider a recent task in your ministry or daily life. How can you more actively seek the Holy Spirit’s empowerment in your efforts?

Day 2: God at the Core of Our Existence

The placement of the tabernacle at the center of the Israelite camp serves as a profound metaphor for our lives today, reminding us that God should be at the core of our existence. This central positioning underscores the importance of daily acknowledging God's presence and guidance in every aspect of our lives, from our decisions to our interactions with others. By keeping God at the center, we are constantly reminded of His lordship and our dependency on Him, which shapes how we live and interact within our communities. [27:25]

Psalm 86:11 says, "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."

Reflection: What is one practical change you can make this week to ensure God is more central in your daily activities and decisions?

Day 3: The Sabbath as Divine Command

Observing the Sabbath is not merely a ritualistic practice but a divine command to recognize God's sovereignty over time and our endeavors. It serves as a weekly reminder that our efforts are in vain without God's blessing and that true rest and rejuvenation come from Him. This practice not only reflects obedience but also a trust in God’s provision and timing, allowing us to step back and reflect on His creation and our part in His plans. [57:12]

Genesis 2:2-3 says, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."

Reflection: How can you better observe the Sabbath to reflect on God’s sovereignty and rest in His provision?

Day 4: Living as God’s Possession

The census and the associated ransom in the Old Testament teach us about the value of recognizing our belonging to God. This acknowledgment should shape our identity and actions, ensuring that we live not for our purposes but for His glory. It's a call to live with the awareness that we are ransomed and redeemed people, which influences how we view ourselves and our responsibilities towards others. [45:13]

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: In what ways can you live more consciously this week as someone who belongs to God and is called to proclaim His excellencies?

Day 5: Accessing God Through Christ

Approaching God through Jesus, our Mediator, is the cornerstone of our faith. This truth should deeply influence our prayer life and our approach to God, reminding us that we come to Him not on our own merits but through the righteousness of Christ. Understanding this is essential for a transformative relationship with God, where we rely on Christ’s mediation for our daily interactions with the Father. [42:53]

Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: How does understanding Christ as your Mediator change the way you approach God in prayer and daily life?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the profound significance of the tabernacle and its furnishings, emphasizing our dependence on God and the ways He equips us for His service. We began by acknowledging the importance of the Holy Spirit in empowering and equipping believers, as illustrated in Exodus 30 and 31. This empowerment is not merely for emotional experiences but for fulfilling the tasks God assigns, such as the construction of the tabernacle, where artisans were filled with the Spirit to perform their work skillfully.

We delved into the symbolism of the tabernacle's location at the center of the Israelite camp, signifying God's central role in our lives. This setup was a constant reminder to the Israelites of their dependence on God, a theme that should resonate with us today. Whether in daily tasks or spiritual duties, recognizing our reliance on God's provision and guidance is crucial.

The discussion on the Sabbath highlighted its role as a divine ordinance for rest and reflection, a reminder of God's creation work, and our need to pause from our labors, acknowledging that even in our busyness, it is God who sanctifies us.

We also examined the significance of the census and the ransom associated with it, which underscored the concept of belonging to God. This was not just a headcount but a spiritual exercise reminding the Israelites—and us—that we are God's possession, and our lives should reflect His ownership and lordship.

Finally, we reflected on the ultimate fulfillment of the tabernacle's purpose through Jesus Christ, our Mediator. The rituals and furnishings of the tabernacle pointed forward to Him, the one who perfectly mediates between God and man, and through whom we have eternal access to the Father. This access is not based on our merit but on what Christ has accomplished on our behalf.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific tasks were Bezalel and Oholiab filled with the Spirit to accomplish? (Exodus 31:1-11)
What was the purpose of the altar of incense in the tabernacle? (Exodus 30:1-10)
According to the sermon, what does the placement of the tabernacle at the center of the Israelite camp symbolize? [26:30]
What was the significance of the Sabbath as described in Exodus 31:12-18?

Interpretation Questions

How does the filling of the Spirit in the Old Testament for tasks like craftsmanship compare to the New Testament understanding of spiritual gifts? [59:47]
Why is the concept of atonement crucial before the incense representing prayers could be burned on the altar? [40:30]
How does the census and the associated ransom in Exodus 30:11-16 emphasize the Israelites' belonging to God? [43:21]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of recognizing our dependence on God in our daily lives? [26:30]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you relied on your own skills rather than seeking the Holy Spirit's empowerment. How can you shift your focus to depend more on the Spirit in your current tasks? [59:47]
The sermon highlighted the centrality of God in our lives, symbolized by the tabernacle's placement. What practical steps can you take to ensure God remains at the center of your daily routine? [26:30]
Observing the Sabbath is a reminder of God's sovereignty over time. How can you better observe a day of rest and reflection in your weekly schedule? [57:12]
The census and ransom teach us about our belonging to God. How does this understanding shape your identity and actions in your community and workplace? [43:21]
The sermon emphasized approaching God through Jesus, our Mediator. How does this truth influence your prayer life and your approach to God? [42:53]
Think about the ways you currently serve in your church or community. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to enhance your effectiveness in these roles? [59:47]
The sermon mentioned the importance of recognizing our dependence on God in all aspects of life. Identify one area where you struggle with self-reliance and discuss how you can practice greater dependence on God in that area. [26:30]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We live on the other side of this, as those who have received the Holy Spirit that he promised to send, promised his disciples that the Helper, the Spirit would come and will be in them. And for all those who have trusted in Christ, have placed their saving faith in Christ, Lord, we have that now. We have your Spirit. We have your Spirit within." [22:18]( | | )

2. "Life in Israel was set up to guard against the very thing of drifting towards independence from God. This is what we've seen as we've gone through the tabernacle. It's literally in the middle of the camp. And so the camp would revolve around this. The tabernacle where God would meet with His people was there in the very middle of it." [27:25]( | | )

3. "God gives the Spirit so that people have gifts to serve one another. It's similar to that, but it's different. It's not a permanent, ongoing indwelling. The Spirit, Jesus promised to send after his death and resurrection, and this is before that. So it's different, and yet what's similar is that God has given the task to do, and he says, I am filling with the Spirit, not an emotional experience, but the skills necessary to do this task." [59:47]( | | )

4. "We're coming in Jesus' name. So we get this altar of incense the last item inside the tabernacle. We'll get another item here in a moment this bronze basin but between that we get this perhaps surprising turn to a census and specifically a ransom a payment that must be made when they take a census." [43:21]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "The Holy Spirit's role extends beyond personal spiritual experiences to equipping believers with specific skills for God's work. This empowerment is crucial for both individual growth and the collective mission of the church." [24:42]( | | )

2. "The placement of the tabernacle at the center of the Israelite camp serves as a powerful metaphor for our lives today. It reminds us that God should be at the core of our existence, influencing every aspect of our lives, from our decisions to our interactions with others." [27:25]( | | )

3. "Observing the Sabbath is not merely a ritualistic practice but a divine command to recognize God's sovereignty over time and our endeavors. It serves as a weekly reminder that our efforts are in vain without God's blessing and that true rest and rejuvenation come from Him." [57:12]( | | )

4. "The census and the associated ransom teach us about the value of recognizing our belonging to God. This acknowledgment should shape our identity and actions, ensuring that we live not for our purposes but for His glory." [45:13]( | | )

5. "Approaching God through Jesus, our Mediator, is the cornerstone of our faith. This truth should deeply influence our prayer life and our approach to God, reminding us that we come to Him not on our own merits but through the righteousness of Christ." [42:53]( | | )

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