God's Presence: From Exodus to Our Lives Today
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we conclude our journey through the book of Exodus, a story that begins with God's people in slavery and oppression in Egypt. They cry out to God, and He raises up Moses to lead them out of bondage. After a dramatic showdown with Pharaoh and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, God doesn't just save them from something; He saves them for something. He saves them for worship, communion, and a relationship with Him, calling them to be a kingdom of priests to display His goodness to the world.
In Exodus 40, we see the completion of the tabernacle, a tent where God's presence will dwell among His people. This moment is a powerful reminder that God's heart is to dwell with His people and fill the earth with His glory. Despite their rebellion and grumbling, God’s glory fills the tabernacle, signifying His presence with them. This is a foreshadowing of something greater to come.
The story of Exodus is echoed throughout Scripture, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the greater glory, the Word made flesh who came to dwell among us. He perfectly fulfills the Old Testament law and sacrifices Himself on the cross, paying the price for sin and rising again to offer new life. This marks a turning point where God's presence is no longer confined to a place but dwells within His people, the church.
As believers, we are now the new tabernacle, the new temple, filled with the Holy Spirit to make known the glory of God to the nations. This reality should fill us with awe and a sense of privilege. We are carriers of God's presence, called to live with expectation and understanding of our position in Christ. As we gather, whether in person or online, we should seek to encounter and enjoy God's presence, allowing Him to fill us afresh with His Spirit.
Let's take a moment to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to come and fill us anew. Whether you are watching alone or with others, God’s presence is with you. He wants to meet with you and fill you with His joy, peace, and power. As we go about our week, let's live as temples of the Holy Spirit, bringing the presence of God into our workplaces, families, and communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Saves Us for a Purpose: God doesn't just deliver us from our struggles; He saves us for a greater purpose. We are called to worship, communion, and a relationship with Him, displaying His goodness to the world. This is a reminder that our salvation is not just about being rescued but about being catapulted into a new life of serving God. [38:50]
2. God's Presence Among His People: The completion of the tabernacle in Exodus 40 signifies God's desire to dwell among His people. Despite their rebellion and shortcomings, God's glory fills the tabernacle, showing His commitment to be with them. This is a powerful reminder that God’s presence is with us, even in our brokenness. [42:27]
3. Jesus as the Greater Glory: The story of Exodus points to Jesus Christ, who is the greater glory. He fulfills the Old Testament law and sacrifices Himself for our sins, offering new life through His resurrection. Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence among us, and through Him, we have access to the Holy Spirit. [47:43]
4. We Are the New Temple: As believers, we are now the new tabernacle, the new temple of the Holy Spirit. God's presence dwells within us, and we are called to represent Him to the world. This reality should fill us with awe and a sense of privilege, motivating us to live with expectation and understanding of our position in Christ. [49:22]
5. Living with Joy and Expectation: In God's presence, there is fullness of joy. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, we can experience joy because of God's presence within us. This joy is not the absence of pain but the presence of God in the midst of our struggles. Let us live with this joy and expectation, knowing that we are carriers of God's presence. [52:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:55] - Introduction to Exodus
[38:50] - Saved for a Purpose
[40:03] - God's Presence in the Tabernacle
[42:27] - Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle
[45:25] - Greater Glory to Come
[46:31] - Jesus, the Greater Glory
[47:43] - Jesus Finishes the Work
[49:22] - New Temple of the Holy Spirit
[50:57] - Living as Temples of God
[52:45] - Joy in God's Presence
[54:43] - Prayer and Ministry Time
[56:58] - Invitation to the Holy Spirit
[01:00:09] - God's Presence with Us
[01:02:28] - Release of Joy
[01:04:17] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:05:54] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 40:33-38: "And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar and set up the screen of the gate of the court. 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. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys."
2. John 1:14: "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."
3. Acts 2:1-4: "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
### Observation Questions
1. What significant event occurs in Exodus 40:33-38 after Moses finishes constructing the tabernacle? ([41:12])
2. According to John 1:14, how is Jesus described in relation to God's glory and presence?
3. What happens to the believers in Acts 2:1-4 when the Holy Spirit comes upon them?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the completion of the tabernacle in Exodus 40 signify God's desire to dwell among His people despite their rebellion? ([42:27])
2. In what ways does John 1:14 illustrate Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people?
3. How does the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 mark a turning point in the way God's presence is experienced by believers? ([49:22])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Exodus 40:33-38, how can you create space in your daily life to experience God's presence more fully? ([41:12])
2. John 1:14 speaks of Jesus dwelling among us. How can you make room for Jesus in your daily interactions and relationships?
3. Acts 2:1-4 describes the believers being filled with the Holy Spirit. How can you seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit in your life this week? ([49:22])
4. The sermon mentioned that we are now the new tabernacle, the new temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this reality change the way you view your role in your community and workplace? ([49:22])
5. The pastor emphasized living with joy and expectation because of God's presence within us. What practical steps can you take to cultivate joy in your life, even amidst challenges? ([52:45])
6. How can you actively display God's goodness to the world, knowing that you are a carrier of His presence? ([38:50])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to live as temples of the Holy Spirit. What specific actions can you take this week to bring God's presence into your family, workplace, or community? ([54:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Saved for a Greater Purpose
God doesn't just deliver us from our struggles; He saves us for a greater purpose. We are called to worship, communion, and a relationship with Him, displaying His goodness to the world. This is a reminder that our salvation is not just about being rescued but about being catapulted into a new life of serving God. [38:50]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: Think about a specific way you can display God's goodness in your daily life. How can you serve someone in your community this week to reflect God's love and purpose?
Day 2: God's Presence Among His People
The completion of the tabernacle in Exodus 40 signifies God's desire to dwell among His people. Despite their rebellion and shortcomings, God's glory fills the tabernacle, showing His commitment to be with them. This is a powerful reminder that God’s presence is with us, even in our brokenness. [42:27]
Leviticus 26:11-12 (ESV): "I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His presence despite your feelings of inadequacy or failure?
Day 3: Jesus as the Greater Glory
The story of Exodus points to Jesus Christ, who is the greater glory. He fulfills the Old Testament law and sacrifices Himself for our sins, offering new life through His resurrection. Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence among us, and through Him, we have access to the Holy Spirit. [47:43]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the greater glory change the way you approach your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen your connection with Jesus this week?
Day 4: We Are the New Temple
As believers, we are now the new tabernacle, the new temple of the Holy Spirit. God's presence dwells within us, and we are called to represent Him to the world. This reality should fill us with awe and a sense of privilege, motivating us to live with expectation and understanding of our position in Christ. [49:22]
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional about living as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Identify one habit you can cultivate to better reflect God's presence in your life.
Day 5: Living with Joy and Expectation
In God's presence, there is fullness of joy. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, we can experience joy because of God's presence within us. This joy is not the absence of pain but the presence of God in the midst of our struggles. Let us live with this joy and expectation, knowing that we are carriers of God's presence. [52:45]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you invite God's presence into this situation to experience His joy and peace? What practical steps can you take to focus on His presence daily?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Salvation is so much more than just about being rescued. It's about being catapulted into a new life of delight in serving a new master. And so God calls and commissions his people in this special covenant relationship. He calls them a kingdom of priests to go and display God to the nations of the world." [38:50] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The storyline of Scripture is one of God restoring all things to himself and restoring his presence with his people and filling the whole earth with the glory of God. And what we're going to read today in Exodus 40 is in fact our story, but it's only a shadow of the reality that we are living in today that is being written through God's people, the church." [40:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are watching this and you are a follower of Jesus, you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are now the new tabernacle, the new temple, the presence of God on earth, the presence of God in us to represent God to the nations of the world." [49:22] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Because of Jesus, you have the spirit of the living God dwelling in you. Jesus has paid the sacrifice once for all time. So the power and the presence of God dwells in you and I for the glory of God and the good of the nations." [50:57] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In his presence, church, there is fullness of joy. In his presence, there is fullness of joy. Why don't you just declare that where you are watching right now. In his presence, there is fullness of joy. In his presence, there is fullness of joy." [01:04:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God's glory and his presence was never meant to be confined to a tent. It's intended to fill the whole earth, even when King Solomon builds this glorious temple that he builds in one king, you can read about that, hundreds of years later and God's glory fills it. In quite a powerful and astounding way, he writes this, behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built." [45:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The word of God, Jesus Christ, John writes, came to dwell among us. He comes in flesh and lives on earth in human form and as John, he actually writes, he came to tabernacle with us. He came to be the presence of God. God with us, the perfect spotless lamb of God perfectly fulfills all the Old Testament requirements of the law." [46:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This marks the turning moment where the presence of God will no longer dwell in a place, but in a people. From now on, the presence of God will not be confined to a tabernacle or a temple, but in the new place. The new community that God has established, this new kingdom people called the church, made up of men and women, young and old, rich and poor, from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation, who are now declared temples of the Holy Spirit, in whom the presence of God dwells to make known the glory of the Lord to the nations of the world, until Jesus Christ returns to make all things new and fills the whole cosmos with his glory and his presence." [49:22] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I wonder if we realize the enormity and the privilege that we're temples of God, carriers of his presence. I wonder if we read Exodus chapter 40 and we marvel at it and think, I wish I could have been there. Or if we read 1 Kings 8, when the temple is consecrated in the glory and thinks, I wonder if we could be there. I would love to have been there. We marvel at what that was like, but then we don't grasp the reality of our position." [50:57] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I pray as we close our gathered time together, Lord, I pray that we would go as those who are full of your Holy Spirit, those who would go and live as new temples of God in our workplaces, in our families, in our communities. And in every place that we find ourselves this week, that we would go as new temples of the living God. Ransomed, redeemed, set free, made whole, declared not guilty, shame removed, filled with your presence for the glory of God, the good of this town, and the good of the nations." [01:04:17] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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