Behold your God
Key text: Exodus 25:8
Introduction: Taj Mahal, a mausoleum complex in Agra, western Uttar
Pradesh state, northern India. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan, reigned 1628-1658, to immortalize his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who
died in childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal, an iconic symbol of love and
architectural brilliance, stands majestically on the banks of the Yamuna river
in Agra, India. Building of the Taj Mahal began about 1632. More than 20,000
workers were employed from India. The mausoleum itself was completed by
about 1638–1639. The addition buildings were finished by 1643, and
decoration work continued until at least 1647. In total, construction of the
42-acre (17-hectare) complex spanned 22 years.
For 4000 years ago, God gave Moses the blueprints for one of the most
mysterious structures ever built, the sanctuary. This unique portable temple
symbolizes God’s mission, and dwelling place among His people, with its services showed three
stages of the plan of salvation. Let us now explore the sanctuary to uncover its
deeper significance, purpose, and behold our God.
I. The God who longs to be with His people. (Exodus 25:8)
a. God wants to dwell with His people. (Build me a Sanctuary THAT
I MAY dwell with them, Vs. 8)
b. God’s Problem: Sin
i. Sin separate us from God.(Isa. 59:1,2)
ii. All have sin.( Romans 3:23)
iii. Sin cannot live in the presence of God.(Heb. 12:29)
c. God’s way in dealing with sin.
i. The Sanctuary. ( Psalm 77:13)
1. To let them know that He is the God who saved them.
(Exodus 29: 43-46)
d. Another names of Sanctuary. (Place of Holiness)
i. Tabernacle (Exo. 25:9)
ii. Tent of meeting.(Exo. 27:21
iii. The Tabernacle of Testimony (Exodus 38:21, Num.
9:15; 17:7, 8 )
e. The Parts and furniture’s
i. The courtyard. (Exodus 27:9-19)
1. The Gate (Exodus 27:14-16)
2. The Altar of burnt offering (Exodus 27:1-8)
3. Laver (Exodus 30:18-21)
ii. The Holy Place (exodus 26:31-33)
1. the table of showbread (Exodus 25:23-30)
2. The lamp stand or candle stick (Exodus 25:31-39)
3.. The altar of essence (Exodus 30:1-10)
4. The curtain or veil (Exodus 26:31-33)
iii. The Most Holy Place (Exodus 26: 33,34)
1. The ark of the Covenant (exodus 25:10-22, Exodus 37:1-
9)
2. The Mercy Seat (Exodus 37:6)
II. The God who dwelt with us.( Exo. 25:8)
a. God’s manifestation of His presence.
i. The pillar of clouds and the pillar of fire. ( Exodus 13:21-22;
16:10)
ii. God Shekinah Glory. (Exodus 29:42-46; 40:34-35)
b. The Word or God became Flesh and dwell among us. (John 1:1,3,
14)
i. He became like man.(Phil.2:6-8)
ii. Emmanuel, means God is with us.( Matt. 1:23)
c. The courtyard symbolize Christ earthly Ministry. (John 3:16-
18)
i. The gate as Jesus.(John 14:6; 10:9)
ii. The altar of burnt offering as Jesus died on the cross. (1 Peter
1:18-21, Phil. 2:8, 1 Cor. 2:2)
iii. The Lamb as Jesus.(John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19, Rev.13:8)
iv. Laver as washing or cleansing away of sin.( Matt. 3:13-17;
John 3:5)
III. The God who continue to dwell with us .(Matt. 28:20, I am with you
always)
a. The table of showbread as a symbol of Jesus. (John 6:35; 48:510)
b. The candle stick as a symbol of Jesus Christ. (John 8:12; 1:4,5)
i. The Believers become the light if Jesus is with them. (Matt.
5:14-16)
c. The altar of incense as a symbol that Christ Intercede for us.
(Romans 8: 34)
IV. The God who is coming Back. (John 14:15)
a. The High priest represent Jesus. (Hebrew 4:14-16; 9:11)
b. The Law is the standard of God’s Government. (James 1:25)
c. God is God of justice and mercy. (Psalms 85:10)
d. Jesus will end His heavenly priestly ministry and will come back.
(Daniel 7:13,15: 12:1, John 14:1-3)
Summary: God gave Moses an instruction to build the sanctuary so he may
dwell with His people. The Sanctuary illustrate the plan of salvation. All the
parts, furniture’s and services represents the life and the ministry of Jesus.
Conclusion. Sin separates man to God. Because of this God longs to dwell
with His people. He dwell with us through His son Jesus Christ to save us
from all our sins. He continue to dwell with us through His word and Spirit to
give us victory from the power of sin and He is coming back to give us
victory over the presence of sin.
Appeal: Sin broke our relationship with God and Jesus came to destroy sin
and to restore our relationship with the Father and He is coming back to
bring us back to the presence of His father. When Jesus comes there are two
classes of people who will behold Him. To the righteous, who overcame sin
through His blood, His presence is a sun and a shield but to the wicked it is a
consuming fire. The pen of inspiration say, “ O sin, wherever found, “our God
is a consuming fire.” . In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will
consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the
glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them. Let us all behold our
God as a sun and shield. Let us all come to Jesus now so He can consume our
sins and make us worthy to behold Him as the king of Glory when He will
appear in the clouds of heaven. If you like to submit you life to Christ and let
Him consume your sins now and purify you, I will invite you to stand I will
pray for you.
