How to Draw Near to God (II)
James 4:8
4-19-09
Intro
A couple of weeks ago we talked about drawing near to God. James 4:8 tells us to do that: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you....” I’m glad that verse is a promise as well as a command. God promises to draw near to us if we will draw near to Him. It’s not that our drawing near to God causes Him to draw near to us. We certainly don’t earn God’s presence by anything we do. But—by our choices which produce action, we demonstrate our receptivity to God’s presence; we demonstrate our desire for His presence.
Two weeks ago we identified 3 dynamics of God’s presence.
First, God is omnipresent—so in one sense God is with everybody. Ps 139:7-8
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”
Secondly, God dwells in every Christian. Rom 8:9 “... Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” That’s another sense in which God is present with people.
Today, I am not referring to either of those. James is talking to Christians when He says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you....” James is talking about a nearness to God that Christians need to pursue.
Week before last we shared three practical steps for drawing near to God.
(1) Prepare your heart to seek God. We saw places in Scripture where people did that. We explored the Hebrew word, kuwn, in those passages. And discovered two connotations of the word—make a firm decision to do it and make preparations to do it. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you....”
(2) We talked about the need to make it a priority if it’s ever going to happen. The only things we have time to do in life are our priorities. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you....” Only those who make that a priority ever really do it.
(3) Take a step in the right direction. It doesn’t even have to be a giant step. But to draw near to something there has to be some movement. So we ended that time together personally identifying a step we would take. Did you take that step? If so, I’ve got good news. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you....”
That message was about how to draw near to God. Most of us already know we need to draw near to God. The question is: how? This morning we want to come at that question in a different way. God has revealed how to draw near to Him in His word. He wants us near to Him. That’s what salvation is all about.
Today we want to receive instruction from the layout of the Tabernacle as to how to draw near to God. After their deliverance from Egypt, God began showing His people how to worship Him. This is particularly evident at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19. There God gave them the Ten Commandments. Most of us remember seeing that depicted in the movie by that name. There are lightening and thunder and Charlton Heston who played Moses, comes walking back down the mountain with the tablets in his hands. Israel is sinning with the golden calf and Moses throws the tablets of the Ten Commandments and breaks them. Later Moses goes back up and gets a second set of the Ten Commandments from God. How many remember that story? What else did God give Moses on that mountain besides the Ten Commandments and the more detailed laws that went with them? He showed Moses the Tabernacle that was to be built to accommodate their worship. The construction of that Tabernacle was instructive for drawing near to God. And it is instructive for us as well.
Look with me at the layout of the tabernacle. The temple followed the same pattern.(A picture of the the tabernacle layout was shown on the overhead screen).
James 4:8 “Draw near to God....” What’s going on in James’ mind as he says that? As a good Jew he is seeing the Tabernacle. He is aware of the Holy of Holies where God dwells. The book of James is one of the most Jewish books in the New Testament. The Jews had hundreds of years for this pattern of coming to God to be burned into their minds. First there was the Tabernacle during the early years of the nation’s history. Then there was Solomon’s temple built after the same pattern. James and his brother, Jesus, had worshipped in the temple standing in his days known as Herod’s temple (because King Herod had provided funds toward its construction). The author of the book of James had participated in this pattern of worship there in Jerusalem.
I. First, I want us to look at the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy of Holies). This is the ultimate goal in drawing near to God. This is where the Shekinah presence of God dwelt.
In the Old Testament, coming that close to God was a privilege only available to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. Lev 16:2 “and the LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.’” Only once a year could the High Priest enter into the presence of God behind the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. He dare not come without blood sacrifice. To violate the instruction in any way meant certain death. There is a tradition that a rope was tied to his ankle, in case he violated some instruction and died in the Holy of Holies. That was probably not the case. But Lev 16:2 does clearly tell us that coming into God’s presence is serious business.
The first thing an understanding of the Tabernacle ought to teach us is awe about the presence of God. A whole lot of the O.T. is spent teaching the holiness of God. You didn’t just drop into the Holy of Holies to give God a visit. You could die in God’s presence if you approached Him disrespectfully. Could I just say that revelation was an essential preparation for appreciating grace? The revelation of the majesty and holiness of God was foundational for appreciating the love of God.
There is a problem in most Christians understanding of God because all that was skipped over—all that was dismissed and the message only talked about God’s love. The love of God is the greatest message there is. However, nobody can understand the depth of God’s love without understanding the depth of God’s holiness. None of us will appreciate the grace behind God’s acceptance of us through Jesus, without understanding the God as a consuming fire.
So when we look at the Tabernacle we ought to stand in awe at the majesty and glory of this One who dwells in the Most Holy Place.
Then we get a revelation of the mercy of God. Within the Holy of Holies was a small wooden box covered with pure gold—known as the Ark of the Covenant. On top of that box was the Mercy Seat. That was precisely where God was at—seated on the Mercy Seat, visible only by the manifestation of Shekinah glory. Two golden Cherubim looked toward the Mercy Seat. What are cherubim? They are angelic-type beings whose function is to guard the glory and honor of God. Where do we first see cherubim? They come to the forefront when Adam and Eve sinned. When Adam was banished from the Garden—from the intimate presence of God in the Garden, God commissioned cherubim to guard the access to the tree of life. Gen 3:23-24 “So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (NIV). Heb. 9:5 refers to them as the “cherubim of glory.” The assignment of cherubim is to guard the glory of God.
Within the box—the Ark of the Covenant are three items:
(1) Tablets of Ten Commandments
(2) Manna
(3) Aaron’s Rod that budded in Num. 17
All three of these articles are reminders of God’s covenant with His people. All three speak of the blessings of God’s presence with His people.
(1) Ten Commandments are reminders of God’s guidance for His people. How can we live wholesome, productive lives? How can we continually enjoy the presence of God in our lives? We do that by walking in the ways of the Lord. We do that by obeying God’s statutes—by obeying God’s word.
(2) Manna is symbolic of provision. In the dessert where you couldn’t grow a crop or make a living—what are you going to do? You’re going to trust God who can rain manna from heaven if necessary.
(3) Aaron’s Rod reflects the fruitfulness God bring into your life. Where there is barrenness, His presence can bring life and productivity.
Under the O.T. covenant the people could not even enter the Holy of Holies. Even the priests could not enter. The High Priest could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. And he dare not enter without blood to sprinkle on the Mercy Seat.
Understanding that prepares us to appreciate what Jesus has done for us at the cross.
Heb 10:19-22 reveals the New Covenant stance. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” The writer of Hebrews is using the same imagery of the tabernacle as we are this morning to encourage Christians to draw near to God. When Jesus died on the cross, he gave his life to open up the way for us to come to God as sons & daughters of the Most High. This heavy veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies tore into from top to bottom the moment Jesus died at Calvary (Mk 15:38). So Hebrews 10 gives three key reasons we can enter into the very presence of God: 1.The blood of Jesus as been poured out in payment for our sin. The offense toward God has been removed “by the blood of Jesus.” 2. The tearing of his flesh in sacrifice for us has opened the way for us to enter God’s presence. This was symbolized miraculously by the tearing from top (by God) to bottom the curtain that separated us from that presence. 3. We have a High Priest who intercedes for us. As our resurrected Lord, Jesus lives forever in that capacity.
So don’t miss this point. The privilege of is entirely based on Jesus work not our own.
Now let’s get back to this process of drawing near to God. How do I get into the glorious presence of God? How do I draw near to God?
I enter into the
II. Court of the Tabernacle
(1) There was only one gate—only one way to approach the presence of God. A high fence surrounded the grounds so that a person could not just come in any way he wanted to. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
(2) As a person entered the gate, he first encounters the brazen altar or altar of sacrifice. This is where the sacrificial animals were burned. The blood of these animals had to be shed before anyone could approach God. Heb 9:22 says “... without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Sin is only atoned for by the shedding of blood. A bloodless religion does not even get a person to first base in knowing God. Of course, these blood sacrifices in the O.T. were only a foreshadowing of the one eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross. No one—absolutely no one—goes to heaven without faith in the blood of Christ for forgiveness of sin. It is not politically correct in our society to say that; but it is biblically correct. I would rather be biblically correct than politically correct. Amen?
What a foolish decision God made in sending His Son, if people could save themselves. To have His Son leave the glories of heaven, come to the earth, and suffer shame and pain would be foolish if it were not necessary. But God is not foolish. People are foolish who disagree with His decisions. There is salvation in no other name but the name of Jesus because no other paid the price for your sin. No other was worthy to do so and none other could have done so. Salvation does not rest upon a set of moral ethics designed to get people to be nicer. Salvation rests upon the penalty for your sin being paid by Jesus. Faith in Jesus and His work on the cross is the only way a person can come to God. You and I cannot save ourselves. We trust in Jesus for that.
So, to even become a Christian we must come to God through Jesus and we must be forgiven of our sin based on the payment he made on the cross. Even as Christians we are continually dependent upon the blood of Christ to cleanse of sin. Writing to Christians the Apostle John says, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9). When we pray daily, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us,” we are trusting in the blood sacrifice of Jesus as the basis of that request.
Does anyone here need to visit that brazen altar today? Is anyone carrying unnecessary guilt? Are you hesitant to come to God because of that guilt? The blood of Jesus can remove that guilt for saint or sinner. Ask forgiveness on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice—not on the basis of your resolution to do better—but on the basis of what Jesus has already done.
(3) As we approach God we come to the Brazen Laver.
This was a huge bowl where the priests washed their hands and feet. Their sin was atoned for at the Brazen Altar. But they continually came to this laver to wash away the influence of this dusty world. Here is a revelation on how to draw near to God. This laver represents the cleansing influence of the word of God on our lives. Heb 10:22 again “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (brazen altar) and our bodies washed with pure water (brazen laver). Our external behavior—our external walk and work (hands and feet) corrected/cleansed by the influence of the Word in our daily lives. Eph 5:25-27 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Hear these words with fresh understanding “26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word...”
So if we would draw near to God, we must approach His Word continually. We must apply that word to areas of our lives that need cleansing. Ps 24:3-6 “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face.”
How do we draw near to God? We go through the
III. Holy Place on our way to the Holy of Holies
There is instruction for us Christians in the Holy Place. Once we get in here the metal is gold not brass. There are three articles of furniture there:
(1) The Golden Lampstand (Menorah) was the only source of light. As we draw near to God we walk in the light that He gives us. We are no longer children of darkness. We are no longer of the night. We are no longer groping around in unbelief. Paul wrote to the Christians as Thessalonica (5:5-8) “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
(2) The Table of Showbread had 12 loaves of bread each representing a tribe of Israel. The priests only ate the bread in the Holy Place. The showbread was also called “bread of the presence” because it was always eaten in the presence of the Lord. We understand some of the meaning of this table because of the communion in our services. Here our fellowship with Christ brings nourishment to our souls. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger....” Here we are fellowshipping with the Lord and with one another. 1 John 1:3 “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
How does the Table of Showbread instruct us about drawing near to God? We’ve got to maintain a wholesome fellowship with the Lord and with His people—all of them—all 12 tribes. The twelve loaves represents all of God’s people. So I want to draw near to God. Ok, get the relationships right. Forgive perceived offenses—turn it loose, turn it loose, turn it loose. Get rid of the albatross of unforgiveness. Learn to fellowship with God’s people—even those you don’t agree with. What would keep us from doing that? Pride more than anything else—especially spiritual pride will isolate you from the Body of Christ. Do not be deceived into thinking you can draw closer to God by disconnecting with His people. Just the opposite is true. Before you get to the Holy of Holies you must walk through the Holy Place where the Table of Showbread stands.
(3) The Golden Altar of Incense was also in the Holy Place. The incense was to be left burning continually night and day as a sweet aroma to the Lord. Rev 8:3-4 “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” What does this Golden Altar of Incense represent? It represents prayer which is offered to God. Prayer is an essential element of drawing near to God. If we neglect we will not live in the presence of God. “My house,” God says, “shall be called a house of prayer.”
So, what do the articles of furniture in the Holy Place teach us about drawing near to God. The Golden Lampstand teaches us to walk in the light. The Table of Showbread teaches us to live in fellowship with Christ and His people. The Golden Altar of Incense teaches us to be a people of prayer.
Conclusion
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”—will we?
(1) Enter thru One Gate?
(2) Come by Way of Cross (Brazen Altar)?
(3) Allow Word to Cleanse Daily (Brazen Laver)?
(4) Be Empowered in Holy Place?
> Golden Lampstand (illuminated)
> Table of Showbread (word)
> Altar of Incense (prayer)
(5) Enter Presence in Holy of Holies?
Pray
For FOOTNOTES/SOURCES go to www.GatewayNixa.org
Richard Tow
Gateway Foursquare Church
Nixa, Missouri
