HOLY GROUND
The Tabernacle was a place of beauty, the colors, the décor. The Tabernacle ran lengthwise east to west. Entering into the seven foot high walls the first item was the Altar of Burnt Offering. The Bronze Laver was just before the tent inside of the walls. There the priest washed to be clean before he entered the Holy Place. The Golden Lampstand was located on the south inside wall across to the north wall was the Table of Showbread. The Altar of Incense was just before the opening to the Holiest of Holies. Inside was the Ark of the Covenant. This is where the priest poured the blood on the altar as a sin offering.
Celestial: Holy, Heavenly Terrestrial: Earth, ground Telestial: Common Lowest form.
The following colors and décor of the Tabernacle all had meaning given by our God.
Gold = the soul, deity
Silver = the body, redemption
Bronze = Judgement
Copper = the voice
Purple = the flesh , royalty
Blue = the heaven
Red = the blood, sacrifice
Ram skins dyed red = the skin of the face
Fine linen = purity
Goats skin = Cursed sin offering
Rams skin dyed red = substitutionary sacrifice
Badger skins = outward appearance unattractive
Acacia Wood = incorruptible humanity
Oil = the Spirit anointing
Spices and Oil = sweet smelling savor to God
Nearly all of these we find in the final sacrifice... Jesus on the cross.
The tabernacle was a beautiful place, it was a place to be honored and God glorified.
It was a place of seriousness, where business was done for God, or better yet where the business of God was done.
The priests were commanded to keep it Holy, Pure, and Beautiful.
Kind of puts our churches to shame today. Oh sure there are some very beautiful sanctuaries but how Holy and Pure are they?
Our church, the sanctuary is a place of Holy Ground,
The Altar is Holy Ground
It is a place where God dwells and meets people
The Tabernacle, (Our Sanctuary today)
It is to be EXALTED
It is to be EXPOSED Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. We have access to God most high.
It Is a place of EXAMINATION
How did God feel about Holy Ground?
Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
How many times had Moses walked on this very ground? How many times with his shoes on?
Joshua 5:15
And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Taking the shoes off is a shift of power and authority. It is relinquishing authority to the one who spoke it. Moses therefore as well as Joshua surrendered the authority to God.
As I brought this message I had an orange plant to represent fire setting off to the side. I slipped my shoes off showing I was also relinquishing to the authority of God.
That is what we are to do in our everyday lives as Christians, leave the authority with God the Father.
OUR HOLY GROUND
This Sanctuary, the music, the décor, the ALTAR.
Here you may find the Altar to be a place of
REDEMPTION
HOLINES
RIGHTEOUSNESS
PEACE
MERCY
GRACE
This is Holy Ground
Where is your Holy Ground?
Do you have a place in your home that you meet with God?
IS YOUR HEART HOLY GROUND FOR GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS SERIOUS CHURCH
Our Sanctuary is a type of Tabernacle. As we walk into those doors we need to be prepared to meet God. The big difference is there are no walls, no curtains denying our access to the Holiest of Holies. The Altar is prepared, it is ready for you.
Our Altar should be surrounded every Sunday morning with people pouring their hearts out to God. Weeping if we must, there is no embarrassment when we are among God’s people.
We have a direct access to the throne of God. No Tabernacle with skins surrounding the Holy place. No priest to carry our sin burden to God, we have the access, the power to speak with God one on one.
