THE TABERNACLE
A SERIES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT
MESSAGE
Exodus 25:1-9
As we look into the Old Testament, we see a time when God had delivered his people out of Egyptian bondage. He had a great plan for these people, which included the ability to commune with them. He wanted to develop a life of personal fellowship with each of them, and become their personal God. So he created the tabernacle. But as we study this, we find that it was much more than a sanctuary with a few fancy items, but was in fact a spiritual layout of the New Testament Christ. Consequently, every part of the tabernacle, and every article in it points to Christ in some way. This tabernacle was most important for Israel: It was a sanctuary where God would dwell among them. Here now is a redeemed people united to God in holy bonds of covenant relationship-Jehovah, the God of Israel, and Israel, the people of Jehovah.
READ TEXT
One time God called for Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu to come to Mt. Sinai. As they approached the mountain, He called for Moses and Joshua to come to the top. There was the massive, awesome presence of God. It was so great, there natural appearance was altered. (the reason Moses and Joshua were called to the top was because of God’s plan of leadership). As they were there, God gave them the layout for the tabernacle. So, they came down and shared with the others the plan, and they announced this great undertaking to the Israelites. So the people began to gather in the necessary goods, most of which was items taken from the Egyptians during the exodus. So the tabernacle began to be built. Every little thing about it had great meaning, from the materials used to the color. God was in fact giving a hidden word of prophecy about the coming of the messiah, his only son.
MESSAGE ONE: The Outer Walls
The outer walls, or barriers, of the tabernacle was made of curtains made of fine twined linens. These linens themselves represented Christ’s perfect manhood. There were 3 main colors used on the inner-part of the curtain.
BLUE:HIS HEAVENLY CHARACTER
PURPLE:HIS ROYAL DIGNITY
SCARLET:HIS HUMAN SUFFERINGS ON THE CROSS
As we see this, we know Jesus was truly the son of God. But, on the outside of the fine linens, was 3 layers of blankets. (1)Goat’s hair, (2)Ram skin, (3)Badger skin.
What does this represent? Even though his was all God in his heart, soul, and mind, He was all flesh on the outside of this royalty. The 3 types of skins were all made of animals that were unclean. This represents the flesh, which is obviously unclean.
No matter how much of the son of God he was, Jesus had a continuous battle with the flesh. EXAMPLES
(1)Luke 4, while being led of the spirit into the wilderness, his battle w/ Satan
(2)In the garden praying before his death
(3)When he saw the money changers in the temple
In order to truly be effective as the sacrifice for mankind, he had to feel the nature of man. That is why God chose for him to be in carnal form. The Bible even says that we have never been tempted with anything Christ hasn’t already. That is how he knows the way of escape from every temptation, because he has already been through it. But even though he came in the flesh, he still overcame it. Romans 8:3-4
It makes no difference how spiritual we become in this life, we will still be in the flesh. Many people deceive themselves into thinking that if they do this or that, they won’t ever have to worry about life’s temptations. But the truth is it will always be there. But it is up to us to overcome them. And the only way to do that is have what he had on the inside:
(1) A HEAVENLY CHARACTER
-be ye holy, for I am holy
-let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
(2)ROYAL DIGNITY
-For ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye might shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
(3)HUMAN SUFFERINGS
-they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony
-we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wikedness in high places.
WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, AND LET IT SHINE THROUGH THE FLESH, YOU WILL BE AN OVERCOMER!!!
