The presence of God. WBC 15 Aug 2004 am.
Readings: Ex 26:31-35, 1KI 6:14, -19, MK 11:15-17, MT 27:50-51
We go in – we have access
In the OT- God is presented as omnipresent and loving
- but not incredibly accessible
o only to the few. Mainly in a ‘national sense’
= because of His holiness
o High priest could only enter the MHP once a year
After lots of ceremonies, blood
Even then = risky. Vines around ankles
So, someone like David stands out dramatically as ‘ a man after God’s own heart’ as He saw and understood God’s desire to be ‘accessible’.
In the temple there was a 2ft thick curtain separating God’s presence from the Holy Place
- torn in 2. From top to bottom… God to man.
o So that we may go in
“But how big was that gap in the curtain, Daddy?” A little girl asked. “Big enough for anyone and everyone to get through”
We have access to God. The way to Him is open
HEB 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
We have access- to God and to heaven
This has implications for us:
Wherever you are-you have access to heaven…God…Jesus
- whether you feel it or not
Access to the Kingdom of God. God’s reign. His resources.
- Lk 17:21 ‘the kingdom of heaven is in the midst of you… among you”
- Lots in eph 2:18 about us having access… the barrier being destroyed….
o Access to all the blessings of God in heaven described in ch 1 (v3ff “praise be to the God..”
o In fact- though we are down here on earth- we are seen as ‘seated in heavenly places’ (eph 2:6)
That’s the kind of access we have. 100%. There all the time
In fact it- the presence of God is no longer found in temples etc- but He comes to live in US! We are the temples of the HS!
2 cor 6:16For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
We have access to God’s presence, just like Jesus did
- -Spontaneously prays “Father, I thank you that you hear me. You always hear me”
This is so important! Because we must believe God on this…and act as fact
- doubts keep you out (psychologically, not spiritually or actually)
- so many of us are robbed of things because of the lies and doubts sown by the devil (liar and accuser) and others
It has huge implications for others, as well
- it means that wherever we… you go… you take heaven with you
o God’s presence! Seriously!
“there is a place where heaven touches earth- and we are that place” Simon Oliver
You see the fullness of what this means in
- Lk 4: Jesus’ ministry begins and wherever He walks heaven grows. Signs of the kingdom
- And then the 12 and 72 – LK 10:8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, `The kingdom of God is near you.
- Wherever they are there is the presence of God… the Kingdom
It’s the same with you. Workplace, school, play, shopping:
- you take God and heaven with you
o because that is the access in which you now stand (Roms 5:2)
- dramatic? No- NORMAL! And TRUE! (that’s what you must grasp)
Illustr: Me and exorcisms of poltergeist.
I understood this right from the start (maybe better, then!) Ibiza and brothel
Let me build on this, and God’s plan…
God goes out- invading space
Think of the ark of the covenant (a box)…..
.. and the tabernacle ( a rectangular tent)….
…. And the temple (a stone rectangular building)…
= fascinating! Although God is omnipresent and working everywhere
- His revealed presence is ‘constrained’… almost ‘concealed’
The veil was torn in two- and it not only lets us in
- but it lets God out. Into the fullness of His plans
- > and it’s not out into the church (as many understand it)
- (now: don’t get me wrong or misunderstand me- I love the church and so does Jesus)
- but the church can constrain, again
o when it becomes about us, our likes, rituals
But the NT is not about the CHURCH – it’s about the Kingdom
(of which the healthy church is a manifest and magnificent part)
- Illustr: reading a book entitled ‘Invading secular space’. Author realized he’d grown a big church- but so what! He just had people: coming, sitting, listening… from elsewhere
- Realized his aim should not be to build a church, as such, but to equip and energise people for the KOG
(Have to say- I agree. This has been my dawning realization and priority these last few years. CF older folks work)
- the two are not necessarily incompatible
o but seek first the Kingdom (and whatever else is necessary will happen as a bi-product)
So the torn veil let’s God out of the box…. To bring the KOG to others
- cf the cleansing of the temple. Issue is NOT money
o issue is the court of the GENTILES was being used for the exchanging rather than some land ‘off site’
the gentiles and others were being side-lined whereas it should have been a ‘house of prayer for all nations’
- THIS is the fruitfulness Jesus is looking for, here
o = what God intended
SO- God is a space-invader
- = the message of Christmas, the incarnation
- = plan of eternity: “that the earth may be filled with the glory of God”
- that the KOG may come on earth, as in heaven
o and His presence not be limited to a box…race
And you… we are ambassadors of this. His agents.
- because the presence of God is no longer
o in a temple
o ONLY in a church
o = in US. YOU. So wherever we go we take God with us
take the KOH with us. Because we are
the temple… tabernacle… presence of God in clay jars
“we declare that the Kingdom of God is here”
We are to be ‘space invaders’
- not calling people (only) INTO sacred space
- but invading secular space. To GO.
o where God is already. Ahead of us
= prevenial grace
You gotta believe this
We are ambassadors. Envoys. Apostles (sent). Bringers of the Kingdom
So- as heaven is accessible to us….
- make it accessible to others
o by this I don’t mean ‘user friendly’, but that people don’t have to go far geographically, linguistically, culturally
Alpha-for your friends (accessible)
Alpha- for your HG
Our old folks work (it’s accessible to them)
- Take it to others
o “you are the salt of the earth…
o a city on a hill cannot be hidden”
o let God out of the box
FIND ways to invade secular space where you work (it’s all sacred to God… and made sacred by you when you enter)
• Think of yourself as an ambassador and missionary. ‘A missionary is not someone who crosses the sea but sees the cross’ (and the torn veil)
Think outside the box
• Alpha at work?
• Ideas for how we can go to our city June 11/12th?
• Forge relationships with those at work and school gate, residential home- and offer to pray for them
• Believe God is ahead of you
o Illustr: J John and opportunities
• Train, holiday, travel
• See your gift as a ministry and a way to minister as well as, maybe, make money
We go in to the very presence of God, the Most Holy place- But God wants to bust out, through us, and take with us everywhere the fragrance and Kingdom of Jesus.
Sing: the heavens they preach… or ’may the fragrance of Jesus’
Communion:
Take me in to the holy of holies
Going out song:
He is the Lord OR
To God be the glory
