Transformed By Truth: What Does It Mean To "Tabernacle With God?” Series

Transformed by Truth: What Does It Mean to “Tabernacle with God?”

Introduction

Today, we’re going to explore a topic that speaks to the very heart of our relationship with God—what it means to “tabernacle” with Him. The word “tabernacle” might sound ancient, but its significance is as relevant today as it was in biblical times.

In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people. It was a tent of meeting, a sacred space. But the question for us today is, what does it mean to tabernacle with God? How does that apply to our lives, here and now?

Let’s begin by looking at John 1:14 (NLT):

"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

In the original Greek, the phrase “made his home” literally means “tabernacled” or “dwelt” among us. Jesus came to pitch His tent in the middle of our lives. What an incredible thought—that God, in all His glory, would choose to live among us!

1. God’s Desire to Dwell Among His People

Let’s go back to the Old Testament, to the very first Tabernacle. In Exodus 25:8 (NLT), God says to Moses:

"Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them."

The Hebrew word for “sanctuary” is miqdash, meaning a holy place, and shakan is the verb “to dwell.” God instructed the Israelites to build the Tabernacle because His desire was to be in their midst. He didn’t want to remain distant or far off; He wanted to be present, approachable, and close.

God’s desire hasn’t changed. He still longs to dwell among us. The difference now is that we don’t need a physical tent or temple. Through Jesus, God’s presence is with us every day. Wherever we go, God goes with us. This calls us to live with an awareness of His presence, to carry the Tabernacle within our hearts.

2. Jesus is the Ultimate Fulfillment of the Tabernacle

The Old Testament Tabernacle pointed forward to Jesus. The Tabernacle was the place where sacrifices were made to atone for sin, but it also pointed to a greater sacrifice to come—Jesus, the Lamb of God.

In Hebrews 9:11-12 (NLT), it says:

"So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever."

Jesus is both the High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice. The Tabernacle and its rituals foreshadowed His perfect work. He entered the heavenly Tabernacle and secured our redemption. Now, because of Him, we have direct access to God.

Imagine you are carrying a heavy burden on your back, weighed down by sin and guilt. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to bring their sacrifices to the Tabernacle year after year to temporarily cover their sins. But Jesus, through His perfect sacrifice, removes the burden entirely. We no longer have to carry it, for He has taken it upon Himself.

Because of Jesus, we can now approach God with confidence. We don’t need to fear or hesitate. The veil has been torn, and God invites us to enter His presence boldly. How often do we take advantage of that privilege? Let us daily enter into God’s presence, knowing that we are welcomed because of what Jesus has done.

3. The Holy Spirit Dwelling in Us

When we talk about "tabernacling with God," it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about Jesus being with us in the past—it’s also about the Holy Spirit dwelling in us right now.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT) says:

"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?"

The word used for "temple" in Greek is naos, referring to the innermost sanctuary where God’s presence dwelled. Now, we are that temple. The Holy Spirit resides in each of us, guiding, empowering, and transforming us from within.

This truth is both humbling and empowering. It means that wherever you are, you carry the presence of God with you. When you go to work, when you’re at home, when you’re struggling—God is there, dwelling within you. Let’s live with the awareness that we are vessels of His presence, and let that truth shape our actions, words, and thoughts.

4. The Eternal Promise of Dwelling with God

Finally, let’s look to the future. While God’s presence is with us now, there is also a day coming when we will dwell with Him in a more complete and perfect way.