AUGUST 22, 2010 --- Today’s Scripture: Exodus 25; Hebrews 9-10

OVERVIEW

Exodus 25 – Instructions on building the tabernacle and some of the

furniture

Exodus 26 – More instructions on tabernacle construction

Exodus 27 – Instructions on building the bronze altar and tabernacle

enclosure Exodus 28 – Instructions on the priestly garments

Background –

o Israel is camping at Mt. Sinai

o Moses goes up on the mountain for 40 days.

o He receives instructions directly from God on the building of the tabernacle.

A brief lesson on the tabernacle:

A portable sanctuary

God promised to meet with Israel there.

45 feet long, 15 ft. wide, and 15 ft. high.

Two rooms – The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place [30 by 15 ft.] or “the

Holy of Holies” [which was a cube of 15 feet.]

Around the tabernacle was a court 150 ft. long and 75 ft. wide.

With a curtain wall of 4 ½ ft. high

The articles of the tabernacle:

The bronze altar:

o 7 ½ ft. by 4 ½ ft.

o To burn offerings to God.

The bronze laver:

o In the outer court between the altar and the tabernacle.

o The high priest had to wash his hands and feet before entering the tabernacle or before

offering a sacrifice.

The table of showbread:

o 3 ft by 1 ½ ft.

o 12 loaves of bread according to the 12 tribes of Israe.

The golden lampstand:

o Light for the Holy Place.

The altar of incense:

o 3 ft. tall and 1 ½ ft. square.

o The priest would burn incense here every morning and evening.

The Ark of the Covenant:

o 3 3/4 ft. but 2 ¼ feet.

o Inside the Ark:

The ten commandments

Aaron’s rod that budded

The golden pot containing manna

Better things:

o A better sanctuary (Heb. 9:11, 23-24)

Hebrews 9:11 (NIV) 11

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he

went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a

part of this creation.

Hebrews 9:23-24 (NIV) 23

It was necessary, then, for the copies [ὑπόδειγμα -“example, imitation”]

of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices [animal sacrifices], but the heavenly

things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24

For Christ did not enter a man-made

sanctuary that was only a copy [ἀντίτυπος – “antitype or type, a copy corresponding to”] of the

true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

The tabernacle was impressive, but it’s not the real thing.

The earthly tabernacle is also considered to be a representation of Jesus and His work.

o Tearing of the veil to the Holy of Holies at the death of Jesus.--> A clue that the

tabernacle [and later the temple] was connected to Jesus.

o The bronze altar – the sacrifice of Jesus

o The bronze laver – the cleansing by Jesus.

o The table of the showbread – Jesus as the bread of life.

o The lampstand – Jesus as the light of the world.

o The altar of incense – The prayers of Jesus as our intercessor

o The Ark of the Covenant – God’s presence that can only be entered by blood.

I was challenged once again to see Jesus on every page of Scripture.

o A better sacrifice [of the new covenant]– Three characteristics:

1. Only one sacrifice necessary (Heb. 9:25-28)

Hebrews 9:25-28 (NIV) 25

Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the

high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26

Then Christ

would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared

once for all at the end of the ages [The final era of the cross and the end of the old covenant.] to

do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to

face judgment, [Dying once is the general rule for humanity with rare exceptions (i.e. Lazarus).

This is the same with Jesus.] 28

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;

and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting

for him. [By Jesus’ death, we no longer have judgment to look forward to but salvation.]

As believers, we may not expect Jesus to be sacrificed again, but don’t we sometimes expect

ourselves to make sacrifices?

o Too secure our salvation.

I know. I’ve done this.

Trying to perform good works to add to Jesus’ work on the cross.

Quote: Author Harry Blamires once wrote, “In the Christian life,

nothing, nothing at all, can be purchased at the do-it-yourself shop.”

2. Not to remind us of our sin, but to remove it (Heb. 10:3, 9-10)

Hebrews 10:3 (NIV) 3But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins [The O.T. animal

sacrifices, when done in faith, were but a shadow of Jesus and a temporary covering] , 4because it

is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:9-10 (NIV) 9

Then he[Jesus] said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets

aside the first [the O.T. animal sacrifices] to establish the second [The sacrifice of Jesus]. 10

And by

that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I find myself continually reminding myself of my sins, even after I confess them.

3. Making us perfect forever (Heb. 10:11-14)

Hebrews 10:11-14 (NIV) 11

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties;

again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12

But when this

priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God [The O.T.

priests were forbidden to sit in the tabernacle. Sitting is symbolic for a finished work. Therefore,

Jesus’ sitting is a mark that His sacrifice is complete]. 13

Since that time he waits for his enemies to

be made his footstool,[Satan and His fallen angels will be completely vanquished in the future] 14

because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy[pratical

holiness or the process of transformation].

You and I are already perfect forever.

o Note: He HAS MADE perfect forever – It has already occurred.

At the point of salvation.

o This is a treasure that cannot be taken away.

Forever is forever!

Which statement best describes you in your relationship with God?

I don’t know if I have a relationship.

I’m very uncertain about how He feels about me.

I’m trying really hard to gain His favor, but I’m not certain what He wants me to do.

Most of the time, I’m confident that God loves me.

In Christ, I always have full assurance of an unbreakable relationship with Him.

If you know Jesus as your savior, the last statement is the truth God wants you to embrace.

Ask God to daily reveal His grace to you as you seek nothing less than full assurance of

faith.

“Father God, I am overwhelmed that I am totally accepted in Christ. I praise You that I stand

before You perfect in Him. Please raise my confidence in the beautiful finished work of Jesus

on the cross. Help me to reject the misbelief that You are condemning me, but rather, to see

myself in Christ with Your righteousness forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

For further study - A more detailed copy of this sermon, the “Expedition A.B.F.” notes, and maps/charts/photos can

be found at www.thebibleexpedition.wordpress.com

(Posted by 4 P.M. today)

THIS WEEK’S STUDY: EXODUS 29-32

Life Application

This Week’s Prayer