Introduction: In part one of "Man's Approach To God" we saw the First Step was to enter the "Gates" with "Thanksgiving" and the Outer Court with "Praise". However, we have not entered the place of "Worship" as of yet. The Second item of business was to deal with our sin at the Brazen Altar. There we learned the ugliness of sin, that the wages of sin required the death of a lamb. There must be Godly sorrow and repentance Part Two will deal with the next step on our journey into the presence of God. After the Priest offered the sacrifice for sin at the Brazen Altar, his next stop would be at the "Laver". Here he would wash his hands and feet on the way to the Holy Place. This teached us the process of "Sanctification" or cleansing need in our daily walk.

Today in Part Three we are ready to move even closer to God's presence as we enter the "Holy Place." As we enter this is the place we begin to be "partakers" of God's blessings. Up till now we have been preparing ourselves to receive what God has for us.

(1) Here Is What We See Looking At The Tabernacle Housing The Holy Place. ( Exodus. 26:14 )

(A) Ram skins dyed "red" covered with Badger skins: ( Heb. Tachash: a clean animal, a species of antelope )

(B) "Dyed Red" (Heb. Aw-dam or Adam: to show blood )

(C) On the "outside" the tent was not a thing of beauty. Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

(2) Here Is What You Would See After You Enter ! ( Breathtaking And Unbelievable )

(A) THE WALLS: Made with cedar overlaidd with Gold, THE CEILING: Made of tapestry of Blue, Purple, and Scarlet. Cunning work with faces of Angels in the tapestry.

(B) LOOK TO THE LEFT: A solid Gold "Candleobra" with Seven flickering flames.

(C) LOOK TO THE RIGHT: A Table made of Accasia wood overlaid with pure Gold with "fresh bread." made with fine flour and oil. (Table of Shewbread )

(D) LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD: A small "Altar" of Accasia wood overlaid with pure Gold containing "Incense" Spices

(E) STRAIGHT AHEAD: A "Vail" or curtain of Blue, Purple, and Scarlet of four Pillars of Shittim wood overlaid with Gold. Cheribums engraved win the tapestry.

(F) BEHIND THE VAIL: The "Ark of the Covenant" where the Presence of God dwelled.

Overtaken by the "Sight" of Gold, Colors, Fire, Cheribums, the "Smell" of fresh Bread and Burning Spices. ( You were ready for a meal with God !) ( COME AND DINE )

Worship should be an "Experience" Alive with "Anticipation" of His Presence! Worship should be an "Experience" of "Dining with God"

(3) Many Never Go This Far, To really Experience What God Has Waiting For Them.

(A) THE INQUIRY STAGE: Psalms 27:4-5 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

(B) David shows us two levels of "spiritual life". (Beholding the Beauty---- Inquiring ) The "Inquiry" Stage: (Why me God, When will you move for me, Who, What, When, Where) When trouble comes, church is a good place to be. But if that's the only reason, you will drop out when the days are good again.

(C) There is another level: Experiencing the "Beauty" of the Holy Place ! STORY: How the Church is not appealing from the outside as a sinner. (Passed and wonder why people waste a good day in Church) But once you experience God, they don't want to leave, come early and stay late.

(4) Take A Look At The inside Of The Holy Place.

* The Candlestick or Lampstand: Pure Gold, "One Candlestick" with three branches coming out of both sides. Made like an Almond Tree ( Bud, Blossom, Fruit ) A picture of the Church with Christ at the Center, We are the Branches *** The Candlestick represents the ministry of the Holy Ghost in the Church.

(A) The Bowls: Are in the shape of the Almond (Fruit) They were "Continually Filled" with "Fresh Oil" and burned always, never going out.

NOTE: Out of the "Fruit" came the "Fire" (No Bowls, No Fruit, No Fire) Our lives are to be shaped like "Fruit". (Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Meekness, Faithfulness, Temperance.)

GOD WANTS TO POUR IN THE "OIL" OF THE SPIRIT AND LIGHT MY FIRE

** Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND "FRUIT" COMES FIRST, THEN "FIRE"

Story: Jesus cursing the fig tree, (People are looking for "Fruit" not "Leaves")

(B) How does the Gold get in the "Shape" of the "Fruit" Bowl ? (BEATEN)

** Jesus took 12 men, rough and raw, put them in the fire, in and out, in and out, AFTER Jesus finished 3 1/2 years of molding, he set His Branches in the Upper Room, Lit their Fire ( It was a sound from Heaven, and a fire from Heaven, not their own !)

(5) The Table of Shewbread, The Ministry of The Word. (For Feeding)

(A) The Spirit and Word is Balanced In The Holy Place. NOTE: All other pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle are in a straight line from East to West. (Gate, Brazen Altar, Laver, Golden Altar, Vail, Ark of Covenant) BUT the Candlestick is set on Left, Table on Right.

** Pentecostal People: Look at the Candlestick and the Fire and say "Thats Where His Presence"

** Others; Shun the Fire and turn only to the "Bread" ( BALANCED CHURCHES SEE BOTH)

(B) There was to always be "Fresh Bread" on the Table (Ex. 25:30)

(C) There were to be 12 Loaves, Representing bread for ALL (Lev. 24:5)

(D) It was the Lord's Table ! (No Names Attached) (No Special Bread) ( You haven't arrived, Highest Praise, Holy laughter, Seed Faith)

There is a time in approaching God for "Breaking of Bread", Jesus rises from Word, Speaks!

We need to linger at the Lord's Table, NOT become "Fast Food Christians"

(E) Don't leave Bread in the Pews: Gather all you can, mark your Bibles, Take it out, SHARE

NOTE: Church people get "Empty" NOT from the lack of bread, but because of "wasting" the bread. If you want a "Full Basket" start "Breaking" it and Giving it away !

(6) The Altar of Incense, Represents Our Ministry "To" God ! (Worship) in front of Vail

(A) The focus here is NOT what We get ! But what we "Give" unto the Lord.

(B) The Incense was "Offered" Twice each day. Morning and Evening ! ( Night Worship too)

Story: The Priest go out in the Morning to Brazen Altar, gather coals from the Sacrifice that burned all night, and light the "Incense" with that fire. ONLY FIRE ALLOWED (Nadab and Abihu offered "strange fire" died)

What is lacking in Worship Today ? Fire from the Sacrifice !

(C) There is Singing, Celebration, manifestations of "A" Spirit (Man's) False Prophecies, BUT no mention of "Sacrifice" !

(D) We are seeing an "Emphasis" on Manifestations without a "Change" of Character, Lifestyle

If there seems to be Fire in the Candlestick, see if it is burning from the "Fruit"

Worship Is: Mary and her Spicknard of Oil: John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. (Worship) THE HOLY PLACE SHOULD BE AN EXPERIENCE !

 

 

Go To Part 4