Sermon: Build This House of God
Bible Passage: Exodus 25:1-8
I. Introductory Remarks:
II. Exodus 25:8 “Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them”
1. After letting them experience His goodness, God gave them a chance to reciprocate in a tangible manner
2. After becoming God’s people from Egyptian slavery, this is the first thing they would do something for God
3. God did not force it on people, but it was going to be purely a voluntary initiative
a. God did His part; now, it is the people’s turn!
b. God instructed that they will make His sanctuary out of their “freewill giving”
c. God suggested that they give (Exod 25:1-8)
i. Gold, silver, bronze,
ii. Blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goat’s hair, ram skins dyed red, fine leather, acacia wood
iii. Oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for fragrant incense, onyx stones, and other gems
d. The contributions God suggested were expensive and valuable in nature
i. Generally, people keep these items for themselves!
ii. What God wants for His dwelling is not leftovers!
e. These people were in the wilderness, were not awfully rich; still God made these suggestions–one’s investment points to one’s belief
4. I will dwell among them
a. It’s a promise
b. God loved these people so much that He wanted to make Himself available to them!
c. But they need to play a role!
III. The people of Israel responded to God’s desire generously (35:20-21)
1. Whose heart stirred him to action and whose spirit was willing
2. “Men and women alike!”
3. The people of Israel gave so abundantly and generously that Moses commanded not to give any more for the building of the sanctuary (36:6-7)
4. Now, the materials were more than enough for them to do all the work
IV. The result was that the LORD came down in glory (shekinah) to dwell in the sanctuary (40:33b-38)
V. Observations
1. Everyone had a role to play in the construction of the Tabernacle—no one was a bystander
2. Moses gave leadership the project, people gave materially, and skilled workers worked on the materials given
3. Building God’s dwelling was a teamwork
4. The Tabernacle pointed to the presence of God, stability, protection, and guidance to the people of God
5. The health and wellbeing of the people was based on the centrality of the presence of God
VI. Hebrews 3:6 “We are his house”; Heb 3:4 “God is the builder”; Heb 3:5 “Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house”
1. The constituent members of God’s members must play their role
2. They must not become apathetic towards their new state
3. If they are truly the house of God, they cannot be apathetic towards the concerns of the house
4. If they are truly the house of God, they will take care of the matters
5. If the people of Israel provided for the sanctuary with precious things, we, the followers of Jesus, need to build and serve God with more precious ones than the people of Israel
6. For various reasons, the constituent members can become apathetic (which the author is addressing in 3:1-14)
7. Their true identity should drive them to fully functioning members of the household
a. They are members of God’s “house” and “partakers of Christ” (3:14)
b. They are Christ’s “brothers and sisters” (1:11) and “children” (1:13),
c. The “seed of Abraham” (2:16) who have a “great high priest over the household of God” (4:14; cf. 8:1)
VII. Observations:
1. We, Crossroad Church, are God’s house; God is building it
2. You and I need to participate/cooperate with God in His efforts
3. There is no bystander in this household of God—apathetically non-participant
4. It’s a hard work, but the reward is greater than our hard work
a. In the OT, God dwelt among them
b. Now, God is already dwelling among us even as the house is being built
Take Away:
Make a reasonable effort to reciprocate God’s goodness to you by enthusiastically participating in the stewardships of this local church