October 13, 2019
It’s week six of Exodus at Park Church. The book of Exodus is about God’s mission to redeem a people for His Kingdom in the world. We’re in Part Two of this series, and you can listen to sermons from Exodus Part One starting here.
Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday, Instructions for the Tabernacle:
1. Read through our text, Exodus 25:1–27:21; Exodus 30:1–31:11.
After the covenant ceremony in chapter 24, The Lord gives Israel seven chapters of detailed instructions for building the tabernacle. The tabernacle is essentially a portable temple, and a temple represents the sacred space where God’s presence dwells among His people—it is a place where heaven and earth meet. For Israel’s journey through the wilderness, the mobility of this sacred space is significant because it shows that God will be with them throughout their complicated journey.
Detailed instructions are given for the measurements and materials of the tabernacle. The instructions designate three different areas. First there was an outer courtyard around the tabernacle. Then the tabernacle itself would be divided into two rooms by a pair of large curtains. The first room was called the Holy Place which housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. Through the curtains was the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant sat as the footstool of God’s heavenly throne.
The dimensions, materials, furnishings, and decor of the temple symbolically point to the Garden of Eden, the prototypical paradise where God dwelt among His people (see Genesis 2:9; 3:8). This tabernacle represents a new—though incomplete—place of God’s presence with His people. Even in its incompleteness, the tabernacle points forward to the time when the God Himself would come and make His home among us in order to redeem humanity, and lead His people to the joy of the new creation. In the new creation, heaven and earth will be one, God will dwell with His people in paradise, and the glory of the Lord will fill the earth like the waters cover the sea.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 27:1, 4, Welcome (From Immanuel Nashville):
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors
with a welcome from Jesus Christ,
the Ally of His enemies, the Defender of the guilty,
the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners,
Welcome!
Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson, John Wyeth arr. Charlie Hall)
Build My Life (Barrett, Kable, Martin, Redman, Younker)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Book Of Common Prayer:
Almighty God,
to You all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from You no secrets are hid.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love You
and worthily magnify Your holy name,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Based on Revelation 5:5; 9–10:
Do not weep!
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
With His blood He has purchased people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
He has made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.
Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson, Ben Shive arr. Shane & Shane) / O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Sampson, Hastings, Ussher, Equipo de Traducción de Hillsong)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE
Walk Among Us (Joel Limpic)
COMMUNION
Holy Spirit (Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt arr. Jesus Culture) / Not In A Hurry (Michael Ketterer, Will Reagan)
Establish The Work Of Our Hands (Cunningham, Keyes, McCracken, Palmer, Vice, Wardell, Zach)