How the tabernacle pictures Jesus Christ our salvation

Hebrews 8:1-2 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 aminister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

Introduction: Quick purpose of the Book of Hebrews

When you read through the book of Hebrews, the whole point is to show how Jesus Christ is "great than" or "better than" or "superior" to any other would-be person or plan of salvation.  In fact in nearly fifteen instances do we find Jesus Christ being shown superior to the angels, Moses, Abraham and Joshua, as well as the Jewish temple and sacrificial system.  Why the comparisons? Because the readers of the Book of Hebrews had been converted to Christ out of Jewish background.  An aggressive group of people promoting a form of salvation by works through adherence to the old Jewish system were pressuring these new Christians turn their back on Jesus.  You pick up the sense from reading the Book of Hebrews the similar problem Paul had to deal with in the Book of Galatians concerning the Judiaizers, who claimed that salvation came through Christ plus circumcision.  

Despite such pressures, the inspired text of Hebrews urges these new Christians to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of their faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2) By using the tool of comparison, the writer of the Book of Hebrews shows that the Old Testament Judaism was never designed to provide salvation, but rather communicate the promise of salvation which was none other than the Person of Jesus Christ.    

How the tabernacle pictures Jesus, salvation's great act, accomplishment and actor. 
The Book of Hebrews can be divided into three main sections: Hebrews 1-7; 8-12 and a final set of instructions in chapter 13.  For our interests in today's post, we want to consider particularly Hebrews 8,9 & 10 for the sake of considering how God uses the Old Testament tabernacle system as a comparative picture of salvation's great act, accomplishment and actor - Jesus Christ.  To have a map by which to navigate our way through this study of Hebrews 8,9,10, we will first of all briefly look at the tabernacle itself to understand why the writer of Hebrews would employ it as a comparison to Jesus Christ.  Then we will offer a brief outline of Hebrews 8-10 to zero-in on this fruitful and enriching section of God's word. 

Defining the tabernacle and how it can points us to the Person and work of Jesus Christ
Exodus 25:8-9 has God giving Moses these instructions - "Exodus 25:8-9 8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the  tabernacle and the pattern of all its  furnishings, just so you shall make it."   (Also compare Ex 29:44-46 & 40:36-38)  God wanted to have a place whereby He could dwell with His people, as depicted in the following figure:


  God the Father saved His people out of the world of sin in Egypt through the splitting of the Red Sea. (Exodus 1-18) He then revealed Himself to them on top of Mount Sinai through the Law to show them that they could not save themselves and that only by grace alone though faith in His promises made to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could save them. (Exodus 19-20) To reinforce the grace alone, faith alone message of salvation, God revealed the tabernacle in Exodus 25-40.  God did not want to be apart from His people on top of a mountain, but desired deeply to in the midst of His people in a mobile worship center. The word "tabernacle" comes from a Latin term tabernaculuum meaning "meeting place", which explains the purpose of this worship center in the lives of ancient Israel.   

We can note the following characteristics of this tabernacle:

1. It’s materials were designed  to reveal certain characteristics  of the Lord to His people (Exodus 25:8-9)

2. It reminded the people that the Lord was the one who rescued them from their

 enslavement in Egypt (Exodus 29:44-46)

3. It’s ministry reminds the people of their need for representation before a Holy God (Exodus 29:44)

4. It’s mobility indicated that God was their King who both led the people (Exodus 40:36-38)

Just as the Person of the Father chose to tabernacle Himself with His people in a mobile tent, God the Son chose to tabernacle Himself in a tent of flesh.  John 1:14 states - "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt (quite literally "tabernacled") among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Hebrews 8-10 uses the tabernacle to picture Jesus Christ our salvation
When you turn to Hebrews 8-10, Hebrews 8 functions to summarize the previous seven chapters of Hebrews and to introduce the next section of Hebrews 8-10.  We can discern the following outline of how the writer uses the tabernacle to picture Jesus Christ our salvation:

1. How the tabernacle pictures Jesus' act of salvation. Hebrews 9:1-11

2. How the tabernacle pictures Jesus' accomplishment of salvation. Hebrews 9:11-28

3. How the tabernacle pictures Jesus, the actor of salvation. Hebrews 10:1-25

More tomorrow....

Four Foundations for Godly Living

Romans 16:25-27 "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen."

Introducing four foundations for Godly living

As you study Psalms 109-111 and Romans 16 together, you discover four foundations for Godly living: 

1. God's Sovereign Goodness

2. God's Inerrant Word

3. Blood Redemption 

4. The Spirit-led heart.  

Foundation #1 God's Sovereign Goodness

On the first read through of Psalm 109 and 110, it may appear that both are opposite, since the Psalmist is being oppressed by his enemies in 109 and seeing prophetic fulfillment in 110.  However upon closer inspection you discover God's Sovereign Goodness as preserving the writer in 109 and being the source of Psalm 110.  In fact it is in Psalm 111 that you see such goodness praised, as well as see His Sovereign Goodness  closing out Romans 16.  

Foundation #2: God's Inerrant Word

By beginning with God's Sovereign Goodness as the first foundation for Godly living, we move onto the second: God's inerrant Word.  When we speak of inerrancy, we are simply saying that every word that is in the Bible is true, accurate and without any mixture of error. Psalm 109-111 all make direct or indirect references to God's covenant to David in 2 Samuel 7:8-16.  The Loving kindness of God shown in that passage sustains the Psalmist in 109, enables the Psalmist to the see Christ reigning in 110 and causes him to praise God in Psalm 111.  God's inerrant Word is the source of the Gospel of salvation spoken of by Paul's able scribe Tertius in Romans 16:25.  

If the Bible were not the inerrant Word of God, we could not trust it to relay accurately the Sovereign goodness of God, His dealings with men like David nor trust that the Gospel woven throughout its pages was of saving value.  Christian growth requires an inerrant Bible revealed from the Sovereignly Good God revealed in its pages.  

Foundation #3 Blood Redemption

The third foundation, blood redemption, is looked forward to Psalms 109-111 and spoken of in Romans 16.  Psalm 111:8 for example reminds us of God sending His redemption and Romans 16:25-26 states that the Gospel would not be possible without God having sent His Son.  Hebrews 12:2-3 underscores the priority of Christ's accomplished work for the Godly life: "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  So in seeing those three foundations for Godly living: God's Sovereign goodness, inerrant word and Blood redemption, lets look at the final foundation: Spirit-led heart.  

Foundation #4 Spirit-led heart

The Spirit-led or Spirit-filled life is what gives the basis for Christian experience following salvation.  The Holy Spirit is the One who led the Psalmist to write what He wrote under the unique grace of Divine inspiration.  The Holy Spirit enables the saints of God to have glowing testimonies like the ones mentioned in Romans 16.  You and I today enjoy the Spirit's ministry of illumination as He leads us into the scriptures and His ministry of sanctification that cleanses us to make us more like Jesus.  By the Spirit's leading we are becoming in experience whom God has declared us to be in position: children of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:16-17)  Let these four foundations be ones upon which you live for Jesus Christ to the glory of God.  

P2 Book of 2 Peter - Exhortations to grow in God's Grace

2 Peter 3:18 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of ourLord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Review from yesterday
2 Peter explains Christian growth in grace and provides exhortations (strong encouragements) to continue in such. As we saw yesterday, much of what Peter explains about such growth is found in 2 Peter 1:1-3:13.  In today's post we will conclude this brief overview of 2 Peter by noting the exhortations or strong encouragements to grow in grace from 2 Peter 3:14-18.

You may notice a repeated pattern
In 2 Peter 3:14-18 we see Peter summarizing everything that he wrote in 2 Peter 1:1-3:13.  The same three points that were used to explain growth in grace are now points of exhortation in 3:14-18.  Please note how Peter lays these out:

1. Exhortation #1 - Diligently live in God's grace. 2 Peter 3:14-16

2. Exhortation #2 - Defend against the enemies of grace. 2 Peter 3:17

3. Exhortation #3 - Determine to know the Lord of grace. 2 Peter 3:18

These exhortations are identical to the three-fold explanation we saw yesterday.  Why are we repeating them again? Because that is exactly how Peter reinforces his main point of urging believers to grow in the grace of God.  Consider the verses in 2 Peter 1 and 3 that Peter issues reminders to his readers:

1. 2 Peter 1:12-13 "Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder."

2. 2 Peter 1:15 "And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind."

3. 2 Peter 3:1-2 "This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles."

On top of pointing people to the writings of the Apostle Paul and the rest of the scriptures, Peter is wanting to reinforce the need to grow in grace.  If you and I ever expect growth in grace to be of chief priority, it must make the necessary journey from the head to the heart.  2 Peter is a wonderful book of the Bible that both explains (2 Peter 1:1-3:13) and exhorts (2 Peter 3:14-18) us on the importance of growing in God's grace.

P1 Book of 2 Peter - Explaining growth in grace

2 Peter 3:18 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Introduction: The need to grow in grace
In the Apostle Peter's first letter or epistle, the chief concern is to explain what it means to stand firm in God's living grace.  As you turn to the even shorter Epistle or letter of 2 Peter, the focus becomes on explaining the need to grow in such grace.  2 Peter 3:18 is being identified as the key verse to the letter, since Peter is summarizing  everything he wrote at the end, much like he did in his first letter.  Years ago commentator Richard De Haan wrote these words concerning the message of 2 Peter: "He challenged them to develop the Christian graces of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). God had done His part in providing His people with full salvation; now they were to do their part by working it out through the development of these graces."1
I would only add to DeHann's observation that the Christian who is working out their salvation is doing so in concert with the Spirit's continuing work in their lives of making them more like Jesus. (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13)

2 Peter is all about explaining to the Christian how to grow in grace and providing exhortations (strong encouragements) to continue in such. In today's post we aim to give you the reader and outline of 2 Peter that will serve to explain what it means to grow in grace.  Much of what Peter explains about such is growth is found in 2 Peter 1:1-3:13.  In tomorrow's post we will conclude this brief overview of 2 Peter by noting the exhortations or strong encouragements to grow in grace from 2 Peter 3:14-18. 

Explaining what it means to grow in grace
2 Peter 1:1-3:13
So what does it mean to grow in the grace of God? Three main points appear to explain what Peter is writing about when it comes to this subject of growing in God's grace.

Diligently live in God's Grace. 2 Peter 1
As you consider 2 Peter 1, we find the word "diligence" mentioned three times in 2 Peter 1:5,10 & 15.  Exercising due diligence is the necessary attitude for growing in the grace of God.  In this first chapter we could unfold the a,b,c's of what it means to be diligently living in the grace of God.
1. Add to your faith.             2 Peter 1:1-9

2. Base your 
confidence in God's 
calling and election.             2 Peter 1:10-15

3. Consider the Scriptures.  2 Peter 1:16-21 

So in order to grow in the grace of God, we need to be diligently living in such grace.  But notice a second idea that Peter uses to explain this important notion of growing in grace, namely....

Defend against the enemies of grace. 
2 Peter 2
2 Peter 1 is all about mounting up an effective offensive, whereas 2 Peter 2 is all about effectively defending your growth and grace against certain enemies.  What are those enemies? Peter lists at least three such enemies here in 2 Peter 2:

a. False teachers.        2 Peter 2:1-3
b. Demonic realm.        2 Peter 2:4
c. The world.                2 Peter 2:5-11
d. False doctrine.         2 Peter 2:12-22

Unless you and I defend what ground we gain in our activity of growing in grace, we stand to lose much ground.  So Peter explains what it means to grow in grace by telling us to be diligent, and to defend, but notice the third idea: Determination.  What must the Christian be determined about as they set out to grow in grace?

Determine to know the Lord of grace. 
2 Peter 3:1-13
In these verses of 2 Peter 3 we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in two chief ways.  First I determine to know Him as the Savior in 2 Peter 3:1-9.  Secondly, Peter writes that Jesus Christ is also to be known as the coming King in 2 Peter 3:10-13.  The first coming assumes a second coming, and the second coming of Jesus Christ is made possible because of what He achieved in His first coming.  Thus you and I believer, if we are to grow in grace, must determine to know the Lord of grace.  

More tomorrow.....
Endnotes:
1. Richard De Haan. Studies in 2 Peter. Victory Books. 1977. Page 135. 

Jesus the bread of life

John 6:32-35 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

Introduction
Jesus had just finished performing his greatest mass miracle - the feeding of the 5,000.  John 6 begins with Jesus followed by the masses and at the end of the same chapter, Jesus is left with his handful of true disciples.  In John's Gospel we see a total of seven "I am" statements that give a glimpse into Jesus Christ's Divine identity and saving mission.  In today's post we want to walk our way through John 6 to explain Jesus' self identification as the "bread from heaven".  This explanation will serve to show how Jesus' self-identification lends meaning to the celebration of the Lord's supper as centering on Jesus Christ - the bread of life. 

Jesus alone as the bread of life satisfies
John 6:35
In John 6:32-34 Jesus makes some initial statements that compares the "bread from heaven" to the ancient manna that poured down on the Israelites wandering through the desert in Exodus and Numbers.  After doing so, Jesus then says in John 6:35 "....I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."  The point of the comparison is to show that Jesus alone can satisfy the famished soul.  Just as physical bread (ancient or modern) functions as a staple of physical life, Jesus Christ alone is the basis for salvation and the spiritual life.  The crowds following Jesus were looking to the law and Jewish traditions to satisfy them, which is why they kept making recourse to the days of Moses.  Yet as Jesus tries to explain, both the law and Jewish traditions were insufficient to meet the spiritual needs of the people.  Jesus Christ alone as the bread of life is sufficient.  But notice a second truth about Jesus identity as the bread of life....

Jesus alone as the bread of life saves.  
John 6:51
After the crowds begin to grumble among themselves about the meaning of Jesus' words, Jesus explains more clearly about how useless their man-made traditions are to save them.  In John 6:51 Jesus makes this statement:  "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread,he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”  Jesus' claim as the bread of life pushes the envelope further in the minds of His listeners.  Its one thing to say that He is more than enough, however to says He is the source of salvation or "eternal life" is to equate Himself to being God Himself. (compare Isaiah 43:10-11)  The phrase "eternal life" is used elsewhere in John to describe salvation from God's wrath on sin. (John 3:16)  Positively speaking, the gift of eternal life also refers to the actual knowledge of God the Father that is obtained whenever anyone trusts in Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) As mentioned before, physical bread is the most basic staple of physical life.  In times of extreme famine, whenever all other foods are gone or consumed, the one food that is viewed as most fundamental is bread. (compare 1 Kings 17:8-16)  Jesus Christ as the bread of life saves every believer from judgment and the penalty of their sins. (John 3:16-21; Romans 5:8-10)  So Jesus Christ as the bread of life is sufficient, saves and thirdly sustains.

Jesus alone as the bread of life sustains.
John 6:53-56
Jesus makes this startling statement in John 6:53-56 "So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."  In essence, Jesus is saying that as the bread of life, anyone who takes Him in by faith is sustained and nourished.  What happens whenever you and I eat any food? That food becomes part of us.  Jesus is speaking of His role in the Christian life following regeneration and conversion in faith and repentance.  At salvation Christ is revealed to me as all sufficient and saving.  In the remainder of the Christian walk (sanctification), Christ is progressively revealed in me as my sustaining hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) 

How Jesus' statements about being the bread from Heaven tie into the celebration of the Lord's supper
The living bread is in me, and I am in Him.  He sustains.  How? By talking to Him in prayer and hearing from Him in the scriptures.  Whenever I partake of the Lord's supper, I am enjoying His presence as the Spirit brings to memory all that is said about His accomplished work on the cross and His continuing work in heaven on my behalf.  This is one reason why Jesus used bread and fruit of the vine to institute the Lord's supper, to symbolically communicate the fact He is present with and in His people by His Spirit whenever they come together to dine at His table.  At the table of the Lord we reaffirm in the partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine that Jesus alone is sufficient, saves and sustains.

Conclusion
So when Jesus identifies Himself as the bread of heaven, what is He meaning?  First, that He alone is sufficient.  Secondly, that He alone can save from wrath on sin all who by grace take Him in by faith.  Then thirdly, Jesus alone sustains the Christian throughout their life and into eternity.  We also saw how these meanings aid us greatly in understanding better the Christian celebration of the Lord's table. May you and I feed on Jesus, the Bread of life. 

P3 Jesus wants a church with a conviction to be overcomer

Revelation 2:25-26 "Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations."

Review
For the past couple of days we have explored Jesus' message to the church at Thyatira.  Why is it important to have Godly convictions as a church? The following convictions from Revelation 2:18-29 have been proposed: 

1. Conviction to grow in Christ Rev 2:18-19
2. Conviction about Godly tolerance           Revelation 2:20-24
3. Conviction to be overcomers.  Rev 2:25-29

We looked at the first two convictions, and in today's post we will consider the third conviction that Jesus wants for His church: namely the conviction to be overcomers.

Jesus wants his church to have the conviction to be overcomers
The theme of "overcoming" is one of the major themes you will find throughout the Apostle John's writings:

1. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

2. 1 John 5:4-5 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

The word translated "overcome" is the same word from whence we get brand name "Nike".  To wear "Nike" shoes literally means to where the shoes of victory.  Jesus is saying to this church at Thyatira that for those who hold fast, hold on and hold dear to Him, the reality of reigning with Jesus will be theirs.  They have had to overcome the pressure of their culture and they needed to overcome the godless influences operating in the church.  Think of those three terms: hold fast, hold on and hold dear as three essential ingredients to what it means to have a conviction of being an overcomer in the faith.

First ingredient to being an overcomer - "Hold Fast"

To "hold fast" in Revelation 2:25 means to cling to whatever ground you have gained thus far in your Christian walk.  Just as it was in the days of Elijah and wicked queen Jezebel, there were 7,000 that had not bowed the knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18) In that little church at Thyatira, not everyone had bowed the knee so-to-speak to the false prophetess Jezebel.  Jesus encourages these people to "hold fast" to what they have.

Second ingredient to being an overcomer - "hold on"

To "hold on" refers to continuing in the process of gaining more ground in your Christian walk.  A conviction of being an overcomer not only means "holding the line", but also looking for more opportunities to serve the Master - Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly this second element of being an overcomer is spelled out most clearly in Revelation 2:26.  

As you and I aim to gain more ground for Jesus' sake, we will understand better our destiny as co-heirs with Him.  For now the child of God is a co-heir with Jesus Christ by position. (Ephesians 2:6-8)  However when Jesus comes back, that position will become fact.  By quoting Psalm 2, Jesus through John is telling the Christian that His destiny in being the King of the world includes the royal heritage His Father destined for every believer.  So in being overcomers, we hold on, we hold fast and thirdly we need to hold dear.

Third ingredient to being an overcomer - "hold dear"

The idea of "holding dear" is found in Revelation 2:29, wherein we are commanded to take what the Spirit is saying through the scriptures and follow through in obedience.  "Holding dear" something means you and I are to live out the life of an overcomer.  This is what Jesus wants.  He wants us to become more and more in experience whom He has declared us to be in position: more than conquerors in Him who saved us by His grace. (Romans 8:37-39).

Conclusion:
So as we close our time in Jesus letter to the church at Thyatira, we can note the following convictions that He desires for a church at a crossroads:

1. Conviction to grow in Christ Rev 2:18-19
2. Conviction about Godly tolerance           Revelation 2:20-24
3. Conviction to be overcomers.  Rev 2:2