12 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  The Tabernacle

Icebreaker:

1. Have you had a chance to meet a VIP (Very Important Person)? Share a bit about it
2. Prior to meeting this VIP, did you have preparations to do?
3. Did you have a short course how to be prim and proper before the VIP?
4. Was there a change of your behavior and attitude in the presence of the VIP? Why?

Challenge:

1. Why was your body made to be the temple of God?
2. Why does God want to dwell in your body?
3. Will you allow a Holy God to dwell in your body?
4. How do you worship God?

THINK

“All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it. He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul mobile temple (emphasis mine) and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path.” TMK 205.6

Click the link below to see the start of this study.

Do We Need Worship?

Have you heard about the phrase “God in the shoe-box”? It is the treatment we do with God similar to a special pair of shoes for special occasions. Yes, we only pull out God when we need Him. That is how we treat God, we reduce Him into a “shoe in a box”. While others treat God like an ATM machine. Yes, many treat God like an ATM machine. How? We approach God when we need to withdraw blessings. Yet we forgot that God is a holy person. He will not care how you treat him. God accepted you just as you are. He only wanted you to accept His plan of salvation. In this plan of salvation, He wanted us to be perfect as He is perfect. And in reaching perfection we need some exercises to do. It is like, you cannot be healthy if you will not do some regiments like eating nutritious food, proper diet, exercise and more to keep a healthy body and that takes you to having a healthy lifestyle.

Where and when did we made God into a “shoe in the box” or an ATM? Here as it is written, “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.””(Matthew 15:8, NIV)

In Isaiah chapter 1,verses 2-4, God’s problem with Israel seems clear. Through Isaiah, God announces to the heavens that his children have rebelled against him. God complains that while every ox knows his master, “Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” What don’t they understand? “They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.” Where and when did we turned our back from God? Where did I failed God?

The Bible said, I failed in my proper worship of God, How did I worship in vain?

We say in our mind we worship God and that is fine but how about the other department of our life?

Close Every Avenue to the Tempter—”All who name the name of Christ need to watch and pray and guard the avenues of the soul, for Satan is at work to corrupt and destroy if the least advantage is given him. It is not safe for us to linger to contemplate the advantages to be reaped through yielding to Satan’s suggestions. Sin means dishonor and disaster to every soul that indulges in it; but it is blinding and deceiving in its nature, and it will entice us with flattering presentations. If we venture on Satan’s ground, we have no assurance of protection from his power. So far as in us lies, we should close every avenue by which the tempter may find access to us.

Who can know, in the moment of temptation, the terrible consequences which will result from one wrong, hasty step! Our only safety is to be shielded by the grace of God every moment, and not put out our own spiritual eyesight so that we will call evil, good, and good, evil. Without hesitation or argument we must close and guard the avenues of the soul against evil.

Every Christian must stand on guard continually, watching every avenue of the soul where Satan might find access. He must pray for divine help and at the same time resolutely resist every inclination to sin. By courage, by faith, by persevering toil, he can conquer. But let him remember that to gain the victory Christ must abide in him and he in Christ.” (Adventist Home 402-403)

It is very clear that the Old Testament tabernacle has given us clues to identify the areas or department of our life that we need to see if they are in tune with God’s will and principles. And in the New Testament what was remove was the structure and ceremonies of the old tabernacle. Now that old tabernacle is now transformed into a personal mobile – that your body is the dwelling place of God (1 Cor. 3:16-18). Yes, personal and mobile dwelling place of God, yet God’s will and principles never changed (Hebrews 13:8) . You are made as the priest (1 Peter 2:9) of your own body temple. See below the aspects of our life where we put more value than that of God.

Keep the mind from wandering themes. “The apostle [Peter] sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully guarded, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness…”Everything that can be done should be done to place ourselves and our children where we shall not see the iniquity that is practiced in the world. We should carefully guard the sight of our eyes and the hearing of our ears so that these awful things shall not enter our minds.” (Adventist Home 403)

It is a perilous thing to allow an unchristian trait to live in the heart. One cherished sin will, little by little, debase the character, bringing all its nobler powers into subjection to the evil desire. The removal of one safeguard from the conscience, the indulgence of one evil habit, one neglect of the high claims of duty, breaks down the defenses of the soul and opens the way for Satan to come in and lead us astray. The only safe course is to let our prayers go forth daily from a sincere heart, as did David, “Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalm 17:5.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 452.

REVIEW and RECONSIDER

We will let the Bible will speak on how we truly worship God the Father.

We will let the Bible will speak on how we truly worship God the Son, Jesus Christ.

We will let the Bible will speak on how we truly worship in Spirit and Truth

Applied Spirituality

Practical means to offer acceptable worship being a MOBILE temple.

This is the new Mobile Temple (1Cor 3:16), a new creation in Christ, your past is gone (1 Cor 5:17). Go and sin no more, (John 5:11) Renew your mind (Rom 12:2), do the best you can to be perfect (Matt 5:48).

The Word Reincarnate

Insert your name or your appropriate pronoun on the blank and watch how the Word become flesh.

Praise the LORD our God, and worship at his sacred hill! The LORD our God is holy. Psalms 99:9 

But because of your great love ________ can come into your house; __________ can worship in your holy Temple and bow down to you in reverence.  Psalms 5:7 

_________ will go into his tabernacles; _________ will worship at his footstool. Psalms 132:7 

God is spirit, and _________ who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

Moreover also I gave ________ my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and _________, that ____ might know that I am Jehovah that sanctifies them. Ezekiel 20:12

Make the Sabbath a holy day, so that it will be a sign of the covenant we made, and will remind _________ that I am the LORD your God. Ezekiel 20:20   

Let us understand what is it to be in the “Image of God”, so we can fully grasp what the Holy God requires of us.

In summary:

You are declared a Mobile Temple of GOD. “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3~6 NKJV

Thank you for following and patiently going through this study, I hope and pray that you have gained Intrinsic understanding of the worship concept. Applying Intelligent obedience, while having Intimate worship and, Interesting interaction with God. Thus, you showing the fruits of the Spirit through your Inspiring spiritual lifestyle as you fully surrender your life to God the Father in Jesus Christ sake.

11 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  The Ark of the Covenant

Icebreaker:

1. Do you have an existing written or unwritten agreement with your beloved? Share a bit of it
2. Are you comfortable having this agreement?
3. Have you violated an part of the agreement? How many times?
4. How are you reconciled or forgiven after violating your agreement?

Challenge:

1. Fill in the Covenant Form
2. What would your “new covenant” after learning that parts of your body have something to do with proper/correct/true worship?
3. Share a bit of it

Let’s go deeper.

Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah. 1Ch 22:19  

THINK:

How is your prayer life?

1. What are your resolutions about how to have a TRUE WORSHIP for God?

Ex.  If my body is a temple of God, EVERY TIME I PRAY When I go and worship God I must make sure that I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD’S COVENANT

____________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your group collective affirmation about how to truly worship God?

Ex. Every time we worship God we must .

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hands-On Activity

Practical Reverence:

Almighty God had revealed Himself to the Jewish people by His mighty power. Now, He wanted to reveal Himself by speaking to them “face to face” Deuteronomy 5:4.

Isa 1:11  He says, “Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats.

Isa 1:12  Who asked you to bring me all this when you come to worship me? Who asked you to do all this tramping around in my Temple?

Isa 1:13  It’s useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins.

Isa 1:14  I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.

Isa 1:15  “When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood.

Isa 1:16  Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil

Isa 1:17  and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.”

Isa 1:18  The LORD says, “Now, let’s settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

Jer 2:22  Even if you washed with the strongest soap, I would still see the stain of your guilt.

Jer 2:23  How can you say you have not defiled yourself, that you have never worshiped Baal? Look how you sinned in the valley; see what you have done. You are like a wild camel in heat, running around loose,

Jer 2:24  rushing into the desert. When she is in heat, who can control her? No male that wants her has to trouble himself; she is always available in mating season.

Jer 2:25  Israel, don’t wear your feet out, or let your throat become dry from chasing after other gods. But you say, ‘No! I can’t turn back. I have loved foreign gods and will go after them.’ “

Jer 2:26  The LORD says, “Just as a thief is disgraced when caught, so all you people of Israel will be disgraced—your kings and officials, your priests and prophets.

    

Applied Spirituality

Have you any attitude of non-compliance or disrespect, fearless, or disobedience inside you that goes against with the covenant of God whom you worship and pray to?

Practical means to offer acceptable worship being a body temple.

Who do I worship with my spiritual life?

Refer to your response in the worksheet on the ‘Face it’ section.

When do I worship in vain with my mind?

But I did command them to obey me, so that I would be their God and they would be my people. And I told them to live the way I had commanded them,  so that things would go well for them. But they did not obey or pay any attention. Instead, they did whatever their stubborn and evil hearts told them to do, and they became worse instead of better. Jeremiah 7:23 ,24

How do I worship God with my mind?

Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals. Exodus 20:5 

How do I worship Jesus with my mind?

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. John 15:5 

How do I worship in Spirit and in Truth?

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:2 

The Word Reincarnate

Insert your name or your appropriate pronoun on the blank and watch how the Word become flesh.

Happy is _________ and those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89:15 NLT

 for ________  shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Exodus 34:14

So then, because of God’s great mercy to _________ I, Paul appeal to _________: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that ________  should offer.  Rom 12:1

If _________ belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised. Galatians 3:29

And this is what Christ himself promised, to give __________    eternal life. 1John 2:25   

Let us understand the goal the Covenant, so we can fully grasp what the Holy God requires of us.

You may watch this for complete understanding of the Temple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTnq6I3vUbU&t=13s

In summary:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deut. 7:9 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalms 103:17-18

Are you ready to learn more about the Sanctuary and its relevance to our life? See you in the next study.

Click link: https://prepared4life.home.blog/2021/10/29/tabernacle-out-mobile-temple-in-a-complete-sanctuary-overview/

10 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  The Veil

Icebreaker:

1. Share a funny habits
2. Ask others about you funny habit you never noticed
3. Share an annoying habit.
4. What do you plan to do with your annoying if not embarrassing habits?

Challenge:

1. Fill in the Johari’s window (share at your own risk)
2. Share as far as you can dare.
3. See yourself outside yourself.

Let’s go deeper.

Oh that the veil could be parted for a moment, and you could see the interest that all heaven takes in the human race! God and heavenly angels are anxiously waiting to see if we will not cleanse ourselves from all sin. Of the redeemed it is said, the Lamb shall lead them to “living fountains of waters;” and they shall walk in the beams of a sunless day; for Christ is the light of the city of God.  {HS 146.3}

THINK:

How is your prayer life?

1. What are your personal resolutions about “a clean soul” issues as you worship your God?

Ex.  If my body is a temple of God, EVERY TIME I PRAY MY SOUL MUST BE…

____________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your group collective affirmation about “CLEAN SOUL” policy in worshiping God?

Ex. Every time our Family/Group /Church will worship God. We will…

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hands-On Activity

Practical Reverence:

If the veil could be parted, and all could see just how their cases are regarded in heaven, there would be an awakening, and each would with fear inquire, “What shall I do to be saved?”  {GW92 209.2}

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you and heart of flesh. Eze. 36:26.  {AG 100.1}

Temple Veil Renewed Yearly.–At the moment in which Christ died, there were priests ministering in the temple before the veil which separated the holy from the most holy place. Suddenly they felt the earth tremble beneath them, and the veil of the temple, a strong, rich drapery that had been renewed yearly, was rent in twain from top to bottom by the same bloodless hand that wrote the words of doom upon the walls of Belshazzar’s palace (3SP 166, 167).  {1BC 1107.7}

When Christ was crucified, the inner veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, which event signified that the ceremonial system of the sacrificial offerings was at an end forever, that the one great and final sacrifice was made in the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world.  {2SP 123.2}

     When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?–a changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride.  {AG 100.2}

The Temple cleansing then is today inward purity of the mobile temple

In the defilement and cleansing of the temple we have a lesson for this time. The same spirit that existed among the Jews, leading them to substitute gain for godliness, and outward pomp for inward purity, curses the Christian world today. It spreads like a defiling leprosy among the professed worshipers of God. Sacred things are brought down to a level with the vain matters of the world. Vice is mistaken for virtue, and righteousness for crime. Temporal business is mingled with the worship of God. Extortion and wicked speculation are practiced by those who profess to be servants of the Most High. Said the inspired apostle, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” It is necessary that Jesus should occupy his temple in the human heart every day, and cleanse it from the defilement of sin.  {2SP 123.3}

But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the veil separating the visible from the invisible world have been swept back, angels would have been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls, and shielding them from the shafts of Satan. 230 {4SP 229.1}

Applied Spirituality

Godlessness, prayerlesness, sinfulness, lovelesness worldliness all these inside you goes against with the will of God whom you worship ?

Practical means to offer acceptable worship being a body temple.

Who do I worship with my spiritual life?

Refer to your response in the worksheet on the ‘Face it’ section.

When do I worship in vain with spiritual life?

And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. Unfaithful people! Don’t you know that to be the world’s friend means to be God’s enemy? If you want to be the world’s friend, you make yourself God’s enemy. James 4:2-4  

How do I worship God with my spiritual life?

But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. 1John 1:9 

How do I worship Jesus with my spiritual life?

to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel’s. Hebrews 12:24 

How do I worship in Spirit and in Truth?

“Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and  God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Luke 6:37 

The Word Reincarnate

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

________  like sheep has gone astray; ___ has turned… to his/her own way; and God has laid on Jesus the iniquity of  __________. Isaiah 53:6

“Therefore I speak to _________ in parables, because seeing ________ do not see, and hearing _________ do not hear, nor does _________ understand. Matthew 13:13

“But blessed are _______’s eyes for they see, and ________’s ears for they hear; “for assuredly, I say to ________ that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what _________ see, and did not see it, and to hear what _________ hear, and did not hear it.    Matthew 13:16-17

For God has not called ________ to impurity, but to holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Let us understand the goal the New Humanity, so we can fully grasp what the Holy God requires of us.

In summary:

We live in a world where its influence have filled our lives. We have to unlearn many worldly habits and lifestyles. We were all forgiven through the blood of Christ therefore let us strive to live holy.

Are you ready to learn more about the Sanctuary and its relevance to our life? See you in the next study.

9 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  Altar of Incense

Icebreaker:

1. Smell the person next to you
2. How do you classify good smell from bad?
3. Does the smell reflect a person’s personality?

Challenge:

1. What were your unanswered prayers?
2. Why do you think the reason for its delay?
3. Was it a want or a need?
4. If your prayer is granted how will it glorify God’s name?

Let’s go deeper.

The Lord Jesus is waiting to be gracious. O that the work might begin at the heart! “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” [PS. 51:16, 17.] Then let it be understood by all the members of the household that the work must begin at the heart. The heart must be subdued and made contrite through the creating, regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Realizing the aid of this mighty agency, cannot parents work for the conversion of their children with more zeal and love than ever before? —Extract from an article in the Review and Herald, March 14, 1893.

THINK:

How is your prayer life?

1. What are your personal resolutions about “a clean heart” issues as you worship your God?

Ex.  If my body is a temple of God, EVERY TIME I PRAY MY HEART MUST BE…

____________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your group collective affirmation about “CLEAN HEART” policy in worshiping God?

Ex. Every time our Family/Group /Church will worship God. We will…

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hands-On Activity

LEVEL UP YOUR PRAYER Click and follow the link below

THE NEXT LEVEL PRAYER

Practical Reverence:

An Answer to Prayer.–Throughout his married life, Zacharias had prayed for a son. He and his wife were now old, and as yet their prayer had remained unanswered; but he murmured not. God had not forgotten. He had his appointed time for answering this prayer, and when the case seemed hopeless, Zacharias received his answer. . . .  {5BC 1114.4}

     As Zacharias entered the holy place, and performed the required service with solemn reverence, another form appeared, standing between the altar and the table of shewbread. It was Gabriel, the mighty messenger of God . . . [Luke 1:12-17 quoted].  {5BC 1114.5}

     The answer had come. God had not forgotten the prayer of His servants. He had written it in His record book, to be answered in His own good time. Looking at outward appearances, Zacharias and Elisabeth had buried their hopes; but the Lord had not forgotten. He knew of the long years of disappointment, and when His own name could best be glorified, their son was born. How tender, how kind, how full of love and compassion, is the great heart of infinite love. God gave Zacharias as a son no ordinary person, but one who should hold a high place in His work, and from whom the light from heaven should shine in clear, distinct rays (MS 27, 1898).  {5BC 1114.6}

The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God. Before the veil of the most holy place, was an altar of perpetual intercession, before the holy, an altar of continual atonement. By blood and by incense, God was to be approached–symbols pointing to the great Mediator, through whom sinners may approach Jehovah, and through whom alone mercy and salvation can be granted to the repentant, believing soul.

  198 {FLB 197.4} From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out–homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew.  {Adventist Home  37.3}

Applied Spirituality

Have any anxiety, doubt lies, unbelief stubbornness and attitude inside you that goes against with the will of God whom you worship and pray to?

Practical means to offer acceptable worship with our service being a whole body temple.

Who do I worship with my heart?

Refer to your response in the worksheet on the ‘Face it’ section.

When do I worship in vain with the prayers I utter?

“When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Isaiah 1:15  

How do I worship God with the prayer I offer?

Then you will call to me. You will come  and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12.13 

How do I worship Jesus with my prayer?

I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. John 17:21 

How do I worship in Spirit and in Truth?

Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 

The Word Reincarnate

Insert your name or your appropriate pronoun on the blank and watch how the Word become flesh.

Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalms 141:2

“I pray for ______. I do not pray for the world but for ______ whom You have given Me, for ______ is  Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in _______. John 17:9-10

And the Lord said, “_______, ________! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32

Therefore He is also able to save ________________ who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for ____________. Hebrew 7:25

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to ____________ are spirit, and they are life.”  John 6:63

Let us understand The Incense, so we can fully grasp what we need to do before meeting the Holy God.

In summary:

What is do you do when you are with another person whose smell is so pungent? Do you linger loner or do you stay away? When we come to God do we smell good or odorous? Then there is this perfume to cover the unpleasant odor. In spiritual realm our prayer is the perfume and incense, at least the prayer reaches heavens as pleasant smell for God.

Are you ready to learn more about the Sanctuary and its relevance to our life? See you in the next study.

8 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  Seven Candle Stand

Icebreaker:

1. What makes your day?
2. How do you spend your week, month year?
3. What is your basic goals to reach each day?

Challenge:

1. If you have something really good, do you let others know about it or just keep it secret?
2. If you are a “light”, do you shine day and night?
3. If you are a “light”, do you share your light 24/7?
4. What is your best excuse for not “walking” the “walk of Christ”?

Let’s go deeper.

The divine Son of God is seen walking amid the seven golden candlesticks. Jesus Himself supplies the oil to these burning lamps. He it is that kindles the flame. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. No candlestick, no church, shines of itself. From Christ emanates all its light. . . . The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the light thereof.  {FLB 280.3}

How can you who repeat the Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” sit at ease in your homes without helping to carry the torch of truth to others? How can you lift up your hands before God and ask His blessing upon yourselves and your families, when you are doing so little to help others?–Historical Sketches, p. 288.  {ChS 90.3}

THINK:

Are you a walking “light of truth”? Do people in your community know?

1. What are your resolutions about being the “living light” in your worship of God?

Ex. When I go and worship God I must make sure that I lived as a true disciple of Christ 24/7.

____________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your group collective affirmation about being the “golden candle stick” in worshiping God?

Ex. Every time our Family/Group /Church will worship God. We will…

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hands-On Activity

See direction on how to do below.

Practical Reverence:

The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may path. Psalms 119:105.

Unwarranted Excuses      When Jesus went away, He left to every man his work, and “nothing to do” is an unwarrantable excuse. “Nothing to do” is the reason of trial among the brethren; for Satan will fill the minds of idlers with his own plans, and set them to work. . . . “Nothing to do” brings evil testimony against the brethren, and dissension into the church of Christ. Jesus says, “He that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.”–Review and Herald, March 13, 1888.  {ChS 108.1}

You are the light, Christ is the Life

You are not to shut yourselves up to yourselves, and be content because you have been blessed with a knowledge of the truth. Who brought the truth to you? Who showed the light of the Word of God to you? God has not given you His light to be placed under a bushel. I have read of an expedition that was sent out in search of Sir John Franklin. Brave men left their homes, and wandered about in the North Seas, suffering privation, hunger, cold, and distress. And what was it all for?–Merely for the honor of discovering the dead bodies of the explorers, or, if possible, to rescue some of the party from the terrible death that must surely come upon them, unless help should reach them in time. If they could but save one man from perishing, they would count their suffering well paid for. This was done at the sacrifice of all their comfort and happiness.  {ChS 93.1}

     I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places of the earth. God’s word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world.–Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 28, 29.  {ChS 112.2}

The remnant church are called to go through an experience similar to that of the Jews, and the True Witness, who walks up and down in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, has a solemn message to bear to His people. He says, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” The love of God has been waning in the church, and as a result the love of self has sprung up into new activity. With the loss of love for God, there has come the loss of love for the brethren. The church may meet all the description that is given of the Ephesian church, and yet fail in vital godliness..”–Ms. 154, 1897, pp. 3-7. (“God’s Messengers,” undated.)  {5MR 52.2}

Every case is coming in review before God; for he is measuring the temple of God, and the worshipers therein..”  {1888 1116.1}

Applied Spirituality

Were you swallowed by the 7 deadly sins? You are called the “light” and a “walking Gospel, what do you think hinders you in your worship of God? How much have you set aside for yourself and for God? Your body temple does it have “light”? If yes, is it shining 24/7?

Practical means to offer acceptable worship with our service being a whole body temple.

Who do I worship with my life?

Refer to your response in the worksheet on the ‘Face it’ section.

When do I worship in vain with my ‘light’?

I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. All ate the same spiritual bread and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert. Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, 1Corinthians 10:1-6 

How do I worship God with my ‘light’?

Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 

How do I worship Jesus with my ‘light’?

“I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” John 8:12 

How do I worship in Spirit and in Truth?

Make certain, then, that the light in you is not darkness.  Luke 11:35 

The Word Reincarnate

Insert your name or your appropriate pronoun on the blank and watch how the Word become flesh.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. _______ who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

For _________ was once darkness, but now ________ is light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8

Therefore He says: “Awake, _________ who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give ________ light.” Ephesians 5:14

That __________ may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15

“Let ________’s light so shine before men, that they may see _______ ‘s your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

But ________ a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that ________ may proclaim the praises of Him who called h__ out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

But if ________ walks in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses _______ from all sin. 1 John 1:7

“_________ is  the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden  Matthew 5:14

Let us understand The Light of the World, so we can fully grasp what we need to do as we worship the Holy God.

In summary:

Every believer is given 10,080 minutes given per week. you were once in darkness, now you are given the ‘light of Life”. Make sure you always have “Oil”(Holy Spirit) in you. Keep shining to all you meet, and go to dark places that they may have your ‘light’ too.

Are you ready to learn more about the Sanctuary and its relevance to our life? See you in the next study.

7 of 12 Series: Sanctuary Made Simple and Relevant Today

Icon:  Table of Shewbread

Icebreaker:

1. What is your favorite food? Why?
2. What is the best food diet for you? Why?
3. What food do you dream to taste?
4. What food have you eaten that you were not supposed to?

Challenge:

1. What is the connection of the food you eat to honoring God?
2. Why do we have to regulate our diet?
3. What “food” have you been eating that glorifies God?

Let’s go deeper.

Does the food you take help make the presence of Christ more visible? Yes or No, why?

THINK:

Do you eat to satisfy your appetite or do you eat to be healthy?

1. What are your resolutions about “eating the food that signifies God’s presence in your body” before, during or after you worship God?

Ex. When I go and worship God I must make sure that the food and drinks I take affirms the presence of god in me….

____________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your group collective affirmation about worshiping God with regards to food?

Ex. Every time our Family/Group /Church will worship God. We will…

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hands-On Activity

Make a list of foods or dishes or recipes that give you health and respects your Creator God.

Make a list of foods or dishes or recipes that satisfies your appetite but condemns the body to illness.

Practical Reverence:

Upon the table of shewbread were twelve cakes or loaves of unleavened bread, one loaf for each of the twelve tribes. These were placed in two rows or piles with frankincense placed on top of them (Lev. 24:5-8). “On the top of each row there was a golden dish with frankincense, which was burned before the Lord, as a memorial, at the end of the week, when the old loaves were removed and replaced by new ones . . .” Ex. 25:30. Frankincense was considered a valuable spice and was one of the gifts the Magi gave to baby Jesus (Matt. 2:1, 2, 11). It was burnt with many offerings and was one of the ingredients of the incense burnt in the Sanctuary.

Each loaf was made from two tenths deals or ephah of fine flour. This is about 3.6 quarts (4 litres approx.). As these cakes were unleavened and they were to be eaten by the priests a week old, they would have to be very large, flat cakes similar to tortillas etc., not loaves as we commonly think of bread today. “Shew-bread . . . literally, bread of faces; so called, either because they were placed before the presence or face of God in the sanctuary, or because they were made square, as the Jews will have it.” Ex. 25:20. In Numbers 4:7 the shewbread is called “the continual bread” and the NIV translates shewbread as “the bread of the Presence”. The shewbread represents Jesus Christ the “living bread which came down from heaven” and the “bread of life.” (Matt. 6:51; John 6:35.)

The showbread was kept ever before the Lord as a perpetual offering. . . . It was called showbread, or “bread of the presence,” because it was ever before the face of the Lord. It was an acknowledgment of man’s dependence upon God for both temporal and spiritual food, and that it is received only through the mediation of Christ. . . . Both the manna and the showbread pointed to Christ, the living bread, who is ever in the presence of God for us.  {FLB 197.2}

You are the Bread Table, Christ is the Bread

     “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God,” “and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory” (Ex. 29:45, 43), was the assurance given to Moses.  {FLB 192.2}

     In the building of the sanctuary as a dwelling place for God, Moses was directed to make all things according to the pattern of things in the heavens. God called him into the mount, and revealed to him the heavenly things, and in their similitude the tabernacle, with all that pertained to it, was fashioned.  {FLB 192.3}

     But this ideal they were, in themselves, powerless to attain. The revelation at Sinai could only impress them with their need and helplessness. Another lesson the tabernacle, through its service of sacrifice, was to teach--the lesson of pardon of sin, and power through the Saviour for obedience unto life.  {FLB 192.5}

     Through Christ was to be fulfilled the purpose of which the tabernacle was a symbol–that glorious building, its walls of glistening gold reflecting in rainbow hues the curtains in wrought with cherubim, the fragrance of ever-burning incense pervading all, the priests robed in spotless white, and in the deep mystery of the inner place, above the mercy seat, between the figures of the bowed, worshiping angels, the glory of the Holiest. In all, God desired His people to read His purpose for the human soul. It was the same purpose long afterward set forth by the apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit:  {FLB 192.6}

     “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor. 3:16, 17.   193 {The Faith I Live By 192.7}

Applied Spirituality

You are a “special display stand” for a very special Bread only, but do you place inside you other things that goes against with the will of God that youworship?

Practical means to offer acceptable worship with our service being a whole body temple.

Who do I worship with my hands?

Refer to your response in the worksheet on the ‘Face it’ section.

When do I worship in vain with the food I take?

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible.  Malachi 1:7 

How do I worship God with the food I eat?

I But Jesus answered, “The scripture says,  ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 

How do I worship Jesus with my body?

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35  

How do I worship in Spirit and in Truth?

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

The Word Reincarnate

Insert your name or your appropriate pronoun on the blank and watch how the Word become flesh.

Whether, then, ________ eat or drink or whatever _____ do, _____do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

And Jesus said to ________, “I am the bread of life. ________ who comes to Me shall never hunger, and ________ who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If ________ eats of this bread, ________ will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. “John 6:51-58

Let us understand The Bread of Life, so we can fully grasp what we need to do before meeting the Holy God.

In summary:

So many tempting and salivating food out there. Admittedly, too hard to resist even though we know that it is not good for our body, and health. We rationalize, and back it up with biased scientific researches, just to justify our appetite. But, if your body is the temple of God, then you will maintain your temple worthy for the dwelling of the Holy God.

Are you ready to learn more about the Sanctuary and its relevance to our life? See you in the next study.