The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Hebrews 9-13
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Hebrews 9-13
Tabernacle is a word that means dwelling place. It was a portable tentlike structure that traveled with Israel in the wilderness and was eventually replaced by Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. It was the place where God’s presence dwelt among his people. It consisted of three areas: the outer court, the holy place, and a small chamber called the most holy place. The priests came and went continually from the holy place, but only the high priest could enter the most holy place, and only on one day a year, the day of atonement. On that day, he offered a blood sacrifice for his own sins and for the sins of the people. The sacrifice had to be made over and over, year after year, because it was not a perfect or final sacrifice. All this was a shadow of the reality of Christ. Christ is high priest, tabernacle, and sacrifice all in one. Christ did not offer sacrifices for his own sins; he was sinless. Christ’s sacrifice was made just once, and it will not be repeated because it was perfect and complete. John wrote that Jesus, the cosmos creator, took on human flesh and dwelt among us. Dwelt is literally pitched his tent or tabernacled among us. The continuity of the Old and New Covenant is remarkable but not surprising, since it is all the brilliant work of God. Our faith is not wishful thinking for the weak who can’t handle life as it is. Our faith is founded on the facts of history and is strong, robust stuff for people who face all of history and reality as it actually is. Faith is the reality of what we hope for; it is the proof of the unseen. Everyone lives by faith; most live by faith in their own faith. The atheist has faith in the unprovable, and improbable to the point of impossible, belief that there is no god. The person who believes their own custom-made worldview believes what they want to be true, not what is actually true. This is truly wishful thinking or just plain old self-delusion. Our faith is grounded in the reality of God and his eternal plan revealed in history. The impact of our faith on our lives is real and powerful. We are able to lay aside the sin that trips us up and run with real endurance this life of purpose laid before us. As others look around at their trials and troubles and lose hope, we look to Jesus and find his joy.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Persian believers-that they would have boldness, courage, and protection as they face family, workplace, and government pressure.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.