God's Desire to Fellowship with His People
In his message, Ernie emphasizes God's deep desire to dwell among His people, as illustrated through various scriptures. He begins with Exodus 25, where God instructs Moses to build a sanctuary for Him, highlighting that God wants to be present with His people. Ernie points out that God's desire is not self-centered but stems from His longing for fellowship with humanity. He references Psalm 132, where God chooses Zion as His dwelling place, and Genesis 3, where God seeks Adam and Eve in the garden, demonstrating His desire for relationship. Ernie also discusses the significance of the torn veil in Matthew 27, symbolizing God's desire to be among His people without barriers. He stresses that the church should be a dwelling place for God, not merely a venue for personal needs. To facilitate God's presence, believers must approach Him with reverence, be cleansed, and come prepared. Ernie concludes by urging the congregation to recognize the importance of providing God with a space to dwell among them, echoing David's commitment to finding a dwelling place for the Lord.
Outline of Main Points
- God's desire to dwell among His people (Exodus 25)
- God's choice of Zion as His habitation (Psalm 132)
- God's pursuit of relationship with humanity (Genesis 3)
- The significance of the torn veil (Matthew 27)
- The church as a dwelling place for God
- Requirements for facilitating God's presence:
- Reverence for God
- Being cleansed and clothed in righteousness
- Coming prepared for worship
- Encouragement to provide God a space to dwell among His people
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, 4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, 5 And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, 6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, 7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
