Lesson Three

God Tabernacling in Us

 

I.                   Jesus – God Dwelling with us.

Matthew 1:23

 

Prior to the coming of Jesus, God did not dwell with man. To come near the presence of God, one would have to go to Jerusalem. In the Temple, man could come to God and the High Priest, once a year, man could come into the manifested presence of God.

 

The word Emmanuel means “ God with us.” The title applied to the Messiah, born of the virgin, Matthew 1:23, Is. 7:14, because Jesus was God united with man, and showed that God was dwelling with man.

 

Jesus was bringing a new dynamic between God and man. Before, God was a far off and was difficult to reach. Now, God was dwelling (making his abode) with man.

 

II.                God’s New Temple

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the Temple that leads to the most Holy place was torn in half. God was no longer living in the Temple made of stone, but in a Temple made of flesh. WE HAVE BECOME THE DWELING PLACE OF GOD.

 

III.             When God Moves In, HE Gives Guidance

 

A.     Romans 8:14 – Those that are God’s are led by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

B.     Gal. 5:25 – Paul encouraged believers to live (make our abode with the Holy Spirit) allow Him to lead, guide and control our daily walk.

C.     Jesus In Action

(1)   John 5:19 – As the Father told Him things to say, He would say them. As he shown him things to do, He would do them.

(2)   John 6:38 – Jesus came not to do His will, but the will of the Father.

 

D.     Proof of His tabernacling in man – Fruit.

Gal 5:22-25

 

            I believe Paul wanted the believers to make a conscious effort in walking in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We were created to commune with Him, have fellowship with Him and enjoy His presence.

 

IV.              Fellowship With God

1 John 1:3

 

Our fellowship is with God the Father and Jesus His Son. The Greek word here is koinonia (koy-nohn-ee’ah), which means, fellowship, communion, community, intimacy. God has come to walk in intimacy with us, to be in community with Him. We must change our mindset to allow Him in all the time.

 

 

 

Assignment:

 

Spend some time thinking out communion with God. From your heart, share what this means to you in a single paragraph.