The Lamp Stand: The Church

The Lamp Stand: The Church Exodus 25.31-40 We are seeing the beginning of the building plans for the Tabernacle. This was the earliest form of organized worship of the LORD. The second was the Church as we will see this morning. The Lamp Stand was to remind the priests that Israel was to be a light to the world. God was shining His light through them. There would be a place for prayer for all the nations called The Court of the Gentiles. When the Temple was built this was the place to meet with God, Jew and Gentile. This was to be made precisely to the specifications God gave Moses. The Church is shown to be the Lamp Stand in Revelation 1.20 …the seven lampstands are the seven churches. This is NOT a denomination. This is not an association. This is definitely not a Headquarters or Satellites. It is not a fixed system of theology, beyond what we all agree on. It is not church government. These are individual churches, as in the Book of Revelation with an Angel, Messenger or Pastor. This is the Body of Christ Matthew 5.14 You are the light of the world Ephesians 5.8 Live as children of the Light Philippians 2.15 Shine like stars in the universe I John 1 Walk in the Light So what are the specifications for the Church? Jesus addresses the ills in the messages letters to the 7 churches There were issues of forsaking their first love, persecution, idolatry, tolerating false teachers, spiritual death, little strength, and dependence upon riches. Molly Kathleen Mine, Cripple Creek Colorado, 1000 feet down One of our relatives, a Lawrence, died out there, digging for gold! On When the Lampstands shine bright… All of these would be light in the dark world: * First, Jesus said He would build it. Built with Light Bright Illumination Build= erect a building, restore a building Equip= set broken bones, mend ripped nets He is speaking of a spiritual building Psalm 104.2 The LORD wraps Himself in light as with a garment; Jesus is His own witness. * Second, the Holy Spirit brings people in. They come in when they are born of the Spirit. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6.44 How is the Lamp Stand powered? By olive oil, symbol of the Holy Spirit Zechariah 4.6 Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the LORD. They would come to the Light. Let your light shine! * Third, There are activities of the Church: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Spiritual Activities No mention of board meetings or committees No mention of offerings or worship music. No mention of age group ministry Spiritual Building not physical Devoted To * The Word of God Lights are going on all time as we read, study and meditate upon the Word Growing in understanding as the lights go off in our minds! When we walk with the LORD’s, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! There is a glory, an illumination as we read the Word. Luke 24. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Psalm 119.105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a Light for my path. * Fellowship There is something different about fellowship with the Church. It is fellowship of light. You will not hear foul language here. You will not hear dirty jokes. You will have understanding given and received. You will be blessed by it You will be strengthened by it. You will help others in it. I saw it last Sunday when we took the LORD’s Supper together. If Jesus is present then we will exclaim, “God is with us.” Emmanuel * Eating Together and Taking the LORD’s Supper This too is a time of joyful illumination. This is a time of Spiritual Nourishment Good Digestion Lights should go on as we take it. As we get nearer to Heaven this makes it clearer. * Prayer You leave these prayer meetings with brightness and glory. Shekeniah Glory Light comes to people from prayer meetings when their prayers are answered. We are leaving to be lights. Shine brightly. If you follow Jesus you will.