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Christmas' Giver

December 21, 2014 Preacher: Scott Hollingshead Series: Joyful Generosity

Topic: Holiday Messages Scripture: John 1:14

BIG IDEA: Christmas starts with the greatest giver, God. And God gives us the greatest gift imaginable at Christmas: the gift of His glory amongst His people in Jesus.

1. God’s glory in the tabernacle

But Exodus 29 gives us a glimpse of its significance:

-It’s a place of fellowship with God

-It's a place of place of God’s revelation-

-it’s a place of sanctification

-It's a a place of propitiation

-It's a place of worship

And that’s how it went for 450 years…until...

2. God’s glory in the temple

1 Kings 8:10-11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Yahweh was declaring that He will no longer dwell in the tabernacle, but He will be with His people in the temple- an even greater place of dwelling for the glory of God…Until…

3. God’s glory departed

Ezekiel 11:22 says Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east of the city.

This was the last time the glory of Yahweh dwelt among his people…Until…

4. God’s glory returns in Jesus

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we have seen his glory.

The next time the glory of Yahweh is seen, it comes to some lowly shepherds in Luke 2:9. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

John 1:18 says no one has seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he had made him known. Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. He is literally the explanation of the Father, the visible exhibition of the invisible God.

Faith to Life: Here’s what John wants us to see:

-Just as the glory of God appeared in the tabernacle, so now the fullest expression of God’s glory is in Jesus.

-Just as seekers of God went to the tabernacle, so now everyone who seeks God must go to Jesus.

-Just as the tabernacle was the place where God came down to fellowship with his people, so now Jesus is where God comes down and provides intimate fellowship with His people.

-Just as the tabernacle was the place where God spoke to His people (revelation), so in these last days God has spoken to us perfectly, finally, and sufficiently in Jesus.

-Just as the tabernacle was the place of sanctification, so Jesus is where God’s people are made holy by His Holy Spirit.

-Just as the tabernacle was the place of propitiation, so now Jesus is where atonement is made for sin and where the wrath of God is diverted from you onto Him.

-Just as the tabernacle was the place of worship, so now the hour is where when true worshipers will worship God in and through Jesus.

More in Joyful Generosity

December 24, 2014

Christmas' Gift

December 14, 2014

Joy In Our World

December 7, 2014

Spread the Cheer