Thank you Rev. Kirk VanOoteghem
Rebuilding the Tabernacle of David (Praise)
Acts 15:13-17
Intro to text:
In the early church there arose a controversy over Circumcision as commanded in the law of Moses. It was decided that all of the Apostles and church leaders would meet in Jerusalem to discuss this matter and come to a consensus on what should be taught. Peter spoke first about all the wonderful things God was doing among the Gentiles. Then Paul and Barnabas gave an account what God was doing in all the many places that they have been. Finally, James (the leader in the church of Jerusalem) takes the floor.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Topic of Sermon: Rebuilding the Tabernacle of David
Numbers 2:1-3
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies:
--The Tabernacle was in the center of the camp -- the church/God needs to be at the center of our life.
--On the east side toward the rising of the sun was the same location as the entrance to the Tabernacle which housed the Ark of the Covenant.
--God wanted the Children of Israel to pass through Judah to get into the Tabernacle.
--He went on to instruct where the other Tribes should be positioned around the tabernacle, but the very first position he commanded was that of the Tribe of Judah.
Why?
--To understand why, we must know what the Tribe of Judah represents to God.
Judah represents praise.
