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 Sermon > Official Service |
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Title |
2008 Prayer Title(3) - Sanctuary |
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Speaker |
Rev. Jaerock Lee |
Bible |
Exodus36:2-7,1 1Chronicles22:1-5 |
Date |
2008-01-06 |
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Passage
Exodus 36: 2-7, 1Chronicles 22: 1-5
Exodus 36: 2-7
"Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. [3] They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. [4] And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, [5] and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform." [6] So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. [7] For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it."
1Chronicles 22: 1-5
"Then David said, "This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." [2] So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God. [3] David prepared large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed; [4] and timbers of cedar logs beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David. [5] David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it." So David made ample preparations before his death."
Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This service is offered to God the Father as the first Sunday Morning Service of the year 2008.
Let us give all thanks and glory to God the Father who will give us blessed rest in the Lord in this new year..
In 2008, I hope you will obey the word of God and live in the light. Then, God the Father will also protect you for the whole year unchangingly with His blazing eyes.
He will answer to your heart's desires and let you have so many testimonies in body and spirit.
In this new year, as usual, God has given us four prayer titles for the whole church.
These prayer titles are also important for you personally.
To the extent that you pray for these and accomplish them, you will receive many spiritual and material blessings.
It's because you will be able to ride on the flow of spirit together that God is unfolding in our church.
So, your soul will prosper, and you will also participate in the fulfillment of the providence of God at the end time.
Through this, you will enjoy greater glory and rewards in heavenly kingdom later. That is why I explain each of the four prayer titles one by one in the beginning of the year.
About the 'End Time', the first prayer title, I explained to you in the New Year's service.
And in the Friday all-night service, I told you about the 'Prepared One'.
At this time, I will explain about the third title 'Sanctuary', and in the evening service the fourth title, 'Power'.
I hope you will keep these four messages in your mind and pray for them diligently for the whole year.
By doing so, I pray in the name of the Lord that, you will experience God's great grace and blessings.
Body
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the third prayer title is 'Sanctuary'.
Here, the 'sanctuary' refers to the Grand Sanctuary that was given to us as a vision at the beginning period of our church. Most of you members know very well about the Grand Sanctuary now.
I explained about the meanings and shapes of the Grand Sanctuary in detail for many years. God let us pray for them in detail, remembering those messages.
In this year as well, God has given us the prayer title about the Grand Sanctuary. It's because the construction of the Grand Sanctuary is a very important part in the ministry of our church.
At this time, first of all, let us briefly review the meaning of the Grand Sanctuary.
Then, we will see how we have to prepare for the Grand Sanctuary, once again.
Brothers and sisters, a sanctuary has a special meaning, and it cannot be compared with any other building of this world.
Psalm 11:4 says, "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men."
A sanctuary is a building in this physical world, but it's a place specially set apart by God who is spirit.
He consecrates it as His and He puts His name in it.
He puts His sight and heart in the sanctuary, and He comforts those who come to the sanctuary.
Also, in the sanctuary, God's word is preached. Through this word, souls are saved and their faith grows up.
Sanctuary is a place where God's glory dwells and it's a spiritual place giving life to many souls.
And especially, the meaning of Grand Sanctuary is yet deeper than other ordinary sanctuaries.
It's not just one of the so many sanctuaries in this world. It will be built for special providence of God. Let us briefly review two main points of God's providence. First, it is a monument that reveals in this physical space the glory of God who is in spiritual space.
It is the best sanctuary ever in human history to reveal God's glory and dignity.
From the basement to the cross tower is 70 meters, and the diameter is 600 meters. It's a really big building.
God also told us in detail about the structure and decorations. They are the most beautiful things.
Just by seeing the outward appearance of this grand and beautiful sanctuary, people will feel the glory and dignity of God.
Of course, there are many brilliant sanctuary buildings in this world. But what God wants is not just outwardly splendid sanctuary building.
There must be the works of the living God inside the sanctuary. He wants a sanctuary where the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning 24 hours a day and the works of life are evident. The Grand Sanctuary will not just be magnificent on the outside. The works that take place inside will also be amazing.
The word of life that revives souls and the fiery works of the power of God will continually take place.
Since the opening of this church until now, our members have been experiencing the works of God's power that have been getting greater and greater.
And how much greater the powerful works will be by the time we construct the Grand Sanctuary?
Habakkuk 2:20 says, "But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." As said, the whole earth will see the glory of God through the Grand Sanctuary.
It will be an ark of salvation where kings of the nations come with longing hearts for God.
Second, the Grand Sanctuary is a symbol that commemorates the victory of God in human cultivation. The reason why God created human beings and is cultivating them is to gain true children. These are the people who love God with true hearts and perfect faith and can share their hearts with God.
And in the process of cultivating human beings, God has had much mourning. He had to give over even His one and only Son to the cross to save sinners.
Even though He gave His one and only Son, some people still do not believe, but they rather stand against God. Even after experiencing God's grace, they leave God and go the way of death.
On the one hand, He had to suffer from these sorrowful situations, but on the other hand, He also has joyful things. Many souls are coming forth to the way of salvation. Among them are true children who really understand God's heart.
Because God wants this kind of child, He has been cultivating human beings bearing with all kinds of pains.
And when the Grand Sanctuary is built, God can be comforted for all the pains that He has gone through. Why is it?
The fact that the Grand Sanctuary is built means that the purpose of human cultivation is fulfilled. It means there came forth His true children of faith who were proper to build Grand Sanctuary.
The Grand Sanctuary cannot be built by just anybody. It cannot be built just because one has money, authority, or the technology to construct it.
Only those who resemble the heart of God and are sanctified are qualified to build the Grand Sanctuary.
Only when there are many men of spirit, can the Grand Sanctuary be constructed through their hands.
And when this Grand Sanctuary is finally completed, how joyful our God will be! So, He will be comforted for the so much mourning He will have had for such a long time.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, then, how will you fulfill this precious duty to build the Grand Sanctuary? The first qualification that you must have to build the Grand Sanctuary is your sanctification. It's not that we will dig the ground and set the bricks to build the sanctuary.
Even the great amount of money needed for the construction will be supplied by kings of the nations and many other believers around the world.
Then, how can the construction of the sanctuary be our reward, since it will be built by the money from kings of the nations?
It's because the foundation of the Grand Sanctuary will be our faith and fervor.
As mentioned earlier, the Grand Sanctuary cannot be built just with money or technology.
Even though somebody longs for it so much, it cannot be built just by that longing, either.
To be able to fulfill the glorious duty of construction of the Grand Sanctuary, one has to be qualified. That is why God let us go through many kinds of spiritual trainings until now.
He has taught us the truth with so many messages. He has let us have spiritual faith by showing us amazing works of God's power.
At the right time God has given us chances to make decisions, and through the many trials, He has refined us to let us come out as pure gold.
Through revival meetings and pastors' conferences every year, He has let us have greater and greater faith.
Also, through pastors' conferences for a couple of years, He sealed some of the pastors.
During that time, many people held on to God to become true servants and workers of God.
Not only at that time, but also there were many times of God's grace including the 1,000th worship service and the repentance service.
He has let us always be awake and long for sanctification to lay the foundation of the Grand Sanctuary.
Brothers and sisters, now, the actual entity of the Canaan Sanctuary, which is our sixth sanctuary, is being revealed. As the name suggests, Canaan Sanctuary is the land of blessings and rest for us.
God is preparing blessings that cannot be compared to the ones before.
But whether or not to receive true rest and blessings all depends on your heart. You have to accomplish sanctification of heart and make a proper vessel to receive blessings.
What did God command them when the people of Israel were going into the land of Canaan?
Joshua 3:5 says, "Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
God commanded them sanctification and circumcision.
It's the same for us today. He wants of us both the circumcision of heart and sanctification. That is why at the end of this past year, God gave us new organization for the church.
Seeing this flow of the church, I believe you thoroughly felt the importance of sanctification.
I believe it was another chance for you to check yourself once again and have determination.
But God does not want anybody to be disheartened or neglected.
He just wants to give you a chance to realize yourself and to lead you to spirit more quickly.
Also, through this reform, we have to realize what kind of meaning God has for the construction of Canaan Sanctuary. Canaan Sanctuary is the beginning of the Grand Sanctuary.
You should not think that a lot of time remains for you to be sanctified, just because the construction of the Grand Sanctuary has not started yet.
Once God explained that Canaan Sanctuary is one of the small sanctuaries belonging to the Grand Sanctuary. We are actually doing a practice exercise of building the Grand Sanctuary, through this construction of Canaan Sanctuary.
Actually, we are learning the methodology physically and spiritually to build the Grand Sanctuary. It's just that the size is smaller than the Grand Sanctuary.
At this point, those who are receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit must have different longing for sanctification.
They must have earnest hope thinking, "I want to go into Canaan Sanctuary without any blemish or spot, in a form of complete spirit."
As the number of those who follow this kind of guidance and are sanctified is filled up, the Canaan Sanctuary will be completed, and along with this, the foundation of the Grand Sanctuary will be accomplished.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in order for you to fulfill the duty of building the Grand Sanctuary, secondly, you have to fill the aroma with your longing.
In today's passage reading Exodus 36:2-7, we see how the Israelites prepared for the tabernacle of the LORD God. At that time, they were not even settled down in one place, living a comfortable life.
They were in the wilderness, not having any house or land. They could not even gather much money by farming or merchandising.
Still, the people longed for the tabernacle of God and gave what they had with their best. every morning they prepared materials to build the tabernacle and brought them.
Finally, Moses had to tell the people not to bring any more materials.
Also, in 1 Chronicles 22:1-5, we can see how King David prepared for the construction of the Temple. He could not build it himself, but he prepared things so that his son Solomon could build it.
He prepared iron, bronze, and timbers of cedar logs beyond number to be used for the construction. We have to prepare with this kind of heart as well.
I am not saying you have to prepare the finances for the construction. You have to prepare the spiritual materials.
Of course, when we give to God offerings with longing heart, God receives it with joy. But the more important is the aroma of heart.
The reason why God let us give the Canaan Sanctuary offerings at the first moment of the year was to accept the aroma of our hearts.
The offerings given to God with longing aroma of the members will be the seed of faith building the Canaan Sanctuary.
Also, through this, God gave us greater blessings to the members and the greater longing for the construction of the sanctuary.
Until we complete the construction of Canaan Sanctuary, the most important thing is the aroma of our heart. What is very important especially is fervent prayer.
We have to pile up aroma of prayer endlessly with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Though not visible, this aroma of prayer is truly the real material for the construction of the Grand Sanctuary.
God said that the Grand Sanctuary would be built through the power of the shepherd. But it cannot be made just with the power of God through the shepherd.
Until the conditions are met according to the justice of God, we have to store up prayers.
God has been giving us the prayer title of the 'Grand Sanctuary' since 1999. It means we need prayer so much.
It is not prayer done just as a habit or just with lips. It has to be deep aroma coming from our whole heart and longing.
Only that kind of aroma can please God, and it will become a power in fulfilling the great duty of Grand Sanctuary.
According to the longing and earnest heart, the aroma of your prayers will all become your rewards.
Since the moment God gave us the vision of Grand Sanctuary, my fervor and longing have never cooled down until now.
I have always had this fervor to build the Grand Sanctuary. For the fulfillment of this duty, whenever we moved the church building, I prayed with all my life. I also sowed seed of faith with all my energy.
In longing for the Canaan Sanctuary, I prepared the offering with all my strength for 7 years.
How much did I cry to God the Father with what kind of longing and fervor, preparing for that offering?
I prayed with so many tears, with so much waiting, feeling one day is like a thousand years.
I hope you will think about it once again.
I hope you will think about what kind of longing you will have for the construction of Canaan Sanctuary and the Grand Sanctuary, and with what kind of aroma you will please God.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in our Christian life, we sometimes hear gracious testimonies about building churches. Some of them received great blessings after building a small church in countryside or that even their children became very prosperous.
It tells us that the meaning of building a church is so great, and God is very pleased with it. When we build a sanctuary, what God gives us back as blessing is much more than what we give.
It's the same with our members. Until we have come to this sanctuary here, why did God let us move the sanctuary so many times?
Of course, it was because we needed more space for worship. But in spirit, there is deeper meaning.
It's because of the love of God the Father who wants to bless you spiritually and materially.
Each time we moved the church building, many members offered all they had. They cried out day and night in tears with all their strength.
But later, they received more blessings than what they had given. Also, as we prayed for new sanctuaries, God gave us more and more faith.
Then, when we complete the Canaan Sanctuary and the Grand Sanctuary, how great the blessings will be! Not only on this earth, but also in heavenly kingdom, the rewards will be much greater.
Just by the fact that you participated in the construction of the Grand Sanctuary, you will gain inexpressible glory in heavenly kingdom. So many citizens of heavenly kingdom will admire you.
God has given us the duty of constructing the Grand Sanctuary to give us these blessings. I hope you will realize this love of God once again.
I hope you will have more longing and hope and build the Canaan Sanctuary and the Grand Sanctuary.
You should be the heroes when we offer the Grand Sanctuary to God the Father.
I pray in the name of the Lord that you will be able to receive all the blessings that God has prepared through the Canaan Sanctuary and the Grand Sanctuary that will be built. |
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