Make Me A Sanctuary

• Exodus 25:1-9 Make me A sanctuary

• Most people like gifts. It always means something when someone gives you something. 
• Makes you feel special. Loved. Set apart. Every gift is a sacrifice. Giving someone something you don’t need or want isn’t a gift. It is not special. I have this half eaten sandwich I wanted to give 
• Today we walk with the Nation of Israel as they begin to build a sanctuary for the Lord
• God has spoken to them and Moses asked the people to willingly make a sacrifice for him
• Today, for those of you who refuse to give, I’m asking you to willingly make an offering to God
• I don’t specifically know why people refuse to Give to God. I think the standard is 10%. I’m not really going to go into a deep teaching about that today, because that’s not the scripture
• But those who give nothing at all? There are people you go to church with who give nothing. 
• Here’s why I think people don’t. 1. They love their money and want it for themselves. 2. They don’t believe the scriptures 3. They twist the scriptures to justify keeping it 4. They don’t manage their lives well enough to make it happen 5. They are disobedient in other areas and this is just another 6. They don’t understand because they have never been taught
• We’re going to fix number 6 today. I’m going to help you understand God’s economy.  
• Give me a few moments to set the stage for what’s happening, with an overview. 
• Where we’re at in this story is that God has asked Moses to build him a tabernacle. 
• The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that God commanded the Israelites to build 
• It served as the primary place of worship and where God’s presence dwelled among His people until the construction of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. 
• The Tabernacle was central to Israel’s worship, sacrifices, and their relationship with God during their journey through the desert and early years in the Promised Land.
• At this point we’re about 1 year into a 40 year journey to the Promised land. 
• They need somewhere to worship God. When they get to the promised land, about 500 years later, Solomon will build the temple, It will be destroyed about 400 years later, Then Zerubbabel will build a replacement shortly after and it will exist about 500 years before its destroyed in 

• Tabernacle: 1440 BC (Portable, used in the wilderness and until Solomon’s Temple).
• Solomon’s Temple: Built around 960 BC, destroyed in 586 BC.
• Zerubbabel’s Temple: Completed in 515 BC after the exile, enhanced later by Herod.
• Herod’s Temple: Expanded starting around 20 BC, destroyed in AD 70.

These structures marked the evolution of Israel’s central place of worship, moving from a portable tent to magnificent stone temples, a place that is ‘holy’ set apart for worship of God. 

Why was the Tabernacle and Temple so Important

1. A Dwelling Place for His Presence Exodus 25:8 “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” where his presence would manifest, close w Israel, A relationship w them
2. A Center for Worship Ex 29:43 here I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory.” Formal focal point. Sacrifices , law read, rituals and worship. separate
3. A Visual Symbol of God’s Holiness Ex 26:33 the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy” Courts, holy places, veil, most holy place. God is HOLY. Holiness is required! 
4. A Means of Atonement/Forgiveness Ex 25:22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat” Altar for sacrifices/atonement. People forgiven from sin, keep covenant rel. w God. 
5. A Blueprint for Heavenly Realities He 8:5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.”  structure, furniture, and rituals show God’s dwelling in heaven. A window to future 
6. A Sign of God’s Covenant with Israel Ex 29:45 I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God”.  faithfulness and commitment. where the covenant was forward and renewed. 
7. A Place of Guidance and Revelation Num 7:89 into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him.” where Moses/ Priests received direct guidance from God. God directed from there. 

Since the people of God saw this place as sacred, important and special, they would do everything that they could to maintain it, build it, defend it, etc. It was central!

1. The Tabernacle (c. 1440 BC)

• The people gave generously of their gold, silver, bronze, etc (Exodus 35:4-9). materials were needed to construct the portable sanctuary and its furnishings (the Ark, altar, and lampstands).
• Craftsmen worked very hard. Manual labor done all for the Glory of God. 
• The offerings were voluntary and from willing hearts (Exodus 35:21), the people gave so abundantly that Moses had to ask them to stop because they had more than enough Ex 36:5-7.
• Can you imagine? Building something for God, and the people gave so willingly that they actually had to be asked to stopped. Get this- Not coerced. Not forced. Willingly. 

2. Solomon’s Temple (First Temple, c. 960 BC)

• King David had amounts of gold, silver, bronze,etc before his death (1 Chr 29:2-5). He gave of his own wealth, and the leaders of Israel followed his example, giving generously (1 Chr 29:6-9). Additionally, Solomon secured valuable materials from neighboring nations, (1 Kings 5:6-12).
• Solomon employed tens of thousands of workers,  Israelites and foreign laborers, 1 Ki 5:13-18
• The people rejoiced at their leaders’ example and gave willingly . David’s acknowledged that all wealth comes from God, and their offerings were an act of gratitude (1 Chr 29:14).
• Imagine that. The people were so grateful to God- they followed the leaders example and GAVE

3. Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple, c. 515 BC)

• After returning from Babylonian exile, the people gathered what little they had to begin rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 2:68-69). Some gave freewill offerings, and others donated money, materials like gold and silver, and livestock for sacrifices. 
• took on the task of rebuilding, with Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest leading the work. discouraged by opposition, but Haggai and Zech. inspired them to continue (Haggai 1:12-15).
• they had limited resources, the people gave sacrificially, trusting that God would honor their efforts and bless their faithfulness. The prophets encouraged them by reminding them that God’s presence mattered more than the size or splendor of the Temple (Haggai 2:4-9).

4. Herod’s Temple (Second Temple Renovated, Begun c. 20 BC)

• Although King Herod funded much of the massive renovation project, the Jewish people also contributed to the Temple’s upkeep through regular tithes and offerings. These were used for the Temple services, maintenance, and supporting the priests and Levites (Malachi 3:10).
• It became a stunning architectural marvel, admired by Jews and Gentiles alike (John 2:20).
• Herod’s motives were largely political, But people were devoted to the temple, so they gave!
• gave generously through tithes, sacrifices, and offerings as an expression of their covenant relationship with God. They weren’t coerced- they just did it because they valued it! 
• So, even though the means of the construction  were less than wonderful, they decided to be faithful in their giving of tithes and offerings because they saw VALUE in having a place of worship. They weren’t going to not give because they loved where they worshipped!

• Offerings are from the willing v2

• • 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
  • There is always going to be people who give willingly to the Lord, and people who don’t
  • I’m sure that God appreciates those who do it willingly. Not forced or coerced- just give. 
  • What the people of Isreal realized is that God wanted something built, and they had the means to do it, so they assisted him to build what he wanted and needed bc they saw VALUE in it!
  • And they gave! Precious metals,  fine thread, fine linen, animal skins, oil, spices etc. 

• I think we forget that this was an ask that God made to them IN THE WILDERNESS

• • They are one year in, traipsing through the desert, and seemingly, could have valid excuses!
  • I’m in the desert. I don’t have a home. Don’t know where we’re going. I need this for my family. Will need it in the promised land. God spoke without this before. Others will give, not me. 
  • But no- They were willing! God always blesses the obedient who are WILLING- ARE YOU?
  • Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
  • I can do a lot of things reluctantly. Chores, work, projects, going somewhere I don’t want to
  • But for me to do it willingly? Man- I need a heart change- I have to THINK myself into it
  • How do you do that? 1. Think about what God requires of me 2. Think less of me 3. Think more of others 4. Don’t live in stinginess of time/resources 5. Uncover real emotion (fear, doubt, frustration, selfishness) 6. Force myself to align with God’s purposes 7. Do it anyway

• It’s not just about giving money- That’s simple. Having a willing heart in EVERYTHING

• I don’t want to have an argumentative heart with God. I want to be obedient! DO YOU?
• What relationship do you enjoy that it obligatory? I don’t. Going to nice restaurant and spending hundreds of dollars to get people to serve me means nothing. Wife making me a great dinner she knows I will love??? Broooooo. Because she WANTED To. 
• 2 Cor 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER! You got to get your heart right!

• Offerings are sacrificial v3-5

• • 3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair;

• Giving to God is always sacrificial. It just is. If it has no value, its not a sacrifice

• Anyone can give their leftovers. Anyone can give what they don’t want and what they don’t need. But that’s not a sacrifice. Whenever you give to God, $ could have been used elsewhere
• For the Israelites- they still lived in a real economy with real needs. Precious metals had purchasing power. Fine linens for trade, skins etc. expensive wood for building projects
• It was sacrificed for a greater good. A greater purpose than what they had. FOR GOD
• Sacrifice nullifies the future plans of the item either known or unknown. Doesn’t exist. 
• God wants sacrifice! Death to self- in EVERY area of our lives, not just financially. 

• Romans 12:1 We need to present our bodies as living sacrifices- That’s costly! All I have!
• Hebrews 13:15-16 We should continually offer the sacrifice of praise- This takes my energy
• Ephesians 5:2 We need to walk in sacrificial love- This takes my pride, self, image etc. 
• Philippians 4:18 We should give generously- What I give monetarily affects my own bottom line
• Hebrews 10:12 Christ offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, once and for all.

• Offerings are used for ministry V6-7

• 6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
• Everything that the Israelites gave was directly used for the ministry- For the tabernacle and the administration of the religious rites. Wages for the priesthood, resources for the rituals. 
• It was that way in the Temple period and in NT as well. Money goes to God to fund the ministry
• Ministry has always cost money. In the OT and the NT. Judas held the money bag because when Jesus went around and did ministry, they needed money to take care of business
• He could do miracles, but sometimes he probably used money. He told his disciples to go and not bring anything to support themselves because he wanted other people to support them!
• Not to make it painful- Matt 10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
• Jesus sent out the disciples to have others support them to give OTHERS chance to GIVE
• There has always been a symbiotic relationship between givers, ministry, God and others
• There’s reciprocation and a flow of blessings and increase upon all involved when you give
• The tabernacle required goods and services from God’s people to work efficiently. Just does
• Same today- money pays for that which we need. Buildings, TP and salaries. Takes a lot. 
• People say- where did it go? God is worshipped and people are ministered to. (15k in carpet)
• Isn’t God being worshipped enough? Is he great enough and good enough?
• I don’t get it. I’ve never had the argument about it. I believe God is real. If they want hell, go

• Offerings are obedience V8-9 (and 2)

• • 2 that they bring Me an offering. 8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 just so you shall make it.
  • Giving tithes and offerings is obedience. It’s just what Christian people do. We always have
  • Drive anywhere and you’ll see churches. All through donations. Everything here is from donations. Not govt. Not higher org. Some point a human gave to God- you sit on it and enjoy it
  • Abraham was obedient to give to Melchizedek, Israelites Gave to the tabernacle, David and his people gave to the temple, King Hezikiah tithed for the temple, Nehemiah committed to the tithe, The Queen of Sheba gave lavishly bc of his wisdom and God’s blessings, 
  • God can do so much through the people of God being obedient to giving. 
  • Lives changed and generations touched. Dodge family. Rob, Melissa, Marley and Rider, Isaac
  • You cannot put a price to ransom someone from Hell. Its worth it all to me. 
  • Christian, now a pastor, Jeremy pastoring, Church in Croatia, and THOUSANDS OF PRAISES

• Let me end with this:

• The Church doesn’t want or need your money. It never had. But some of ya’ll aren’t experiencing God’s best because you’re walking in disobedience. 
• I want to encourage you to ‘test God’ Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
• 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NKJV):”But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.