Is There Such a Thing as a ”Holy Place”?

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 3, 2019

Series Title: A Space for Worship

Today’s Title: Gathering Places for the People of God

Today’s Text: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Where do I go to Worship God?

• THE GARDEN & BEYOND - (Adam, Eve, and sons – Genesis 2-4)
• ALTARS TO GOD
  • Noah (Genesis 8:20)
  • Abraham (Genesis 12:7, 13:18, 22:9)
  • Isaac (Genesis 26:25)
  • Jacob (Genesis 33:30, 35:1-7)

• “GOD’S HOUSE” AT BETHEL
  • Jacob’s Dream (Genesis 28:10-22)
  • Jacob calls Bethel “God’s house” (28:22)
  • God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel and build an altar (Genesis 35:1-15)

• MT. HOREB/SINAI
  • “The mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1)
  • God speaks to Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6)
  • God gives Moses the 10 Commandments and the Law (Exodus 19-31)
  • God speaks to Elijah at Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:7-12)

• THE TABERNACLE
  • Described by God in Exodus 26 & 40
  • The radiant face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-35)
  • God’s glory dwells there in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-38)
  • Used as the most holy place from Moses to Solomon (nearly 500 years)

• THE TEMPLE
  • Built by Solomon (1 Kings 6) – 967 BC
  • Destroyed by Babylonians (2 Kings 25) – 586 BC
  • Rebuilt by Zerubbabel (Ezra 5) – 515 BC
  • Rebuilt again by Herod – 19 BC
    • This was the Temple of Jesus’ day

• THE SYNAGOGUE
  • Meeting places in each town for those practicing Judaism
  • Begun just before new testament times

Jesus Transforms Worship

• THE WOMAN AT THE WELL IN SAMARIA – John 4:19-24
  • True worship is spirit and truth

• THE TRANSFIGURATION – Matthew 17:1-6
  • Moses = The Law
  • Elijah = The Prophets

• PROPHECY ABOUT THE TEMPLE – Matthew 24:1-2
• THE “CURTAIN” IN THE TEMPLE TORN WHEN JESUS DIED – Matthew 27:50-51
  • Access to God is opened up to everyone

• FREEDOM IN THE SPIRIT – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
  • Moses face (Exodus 34:29-35)
  • Set free from location (2 Corinthians 3:17)
  • “being transformed” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
    • Metamorphoo’
      • Matthew 17:2
      • Romans 12:2
      • 2 Corinthians 3:17

God’s temple is not a matter of “where”, but “who”

• 1 Corinthians 6:19