Getting to Where God is

Main Theme: Getting to Where God Is The central idea revolves around the desire to be in God’s presence, drawing from the story of Moses being called up the mountain. “We need to get where God is.” God’s desire is to be with humanity, despite our imperfections. “Why would He love me? Why would He love you? Why would He want to be with me?” The speaker expresses a longing to be in God’s presence, where relief and connection are found. “It is my heart’s desire it is the goal of my soul is to be where he is…sometimes you pray a thousand tears and never get into the holiest of holies but I like it when brother I’m just able to whisper one word and I’m right there I’m already crossed into that place that is within the veil” The Tabernacle as a Model The Old Testament tabernacle is presented as a model for approaching God. The tabernacle had three sections: the outer court, the holy place, and the holiest of holies. To reach God, one had to start in the outer court. “If you want to get to where God is today, you’re going to have to start just like they did.” Entrance to the outer court was through a single curtain on the east, symbolizing that access to God is through Christ. “If you’re going to get to God, you’ve got to come through Christ.” The Outer Court: Repentance and Sacrifice The outer court represents the initial step of repentance and sacrifice. Entering the outer court requires giving up on oneself and repenting of sin. “You’re going to have to give up on yourself…you’ll never get to God until you’ve repented of sin.” It involves presenting one’s body as a living sacrifice, as mentioned in Romans 12:1. “Present your bodies a living sacrifice unto God.” This sacrifice is not comfortable, as the “living sacrifice” doesn’t want to die. “Hey, you know the problem with this living sacrifice is they don’t want to die.” The Holy Spirit helps in crucifying the flesh and bringing it under subjection. “If you’ll turn yourself over to the Holy Ghost…He can crucify you.” Without sacrifice, one cannot progress beyond the outer court. “Most people are in the outer court. As far as they get…You don’t go no farther until the sacrifice has been made.” The shedding of blood is essential for remission of sins, fulfilled by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. “Without the shedding of blood, there’s no remission of sins.” The Holy Place: Light, Bread, and Worship The holy place, inside the tent, contains the golden candlestick, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. The golden candlestick provides light, symbolizing spiritual illumination. “Brother, there’s light when you get into the holy place.” The table of showbread, with twelve loaves, represents the Word of God and spiritual nourishment. “You need the Word of God this morning, friend…so you can partake of it and find the power and the strength of God’s holy Word today.” The 12 loaves represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 66 books of the Bible. The altar of incense signifies worship and praise. “Brother, they were bringing their worship unto the Holy God. Brother, He inhabits your praise today.” Entering the holy place requires cleaning up from the “grime and guts” of the outer court. “There’s a place to clean up right before you go in to the holy place.” One must not only repent and sacrifice, but also seek light, nourishment, and engage in worship. “Light, bread, and worship.” The Holiest of Holies: The Mercy Seat The ultimate goal is to reach the holiest of holies, where the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat are located. The Ark contains the tablets of stone, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the pot of manna. These items are covered by the mercy seat, symbolizing God’s forgiveness and grace. The mercy seat is where God meets with humanity through the blood of Jesus Christ. “Every time he said, I will meet with you on the mercy seat. We get there through the blood of Jesus Christ.” Entering the holiest of holies requires boldness and faith. “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace.” It is a place of rest, help, and experiencing God’s presence. “When I got into that place, I always, always, always left. It’s okay. He wants to walk with you. He wants to talk with you. He wants to help you this morning. I’ll give you rest.” Loving anything more than Jesus Christ will prevent entry into the holiest of holies. “If you love anything in your life more than Jesus Christ don’t bother he won’t take you he will not.” Transformation and Discipleship Transformation comes from renewing the mind, which happens beyond the outer court. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation leads to proving what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. “That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The speaker encourages listeners to not remain in the outer court but to press on to the holy place and the holiest of holies. “Don’t stay out there. Don’t stay out there.” The journey to God is not about shortcuts but about following His prescribed path. “No shortcuts to God. But if you’ll go the way He said to go, you can come in every time.”