The Tabernacle

Part of following Jesus means learning to handle conflict with other Christians well. Jesus told us how to handle it, but we tend to suffer by doing our thing instead.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Faith in Jesus Christ is not a blind faith. Every Christian has a reason or reasons they have chosen to trust Christ, and that is the greatest gift we can share with anyone. But the manner in which we share our reasons are critical.

Relationship with God is not a distant and lifeless arrangement. Like any good human relationship it is fueled by intimate, ongoing communication between God and His Child.

This week we examine what it means to sacrifice.

Salvation is a gift from God, through faith in his son Jesus. It is only by grace through faith that we are saved, which was established in Ephesians 2:8-9. This is foundational to the true gospel. We cannot save ourselves, and Christ died so that while we were yet sinners, we can be made right with God. No amount of being good in itself can save us.

Disciples cannot be mass-produced in a class or program. Instead they are painstakingly custom-made by the Holy Spirit, and with the disciple’s participation.

The ascension marked the end of Jesus’ personal ministry and the beginning of the Great Commission. But most Christians are sadly ignorant of this defining moment.

The Tabernacle is a group of imperfect people desiring to be changed by the love & grace of a perfect God. We gather on Sundays to worship Jesus, then scatter to our communities as missionaries throughout the week.

Some people believe the Bible is a collection of stories, morals and life lessons to make them into better people. Instead it’s an epic drama with one single plot line about one single hero.

If the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a myth or an idle tale, then Christianity is a waste of time. But if you really believe Jesus rose from the dead then everything changes.

Jesus died a slow death on the cross. He suffered unrelenting agony and utter humiliation to atone for our sin, pain, and bear our shame. Jesus did so that we could be forgiven.

Jesus was despised, rejected and abused by those he came to save. He willingly took upon himself the punishment they deserved, and then faced the crucible of suffering alone.

The difficulty of being imperfect people in an imperfect world pressures us to give up or give in. Jesus agreed that life is hard, but encouraged us with the fact that he has overcome the world.

Jesus fed people. They didn’t crucify him for that. Jesus healed people. They didn’t crucify him for that either. Jesus cared for widows, orphans, the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, and the abused but they didn’t kill him for that. Why did they kill Jesus? Because of his preaching, because he kept saying things like I am God, you’re a sinner, I'm here to save you, repent. Because Jesus preached the Gospel.

Packing up, closing accounts and staring skyward is not how to prepare for Jesus’ return. What preparing yourself does look like was explained in the second half of Jesus’ sermon.

The topic of the second coming of Jesus tends to get Christians really worked up or somewhat embarrassed. But Jesus was very clear and had much to say about it.

The Tabernacle is a group of imperfect people desiring to be changed by the love & grace of a perfect God. We gather on Sundays to worship Jesus, then scatter to our communities as missionaries throughout the week.

Some sins are committed openly and some are masked behind a respectable facade. Neither one deserves forgiveness, but God’s lavish love and grace have nothing to do with deserving.

Religious leaders invited Jesus to try and discredit him. Instead the Son of God schooled them, exposed their pride, and taught them the requirement for all those who hope to see heaven.