Excited to go to Church Part 1 (iKings 8:1-11)

INTRODUCTION:

·         We start a series called “excited to be in church”.

·         Three chapters were dedicated to the building of the temple.  The temple is now built and ready to be used.

·         Chapter 8 details the dedication and opening of the temple.  A building King David longed to build. 

When the king had settled into his palace and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.”  — 2 Samuel 7:1-2 (CSB)

·         Through the prophet Nathan God told King David no, that one of his descendants would build Him a house.  That decedent was King Solomon.

·         We will see the details of a great assembly.  This is how John Woodhouse describes it.

“On this day the wonder of what we do when we “go to church” was anticipated (foreshadowed).  This day was, I believe, the high point of the Old Testament.”[1]

·         If Mr. Woodhouse is correct, what does this high point of the Old Testament mean for us today was we “assemble” every week here at Feather Sound Church?

SCENE 1: The Assembly.  (1-2)

1.      Who was there?

o   Representatives of all the families, tribes, and the whole nation.

2.      Where were they gathered?

o   “in the presence of King Solomon”, God’s chosen King. 

o   God’s chosen King summoning his people.

o   Jesus also summons His people.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone ​— ​rejected by people but chosen and honored by God ​— ​you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 2:1-5 (CSB)

o   We are summoned.

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. — Hebrews 10:24-25 (CSB)

o   Our gathering should not be .

Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. — 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (CSB)

o   The pattern of Scripture is to meet weekly.

3.      Why were they there?

o   “in order to bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the city of David”

o   The Ark of the Covenant has had significant meaning with the history of Israel.

o   Build by Moses at God’s direction.  (Exodus 25: 10-22)

o   Philistines captured it during a time of the decline of Israel. (1Samuel 4)

o   It was returned to Israel a short time later.  (1Samuel 6)

o   David brought it to the City of David.  (2Samuel 6)

4.      When did it happen?

o   September/October.  Temple was finished in the 8^th month.

o   Does this mean they waited 11 months?  Unsure.

o   Festival of Shelters (Feast of Tabernacles)

“You are to celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days when you have gathered in everything from your threshing floor and winepress.  Rejoice during your festival ​— ​you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, as well as the Levite, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates.  You are to hold a seven-day festival for the Lord your God in the place he chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and you will have abundant joy. — Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (CSB)

o   This festival commemorated the Nation of Israel no longer have to wander in the wilderness and that the Ark of the Covenant would no longer dwell in a tent. 

o   This festival also celebrated the harvest in recognition it was a blessing from God.

o   During the Shmita year (every 7^th year) the Word of the LORD is read. 

SCENE 2: A Procession.  (3-8)

1.      The last time the Ark of the Covenant was moved in a procession there was a tragedy. 

When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God.  — 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (CSB)

o   Moved by priests from the tribe of Levi.

“At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand before the Lord to serve him, and to pronounce blessings in his name, as it is today. — Deuteronomy 10:8 (CSB)

o   This is the first time in 100 years (since Philistines took it) that the Ark was brought back to the greater “Tabinacle.”

o   Countless sacrifices.  King Solomon’s church was making a temporary atonement. 

Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.  — Hebrews 10:11-14 (CSB)

o   We do not labor towards or for, but .

SCENE 3:  The of God.  (9-11)

1.      Seen is His .

DOCTRINE OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE:  (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.[2]

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12 (CSB)

o   Living

o   Effective

o   Penetrating

o   Judging

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB)

o   Inspired

o   Teaches

o   Rebukes

o   Corrects

o   Trains

o   Leads to our completion

o   Equips

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. — Psalms 119:105 (CSB)

o   Lights our path

2.      Remembered in His .

o   Exodus 24

God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?  — Numbers 23:19 (CSB)

“I am now going the way of the whole earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.  — Joshua 23:14 (CSB)

As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you ​— ​Silvanus, Timothy, and I ​— ​did not become “Yes and no.” On the contrary, in him it is always “Yes.” For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.  Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment. — 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (CSB)

3.      Experienced in His . 

Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are. — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (CSB)

o   The glory of the LORD is not enjoyed because of a building, but because of the people who have gathered in it. 

EMERALD CITY:

1.       The is the great assembly.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! — Revelation 7:9-10 (CSB)

2.      The Church must be .

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. — 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (CSB)

3.      The Church is God’s .

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us ​— ​ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21 (CSB)