Camping with Jesus

Imagine this: the Creator of the universe, the God of all things, desires to dwell with His people. That includes you! From the wilderness Tabernacle to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives today, the story has always been the same—God wants to dwell with us.

When God led His people out of Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle, a sacred place where His presence would reside. It wasn’t just a structure—it was a declaration. God wanted to dwell among His people, guiding them through the wilderness and into His promises.

“The Tabernacle wasn’t just a structure; it was a promise—a tangible declaration that God was committed to His people.” – N.T. Wright

The Tabernacle wasn’t an empty symbol. Every detail carried meaning, pointing to Jesus and revealing God’s plan for His people. Let’s explore the six key components of the Tabernacle and how they still speak to us today:

1. The Brazen Altar (Exodus 27:1-8): This was where animal sacrifices were made to atone for sin, foreshadowing Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It reminds us that forgiveness and restoration are possible through Him.
2. The Brazen Laver (Exodus 30:17-21): A basin for ceremonial washing, symbolizing spiritual cleansing. Today, it represents the renewal we experience through God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26).
3. The Golden Lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40): A seven-branched lampstand providing light in the Holy Place, signifying Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12) and the Holy Spirit’s illumination in our lives.
4. The Table of Showbread (Exodus 25:23-30): A table holding 12 loaves of bread, symbolizing God’s provision and communion with His people. Jesus fulfills this as the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
5. The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10): The incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people rising to Him (Revelation 8:3-4). It reminds us of the power of prayer and communion with God.
6. The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22): Located in the Holy of Holies, the Ark was the ultimate symbol of God’s presence. Inside were the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron’s staff, and manna—reminders of God’s provision and covenant. The mercy seat atop the Ark represented the throne of God, fulfilled in Jesus as our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

These components revealed a deeper truth: God wasn’t distant or removed. He was right there, leading, guiding, and dwelling among His people.

From the Tabernacle to Today

The Tabernacle story didn’t end in the wilderness. It continued through Jesus, who became the ultimate expression of God’s desire to dwell with His people. When Jesus walked on earth, He was literally “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). And through His death and resurrection, He made a way for God’s Spirit to dwell within us.

Today, the Tabernacle isn’t a physical tent—it’s us. Scripture tells us, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). What an extraordinary truth! God doesn’t just want to meet with us on Sundays or during quiet moments—He wants to make His home in our hearts and live in us daily.

What Does This Mean for Us?

1. We Carry His Presence: Just as the Tabernacle was filled with God’s glory (Exodus 40:34), our lives are now filled with His Spirit. Wherever we go, we carry the presence of God with us.
2. We Are Being Transformed: God’s presence doesn’t leave us the same. It renews us, aligns us with His purposes, and empowers us to live holy and impactful lives. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:11 that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, bringing life to every part of our being.
3. We Are His Ambassadors: As God’s dwelling place, we are called to reflect His glory to the world. The Church, a gathering of believers, is described as a holy temple where God lives and moves (Ephesians 2:22). Through us, God’s presence is made known to a hurting and broken world.

This truth is both humbling and empowering. We are invited to be part of God’s mission to renew the world through His presence in us.

Camping with Jesus Today

So, what does it look like to “camp with Jesus” today? It means living with an awareness of His presence, inviting Him into every area of our lives, and creating space for Him to move. It also means being intentional about building community, as the Church is God’s plan to reach the world.

The Church is not just a building or an event; it’s a people among whom God dwells and through whom God works.

Watch [Full Message]

This Sunday at Dreamer’s Church, we’ll continue to explore God’s desire to dwell with us and transforms our daily lives. Come and experience His presence in a fresh way. Bring a friend who needs to know that God longs to meet with them. Together, let’s live with Kingdom anticipation and step into all that God has for us!

Scripture Focus:

• Exodus 29:45: “Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”
• Ephesians 2:22: “In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
• Romans 8:11: “The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.”