Let me Be A Sanctuary

I. Introduction: There is a song that says, “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary…for you.” What does it mean to be a sanctuary for the Lord? What are we asking for?

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 6:18-21

II. What is a sanctuary?

A. Sanctuary – “A place dedicated for a sacred purpose”

B. Old Law- Tabernacle and Temple

C. Place of worship

D. Songs of Praise

E. 1 Chronicles 25 – Assignment of singers to offer praise in the temple Nehemiah 12:46 – Priests dedicated to singing

F. Constant sacrifice

G. Exodus 29:38-39 – Two lambs offered every day Giving for God did not involve sacrifice once or twice a year but giving up something every day to glorify God and worship Him.

H. Constant prayer

I. Exodus 30:7-8 – Continual incense before the LordISBE: “Figuratively, incense was symbolical of ascending prayer. The multitude were praying while Zacharias offered incense (Lk 1:10), and in Rev 5:8; 8:3f, the incense in the heavenly temple is connected and even identified (5:8) with ‘the prayers of the saints’.”

J. Place where God’s presence was manifest

K. God promised His presence would be among the people in the tabernacle and temple

L. 2 Chronicles 6:18-21 – God did not dwell in the temple but His presence was manifest in that place Daniel 9:3-4 – Daniel offered prayer to God by facing Jerusalem

M. Filling the tabernacle and the temple

N. Exodus 40:33b-35 – God’s glory filled the tabernacle2 Chronicles 7:1-3 – God’s glory filled the temple When God’s glory filled the tabernacle and temple, He filled it completely and fully so that nothing could displace it.

O. God left the temple when the city was destroyed

P. Ezekiel 10:18 – God’s glory departed the temple’s destruction Lamentations 2:6-7 – God abandoned the sanctuary

Q. New Law – Christian and the Church

R. As God’s sanctuary, we should be a temple of constant worship

S. Singing

T. Ephesians 5:18-19 - When we are filled with the Spirit, as God’s presence filled the temple, it is natural to sing praises Our lives and worship services should overflow with songs of praise

U. Sacrifice

V. Just as Israel offered continual sacrifices to God, so we should offer continual sacrifices to God. Romans 12:1 – Sacrificial living Hebrews 13:15 – Sacrifice of praise to God

W. Prayer

X. The continual incense represented the prayers of the people as a sweet aroma presented to God. Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Y. God’s presence should be manifest in our lives

Z. Just as God’s presence was manifest at the temple, so His presence must be manifest in our lives—the change should be obvious. Acts 4:13 – It was obvious that the disciples had been with Jesus

III. How do I become a sanctuary?

A. Must be pure and holy

B. Temple

C. Temple, furniture, and priests were purified before service Leviticus 21:21-23 – No one with defects can approach God Numbers 19:20 – The unclean would defile the sanctuary

D. New Law

E. We must be purified before God will dwell with us

F. Acts 15:9 – Purify hearts by faith Titus 2:14 – Purified for good works Hebrews 10:10; 19-22 – Purified by Jesus’ blood1 Corinthians 6:11 – Sinners washed and sanctified Ephesians 5:26 – Sanctified by washing of water by the word1 Peter 1:22 – purified through obedience to the truth

G. We must remain pure

H. 1 Peter 1:13-19 – Be holy for God is holy2 Peter 2:20-21 – It is worse if one returns to the filth of the world1 Corinthians 6:18-20

I. Must keep God in the most sacred place

J. Israel would pollute the sanctuary with idolatry

K. Ezekiel 5; 23:38-39 Ezekiel 28:18 Jeremiah 7:9-11 God’s wrath burned against Israel for polluting the temple

L. We can pollute our temple

M. We can allow put other things in the place of worship in our lives If we claim to be a sanctuary but do not give up sin; we anger God1 Chronicles 22:19 – set your heart on God and build the sanctuary