The Not So Weekly FlipSide Weekly!
Beyond the Presence
By Nowell Ignacio
Flipside Youth held the Bible study at the Impact Center last July 23, 2010 Friday. It was attended by 14 young people.
What could have been a difficult subject matter to understand was made plain and simple by our Youth Pastor, Bro Jeromy Hogue. I find it amazing to learn things about the tabernacle without digging so deep yet still have the main point of what it all means. As it was told to us, and as the Bible tells it, the Old Testament figures are “a shadow of things to come..” As I see it, the tabernacle pictures simplicity and humility from the outside but as you get inside and inner to the holy place, it is where the presence of God dwells. And beyond the presence of God is the Glory when you have come into the Holy of Holies. Much like the life of a Christian believer, one may look at Christ’s follower as simple, bland or boring. Ones who do not enjoy the worldly affairs because of the lifestyle he or she has with Christ. But when you look deeper into the life of a redeemed soul, the beauty lies within, the joy is not superficial and the glory of living is not measured with the extravagance of material things but with the intimacy of fellowship with the One who set us free. Beyond just the presence of God, there is so much more that is in store for those whose lives are surrendered to Jesus. In the Old Testament times, only the High priest could enter behind the heavy veil, into the Holy of holies to offer up a sacrifice for atonement of SIN. I am glad that veil was rent, and even a common man like you and me could enter into that place and have fellowship with the Holy God whose presence was only available for but a few before.
Bro. Jeromy taught us three(3) that typify the Tabernacle in the Old testament. One of which is the Fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s ministry in this world. Our Lord was the ultimate sacrifice in that Brazen altar where His blood was shed for you and me. He, being a sinless one was baptized and cleansed first before taking up the sacrifice to the Holy Place. He lived His life above sin and illuminated the world with His light. He is the Bread of Life on which we feed and nourish our hungry souls. He is our faithful intercessor, His ceaseless prayers went up as sweet smelling incense towards God. And Jesus is the glory of God, the Shekinah that filled all men who received the Holy Ghost.
It also foreshadowed the Plan of Salvation in the New Testament. The Brazen altar represents repentance, our dying to self. Water baptism followed after repentance as the Brazen laver followed after the brazen altar. The Golden candlestick, represents Jesus as the Light not only of this world but the Light of our life and also the Table of showbread, in which we should consume the Word of God to live. The altar of incense, our prayers ought to be continuously burning as an incense to God. Beyond the veil is the Ark of the Covenant where God’s glory dwells. The Holy Ghost is God’s glory that we enjoy as we fellowship with Him. I am thankful that God’s glory now resides in men’s lives and is not confined in a room or structure made with hands. We are the tabernacle of God!
Lastly, the Tabernacle signified Self-sacrifice. We cannot move into the holy place without sacrifice in our hands as the High priest could not enter in without blood. Our sacrifice ought to begin with repentance. Our sins are forgiven when we come to the altar. In the altar we die, that is to crucify our flesh, our carnal man. But we need to be washed by His blood. As we invoke the Name of Jesus in baptism, we let His cleansing blood wash us anew. We will let Jesus to be the Light of our lives, in that way He will give us the revelation to His words. As the Golden Candlestick lights up the room, so Jesus brings light to our lives and bring us revelation about Him and his words. Our strength comes through the Bread of Life, the Word of God. The altar of incense is our continuous prayer and fellowship with God. Ultimately when we get passed through the veil, the veil that represented a barrier between a Holy God and sinful men, we can enjoy not only the presence but the Glory of God. I did not have to force myself into entering in it, I cannot by all means enter into His dwelling place. All my sacrifices would not suffice the requirement of a very Holy God, but I am glad Jesus made a way! He tore the veil, He made it accessible for you and me.
We can now boldly enter into God’s presence, “the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body …let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)
Upcoming Events
FlipSide Prayer Meeting: July 30, 7:30pm at The Impact Center, Daly City
True Expressions: August 6, 7:30 at Abounding Grace, San Francisco
Senior Camp: August 7-12 in Santa Maria, CA
For more info call Jeromy at 415.722.0477
The Coffee Doctrine
by Joshua
The sun rays blast through the blinds on a summer Sunday morning awaking the newly married couple, Jack and Jill. “What a beautiful day! How about you make me a cup of coffee my sweet butter muffin.” says Jack as he stretches. “Umm… the Bible says that the men are to make the coffee dear!”, replies Jill. “What? The men are to make the coffee? Where in the world did you hear that madness?” asked the baffled Jack. “Really Jack? Really? HEBREWS, duh!”
Wobbly Steps
by Mari Criselda Marcado aka ‘Crissy’
Being a wobbly toddler, with my walk with Jesus, I never really get to grasp his greatness. Even though, he would reveal Himself, every minute of everyday, I sometimes fail to recognize his marvelous creation and blessings. I get so consumed with my busy schedule, of work, school and chores that I sometimes forget He’s up there, waiting for me to give him a wee bit of my attention. That I complain of how imperfect everything is, of how my situation just seemed to be out of place, and just taking myself around a vicious cycle of mistakes. I thought, is there something more out of this?
Looking at life closely, both figuratively and literally, I marvel at the perfection of every life form. From frog’s life cycles, to how plants make their own food up to those bacteria that camps occasionally in our bodies. I stand in awe of how He placed, every star and every planet in their respective places in the universe, the realization that I didn’t come from some hairy being with long opposable thumbs, made me think, hey, I must be God’s favorite daughters, just like you and everyone else. That He made me with so much thought, in His image and likeness :D and that if he has plans for these lovely creatures, let alone I, right? (oh yesiree! We all have a purpose)
This dawning revelation made an imprint in my heart that amidst of it all, beyond the strife and behind the struggles is an amazing God, who loves me far greater than anyone else. And it is not the religion which made me realize this, but the truth behind my relationship with Him. I desperately long for Him to touch my life, that I may have an intimate relationship with Him. I need to experience the joy of serving Him.
So would you come with me and hold hands with Jesus, as we walk together through spiritual perfection? Let’s go!! Rarara! Pompoms up, pompoms down! :o)
