Sermons at Graham Emmanuel

The Tabernacle | Exodus 26:1-37

The three most precious artifacts in the Tabernacle were the Ark of the Covenant, the Table for Bread, and the Lampstand, sometimes called the Menorah. All were made of gold, and all were near God’s presence in the Holy of Holies. This is because each piece of furniture symbolizes a means by which God is present with His people. The Lampstand—a literal means of giving light—also symbolizes the many ways in which God reveals Himself to those who, by faith, follow Him. Join us to discover why God can only be known because He makes Himself knowable.

Praying At World’s End | Psalm 61

This Psalm of David teaches us how to pray when we feel distant from God as if we were at “the end of the earth”. When we feel distant from God, our hearts are “overwhelmed” with trouble, and our greatest need is God’s presence. Our prayer for God’s presence will be answered, and the basis of our expectation is the Gospel. We will pray expectantly for God’s presence during troubled times because “the king” is the source of our “inheritance”.

The Lampstand | Exodus 25:31-40

The three most precious artifacts in the Tabernacle were the Ark of the Covenant, the Table for Bread, and the Lampstand, sometimes called the Menorah. All were made of gold, and all were near God’s presence in the Holy of Holies. This is because each piece of furniture symbolizes a means by which God is present with His people. The Lampstand—a literal means of giving light—also symbolizes the many ways in which God reveals Himself to those who, by faith, follow Him. Join us to discover why God can only be known because He makes Himself knowable.

The Table of Bread | Exodus 25:23-30

After the Ark of the Covenant, Scripture mentions the Table of Bread as the second most holy item in the Tabernacle. God doesn’t need food, so how could something as simple as a table and bread be so important that it is placed closer to the Ark of the Covenant than any other thing in the Tabernacle? Find out why the Table of Bread is a shadow of greater spiritual truths the Bible reveals about how God provides for His people.

The Ark of the Covenant | Exodus 25:9-22

The Ark of the Covenant is more than a prop in a Hollywood movie. It was truly commanded by God and constructed by the Israelites as their most treasured earthly possession. With it, God brought down the walls of Jericho, divided the Jordan, and defeated the Philistines. But what makes the Ark of the Covenant so important? Find out why the Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the most important truths about God, and why it points us to worshipping God through Jesus Christ.

Offerings for the Tabernacle | Exodus 25:1-8

Now that the covenant between God and Israel has been confirmed, the time has come for it to be consummated. God is beginning the process of moving into the midst of His people, and by His grace, He chooses to allow Israel to be involved in this process. Instead of creating a dwelling place for Himself, God calls for His people to generously offer back what He has given them, in doing so, He creates a bond far greater than proximity to a tent could ever offer.

God Confirms His Covenant | Exodus 24:1-18

Life is full of contracts. Marriages, mortgages—even terms and conditions on a web page, all function as a contract. In the Bible, contracts were formed through covenant. A covenant was more than just an agreement; it was a mutual agreement that bonded two parties together in solemn relationship. Throughout Scripture, God has connected with His people in different dispensations through covenants, including with Christians today. In Exodus 24:1-18, as Moses comes off Mount Sinai with the Book of the Covenant, God confirms the covenant with His people and in doing so gives an outline of His covenant with Christians today.

God Promises to Go Before Israel | Exodus 23:20-33

What makes something worthy of obedience? Is it their authority? Their character? Their ability to cause harm? What about God? What makes Him worthy of obedience. At the conclusion of the Book of the Covenant where God expands on the Ten Commandments with laws about how His people can conduct themselves in a way that represents Him, God concludes with the promise to go before His people and bring them to the Promised Land. In all this, God shows why He and only He is worthy of worship.

Be Filled with the Spirit | Ephesians 5:17-21

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit and what kind of impact does this have in the life of the believer, especially amidst an unbelieving culture? The church of Ephesus during the time of the Apostles found itself in the midst of a culture that celebrated sin and self-indulgence. With many believers being new gentile converts, the challenges of living a new unified life in Christ were immense. In the same way, we find ourselves living in the midst of a culture that celebrates self and elevates the sinful desires of the flesh. Being filled with the Spirit spurs on the Christian towards desires that reflect a new life in Christ and help in the fight against the flesh.

Laws About Festivals | Exodus 23:10-19

What’s the point of holidays? For Americans, holidays are chances to remember, reflect, and rejoice in what God has done for their country and the world. The same should be true for Christians. God’s people should honor Him by remembering, reflecting on, and rejoicing in what God has done for them. In Exodus 23:10- 19, God called His people to celebrate Him by celebrating special days and feasts. Even though those feasts are no longer required under the New Covenant, join us to learn how believers should honor God by celebrating Him in their lives.