LET’S PUT UP A TENT
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Chr. 15:1-3
Text: 1 Chr. 15:1
1 Chronicles 15:1 And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
Introduction: When I realized there was a definite possibility we would actually get to move out on to our new church property in 1998, and that our move would necessitate our using a TENT, I began to think about what the Bible says about tents.
In weeks to come, I plan to bring a number of messages on Sunday nights, although not necessarily EVERY Sunday night, on tents, and how we can learn lessons about building a local church from studying the subject of tents. Let me introduce some of those thoughts tonight. I may add to them as God brings more lessons to my attention:
THE TENT’S MASTER
2 Samuel 7:6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
THE TENT’S MAKER
Exodus 26:11 And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
THE TENT’S MINISTER
Acts 18:1-3 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
THE TENT’S MESSAGE
1 Chronicles 15:1 And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
THE TENT’S MISERY (WHEN GOD LEAVES IT)
Psalms 78:59-61 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: 60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
THE TENT’S MISTAKE (WHEN YOU GET IN THE WRONG TENT)
Psalms 120:5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
THE TENT’S MOMENT
1 Chronicles 17:5 For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
THE TENT’S MARRIAGE
Genesis 24:61-67 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. 62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
THE TENT’S MANSION
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.