Threes a Crowd

Pericope: Exodus 40: 34-38 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Sermon Text:  Exodus 40: 38 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Sermon Title:  Three is a Cloud…why you need the Holy Spirit

Point 1:  Cloud leading.  Vs 36 36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out.

Psalm 119:133 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

He wants to do as them Proverbs say 3: 6 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Point 2:  Cloud lifted.  Vs 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.

Exodus 33:16For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

Point 3: Cloud filled. Vs 34-35 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

That is the same way Acts 2: 4 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Similar cloud Acts talks about Holy Spirit filling the house then filling or resting in the people. This tells me you can eat manna, quail and drink miracle water from a rock in the Wilderness but never have a filling of God’s presence. Let me break this down even further

a)   Presence but not present

b)   Proximity without personal connection

c)   God is a crowd pleaser

Life Application:

1. Follow the cloud the cloud doesn’t follow you.

2. It’s one thing to be present not just in his presence.

3. Ask yourself why you not in the Cloud