Introduction

God has always desired to dwell among His people.

From the Garden of Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve, to the tabernacle in the wilderness, and ultimately to the coming of Christ, we see one consistent desire in the heart of God: He wants to be with His people.

When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He said:

“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

The sanctuary was not merely a beautiful building. It was a holy place, a place set apart for God's presence.

The important question today is not only, “Where is God's holy place?” but also:

“Has my life become a holy place where God can dwell?”

God is still looking for a place to dwell.

1. A HOLY PLACE IS A PLACE SET APART FOR GOD

The word holy carries the idea of being set apart, separated and dedicated to God.

The tabernacle was different from every other place in Israel because it belonged to God.

In the same way, a person who belongs to God cannot live exactly like everyone else.

You may live in the same neighbourhood, attend the same school, work in the same office and interact with the same people, but your life should be set apart for God.

1 Peter 1:15-16 says:

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

Holiness is not merely what we do in church.

It is how we speak.
It is how we think.
It is how we treat people.
It is what we watch.
It is what we pursue when nobody is watching.

A holy place is not defined by its walls but by the presence and purpose of God.

2. GOD WANTS TO DWELL AMONG HIS PEOPLE

God did not tell Moses to build the sanctuary simply so Israel would have a religious centre.

He gave the reason:

“That I may dwell among them.”

God's ultimate desire was fellowship.

He wanted His people to know that He was not a distant God.

He wanted them to experience His presence, guidance, protection and glory.

This is one of the greatest privileges of salvation.

God does not merely want to bless you.

He wants to dwell with you.

There is a difference between seeking God's hand and seeking God's presence.

Some people want what God can give, but they do not necessarily want God Himself.

They want the blessing without the relationship.

They want the miracle without the Master.

They want God's provision without God's presence.

But the greatest gift God can give a person is Himself.

3. YOUR LIFE IS NOW A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Old Testament sanctuary was a physical place.

But through Christ, something extraordinary has happened.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?”

God no longer wants to dwell only in buildings made with human hands.

He wants to dwell in people.

Your body matters to God.

Your mind matters to God.

Your heart matters to God.

Your relationships matter to God.

Your private life matters to God.

You are carrying something sacred.

Therefore, we must ask ourselves:

“What am I allowing into God's temple?”

If my life is God's dwelling place, then I cannot deliberately fill it with things that grieve the One who lives there.

4. A HOLY PLACE MUST BE KEPT CLEAN

The tabernacle had to be maintained according to God's instructions.

There were things that could not be brought into God's presence.

The same principle applies spiritually.

There are things we must remove from our lives if we want to walk closely with God.

Unforgiveness can pollute the heart.

Bitterness can destroy fellowship.

Pride can push us away from God.

Secret sin can weaken our spiritual life.

Wrong relationships can influence our direction.

Uncontrolled desires can compete with God's presence.

Sometimes we ask:

“Why don't I feel God's presence like before?”

Perhaps the question is not whether God has moved.

Perhaps we need to examine what has entered the sanctuary.

David understood this when he prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10

Before asking God to change our circumstances, sometimes we need to ask Him to cleanse our hearts.

5. THE HOLY PLACE IS A PLACE OF WORSHIP

The tabernacle was a place where sacrifices were offered and God was worshipped.

A holy life should become a life of worship.

Worship is not limited to singing.

Your obedience is worship.

Your integrity is worship.

Your generosity is worship.

Your forgiveness is worship.

Your service is worship.

Your faithfulness when nobody applauds you is worship.

Romans 12:1 says:

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

God does not only want our Sunday worship.

He wants our Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

He wants the whole life.

6. GOD'S PRESENCE CHANGES THE HOLY PLACE

The sanctuary was significant because God's presence was there.

Without God's presence, it would simply have been a structure.

This teaches us an important lesson:

It is not the appearance of a place that makes it holy. It is the presence of God.

A person can look religious and still be far from God.

A church building can be beautiful and yet lack the power of God's presence.

A person can know many Scriptures and still have an unsubmitted heart.

What makes the difference is God's presence.

When God's presence comes into a life, it brings transformation.

Fear can become faith.

Weakness can become strength.

Confusion can become direction.

Brokenness can become restoration.

Darkness can give way to light.

Where God dwells, things cannot remain the same.

7. A HOLY PLACE BECOMES A PLACE OF DIRECTION

The sanctuary was not merely a place where Israel met God. God's presence also guided them.

The pillar of cloud and pillar of fire showed Israel when to move and when to remain.

When God's presence went forward, they went forward.

When God's presence remained, they remained.

This is a powerful principle for us today.

Do not move simply because everybody else is moving.

Do not enter a relationship simply because others are entering one.

Do not take an opportunity simply because it looks attractive.

Do not make a major decision merely because people are pressuring you.

Learn to ask:

“Lord, are You in this?”

A holy place is a place where God's voice matters more than human pressure.

8. MAKE YOUR HEART A HOLY PLACE

The greatest sanctuary you can give God is not a magnificent building.

Give Him your heart.

Let your heart become a place where He is honoured.

Let your mind become a place where His Word is welcomed.

Let your mouth become a place where grace flows.

Let your hands become instruments of service.

Let your feet walk in righteousness.

Let your entire life become a sanctuary for the presence of God.

The question is not:

“Can God enter my life?”

The question is:

“Have I given Him complete access?”

There are areas of our lives where we welcome God and other areas where we put up a sign that says, “Do not enter.”

But God does not want to be a visitor.

He wants to dwell.

CONCLUSION

Exodus 25:8 says:

“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

This was God's desire then, and through Christ, we see that desire fulfilled in a deeper way.

God wants to dwell among His people.

He wants to dwell in your heart.

He wants to be present in your home.

He wants to be involved in your decisions.

He wants to guide your future.

He wants to transform your character.

But the sanctuary must be prepared.

Remove what does not honour Him.

Release what has become an idol.

Forgive those you have refused to forgive.

Turn away from secret sin.

Return to prayer.

Return to the Word.

Return to worship.

Return to God.

Make room for His presence.

Because when God finds a prepared sanctuary, He does not merely visit.

He dwells.