Sanctuary Before Sending
Subtitle:Presence Structured, Authority Carried, Nations Discipled
New Testament: Matthew 28:16–20
Old Testament: Exodus 25:1–16
“GOD BUILDS A DWELLING BEFORE HE DEPLOYS A PEOPLE.
AND GOD SENDS DISCIPLES ONLY AFTER HE SETTLES PRESENCE.”
New Testament
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Old Testament
Shemot (Exodus) Chapter 25
1 God spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to the Israelites and have the treasurers take a contribution for Me. Tell the treasurers: ‘You must take the contribution for Me from every man whose heart prompts him to give.
3 The following materials constitute the contribution that you must take from them: gold, silver, copper,
4 wool dyed turquoise, wool dyed purple, wool dyed scarlet, linen, goat hair,
5 red-dyed ram skins, skins of the tachash, acacia wood,
6 olive oil for the luminary, spices for the anointing oil and for the incense-offering,
7 and onyx stones and inset stones for the Ephod and the Breastplate.’
8 They must make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.
9 They must make this dwelling according to all that I am showing you—the form of the Tabernacle and the form of all its furnishings. And so must
you make replacements for these furnishings, if necessary.
10 They must make an Ark of acacia wood, two-and-a-half cubits long, one-and-a-half cubits wide, and one-and-a-half cubits high.
11 You must overlay it with pure gold: you must overlay it inside and out. You must make a gold rim upon it all around.
CHIASTIC STRUCTURE
Matthew 28:16–20
A. The disciples gather at the mountain (v.16)
B. Worship appears, doubt remains (v.17)
C. Jesus approaches (v.18a)
D. Authority declared in heaven and earth (v.18b)
E. Center: Make disciples of all nations (v.19a)
D’. Baptize into the Name (v.19b)
C’. Teach them to obey (v.20a)
B’. Presence promised through uncertainty (v.20b)
A’. The mission continues to the end of the age (v.20b)
Center: Discipleship, not mere decisions.
Exodus 25:1–16
A. God speaks to Moses (v.1)
B. Offering from willing hearts (v.2)
C. Materials gathered, costly and diverse (vv.3–7)
D. Center: Build a sanctuary, I will dwell among you (v.8)
C’. Pattern shown, exact form (v.9)
B’. Ark made for carrying, always ready (vv.10–15)
A’. Tablets placed inside, testimony at the center (v.16)
Center: Presence among the people.
PaRDeS REFLECTION
Peshat (Plain)
Build the sanctuary.
Receive the commission.
Teach obedience.
Carry presence.
Remez (Hint)
The mountain mirrors Sinai.
The sanctuary mirrors the promise of “God with us.”
Drash (Seek)
The Church is a mobile tabernacle.
Discipleship is the ark carried into nations.
Sod (Mystery)
When a people become a dwelling, the world encounters God without needing a stage.
Presence is the message before speech becomes the message.
Engagement
Worship and doubt share the same room.
What does that teach us about how Jesus grows people?Why does God insist on willing hearts for sanctuary building?
What does coerced religion produce?The Ark was built to be carried.
What does it mean for our faith to be portable, not locked to a building?How do we tell the difference between Kingdom authority and empire power wearing church clothes?
What does discipleship require that “conversion culture” often skips?
RESPONSE
Sanctuary Before Sending
Leader: Jesus said all authority is Mine
People: So we will make disciples, not fans
Leader: We will baptize into the Name
People: And teach obedience with love
Leader: We will not weaponize power
People: We will witness with Presence
Leader: God with us
People: God through us
Leader: Before we go
People: We must be filled
Leader: Before we speak
People: We must be formed
Leader: Before we carry authority
People: We must carry testimony
Leader: God said build Me a sanctuary
People: That You may dwell in our midst
All: Amen
Word Study
מִקְדָּשׁ (Mikdash) – sanctuary
A set apart space.
Not just a location, but a consecrated order.
שָׁכַן (Shakan) – to dwell
God “settles” among, not merely visits.
מִשְׁכָּן (Mishkan) – dwelling place
Portable Presence.
A moving home for holiness.
