Covenant Member Dennis Hendershot shares a message on having joy based on our relationship to God as Father.  We find this joy through cultivating childlike faith and trust.

Deep affection for God and the Gospel leads to a healthy love of others.  Meaning, to foster the fruit of the Spirit of love in your life, it takes being led by the Spirit to crucify our selfish love through understanding God's selfless love.  

God indwells His people with His very Spirit to call a people to Himself that look like His son Jesus.  When we are led by the Spirit we grow in Christlikeness...producing the fruit of the Spirit and finding the full life.

The book of Exodus finally reaches its desired end: the glory of God descending to dwell in the midst of the God's people.  But as we see in chapters 35-40, God's glory "shows up" because the people are worshipping and obeying because of God's grace and mercy.

Moses intercedes for the people of God after their sin of worshipping the golden calf.  God relents from destroying the people and decides to go with the people "in their midst".  He honors the faith of one over the faithlessness of many; the righteousness of one over the sins of many.  For us today, Jesus is the better Moses that lives to intercede for us! 

While waiting for Moses to come down off Mt. Sinai, the people of God grow worried and restless.  They decide to pick a new leader, fashion a new image of god(s), and decide on a new code of conduct.  They forget God's past provision and lose hope in the future He's promised them.  We have a tendency to do the same thing today!  

The first person described in Scripture to be "filled with the Spirit" was a general contractor who was good with textiles, precious metals, and gems.  The purpose of the filling was to join God in an act of co-creation for the good of the community.  In Jesus we, too, are filled with the Spirit not just for me, but for we.  We are filled to build...

The central piece of the Tabernacle Moses is commanded to build is the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat.  It is there that the High Priest assures the people of God of their access to God.  Jesus is the perfect High Priest who has given us access to God.  And now WE are the royal priesthood offering others access to God.

On Mt.Sinai God gives Moses the plans to build a tabernacle for His presence to dwell with His people, despite their unholiness and rebellion.  In Jesus, we are welcomed to be tabernacles ourselves, housing the Spirit of God.

God confirms His covenant to lead His people into the Promised Land via a mediator they must follow and obey .  He does this based on His love and commitment, not on anything the people have done.  He asks in return that they follow His mediator into the Promised Land and to worship God alone.