Sermon Notes 05 October 2025

Pastor Ryan Perry Sermon 05 October 2025

From beginning to end, the story of Scripture is the story of God longing to dwell with His people.

• Eden — God walked with humanity (Gen. 3:8).
• Tabernacle — “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst” (Exod. 25:8).
• Temple — God’s glory filled the house of the Lord (2 Chron. 7:1–3).
• Jesus — “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14).
• The Church — “You are God’s temple… God’s Spirit dwells in you” (1 Cor. 3:16).

I. Temporary Tents — Our Earthly Bodies

• 2 Corinthians 5:1–5 — Our earthly bodies are tents, fragile and temporary.
• Israel’s booths at Sukkot were reminders of pilgrimage and dependence.
• When the tent collapses, God gives a permanent dwelling — eternal, incorruptible, glorious.

II. Death: Rest Now in Christ

• 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “Away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
• Philippians 1:23 — “To depart and be with Christ… far better.”
• Truth: For the believer, death is not limbo or unconsciousness, but immediate presence with Christ.

III. Resurrection: Rest Forever in Glory

• 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 — Sown perishable, raised imperishable.
• 1 Corinthians 15:52–54 — The trumpet sounds; death is swallowed up in victory.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 — The dead in Christ rise first; the living are transformed; all are gathered with the Lord.

Harmony: Death is rest now; resurrection is rest forever.

• 2 Cor. 5:8 = the intermediate state (present with Christ now).
• 1 Thess. 4 = the final resurrection (bodily glory at Christ’s return).

IV. Heaven: A Wedding Feast

• Revelation 19:7–9 — The marriage supper of the Lamb.
• Ephesians 5:25–27 — Christ presenting His church in splendor.
• Matthew 25:10–12 — Warning: some are shut out from the feast.
• Heaven is covenant joy and union; without Christ, there is exclusion.

V. Sukkot Fulfilled: God’s Final Dwelling

• Leviticus 23:42–43 — Israel’s booths as a reminder of wilderness provision.
• Zechariah 14:16 — Nations will come to keep the Feast of Booths.
• Revelation 21:3 — “Behold, the dwelling of God is with man.”
• Fulfillment: No more fragile tents, no more wandering — eternal communion with God.

VI. Two Destinies: Rest or Restlessness

• For the Faithful:
  • Rest in Christ now — (2 Cor. 5:8).
  • Raised incorruptible — (1 Cor. 15:52).
  • Welcomed to the feast — (Rev. 19:9).
  • Eternal dwelling with God — (Rev. 21:3).
• For the Faithless:
  • Shut out from the feast — (Matt. 25:10–12).
  • Outside the city — (Rev. 22:15).
  • Eternal destruction — (2 Thess. 1:9).
  • No rest, day or night — (Rev. 14:11).

Truth: Two destinies -- Eternal rest with Christ, or eternal restlessness apart from Him.

VII. Final Invitation

• Revelation 22:17 — “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’”
• The Bride is ready.
• The feast is set.
• The tent is prepared.
• The question: Will you enter in?

Altar Call:
“Friend, eternity is rest with Christ or restlessness apart from Him. But the invitation is open: ‘Let the one who is thirsty come… and take the water of life without price.’ Will you come to Jesus?”

Verses:

• Genesis 3:8
• Exodus 25:8
• 2 Chronicles 7:1–3
• John 1:14
• 1 Corinthians 3:16
• 2 Corinthians 5:1–5
• 2 Corinthians 5:8
• Philippians 1:23
• 1 Corinthians 15:42–44
• 1 Corinthians 15:52–54
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
• Revelation 19:7–9
• Ephesians 5:25–27
• Matthew 25:10–12
• Leviticus 23:42–43
• Zechariah 14:16
• Revelation 21:3
• Revelation 22:15
• 2 Thessalonians 1:9
• Revelation 14:11
• Revelation 22:17