Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role teaches that the Gershonites were assigned to camp on the west side of the tabernacle and care for its coverings, fabrics, veils, and hangings. Each family group within the tribe of Levi had a specific place and important duty, demonstrating the significance of fulfilling our unique roles. By following God’s order and serving where we are placed, we help bring His presence and blessing to the community.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Audio
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Numbers 3:23-26, Isaiah 63:3, Revelation 19:13, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, John 10:9, Revelation 3:20-21, Revelation 3:8,
Nation on the Move: Organization and Principles
The nation is preparing to move, and God is helping them get organized for this journey. Organizing such a large group, numbering in the millions, requires careful planning. They also have the tabernacle, which was a big project to build and needs to go with them every time they move.
This situation offers lessons for our own spiritual lives. Sometimes, we also need to move forward or make changes. When we do, it’s important to bring God with us. We should not act independently or rush ahead without Him. Instead, we should let God’s presence and guidance lead us, just as the ark led the people in their journey. There are essential principles in making sure God is at the center of everything we do, especially when we face changes or new steps in life.
The Levites and Proximity to God
Levi, one of Jacob’s sons, became the ancestor of the tribe of the Levites. Levi had three sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. These three sons formed separate family groups within the tribe. Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, along with their descendants, camped close to the tabernacle rather than far away like the other tribes.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This arrangement symbolizes a desire to be near God and to serve both Him and others. Being close to the tabernacle represents a spiritual longing to be near God’s presence. Only a small portion of the people, one-thirteenth, were able to camp near the tabernacle. These were the Levites, who had the specific role of carrying God’s presence and ministering.
Each group within the tribe of Levi had a different place around the tabernacle. Gershom’s family camped behind the tabernacle, Kohath’s family was on the east side, and Merari’s family was on another side. Moses and Aaron camped right in front. God not only gave them their places but also assigned each family their specific duties related to the tabernacle. There isn’t time to teach all the details here; these lessons are important and deserve more attention.
Teaching Focus and Introduction to the Gershonites
As we go through this teaching, I plan to focus on the main points. Teaching everything about the tabernacle would take about a year, so I’ll just highlight the key parts. Tonight, we will look at the first group, and next week, we might cover the next one. I also have a model that I built a couple of years ago, which will help us as we study.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Numbers 3:23-26
23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
26 And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
The Gershonites’ Location and Spiritual Perspective
We start with the Gershonites. According to Numbers 3:23, the Gershonite families camped behind the tabernacle, on the west side. This location gave them a specific view—each group’s position gave them their own perspective of the tabernacle. I’ve said before, wherever your camp is, you get the view from that place. The Gershonites saw things from the back.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
In principle, this shows how our position gives us our perspective. Kohath and the others had different views since they were in various places. I don’t plan to discuss this at length again, but the key idea is that we should try to move from our earthly father’s standard or perspective to the spiritual standard of our Heavenly Father. If we have our Heavenly Father’s perspective, we can see the bigger picture, both spiritually and naturally. That’s really what we want—to gain God’s perspective so we can see everything more clearly.
Duties of the Gershonites
The Gershonites were responsible for taking care of the tabernacle’s curtains and coverings. Their main duties were focused on the fabrics used in the tabernacle. There were four main tasks assigned to them during times of travel.
First, the Gershonites dealt with the coverings of the tabernacle itself. They would uncover and recover the tabernacle as the people moved. Second, they were responsible for the veil of the holy place. This was the front veil, not the one separating the holy of holies. Third, they cared for the hangings of the court, which included the long linen curtain that surrounded the outer court, along with the front entrance veil.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Next, the coverings included several types of materials. The fine linen was one of the main coverings, and there were also layers made of goat’s hair, ram skins dyed red, and badger skins. The fine linen consisted of ten separate pieces with golden cherubim woven into them. These pieces covered the top of the tabernacle, displaying colors like red, blue, and purple. These same colors appeared throughout the veils and fine linen, showing their importance in the tabernacle’s design.
The Meaning of Colors in the Tabernacle
Colors are significant to God. He shows that He loves colors through creation—like the changing leaves in fall and the rainbow in the sky. God is not limited by color, and He is not prejudiced. He welcomes people of all colors, from every nation, tribe, and language. The colors used in the tabernacle’s coverings and veils reflect this truth. Just as the coverings were attached with linen clasps and golden rings, all people are meant to come together in God’s presence.
When a person entered the holy place inside the tabernacle, they would see sides made of boards covered in gold, standing about 15 feet high. The entrance would be covered with fine linen veils of many colors. Inside, there was a lampstand burning with oil, an altar of incense, and the table for the bread of the presence. The details of these pieces show the special nature of the place, and more will be discussed about them next time.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Entering the Holy Place: A Changed Experience
When you walk through the first veil and enter the Holy Place, it feels like stepping into another world. It’s almost like entering heaven. You see angels, or cherubim, flying all around. Gold covers the walls. The air smells different because incense is burning. The light is not ordinary sunlight but comes from oil lamps—symbolizing the Spirit and fire. Everything inside is changed from what you experienced outside.
What you eat is also different in this Holy Place. Outside, everyone eats manna, which is what God provided for the people. Inside, though, there is the special table with the shoebread. This is unique; not everyone gets to eat this bread. Coming into this holy area changes everything—how you see, what you understand, even your senses like smell.
These differences are spiritual, not just physical. Eating manna is a blessing, but anyone can have it. I want to experience more. I want to go beyond the ordinary and eat the shoebread, which represents a deeper spiritual truth. For me, reading the book of Numbers is like finding fresh bread every time. I keep discovering new insights and spiritual food that satisfy me in ways ordinary things cannot. Always, I long for that special experience and am not content with what everyone else has; I want something deeper and fresher.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Redemption: God Draws Us In
Mike asked if all this is just about faith, but it’s really about redemption—God’s act of saving us from the world. The lessons of the tabernacle aren’t just about us coming to God. They show how He draws us to Himself. Jesus even said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them. It’s not so much our effort to approach God, but more about God pulling us toward Him. Sometimes, it even feels like God is gently encouraging or inviting us to come nearer.
Now, the veils in the tabernacle are often misunderstood. Some people teach that these veils were very thick and hard to tear. But the Bible describes them more like the thin veil a bride wears. You can see through this kind of veil a little bit—not very clearly, but enough to peek inside. The front veil and the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies were like this. They let you see just a little of what was inside, but kept you from entering fully. The main idea is that you can look in and get a small glimpse, but you can’t truly enter until that veil is torn open.
The Veil, Our Flesh, and Entering God’s Presence
The veil represents Jesus and His flesh. It symbolizes the barrier of our own flesh and pride. We cannot enter fully into God’s presence until that veil is torn—meaning until we put aside our pride and surrender our flesh.
Many of us have trouble moving from the natural, everyday realm into a more spiritual place. Sometimes, you can sense what’s happening spiritually, and you want to enter in, but you feel held back by your own pride or self-consciousness. The struggle is real, and it’s something many people can relate to. The veil is a sign of what keeps us at a distance. Only when it is torn—when we deal with our own flesh and pride—can we move in closer to God.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Before you can enter into a new spiritual dimension, you must deal with your flesh. This means your pride and self must be put down or “torn.” You have to choose to surrender and overcome these barriers. This process is necessary for anyone who wants to draw closer to God. It’s part of redemption—God’s plan to bring us from the world and lead us step by step into His presence.
Every area of spiritual growth has this same pattern. There is always a barrier, like a veil, that must be dealt with before you can fully enter in. Jesus is the door, but to pass through, you have to lay down your old self and openly confess Him as Lord. That act is like “tearing the veil.” Once that happens, you can step into a deeper relationship with Him.
This process can feel slow or even a bit like God is teasing or inviting us, letting us see just enough of what’s ahead to make us want it even more. Sometimes we stand right at the edge—like standing at a river, able to see the other side, but not quite there yet. This is how God draws us closer, leading us through each stage as we keep letting go of self and moving forward.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Stages of Spiritual Growth in the Tabernacle
The coverings of the tabernacle had specific measurements and colors, and each detail had meaning. However, we won’t go into all of those details now. What’s important is what happens when a person enters the holy place. They step into a completely new spiritual dimension.
Each part of the tabernacle—the outer court, the holy place, and the holy of holies—represents stages in our spiritual journey. As we move into these areas, we reflect on how God brings us deeper into His priesthood. We learn to minister to others, allow others to minister to us, and come closer to God. It all happens step by step, as He draws us out of the world and into His presence.
The Coverings: Layers and Spiritual Meaning
The first covering of the tabernacle was substantial, about 15 feet high. It was made from two curtains put together, and its purpose was to drape straight down from one side of the tabernacle to the other. When it was time to move, the Gershonites would fold it up and carry it on wagons. This was a considerable amount of fabric, much taller than an average ceiling.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
The next layer was made from goats’ hair. This covering went over the first one and had different measurements. The section in front was longer and reached to the veil, while the back was a bit shorter. Like the first covering, it was also made in sections and then joined together.
The goats’ hair covering has a spiritual meaning. It represents covering and is connected to the sin offering. The material reminds us of the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament, when a goat, called the scapegoat, was symbolically burdened with the people’s sins. For Christians, Jesus is seen as our scapegoat, taking on our sins and providing true atonement.
The Day of Atonement and Jesus as Sacrifice
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest Aaron would take two goats. One goat was killed, and its blood was brought into the holy place to be sprinkled near the Ark of the Covenant. The other goat had the sins of the people confessed over it while Aaron laid his hands on its head. Then, this goat was sent out into the wilderness.
This ceremony points to Jesus, who took on our sins. He was both the blood sacrifice and the sin offering for us. In this way, Jesus fulfills the meaning behind the two goats used on the Day of Atonement.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Other Goat Sacrifices and Their Meaning
Goats were used for five other types of sacrifices beyond the Day of Atonement. These are listed at the end of page sixty-eight and the start of page sixty-nine. There was a sacrifice specifically for the common people, which shows that the sacrifice was meant for everyone, including ordinary people like us.
Another sacrifice involved the consecration of priests. As believers, we are a kingdom of priests, so this applies to us as well. The blood from these sacrifices set people apart and made them holy. When dealing with others, it is essential to remember that everyone needs forgiveness first, which is possible through the blood. After forgiveness, cleansing is necessary. This process is crucial and deeply affects everyone involved.
The third type of sacrifice using goats was for sins committed out of ignorance. Many times, we make mistakes without realizing it or without intending to do wrong. It’s reassuring to know that Jesus is also the offering for those unintentional sins.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
The fourth sacrifice involved a goat that was offered by the high priest every new month. This reminds me that Jesus’s forgiveness isn’t limited to one time a year, but is available every day and every month. We don’t have to wait for a special day to be forgiven—His mercy is constant.
Finally, there was the regular sin offering on the Day of Atonement, which we already discussed. This shows how thorough God’s plan is, making provision for every kind of sin and every person.
The Ram Skin Dyed Red: Covenant and Hidden Work
God forgives our sins and provides a covering for us. This covering, represented by the sin offering, is part of our redemption. On top of that, the next layer was the ram skin dyed red. This layer was made from 11 sections sewn together, similar to the goats’ hair covering.
The ram has deep meaning in Scripture. The first time it appears is in the covenant between God and Abraham, when several animals were cut and God’s presence passed between them. The second time is when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, and God provided a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute. The ram became a symbol of substitution in the covenant relationship, and it points to Jesus as our substitute.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This ram skin covering was dyed red, symbolizing blood. The interesting thing is that it was not seen from inside or outside the tabernacle; it was hidden, just like God’s secret plan of salvation in Christ. For centuries, no one knew precisely when the Messiah would come or how God’s plan would be fulfilled. This covering represents Christ’s sacrifice, whose blood was shed for His people throughout history.
Biblical References
Isaiah 63:3
3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Revelation 19:13
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Jesus Covers and Protects Us
Jesus not only covers us with His blood, but He also takes care of our enemies. It’s reassuring to know that we are protected and that God handles those who come against us. God promises that vengeance belongs to Him, not to us.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This is all part of the covenant relationship we have with Him. Jesus became our substitute, taking on our sin and providing us with complete covering and protection.
The Badger Skin Covering: Hidden Beauty and Spiritual Reality
The last covering placed on top of the tabernacle was made from badger skin. It was assembled from eleven pieces, just like the other layers. Different Bible translations call it porpoise skin or sea cow, but the original meaning is simply a hairy animal skin. Badger skin wasn’t fancy or used for sacrifices. It just looked plain and natural, with nothing special about it.
Because of this top layer, no one could see the beautiful things inside the tabernacle. The pretty red ram skin, the colorful veils, the golden cherubims, or the Ark of the Covenant were all hidden from view. No one could see the lampstand, incense altar, showbread table, or the gold-covered walls. The natural-looking badger skin covered everything.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This teaches a spiritual lesson. The things of God are often hidden under an ordinary appearance. To people on the outside, spiritual truths can be hard to explain. Trying to talk about spiritual gifts or holy place experiences to someone who hasn’t experienced them can seem impossible. Only those who step inside and are led by God’s Spirit can truly see and understand the riches hidden underneath the plain exterior.
Walking in the Spirit to See God’s Riches
To truly see the spiritual treasures of God, we have to walk in the Spirit. The badger skin covering on the tabernacle did not look appealing or desirable from the outside. In the same way, the deep things of God are not always naturally attractive or obvious.
You must have a real desire to know God to see the spiritual truths He has hidden. Jesus is truly lovely and worth seeking, but He will not force anyone to come closer. Sometimes, God even covers spiritual truths in a way that doesn’t attract everyone.
Many people have felt that some teachings in the Bible seem strange or even foolish at first. It isn’t always easy to accept or understand them. But when you go deeper and choose to seek God, you find that those spiritual riches are indeed there, waiting to be discovered.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The Bible says that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has understood all the things God has prepared for those who love Him. These blessings are there, waiting from the very beginning. However, we only discover them if we genuinely love God. God reveals these deep things to us through His Spirit, who searches out the deepest secrets of God.
Going Deeper with God Despite Discomfort
To experience more of God, we have to go beyond just the basics, like outer court experiences or water baptism. We have to want all He has for us and dig deeper in our relationship. Sometimes, pursuing that deeper walk with God can make others uncomfortable or even drive them away. The hunger for more of God can be challenging for people who prefer to stay at a comfortable distance.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This realization became personal to me during a time of struggle. I found myself asking God why some people leave or get upset when all I want is to seek Him and bless others. God answered by showing me that those who stay close to Him—praying, praising, and seeking—continue to grow and experience blessings. Their lives, families, and ministries show fruit. On the other hand, those who walk away or stop seeking God gradually grow distant, and their spiritual lives suffer. Seeing this difference really spoke to my heart and showed me the importance of staying close to God and encouraging others to do the same.
The Challenge of Seeing the Spiritual
I want to read the verses here on 1 Corinthians 2, 9, and 10 on page 70. But as it is written, I have not seen nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Are there a lot of good things prepared for us? But what do we do to get them?
We must love him. They’re there. He’s prepared them for us from the foundations of the world. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. For the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. And if I really want to get in here, I’ve got to get deep in God. You can have an outer court experience, a shallow relationship, the alters, the blood sacrifice, and maybe get water baptized.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
God has prepared many good things for us, even if we cannot always see or understand them. He knows more than we do and understands what is inside our hearts. Jesus is truly remarkable, but we must decide if we truly desire to know Him more deeply. Are we content to stay at a distance, or do we want to come closer and experience His beauty?
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
First Corinthians 2:14 says that the natural person cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they seem like foolishness to him. They can only be understood with spiritual insight. It is sad when even believers see the things of God as foolish. For someone led only by natural senses, this is expected. But those who are redeemed by God’s Spirit are invited to see and experience these deeper things.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
What Seems Foolish? The Need for Spiritual Redemption
The things of God are wonderful and worth seeking. We should desire them and go after them with our whole hearts. As I finish this section, I have to ask myself a tricky question: What seems foolish to me in the things of God? If something in scripture feels foolish, that part of me is still natural and has not yet been fully redeemed.
This process of spiritual growth is about being redeemed, about letting God work in every area of my life. If I think aspects of God’s word are foolish, it shows there is still something natural in me that needs to be changed. God wants to work on that.
For example, some things that seem foolish to many believers are things like speaking in tongues, tithing, prayer, praise, and even faithfulness. While the Bible encourages these things, sometimes our natural minds resist. Writing a large tithe check might feel unnecessary, or walking around in prayer may feel odd. Expressing praise openly can feel difficult, and consistent faithfulness might seem pointless to our natural thinking.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
But if all I see is the plain outside—if I only see the “badger skin” and do not recognize the actual spiritual benefits—then I miss out on what these things do for me. They help draw me closer to God, bringing me deeper into a life of redemption. If I do not see the value in them, I am still living in a very natural way in those areas.
God wants to redeem every part of me. He wants to change my thinking so that I see the true beauty and value of these spiritual practices. In this way, step by step, I can move closer and closer to Him.
The Entrance Veil: Looking In and Seeking More
What looks natural on the outside often hides something of God on the inside. The entrance to the holy place in the tabernacle had a veil or screen that was decorated with red, purple, and blue. This screen separated the holy place from the outer area. While it looked ordinary, it held deep spiritual meaning.
The Hebrew word for veil here means “a separating screen.” It works like a screen door, not to completely keep people out, but to separate and give only a glimpse of what is inside. You might be able to look through it and see a little, but you can’t fully take part unless you are willing to deal with your own pride and flesh.
This veil acts almost like God teasing us, letting us see a little of what’s possible, making us want to come closer. But to truly experience what is behind the veil, we must be willing to surrender ourselves—to “tear” our old self, our pride, and our flesh. The screen is not a strong barrier. Instead, its purpose is to let us look inside just enough to make us want more, but not enough to experience it fully until we are ready to change.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Spiritually, it is like how we sometimes see the things of God only dimly, “through a glass darkly,” as the Bible says. The truth is there, and we can catch glimpses of it, but a veil still covers the whole experience until we are ready to draw nearer to God.
Curiosity and Boundaries: The Outer Court
People are naturally curious, even when they are unsure or nervous. Many who visit our church feel both interested and cautious at the same time. They try to look closer and wonder what is inside, wanting to know more but hesitating to fully enter in. Sometimes this curiosity is really God reaching out to us, but we might not notice or respond right away.
In the outer court of the tabernacle, there are important symbols. The brazen altar represents animal sacrifices and the blood, which point to our beginning with God, our salvation. The laver, or water basin, stands for water baptism and cleansing. Next comes the area separated by a veil. This area is different because it is surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Inside the veiled place, everything is changed. The light is not from the sun but from oil lamps and fire, showing a different kind of spiritual illumination. There is incense burning, which symbolizes our prayers and praise rising up to God. The table of showbread is there, along with the wine being poured out, all pointing to the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work. So, this inner place represents a new spiritual dimension, with a deeper experience and atmosphere than the outer court.
The Importance of Boundaries and Service
We move from the natural world into the spiritual dimension, and this transition is not always easy for everyone to understand. In many traditional or denominational churches, there has often been suspicion or criticism about spiritual experiences like speaking in tongues. Some people have even said that tongues are from the devil, warning others to be careful around charismatic believers. Despite such warnings, there is a real curiosity in people—they want to know what is truly inside and what these spiritual experiences mean. God made us with this curiosity, and He wants us to be drawn in to discover more. Everything within this spiritual place is different from what people expect in the natural world.
The third responsibility mentioned was caring for the veil. The Gershonites had to properly wrap up and carry this veil whenever the people moved, showing its importance.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Another essential duty was to manage the hangings of the court, which formed a fence around the tabernacle. This fence was made of fine linen, stood about seven feet high, and enclosed the whole area except for the entrance on the east side. The fence was about 150 feet long on one side and 75 feet on the other. Spiritually, this fence represented the boundaries in our lives. Just as the fence sets the limits around the holy place, we too need boundaries to protect our spiritual lives and help us stay focused on God’s ways.
The Court of the Priests: Ministry and Joy
Yes, the Lord sets boundaries for our lives. He gives clear instructions—“thou shalt” and “thou shalt not”—that tell us what is right and what is wrong. These boundaries are good because they help guide and protect us. The linen fence around the tabernacle symbolized those boundaries, creating a clear area of what belongs to God.
This court area inside the fence also represents part of our lives where we connect with other people. In this part of life, we have two leading roles: we either minister to others or receive ministry from others. This is the court of the priests, and as believers, we are called a kingdom of priests. That means we are supposed to serve, to minister, and to let others serve us as well.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Whenever we gather, we should be either helping others or letting others help us. This is what brings joy and victory. The people inside the court should be thankful, praising, and joyful. Ministry brings happiness because whether we are giving or receiving, we are part of God’s purpose and His work. When we minister, we feel fulfilled because we are doing what God wants. When we are ministered to, we are blessed, and those ministering are blessed too.
That is why coming together with God’s people should be filled with expectation—looking forward to praising, serving, and being served. This is the authentic atmosphere of the courts—a place for joyful ministry and celebration.
The final thing the Gershonites cared for was the door of the court, which was made of red, purple, and blue materials. There is only one door, and that door points to Jesus Christ. He is the true and only way to enter into God’s presence.
John 10:9
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Jesus Is the Door and Our Invitation
Jesus is described as the door. In John 10:9, He says, “I am the door.” This means if we want to be saved, we can only enter through Him. There is no other way. If we try to come in any other way, we are like thieves or robbers. So, Jesus is the only door to salvation and experiencing God’s redemption.
Revelation 3:20-21
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
But Jesus is not only the door. In Revelation 3:20-21, He says He stands at the door and knocks. He wants us to open the door and let Him in. He desires us to respond and come to Him. So, He stands at the door, inviting us in.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Revelation 3:8
8 `I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you
have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Also, Jesus is the one who opens the door that no one can shut. He has the authority to make a way for us that no one else can block. These three things—being the door, standing at the door, and opening the door—show different aspects of how Jesus welcomes us into God’s presence.
Finally, these truths are not just about Jesus. Often, God uses people in our lives as “doors.” Maybe someone helped you find the way to God, stood with you and invited you in, or helped open a door that had seemed closed. So, while Jesus is the true door, He often uses people to help guide us into His presence.
Our Part: Becoming the Door for Others
As I end this message, I want to challenge us with some honest questions. In the past year or even two years, how many of us have been a “door” to help someone enter the kingdom of God? It’s a sobering thought. Have we brought anyone in, helped someone step through that door, or assisted them as they came to know Christ? Have we shown them the meaning of Christ’s blood (the red), revealed to them the King of Kings (the purple), or helped someone rise to “heavenly places” in Christ (the blue)? In other words, have we played a part in opening the door of spiritual life for anyone?
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
This is important because something is wrong in the traditional church today. As the population has grown, valid church membership and active dedication seem to have dropped. The numbers in Sunday schools and water baptisms have fallen drastically from their high points in the 1960s and 70s, even though more people live in our society now. There is a disconnect somewhere, and I’m not sure why. If I did, I would fix it right away.
Religion and tradition on their own cannot solve this problem. Yet Jesus promised that He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not be able to stop it. The church is still His chosen way to bring His kingdom to earth. It is His beloved bride, and we each have a role in helping others find their way in.
The Struggle for New Converts: The Need for Gatekeepers
Karen has created a new converts class for our church. She spent a lot of time and effort making this curriculum. Like many people who first come to our church, she was excited and inspired. However, even when people do well and get involved, it still feels like something is missing.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
We have material ready for new believers, but the problem is that we lack new converts. When our church grows, it is usually because we receive members from other churches, not because people are finding faith for the first time. While I am glad when anyone grows closer to God—regardless of their background—it still concerns me that there are few truly new Christians joining us. This is not just an issue in our church; it seems to be happening everywhere.
We need people who are willing to stand at the gate, to help others come in and find new life in Christ. Gush and Eich (the biblical gatekeepers) took care of the gate, and we also need gatekeepers—people who will welcome others, open the door, and guide them through. I admit I do not fully understand why we struggle to bring in new believers, but I am determined to keep seeking answers. I want to keep asking God, keep knocking, and keep making changes until we find a way. Like the persistent widow in the Bible, I will continue to stay before God and not give up.
The Burden for the Lost and the Call to Go Deeper
It does bother me that we are not seeing new converts or people being saved. I feel sure I am not the only one who feels this way. The thought that people might be lost forever should trouble all of us. It is not something we can just ignore or accept.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
I sense the Lord speaking two important things to us tonight. First, if we only look at things from a natural or worldly perspective, we will never discover the true riches and spiritual treasures that are available. Even when we cannot see them with our eyes, we have to believe they are there and be willing to step in and experience them for ourselves. Beauty and glory are waiting inside—it is like stepping into heaven itself. We cannot afford to settle for what is on the surface. We must go deeper, both for ourselves and for those who still need to be saved.
The Shift to Reaching Out: Where Ministry Happens
Secondly, I truly feel the Lord is calling us to focus on the door—on reaching out to people “out there” rather than just drawing closer to the innermost places of spiritual experience ourselves. Personally, I admit that I have put so much effort into getting nearer to God’s presence inside the tabernacle that I sometimes forget those outside. It’s not wrong to want to draw close to God, but we must remember the many people who are not yet on the inside.
Recently, Randy, Delanne, and Steve started a care group at Reading Circle. The people there were excited, asked questions, and felt encouraged. Randy shared that people in their home group could do things there they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing at church—like one woman who would step out to the screen door for a smoke break but kept listening to the conversation. She wouldn’t feel free to do that inside the church building, but she still wanted to be a part of what was happening, even if from a bit of a distance. This shows that some things can only occur outside the formal church setting.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
The real need is not just “here,” inside the church, but “out there,” where people live and struggle. God is showing us little by little how to reach people and meet them where they are. I believe that, over the next few years, our church’s focus will shift more toward reaching people outside the walls. Our gatherings at church will become times of celebration, praise, thanksgiving, baptisms, and rejoicing together. But the real ministry—introducing people to Jesus, bringing them step by step toward God, helping them receive the Holy Spirit and grow—will often happen outside these walls, meeting people in their real lives.
The church building will be a place to come together and celebrate. But the true work of reaching hearts and changing lives will mostly take place “out there,” where the people are, as we meet them in everyday settings and help guide them toward the presence of God.
The Spiritual Riches Hidden in the Tabernacle
I am grateful for the scapegoat, for the ramskin dyed red, and for all the deep meanings and heavenly aspects found in the tabernacle—like the blue that speaks of heaven, the colors of royalty, the boundaries, and all of its wonders. There is so much hidden within these spiritual truths that we cannot see with natural eyes. To people without God’s Spirit, these things seem foolish. But for those who are spiritual, these truths are deeply beautiful and precious. They show us the loveliness of God’s plan and the richness of what He has provided for us.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Prayer for Guidance and Outreach
Father, you know my heart and how much I love your Word. I enjoy preparing fresh spiritual bread for your people each week. But lately, I feel you are stirring my heart to remember those outside the gate. I sense you want us not just to stay comfortable inside, but to be people willing to stand at the door and bring others in.
My prayer, and the prayer of those listening, is that you are working in our hearts, calling us to reach out. We recognize that our training has been chiefly about serving within the church, and we do not always know how to reach out to those outside the church or welcome new people in. We confess this and ask for your help. Lord, show us how to reach out to others, to go into homes, to share your presence—symbolized by the lampstand, the altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the Ark of the Covenant—in everyday places. Teach us to take your presence with us, to carry it wherever it’s needed, and to share it with others.
We praise you and lift our hands, asking for a greater reality of these truths in our lives. Many of us acknowledge that we have stayed in our comfort zones. We know what to do within church walls, but are uncertain about going beyond them. Lord, don’t let our light shine only here; help us be a light to the broader world. Our hearts long to please you and to reach those who are lost. Make our church a people who genuinely know how to reach out in love.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Father, as we go from here, I ask you to bless everyone who has gathered—reward their desire to know you by pouring out your blessings in abundance. Let your Word and Kingdom take root in their lives and multiply, not just for themselves but for everyone they encounter: at work, in their families, and their community. Bless our church, our city, and draw many into your Kingdom. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
Book Of Numbers 3:23-26 – How to Fulfill Your Role
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The Book Of Numbers Chapter 1 audio
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