Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Sept. 5, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including zipped files of outlines from previous years, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE MERCY SEAT

By Michael D. O'Neal                  Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                   Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Exodus 25:17-22

Text: Exodus 25:17

Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

Introduction: Last week I pointed out to you that the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle was a type or prophetic picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, in at least seven ways. Above the ark was a piece called the mercy seat. This is said by some Bible teachers to be a LID for the ark. Yet, the Bible describes it as a seat above or upon the ark. I believe that the mercy seat is ANOTHER type or picture of our Lord Jesus, especially portraying His deity and His atoning work for the sins of men.

I remind you that the  tabernacle was designed as a portrayal in the Old Testament of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The tabernacle was made, said God, "that I may dwell among them" (v. 8). The tabernacle was a figure, or type, of the true dwelling of God among men later, in the form of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

"and dwelt among us."

The tabernacle was made for God to dwell among men. Jesus Christ was "made flesh" in John 1:14 "and dwelt among us."

I pray that the Lord will help us to see JESUS in the tabernacle, especially in the mercy seat tonight, as we remember the words of our
Lord:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Those scriptures were specifically Genesis through Deuteronomy, the first five books of the Bible, for the Lord further stated:

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Tonight we are going to look at the MERCY SEAT and look for JESUS. Let's not forget:

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I. THE COMPOSITION REMINDS US OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

A. The purity of His life

B. The precious price He paid

C. The place that He is preparing
   1. John 14:1-3
   2. A city of pure gold Rev. 21:21

II. THE CHERUBIMS REMIND US OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Exodus 25:18-21

4 faces covering with their wings

A. The character of Christ in the four Gospels
   1. Matthew - Sovereign King
   2. Mark - Servant
   3. Luke - Son of man
   4. John - Son of God

B. The countenances
   1. Lion - Matthew
   2. Ox - Mark
   3. Man - Luke
   4. Eagle - John

C. The covering by the wings
   1. Romans 4:7 - our sins are covered
   2. The law was covered by their wings, as is our condemnation

III. THE COMMUNION REMINDS US OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

The mercy seat was the place

A. Of God's meeting with man

B. Of God's message for man (Hebrews 1:1-2)

C. Of God's mediation for man (1 Timothy 2:5)

IV. THE CLEANSING REMINDS US OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Leviticus 16:13-16 (READ - noting the "atonement")

A. The corruption of sin

B. The character of the Savior

C. The cleansing of the sinner

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Hebrews 9:7-12 (READ)

Our mercy seat today:
Ephesians 2:4-6 (READ - noting "rich in mercy" and "seated ... in Christ Jesus")
Hebrews 4:15-16 (Have congregation turn to and READ, noting "the throne of grace" and "obtain mercy"