The feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)!

Topics: feast of tabernacles, Sukkot

I. Sukkot looks to the past of God's protection!

1. "For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing" (Deuteronomy 2:7).
2. "I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot" (Deuteronomy 29:5).

II. Sukkot looks to the present for God's provision!

1. The Feast of Ingathering: The Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field (Exodus 23:16b).
2. Illumination of Temple: Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (Jn 8:12).
3. Water Libation Ceremony: On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' " But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive (Jn 7:37-39a).

III. Sukkot looks to the future for God's presence!

1. And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one . . . People will live in it, and there will no longer be a curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security . . . Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths (Zechariah 14:9, 11, 16).
2. See Isaiah 11:6-10 and Micah 4:1-4.

IV. Sukkot looks at how the 7 feasts point to Jesus

1. Jesus was crucified on Pesach as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.
2. Jesus was in the tomb on Matza as the sinless (unleavened) bread of life.
3. Jesus rose from the dead on Bikkurim as the first fruits of those who died.
4. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on Shavuot as the birth (harvest) of His Church.
5. Jesus will return with trumpet blasts & shouts - Will it be on Rosh Hashanah?
6. Jesus will restore the remnant of Israel - Will it happen on Yom Kippur?
7. Jesus is our eternal shelter - Will Sukkot be the 1,000-year reign of Jesus with us?

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, August 18^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"The feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)!"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: The Sukkah (the 3-sided walled booth) is a picture of God wrapping His loving arms around you and embracing you into His Presence! It also reminds us that this place is not our home. How can your Life Group remind and assure one another of God's loving Presence in their lives?

Getting Started:

1. Which of the Seven Biblical Feasts has been the most inspiring to you? What personal application have you made because of its truth?
2. What do you envision the Millennial Kingdom will be like?

Discussing Truths:

1. Sukkot is a vivid reminder that possessions do not bring peace and to treasure what really counts in life - i.e. RELATIONSHIPS! This material world is fleeting, so what should our priorities look like?
2. How does the celebration of Sukkot remind Jewish observers of God's faithful protection in their past history?
3. What elements of the Sukkot celebration show God's faithful provision for our spiritual needs? Why did Jesus wait until the last day of Sukkot to shout out His invitation to experience living waters of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39)?
4. How does the Spirit flow through a person's life like living water (Colossians 1:29)?
5. In what capacity is our human body a temporary tent like the Sukkah of the Sukkot celebration (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)?
6. Can you explain how Jesus is each of the seven Feasts? What are some unique elements to each celebration that points to Jesus?
7. How can you celebrate the spiritual principles of the 7 Biblical Feasts in your life?

Now What? Application:

1. Will you study the 7 Biblical Feasts and worship God for His marvelous plan of salvation?
2. Try to list the biblical character qualities of Jesus and ask God to make you like Him!