What does it mean we are the temple of the Holy Spirit
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Introduction
Introduction
Worked in Construction and remodeling prior to the Navy while I was going through College
A good foundation is the first part we inspect prior to starting any job, especially before we begin framing
If the foundations is off then the whole house will be in jeopardy
Even the scripture reinforce the idea of beginning a good foundation
Luke 6:48 “48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”
The foundation in which we build our lives will become evident as we walk this journey called the Christian life
Only way we can be the temple of the Holy Spirit, the place where he takes up residence in our lives, the foundation must be a solid foundation
A foundation that is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness
There is no other foundation in this world to which a temple can be constructed and the Holy Spirit will take up residence in our lives
But to understand this most familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 3 in which the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian Church,
A church that was very carnal or who were driven by weak understanding of Scripture
Who were influenced more by the ways of the world than the ways of Christ
Paul writes to them in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
If you have your bibles turn to 1 Corinthians 3, so we can understand really what it means to be the temple of the H.S.
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Background:
The church of Corinth was a fellowship that was plagued with divisions, jealousy,and in-fighting
It was located Greece and was a central location for all kinds of Greek god worship, and was known primarily for the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, whose service gave rise to the city’s proverbial immorality
Paul comes to Corinth to remind them of their roots and point them back to their foundation, foundation found in the Christ and his death and resurrection
We are reminded often to remember how we came to Christ
The same way we came to Christ is the same way we live for Christ
Trusting in him and him alone for everything we have
It can be easy to forget this simple truth, but it is a essential truth for us to understand and be reminded on a regular basis
Listen to the words of Peter
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
Verses 10-11
Verses 10-11
According to the grace of God given to me
Paul points them back to the task that God had given to Paul to do,
Which was to proclaim the gospel to them and teach them that they must build their lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ
This task this responsibility was given to Paul by Christ
It was not something he was to do in his own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit
Paul was working in the power of God, in the gifts that God had equipped him
He was working in the power of God’s spirit
Everything we do in this life, not only for the things that are done for the church, but every aspect must be done by His spirit
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Then Paul describes how he performed this duty
Like a skilled Master Builder
Sophos Arcitekton= wise builder
We get our English word architect from this word
Paul was like wise and very skilled architect who carefully considers the importance of every aspect of the building
He understand every aspect that is going to make that building be successful, beginning with the foundation
That needed to be laid correctly
The building to which is being built up is the church
This is important to understand that this is not just individuals, but the whole church
We are part of that church and we all have a part in building it up
Verses 12-15
Verses 12-15
Notice what Paul says here
another one is building upon it
But the personal responsibility is this we need to take great care on how we are building
Whether it is seen or not
All will be revealed in time, whether on this earth or in eternity
Specifically we will give an account what we will do here on this earth
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
There is a judgement for sinners and separate judgement for His saints
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
To me verse 15 speaks volumes about the grace of God and Pharisaicalism
Where ever we go, we take Christ with us
When we become a believer we never loose the indwelling Spirit of God in our lives
We are His
We can never be separated from the Love of God
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And this is why we need to be careful how we build
Because what we do in this life also impacts others around us
We are called to live to a higher standard
We are called to be accountable and keep each other accountraable