Solomon’s Temple

Intro

Grew up in a church that wasn’t the most strict, but it was up there. No hats in the church building. No jeans. If wedding reception, no dancing. First saw Ian Gillan wearing a hat at Grace, I was uncomfortable.

Need: We can tend to worship things that are not meant to be worshiped.

1 Kings 6:1-38

Main Idea: The temple was for God and man

David wanted to build the temple, but God didn’t want him to. Promised Solomon would. In Jerusalem. Different type of sermon. Go through the parts of the temple and then 3 takeaways.

The Exterior (3-10, 14)

Ninety feet long, thirty feed wide, and forty-five feet high.

Porch the width of the temple

Three-story complex

Various portions were carefully shaped at quarries away from the temple.

Frame and beams made from cedar.

Several side rooms made for priests to use.

The Interior (15-28)

15, Holy of holies, inner sanctuary (ark of the covenant, great high priest)

18, Cedar was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers.

20-22, Inner sanctuary and temple overlaid with pure gold.

23, Inner sanctuary was two cherubim

27-29, Cherubim guarded the inner sanctuary. In the inner sanctuary, there’s wood, depictions of flowers and fruit, and cherubim. Symbolic of Garden of Eden.

The beauty and gold should cause us to revere God more.

The Furnishings (29-36)

29, engraved cherubim, palm trees, open flowers.

30, floor of gold.

32, door had cherubim, palm trees, and open flower. 2 Chronicles 3:14, “And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it.”

More details of furnishings in chapter 7.

Takeaway #1: The temple was finished, but ours isn’t.

Exp. There is a theme of Solomon finishing the temple. Verse 9, 14, and 38. He would build it and it was done. Beautifully crafted to the Lord.

Ill. We find admiration in finishing a project. Mowing. Building a house. Cleaning. There’s a sense of accomplishment when you complete a task.

Arg. The temple was that. It was the only temple in Jerusalem that was rebuilt after destruction came. Unlike Solomon’s temple, ours isn’t finished.

Christ - Jesus would come and make our bodies a temple for the Holy Spirit to live. When he died, the curtain tore in two. Eliminating the separation. God would now reside in the hearts of men. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

App. We aren’t finished. Grow in sanctification.

Long obedience through daily practice

Takeaway #2: God wants our hearts more than our buildings.

Exp. In the middle of the building process, God speaks to Solomon. Verses 11-12. History shows us that the temple is destroyed multiple times. It’s just a building. God cared more about Solomon’s obedience than his accomplishments. Retribution Theology. Not, if you build my temple correctly.

Ill. This is a paradigm shift. We are valued by our output. God is concerned with obedience, and he’ll take care of the output.

Arg. Jesus argues that the heart is what defiles a person.

Mark 7:6–7

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Mark 7:20–23

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Christ - Christ was obedient to the point of death on a cross. The temple was the place to purge sin from the people, and Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all.

App. He wants our heart. We must offer it to him.

Building is not the thing to be worshiped but the place in which worship occurs.

Takeaway #3: The temple represents God’s desire to dwell with his people.

Exp. At the end of God’s speech to Solomon, he reveals his plan. Verse 13. This is coming off the obedience of Solomon, not the construction of the temple. When you obey, I will dwell with my people. Temple is the location, but it is predicated on Solomon’s obedience. If you’re going to build the temple, here are the stipulations.

Ill. God will not be where sin reigns. Just as you wouldn’t go to a restaurant that spits in food. Or deny children to go to dangerous places. Neither will God be where sin abides in man.

Arg. Garden of Eden = God exiled Adam and Eve.

Christ - Jesus changed the parameters. Christ is God dwelling with his people. No longer is it “If you obey, I’ll come close.” Now, it is “I’ll come close because Christ obeyed.”

App. God dwells in us. We should rest in that.

Necessary to repent from sin

Rest in God’s closeness