Temples of God

Ended last week:

Luek 10:41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried [anxious beforehand] and upset [troubled/distressed] about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

“Only one thing is needed”

Temples of God

2 Corinthians 6:16 “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with (or DWELL IN) them and walk among (IN) them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Temple = naos (nah-ahs) comes from the root word to dwell

Dwell = enoikeō (en-or-kay-oh) = God dwelling in us

Carriers of the glory of God

Is it with or in? Both

OT: Exodus 33:14 “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

NT: Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

NT: John 14:23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Identity: Incredibly rare

Carries of the glory of God

Created to know God intimately and bring others into His love

How did God dwell or inhabit in the OT?

1) God inhabits/dwells in praises

Psalm 22:3 NIV “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.”

NTL & ESV: “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”

Enthroned = ‘yaw-shab'

· To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

· God dwells, settles in the praises of His people

2) God ascends on praises:

· Psalm 47:5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.

· God is moving in praise

KEY:

· When we worship God inhabits praises.

· When we dwell, God inhabits US!

3) God fills the temple

2 Chronicles 5:14 “and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.”

“Shekinah glory” =  visible manifestation of His presence

“In Hebrew, "glory" is "kavod," which implies weightiness and honor. The glory filled the temple, indicating God's dwelling among His people.”

TEMPLE STRUCTURE:

Outer courts, Inner Courts, Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place (SANCTUARY).

3 Behind the second curtain (veil) was a room called the Most Holy Place,

1) Ark of the Covenant = Symbols of faith and God’s presence

2) Mercy Seat= meeting place with man + judgement

o Exodus 25:22 “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites”

Background on the temple and regulations: Hebrews 9: 1 – 11

How we can now enter into the Most Holy Place now:

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, …

“I can’t feel His presence”

Wait upon the Lord

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in (or wait on) the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”)

LORD: “You get to choose where you dwell”

“I’ve prepared something. Do you want it?”

This is not intimacy: Only me talking.

True intimacy is communion & fellowship

Heart connection w/ God

When will you stop letting the devil rob you of intimacy?

What do you need to say no to so you can return to intimacy?

Whats the better choice?

Who will return to intimacy?

Victory, strength, hope, joy

What if the greatest preparation is seeking Him?

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Seek = seek the face of God

Jeremiah 29:14 “I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile (Jerusalem).”

God promised 70 years of captivity “then an end to captivity and suffering.” (Jer. 29:10-11)

He kept His promise but always gives a choice to obey or reject Him.

LIFE: Pray more than you practice

Can it be Him above perfection?

LIFE: 6 songs in the pipeline

Could feel striving

Lay it down

Doesn’t mean you don’t play & practice

Find your true identity in Him first & then play

Can do both

Get still first

Identity isn’t in what you do

What you do is the avenue for others to look beyond you and see Jesus.

Business, school teaching, rescuing poor, doesn’t matter.

LIFE;

One Sunday we were worshipping & I was so lost in worship, I thought I was going to fall through the stage Got startled

I got lost in His gaze

I’m fully present but fully caught up in love with Him

I’m more concerned with what He is doing and saying b/c of intimacy

Holiness is a secret to intimacy

“If you love me, you won’t keep doing those things that hurt me.”

John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Hurt by others?

There’s a tendency to back away a little bit

Fellowship gets hurt -> others & God

Repentance? Receive the fullness of God’s love & forgiveness

Intimacy leads to authority which can:

Break off limitations

Faith that produces power for miracles/healing/deliverance

Boldness

Prayers more effective

Awaken to who God is in you

Do you know who you are?

You can’t be stopped

Invitation - Activation - Impartation

REPEAT:

· I am the Lords anointed

· I am the Lords chosen

· He loves me

· He chose me

· My sins are forvien

· My debts have been paid

· I have His image

· I rebuke all lying spirits

· I rebuke all evil tormenting spirits

· I believe God’s words

· I agree with God’s promises

· I am royalty