03 A Dwelling Place on Mission

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

2/15/26 - Team Member Meeting after church (12pm)

Next Sun class at 9am

9/21 at 1 pm Sweet heart banquet brunch

Camp dates on Realm or event displays

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard and paper connect Card

Text keyword “ConnectCard” to 217-583-1112

Giving: box, web, app, mail

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

Week 1: The church is not something we build for God, it is something God builds for Himself, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. (Eph. 2:19-20)

Week 2: God does not grow isolated believers—He grows a connected body He intends to fill and send (Eph. 2:2).

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

God’s Presence Is Confined to a Place Instead of a People

Many Christians subconsciously believe:

God shows up only at church buildings

God is experienced only during the worship through music portion

God moves only in “revival” moments (ie. “revival tourism”)

Problem: Ephesians 2:22 says God dwells in His people, not in buildings, not in music, not in isolation.

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: God fills His people with His Spirit so His presence can be made visible in the world.

Primary Text: Ephesians 2:19–22 Supporting Texts: John 20:21–22 (echo of sending), Acts 1:8

God Dwells in His People by His Spirit

Ephesians 2:22 “22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

God’s presence is not confined to a place, but available by His people

The church is not just built for God, but inhabited by God

The Spirit does not merely visit, He dwells

EX: There is a difference between someone who visits your house and someone who lives/dwells there

Visits ask before opening fridge, sit where you direct, don’t touch too much; Dwelling has access, eats often, stays when it is messy.

Spiritual Visitors: Visit God through the times of prayer, Scripture, and music in the Sunday gathering.

Spiritual Dwelling: God has access to all of you, You stay with God when it is uncomfortable, Know God is present even when it isn’t “Scheduled”

Week 1 showed us who builds. Week 2 showed us how we are formed. Now we see why: God wants to dwell among His people.

Reflection Question: Do I see myself as someone God lives in, or someone who occasionally experiences Him?

The Church Carries God’s Presence Beyond the Gathering

Ephesians 2:21–22 “21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Not stationary, but mobile

God’s presence goes where God’s people go

The Sunday gathering fuels a Monday witness

God fills us together so His presence can be recognized wherever we are SENT: homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods.

Reflection Question: Where might God want His presence to be made visible through my life this week?

Being Filled Leads to Being Sent

John 20:21–22 “21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Filling and sending on mission are inseparable

God’s presence always carries purpose

The Spirit empowers obedience

The Spirit is called the comforter because on mission we will live uncomfortable at time

Reflection Question: Am I open to being sent, or only to being filled?

We Are Missionaries in Everyday Life

Ephesians 2:19 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Mission is not a location, it’s a calling to people everywhere

Every believer is sent, not just a few

Ordinary faithfulness reveals God’s extraordinary presence

Mission is not added to spiritual maturity, it flows from it.

We don’t go alone; we go as a people filled with God’s Spirit.

Reflection Question: Who has God already placed in my life as my mission field?

Built Together for God’s Glory in the World

Ephesians 2:19–22 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Built by God

Joined together

Filled by the Spirit

Sent as missionaries

Transition: God built us together, not just to gather…but to be missionaries in the world.

Conclusion/Reflection:

God fills us so His presence can be seen everywhere we gather and everywhere we go.

Commissioning:

Invite the congregation to stand

Pray over homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods

Publicly commission the church as missionaries for the coming season

Declaration: we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Talk It Over

Where is God sending me to carry His presence this week?