A Dwelling Place For God

I can remember having a conversation, early on in my ministry, with a gentleman about the value of going to church. This man said something like this to me. I don’t see the need to go church. I get more out of being in the woods on Sunday morning than I do sitting in the pew. Why should I go to church?

Instantly, the command in Hebrews came to my mind, “Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.” But, I left that conversation wishing I had given a better answer. That conversation has stuck with me all these years, and I keep trying to answer that question, “why should I go to church” in the most biblical way possible.

This is the question that I would like to answer this morning from the book of Ephesians. Why should we go to church? In our culture there are many answers to that question. I fear that many churches in America have become nothing more that social gathering places, or somewhere that I can go to be moved emotionally, to get that warm and fuzzy feeling. But the truth is, that the church does not exist primarily for you to get something out of it. You should not come to church and sit in your chair and think, “OK, what can I get out of this service?” Now, don’t get me wrong, I hope that every time you come to church you get something out of it, I hope you walk away feeling blessed. But that is not the primary reason that we come to church. If it was then the argument, “I get more out of being in the woods than I do sitting in the pew” would have some validity.

I would suggest to you that the reason you should come to church is not this attitude of what can I get, but rather what can I give?

So the question then is not what can I get, but what can I give and to whom should I give it to?

You probably know that the book of Ephesians is divided broadly into two parts. Ch 1-3 deal with theology and ch 4-6 deal with the practical application of that theology.

So to begin this morning I want us to look at the theology behind the question “Why should I go to church?”

I. The theology for going to church

A. The background of Ephesians

Paul wrote the book of Ephesians from prison. He is most likely imprisoned in Rome somewhere around A.D 60. The city of Ephesus was a religiously pluralistic environment. That means they worshiped many different kinds of gods and goddesses. Scholars estimate that as many as fifty different false gods were worshiped by the Ephesians. None more significant that the goddess Artemis. You can read all about this system of false religion in . One significant story is found in where a group of Jewish exorcists, the seven sons of Sceva, tried to cast out evil spirits from a demon posses man and failed. They said to this demon possessed man, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” Do you remember what the evil spirit said in response? “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” And so the evil spirit leaped upon these Jews and possessed them.

Acts 19:17–20 KJV 1900

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Acts 19.17-

So we know that there was an inedible amount of spiritual warfare going on in Ephesus.

That is why Paul includes the section about putting on the whole armor of God in chapter 6

Ephesians 6:10–12 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6.10-

So one of the purposes of the book of Ephesians was to equip believers to stand strong against the spiritual warfare that was so prevalent in their culture.

A byproduct of that was that many Gentile believers were being converted out of this oppressive spiritualism and being added to the church. The church in Ephesus consisted of Jews and Gentiles and as the gospel spread and people became converted there arose a problem for how people, both Jew and Gentile should function in the church together. So another purpose of the book of Ephesians is to explain the mystery or the theology of the church and to give practical instruction for how these believers should think about and live out in the church.

B. A theology of unity

Paul begins the book of Ephesians with the theology of our identity as believers.

Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (v.3)

Chosen before the foundation of the world (v. 4)

Holy and blameless before God (v. 4)

Adopted as children of God (v. 5)

To the praise of his glory (v. 6)

Redeemed through Christ’s blood (v. 7)

Forgiven through the riches of God’s grace (v. 7)

Ephesians 1:9–10 KJV 1900

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Here we see the beginning of the theology of the church. They mystery that was previously unknown in the OT was that now God’s will is to gather together in one (pay attention to this) all things (both Jew and Gentile) in Christ.

In chapter 2 Paul tells the Ephesian believers what they used to be:

Ephesians 2:1 KJV 1900

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 1:1–2 KJV 1900

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1–2 KJV 1900

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

This is a little more powerful knowing the kind of spiritualism that most of the Ephesians were saved out of. You were dead, in time past you used to walk according to the prince of the power of the air.

Ephesians 2:4 KJV 1900

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:4–5 KJV 1900

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:11–19 KJV 1900

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Eph 2.11-

slide

Ephesians 2:20–22 KJV 1900

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

20 ἐποικοδομηθέντες ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ

Being built (pass) on the foundation

τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν,*

of the apostles and the prophets,

ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου ⸆ αὐτοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ,

Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,

21 ἐν ᾧ πᾶσα ⸆ οἰκοδομὴ συναρμολογουμένη

In whom the whole building, being joined (pres, pass) together

αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον ἐν κυρίῳ,*

grows (pres, act, ind) into a holy temple in the Lord,

22 ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε

In Him you also are being built up (pres, pass, ind) together

εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ ⸀θεοῦ ἐν πνεύματι.*

for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Why do we go to church?

Not to get, but to give ourselves unto God to grow together, and be built up together to function as His temple, as a dwelling place of God.

Wow! We are a dwelling place for God. We were chosen before the foundation of the Lord to become one in Christ, so that in unity we might grow together to be a holy temple, and dwelling place that is unto the praise of His glory.

That is the theology of the church, but practically we need to ask, how do we do that?

How do we make ourselves into a holy dwelling place for God? Just like we decorate the physical building to make it attractive and functional. How do we make the building that God dwells in holy and attractive to Him?

II. The practice of the church

A. Eagerly maintain unity

Ephesians 4:1–6 KJV 1900

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

.1-

How do we make ourselves into a holy dwelling place for God? We endeavor (we eagerly) keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We strive together in unity for the sake of the gospel. How do we do that? With lowliness (humility), and meekness (gentleness), and with longsuffering (great patience) we forebear one another, we bear with each other in love! That is the kind of dwelling place that God wants to be a part of. So why do I come to church. To grow together with my fellow believers in unity, through humility, gentleness, patience, and love in order to build a dwelling place for God that is glorious and worthy of Him.

Philippians 2:1–5 KJV 1900

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

This is more than a casual relationship with your fellow believer. Not just how are you, fine kind of a deal. This is one of the purposes behind activities like the “Guess who is coming to dinner” so that we can grow together and be built together for God’s sake. So we can be likeminded striving together for God’s glory.

B. Actively do the work of the ministry

Ephesians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Skip parenthetical 9-10

Ephesians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Eph 4.11-

Perfecting- used of setting of a bone, generally preparation, idea is to equip.

Edifying- lit means process of building, doing construction. Fig has the idea of spiritual strengthening.

As we do the work of the ministry we are building each other up- we are doing some construction. We are growing together into the dwelling place of God. We each have to use the gifts given to us by Christ for this work, to build each other up.

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Why do I come to church? Because you are all builders. You are all construction workers strengthening one another together into the dwelling place of God. Striving together for the faith of the gospel for the glory of God. You cannot do that at home, or in the woods. You cannot do that by just sitting in the your chair- you must actively do the work of the ministry that is the kind of dwelling place that God wants to reside in.

C. Passionately seek maturity

Ephesians 4:13–16 KJV 1900

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

.

Perfect man- mature man

Grow up into him in all things- interesting choice of words!

Grow up into him in all things- interesting choice of words!

Fitly joined together- to be fitted together v. — to be or become connected together to form a coherent whole (as stones for a building).

Increase of the body- growth

The whole body (the church) must grow up together into Christ. We must come to the place of Christian maturity in Christ so that we are not like children being tossed to and from by every wind of doctrine. But we are grounded in the knowledge of the Song of God. And as we as a church edify one another and grow into maturity we become joined together we are held together in Christ. This causes the body to function effectually or properly together and in Christ we the body grows and builds itself up in love.

The whole body (the church) must grow up together into Christ. We must come to the place of Christian maturity in Christ so that we are not like children being tossed to and from by every wind of doctrine. But we are grounded in the knowledge of the Song of God. And as we as a church edify one another and grow into maturity we become joined together we are held together in Christ. This causes the body to function effectually or properly together and in Christ we the body grows and builds itself up in love.

Juggling illustration-

So folks why do we come to church?

Do we come to get something, or to give something? Do we realize that we are the dwelling place of God?

How are we doing Faith Baptist Church at being the dwelling place of God? Have we grown together into a building that is holy and worthy in God’s sight?

Do we strive together in unity, actively do the work of the ministry, and passionately pursue Christlike maturity?

Have we grown together into Christ as our head so that He can cause us to work effectually in every part of the body? Do we experience that Christlike growth where every part of the body functions together as it should and we are built together in love?

What do you need to do individually to grow the dwelling place of God?

What do you need to do corporately to grow the dwelling place of God?

Imagine the kind of building we could become for God’s glory if we would really strive together towards these goals!