The Temple of God
What is the Church? • Sermon • Submitted
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Spirit fill me with YOUR power...
Spirit fill me with YOUR power...
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Christmas Party/Gathering 12/10
Open your bibles to ...
STORY ABOUT PREACHING IN UPTOWN THIS MORNING...
STORY ABOUT PREACHING IN UPTOWN THIS MORNING...
Series Setup or review
Series = What is the Church?
The Family of God
The Body of Christ
The Bride of Christ
Leadership - role of the pastor/elder
Podcast
Topic = The church is the Temple of God
Pray
Pray
SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE
16 Do you not know that you (plural) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (plural)? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you (plural) are that temple. ”
16 Do you not know that you (plural) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (plural)? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you (plural) are that temple. ”
Paul is writing to people who were very familiar with the original temple of God…
The actual building
So paul references the temple but not the OLD TEMPLE they were used to…
He references a new temple…
He says they collectively are God’s temple.
To understand this NEW TEMPLE we first need to understand the OLD one.
THE OLD TEMPLE
THE OLD TEMPLE
THE NEW TEMPLE
THE NEW TEMPLE
WHAT IT MEANS FOR US
WHAT IT MEANS FOR US
THE OLD TEMPLE
THE OLD TEMPLE
Here’s what you need to know…
and 2 = sinless creation…
Unbroken relationship between God and man…
Adam & Eve are completely in God’s presence
Then sin fractures that relationship
Cast out of the Garden… Out of God’s presence…
But even from the beginning God’s desire is to be with His people… He loves them...
So he gives instructions on how they can be in His holy presence without being destroyed…
Explain the Bible Project (non profit) ...
Pay close attention to 3 things…
GOD’S HOLINESS
THE TEMPLE
HOW JESUS AFFECTS THINGS
Play video…
Play video…
So the OLD TEMPLE was where God’s holy presence was.
The video touched on what we just read in …
The people of God.. The church = is the NEW TEMPLE of God
Instead of God’s presence being in the OLD TEMPLE building…
Now God’s presence is actually in His people…
The church is the NEW TEMPLE
2. THE NEW TEMPLE
2. THE NEW TEMPLE
Peter writes about this in…
“4 As you come to him (JESUS), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”
“4 As you come to him (JESUS), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”
in V.5 Peter says that CHRISTIANS are LIVING STONES in God’s NEW TEMPLE.
He’s saying the CHURCH, the PEOPLE…
are the BRICKS that MAKE UP God’s NEW TEMPLE.
GOD’S PRESENCE INHABITS US COLLECTIVELY.
“You are being built up...”
Notice in v.4 it says “as you come to him”...
indicates ONGOING, DAILY, HOURLY, MINUTE BY MINUTE, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.
So as you come to Jesus… As you relate to Jesus…
You are being built up into this NEW TEMPLE…
Do you know what this means?
ILLUSTRATION - JENGA GAME - INTERDEPENDENCE
ILLUSTRATION - JENGA GAME - INTERDEPENDENCE
Every block is INTER-DEPENDENT on the OTHERS.
Each block effects STRENGTH of TOWER.
What you and I do… and don’t do…
Directly affects the he health of this church plant…
Because God’s church is an interdependent people…
As you relate to Jesus you WILL live and interdependent life..
Not living interdependently can be an indicator…
that something is OFF in our relationship to Jesus...
Just to Christians…
Are YOU so BUILT INTO the LIVES of OTHER CHRISTIANS that they are DEPENDENT on YOU?
Are YOU DEPENDENT on THEM?
Peter is saying THAT is what the church is…
Living Stones being built together as God’s new temple…
God’s new dwelling place…
And Peter mentions something really important in v. 6 and 7…
Jesus is the Cornerstone.
In a structure the cornerstone is the stone that all the other stones align with…
If Cornerstone = Strong… Rest of stones = Strong.
If Cornerstone = off, even a little… Rest of stones = off
Look back at V.7…
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
He uses the word BUILDERS because EVERYONE BUILDS their life on a CORNERSTONE.
The Question = What is yours?
If not Jesus, Peter says it’s a “STONE OF STUMBLING.”
Have you ever seen anyone trip and fall?
ILLUSTRATION - SCARS FROM FALLING… WATER BALLOON FIGHT FALL… GUY FALLING WHILE I WAS EATING LUNCH...
ILLUSTRATION - SCARS FROM FALLING… WATER BALLOON FIGHT FALL… GUY FALLING WHILE I WAS EATING LUNCH...
Most of the time seeing someone stumble is hilarious…
But the stumbling that Peter is referring to isn’t funny at all… because it’s fatal…
What is the Cornerstone YOU’RE building your life on?
How do you know what your Cornerstone even is?
What’s the 1 thing that if it was taken away… your life would crumble…
We’re all building our lives on a Cornerstone
it’s either Jesus OR something else right…
3. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
3. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
Remember what it said in...
16 Do you not know that you (plural) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (plural)?
16 Do you not know that you (plural) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (plural)?
The church is the people being built together… with Jesus as their cornerstone… and in whom the spirit of God dwells.
The church is the people being built together… with Jesus as their cornerstone… and in whom the spirit of God dwells.
Do you have the Holy Spirit in you?
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Do you have the Holy Spirit?
How can we be sure?
ILLUSTRATION - A SPECIFIC ROLE/JOB ON A TEAM… MAYBE POINT GUARD DECLARES THE PLAY FROM COACH… H.S. INFORMS US
ILLUSTRATION - A SPECIFIC ROLE/JOB ON A TEAM… MAYBE POINT GUARD DECLARES THE PLAY FROM COACH… H.S. INFORMS US
The holy spirit is God…
He is a member of the trinity…
He has a role…
To declare things from God to God’s people…
He informs us…
He empowers us…
He convicts us…
List of passages to read that give insight to H.S. role…
John:
14
15
16
Ephesians:
1:15-21
3:14-21
5:18-19
Romans:
5:5
8
Summary of them all = H.S. enables us to enjoy Jesus…
He Opens the eyes of your heart…
To see the depth of the love of God…
He convicts you of sin…
Not to condemn… So you can experience God’s radical grace that covers your sin
He empowers you to deny sin and live in a holy life…
Fruit of the spirit…
The H.S. enables you to enjoy Jesus…
Not just to know things about Jesus…
But to ACTUALLY enjoy Him at a heart level
When was the last time you ENJOYED JESUS?
Do you have the Holy Spirit?
Does he dwell inside of you?
If you’re not sure, do you want Him to?
I’m not asking you if you believe in Jesus...
I’m asking you if the Spirit of God lives in you…
Just saying…
I believe there is a god…
and Jesus is his son…
and he rose from the dead…
does not make you a christian…
Satan believes those things…
tells us even the demons believe
They are just truths…
But Satan doesn’t have God’s Spirit…
Do you have the Holy Spirit?
Does He dwell inside of you?
If not, do you want him to?
In Jesus says this…
“11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
“11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
You cannot earn the Holy Spirit...
If you want the Holy Spirit to dwell in you…
all you have to do is ASK and RECEIVE
What does it look like?
Levitation? No
Go into a trance… probably not.
Yes, God does supernatural things…
But more often than not the work of the H.S. in your life looks like this…
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
This means that whenever… at a heart level… you see Jesus clearly… its the H.S.
The simplest thought…
Jesus loves me
Jesus is amazing
Jesus is glorious
That is a miracle…
God intervening in your life...
H.S. supernaturally BYPASSING your flesh and influencing you…
If the Spirit lives in you then you have access to his influence 24/7…
ILLUSTRATION - EVER BEEN DRUNK? UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL? IT AFFECTS YOU RIGHT… INFLUENCES YOU
ILLUSTRATION - EVER BEEN DRUNK? UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL? IT AFFECTS YOU RIGHT… INFLUENCES YOU
Imagine what your life would look like if you were drunk on the Spirit…
If it was Him and Him alone influencing you…
influence you to do crazy things:
Help plant a church
Forgive someone
Confess sin
$10K story…
$10K story…
Living a spirit filled life isn’t safe… it certainly wasn’t safe for Jesus…
But it’s the greatest adventure with the greatest reward ever… Jesus… He’s the reward...
Remember part in the video…
where JESUS touches UNCLEAN PPL and His PURITY MAKES them CLEAN…
That’s a beautiful PICTURE of what Jesus accomplished at the cross…
Jesus TRANSFERRED his HOLINESS as a GIFT to everyone who’s FAITH (trust) is in HIM.
Now, because of Jesus, UNCLEAN PEOPLE can be in the PRESENCE of a HOLY God.
Not only IN his presence…
But his presence IN them…
His Spirit living inside…
Enabling you to enjoy Jesus
Empowering you to love the world the same way Jesus loves...
GOD IS PLANTING A CHURCH…
THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD…
IT IS THE PEOPLE BEING BUILT TOGETHER…
WITH JESUS AS THEIR CORNERSTONE…
AND IN WHOM THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS…
PRAY… TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT…