Building God's House

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Psalm 23:4-6

Psalm 91:1–7 NKJV

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Revelation 1:17 NKJV

17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Run through the “10 Tips for Home Worship”

1 - Set an alarm for when services start

2 - Gather your family

3 - Have a time of personal prayer before

4 - Be sure you have a good internet connection

5 - Shut off all distractions

6 - Grab a comfy seat, bible, notepad

7 - Interact and comment with friends at start

8 - During service: worship, sing, pray and respond!

9 - Share the post of the live feed

10 - Continue your giving

7:00 - Begin Service

Welcome - To saints AND visitors.

“Again - forgive me for my voice.”

Clear the air - “This is different, but it can still be powerful!”

Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Nation, government

The Sick

The churches around the world

Our church, members, pastor

Our families

“Teach us and work on us over the next few moments, Lord!”

I want to invite you to open your bible and let’s allow the word of God to speak to us!

Building God’s House

Text

1 Peter 2:5–9 NKJV

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 2:5

1 Peter 2:5 NKJV

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:

1 Peter 2:5 NLT

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

I want to talk about the church for awhile today.

The church is not a physical building but the congregation of God’s people.

Body

* The church is not a physical building but the congregation of God’s people.

We need to get this into our spirit today.

What I see in scripture is that the church was very mobile.

Now that’s not as easy for us today because we are bound to jobs and responsibilities and such...

But I think that what we’re seeing is that the church hasn’t gone on lockdown - the church has gone MOBILE!

And so, please hear this again: the church is not a physical building but the congregation of God’s people.

While being saved is a personal experience everyone has, people aren’t saved in isolation but as part of the church.

Conclusion

* While being saved is a personal experience everyone has, people aren’t saved in isolation but as part of the church.

It’s not part of God’s will for you to be saved and then isolate.

What we find in the new testament is that the people operated as a unified body.

They worked together, they checked in on one another, they submitted to church government.

God knows we need the accountability of being a part of a body of believers in stead of a one-man or one-woman operation.

And no one is above being ministered to, no matter who we are or where we are.

So we do not need to isolate - we need to congregate! YOU need it. And we are doing that right now in this way.

Our text is saying that individual believers are "living stones”, and the church is a temple built from those stones.

* Individual believers are "living stones”, and the church is a temple built from those stones.

The Value of Stones

* The Value of Stones

Stones are strong, solid, stable, and durable, which makes them good construction material. We are made to be the same way by allowing the word of God to shape us.

* Stones are strong, solid, stable, and durable, which makes them good construction material. We are made to be the same way by allowing the word of God to shape us.

How rocks are made: out of sight, in the earth, over time.

God shapes us in this way.

This time in our homes, away from public, can be a time God shapes us!

Physical stones are lifeless and unconscious.

* Physical stones are lifeless and unconscious.

Some people are like the stone. Not much to live for, no hope, no spirit or joy about them.

But when the Lord fills you with His Spirit, we become “living stones."

* WE, however, are “living stones."

That can happen for you today!

And if we’re going to be called “living stones,” we should have sensitivity and spiritual life that comes from the Spirit of God!

We should have sensitivity and spiritfual life that comes from the Spirit of God!

I want to speak something to you right now: in the midst of the shutdown, in the midst of the lack of gathering at the sanctuary of the church - don’t lose the lively nature that God has given you in the Holy Ghost.

* I want to speak something to you today: in the midst of the shutdown, in the midst of the lack of gathering at the sanctuary of the church - don’t lose lost the lively nature that God has given you in the Holy Ghost.

Pastor said it well on Sunday: "The Holy Ghost is not on pause!”

* Pastor said it well on Sunday: "The Holy Ghost is not on pause!”

You need to pray the prayer: "Lord, don’t let me walk out of this thing weaker! God - I WANT TO WALK OUT STRONGER!”

* You need to pray the prayer: "Lord, don’t let me walk out of this thing weaker! God - I WANT TO WALK OUT STRONGER!”

With that said, we should pose the question, “How can we grow?”

* With that said, we should pose the question, “How can we grow?”

Personal prayer, bible-reading.

Read Apostolic, Listen Apostolic

There is now more time for all of this than normal!

Find ways to witness.

Stones have their own singular existence, but by themselves have very little use. Most of their significance comes in CONNECTION.

* Stones have their own singular existence, but by themselves have very little use. Most of their significance comes in CONNECTION.

A pile of stones has no function. Stones scattered in a field are a hinderance (mowing).

* A pile of stones has no function. Stones scattered in a field are a hinderance.

But when stones are connected in a wall, however, they become important parts of a building.

* But when stones are connected in a wall, however, they become important parts of a building.

YOU, where you are, are a VALUABLE, IMPORTANT part of the great work that God is doing in this church. Don’t lose that!

* YOU, where you are, are a VALUABLE, IMPORTANT part of the great work that God is doing in this church. Don’t lose that!

The value of stones comes in unity.

* The value of stones comes in unity.

Parts of a building are pointless. But put them together and you have real value.

* Parts of a building are pointless. Put them together and you have real value.

A solitary foundation or a single wall has no function.

* A solitary foundation or a single wall has no function.

A building without a foundation won't stand very long.

* A building without a foundation won't stand very long.

A building missing a wall or a roof can’t provide adequate shelter.

* A building missing a wall or a rood cannot provide adequate shelter.

It takes the parts working together for God’s purpose.

A building also needs structure.

* A building also needs structure.

For a church to fulfill its purpose as God’s house, it has to have church government and every member needs to work in harmony with that structure.

* For a church to fulfill its purpose as God’s house, it has to have church government and every member needs to work in harmony with that structure.

That structure is:

* That structure is:

Administrative leadership

* Administrative leadership

Spiritual leadership

Of course, these roles often overlap and can be filled by the same person.

* Of course, these roles often overlap and can be filled by the same person.

It’s very important that we have BOTH of these parts of God’s structure in His church.

* It’s very important that we have BOTH of these parts of God’s structure in His church.

The “Church”

* The “Church”

The term “church” refers to both the universal body of believers () and to local congregations.

* The term “church” refers to both the universal body of believers () and to local congregations.

God inspired Paul to write: "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” ().

* God inspired Paul to write: "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” ().

Scripture teaches us that every believer should be part of a local assembly, be faithful to its meetings (), and follow its godly leadership ().

* Scripture teaches us that every believer should be part of a local assembly, be faithful to its meetings, and follow its godly leadership (, ).

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews

Hebrews 13:7 NKJV

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Also, scripture shows us that every local church should be part of the general body, cooperate with its efforts, and be accountable to its leadership ()

* Also, scripture shows us that every local church should be part of the general body, cooperate with its efforts, and be accountable to its collective leadership ()

Acts

Acts 16:4–5 NKJV

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

We need to recognize and respect local and general leadership.

* We need to recognize and respect local and general leadership.

There is a general disrespect for leadership rising in the world.

* There is a general disrespect for leadership rising in the world.

So what is the church? Is it a building? Is it a club? A venue?

* So what is the church? Is it a building? Is it a club? A venue?

In the Old Testament the closest thing they had to accessing the Spirit was in the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle.

* In the Old Testament the closest thing they had to accessing the Spirit was in the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle.

But today, due to Christ's sacrifice, we are the tabernacle! WE house His Spirit! It lives within us!

* But today, due to Christ's sacrifice, we are the tabernacle! WE house His Spirit! It lives within us!

“Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?”

* “Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?”

And listen to this interesting scripture: “You are God’s field. You are God’s building” ( NLT)

* And listen to this interesting scripture: “You are God’s field. You are God’s building” ( NLT)

YOU are God’s building!

* YOU are God’s building!

Some more interesting scripture in that same chapter:

* Some more interesting scripture in that same chapter:

KJV

* KJV

Elsewhere, the Bible speaks of us individually as the temple of God, telling us to consecrate our bodies to God because His Spirit dwells within us.

* Elsewhere, the Bible speaks of us individually as the temple of God, telling us to consecrate our bodies to God because His Spirit dwells within us.

But here, in , the word ye is actually plural, referring to the collective people of God as God’s dwelling.

* But here, in , the word ye is actually plural, referring to the collective people of God as God’s dwelling.

We are together, unified, the church! And we have to stay unified! Don’t let small things hurt our unity.

* We are together, unified, the church! And we have to stay unified! Don’t let small things hurt our unity.

That number you see in the corner of the screen today - that is the church! All of the other live feeds you’re seeing of Apostolic services around the world - that is the church!

* That number you see in the corner of the screen today - that is the church! All of the other live feeds you’re seeing of Apostolic services around the world - that is the church!

You are a part of something that is massive!

* You are a part of something that is massive!

Through the Word and Spirit, we can build God’s house. From God’s house we can bring revival to the world!

Closing

“Well Bro. LaRue, me and everybody else, we’re all shut in the house. How can we bring revival to the world?”

Let me tell you the first thing we can do: we can make our living room a red-hot prayer room for the kingdom of God!

We can call and message our friends, family, and neighbors with encouragement and support.

We can do a bible study with our family and over the phone with someone.

We can make a decision that our families in each home are going to become so on fire for God, that when we finally do come back together… OH MY! We’ll shake the earth with our worship!

What I am doing tonight is calling forth some lively stones! It’s time to rise up in a time of chaos and uncertainty and be found to be a lively stone!

“I’m going to make sure that my body is not only meant to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, but it absolutely does house the Holy Ghost daily!”

Now is a time for prayer warriors!

Men, we can be prayer warriors just like ladies can. And it is time for it!

Ladies, you can be prayer warriors that cause things to shift right now!

Let’s pray and ask God right now in closing to make us lively stones in a dark day!