GOD'S TEMPLE TODAY
INTRODUCTION: Temple's have always played a part in the religious life of mankind. It was
part of God's Old Testament scheme. Temples were part of the pagan world. Temples play a
part in world religions, such as Buddhism. And the Mormons have a number of temples.
We have been talking about Solomon's temple on Wednesday evening. But did you know
that Christians have a temple today? What does the Bible tell us about temples.
BODY
I. THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD.
A. The house of God.
1. I Timothy 3:15 - "But if I tany long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar- and ground
of the truth."
B. Christians are the Holy Temple of God.
1. Ephesians 2:20-22 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief comer 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."
2. 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for
the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
3. 1 Corinthians 6:18,19 - "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body;
but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God,
and ye are not your own?"
C. The habitation of God.
1. 2 Corinthians 6:16 - "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are
the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and
I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
D. But just each Christian is part of the holy temple of God, we are also priests of God who
serve. our Lord in his temple.
1. I Peter 2:5, 9- "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ .... But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
II. CHRIST IS THE ARCHITECT.
A. He built His church.
1. Matthew 16:18 - "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
B. He set himself as the foundation.
1. I Corinthians 3:11 - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.
. 2. 1 Peter 2:5-6 "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief comer
stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."
III. CHRIST IS THE LORD OVER THE TEMPLE.
A. Jesus is High Priest.
1. Hebrews 3: 1; 4:14 - "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus ... Seeing then that
we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession."
B. He is head over the House of God.
1. Hebrews 3:2-6 "Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was
faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For
every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses
verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which
were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are
we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
C. He is head over the church.
1. Ephesians 1:22 - "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head
over all things to the church,"
D. Head of the body.
1. Ephesians 1:23 - "Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
2. Ephesians 5:23 - "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the
head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
IV. ENTRANCE INTO THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS CONDITIONAL.
A. One must enter into the temple, or body of Christ.
I . Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we
be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or f-ree; and have been all made to drink into
one Spirit."
3. Song - "Trust and Obey"
B. Mug maintain obedience.
1. Hebrews 4:14 - "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
C. Must not defile our garments.
1. Revelation 3:4 - "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy."
CONCLUSION: Solomon's temple must have been one of the most beautiful building that
has even been constructed by man. But God's temple today is far more beautiful. It is a
wonderful blending of brothers and sisters from every comer of the earth. Let us honor
and serve God in his holy temple. "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep
silence before him" (Habakkuk 2:20).
|