Part 3: The Temple by Bro. Steve Miller
The Nature of the Church
Part three: The Temple
The purpose of this lesson is to show the nature of the church as the temple of God.
The Church is called the house of God and the household of God. The reference to the household is teaching us about how we are to treat one another as members of the household. We are to love as brothers and sisters. We are to nurture the younger and weaker members. We are to love and forgive as brothers and sisters.
The Church is also a spiritual house. A spiritual house is a temple. As a spiritual house or a temple, it is very important in reference to our worship and service to the Lord.
In the Old Testament we see that the Temple was essential to acceptable worship and service to God. It could not be substituted with any other!
God gave specific instructions on how the Tabernacle was to be built. Ex 25:1-9
Examples of how God and God’s people reacted to deviations to His prescribed way.
Strange fire Lev 10:1-3
The alter of the Temple or Tabernacle is the only approved alter Josh 22:19
Saul was not a priest and he made an offering 1Sam 13:12-14
The Old Test things were a shadow of things to come Heb 8:1-6
These were serious issues that could not be altered without incurring the wrath of God!
Many may think it doesn’t matter how or where we worship and serve God but is it that what we would learn from the pattern of the Old Testament?
A spiritual house, a kingdom of priests 1Pe 2:1-5
Household…grows into a holy temple Eph 2:19-22
The sacrifice of your life is to be made as we give it in service as a member of the church.
The temple aspect of the Church is in reference to worship and sacrifice to honor and glorify God.
Living sacrifice “Holy” Rom 12:1-2
Holy and acceptable to God – Sanctification
(The Church) That He might sanctify it Eph 5:25-27
No more sacrifice for sin Heb 10:24-29
Walk in the light… 1Jo 1:5-9
The Temple is where God was to be glorified!
The heavens cannot contain God. 1Ki 8:27-29
The Glory of God is seen in the Temple because that is where He dwells!
The cloud comes with God’s glory Ex 40:33-35
Solomon’s temple filled with God’s glory 1Ki 8:10-13
Our Lord came back in the Spirit to have a special dwelling among His people
Made us to sit in heavenly places Eph 2:5-6
Why are the places heavenly? Because God is there!
Dwelling place of God through in the Spirit Eph 2:21-22
The glory of God is to be proclaimed by His people in His house.
Unto Him be glory in the church Eph 3:21
We are to reflect God in our lives and in doing so we glorify God.
Let your light so shine Matt 5:14-16