16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
A church in my community joined another congregation and sold the facility to our city fire department. Yesterday, the large excavator began swinging and grabbing with its bucket ripping down the bricked sanctuary. It took most of the day to bring all the walls and roof to a big pile of rubble.
It felt sad to see another church building no longer being used for its intended purpose. I thought of those who had raised money for the building of the sanctuary. I thought of the sermons, the prayers, the singing and the fellowship shared over the years. Somebody gave their life to Jesus, marriages were established, babies were dedicated and funerals were honored.
Then I realized it was made of wood, brick, and some paint. Every physical structure will come down eventually. It was not made with everlasting material. How interesting that when Jesus decided to build His church, it was not made with human hands or materials. The building is not His church. God’s plan is much bigger and will succeed throughout eternity.
Our verse today needs a little Alabama twang version to make it plain and simple…change the “you” to y’all (all of you). The “you” in the Greek is plural not singular. Collectively, we make up this temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Yes, the Holy Spirit lives inside of each follower of Jesus, but all together we make up the church, the body of Christ.
Why is this important?
It’s Value – We were bought and paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. His sacrifice is eternally represented on our behalf. It is more precious than any amount of money, silver, gold or diamonds. You and I were redeemed with the highest of all payments. You and we are valuable. Don’t be calling anything junk, or worthless which God has paid for.
It’s Prominence – It may look foolish to the world, but to God, His Church is on open display for all to see. He calls us the Bride of Christ, we will be presented without spot or wrinkle.
It’s Purpose – We carry this message of God’s love to a world that is dying and without hope. We get to be a representation of God’s grace, mercy, and light. We forgive those who sin against us, we bless those who curse us, we are strong while we are meek, we love those who mistreat us, we pray for all people, we seek truth, justice and compassion.
We are a peculiar people. 1 Peter 3:9 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
No weapon formed against God’s church will succeed. He will finish what He has started and that includes encouraging you along your way. You don’t have to think of yourself higher than you ought, but neither should you think you are any less than a highly favored child of God. Live today like a child of the most high king…cause that’s what you are.
Blessings Love Y’all
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A church in a city where I used to live & still attend a prayer group ( Columbus, MS), was demolished & replaced by a Cook-Out Burger business. I know that we are the Temple of God, but it was so sad to see that church building demolished.
Cook out is a faith based business. Pray they are still serving the community