SANCTUARY: THE PEOPLE OF GOD
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5 (NIV)
Today’s passages teach us that we are God’s temple (His sanctuary, dwelling place). When we come into a saving relationship with Jesus, He sends His Spirit to live in us. He resides in us. He desires to make His home in us. We are, in a very real sense, the presence of God in this world!
The idea of being a dwelling place for God is true in at least two ways. First, we are individually God’s temple. This refers to our personal responsibility to grow in purity and live with integrity. Jewish tradition holds that it took thousands to move the Tabernacle (the portable tent of God). Today, it only takes one. If you are a follower of Christ, you’re God’s living temple—His presence in this world.
Second, we who are joined together in one family as the church are a place of God’s presence. This refers to the importance of unity, being like-minded and having the same purpose. Local churches are meant to be God's presence in the community and in the world. May Brookwood represent Jesus more and more to the people around us.
APPLICATION: God has already prepared your heart to be His divine building. Seek to represent Jesus to the people around you. Be careful with your words and thoughtful with your actions.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You have called me to Yourself and made me a member of the Church, Your Body. I am a living stone in a living temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and empowered to be Your vital presence in the world. Transform me to be more like You. Give me a heart of compassion for those who are hurting and lost. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?