Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19
John introduces Jesus as the ‘logos of God’. It is interesting to note that the full meaning of logos includes...‘embodying an idea or concept’. In the case of Jesus, He fully reveals God to us and also fully reveals what God wants a human being to be. John 1
God told Moses....”I Am” Ex 3:14
God also tells Moses ...”Man is to bear my likeness and image” Gen 1
But we don’t; we are sinners to the core.
Here is the sum total of the plan of redemption. The God ‘who is’ works to restore His likeness in fallen man. The way He does this is through the Cross of Christ. And the result is spectacular....we, together, become the dwelling place of God in Christ. 1 Cor 15:49; 2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:18-29
SOME OLD TESTAMENT HINTS
e.g. The portable Tent of His presence in the desert is carried on chosen shoulders. Num 8
e.g. The stone building of Solomon was constructed without sound of hammer, chisel, or iron tool at the temple site. Only blocks dressed at the quarry were used. 1 Kings 6:7
e.g. Zerubbabel’s ‘inferior in every way’ temple was given spectacular status by the prophet Haggai with the promise that the LORD would visit it. Hag 2:6-9
e.g. The design of all three temples included the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat above the ark was the meeting place with God and hidden by a thick veil to prevent lethal encounters. The idea that God was a consuming Holy God was a constant.
e.g. Isaiah encountered the LORD in the temple in a way that he was in sight of heaven and the actual throne of God. Isa 6
JESUS INTRODUCED THE ULTIMATE TEMPLE TRUTHS
e.g. First Temple cleansing by Jesus to stop the ‘Marketplace atmosphere’ with a strong declaration that the true temple was His body. John 2:12-19
e.g. The second temple cleansing highlighted the purpose of the temple to be to call the Nations to the Lord in prayer. Mt 21:12
e.g. Jesus on the night He was betrayed promised that those who loved Him by obeying His commands would receive the Spirit of truth, Jesus Himself, and His Father into their hearts. Jn 14
e.g. After the resurrection Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit soon and thus be empowered to represent Him to the world. Acts 1:8
e.g. on the day of Pentecost The Spirit came upon the 120 praying in the upper room with wind, roaring fire, and the ability to speak other languages Acts 2:1
e.g. Jesus stopped Saul on the way into Damascus and pointed out that he was persecuting Jesus when he persecuted Christians. The truth of the indwelling Christ converted him. Acts 9
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONTAINING GOD???
What do these people have in common?
Is this plan for real? Adam and Eve; Enoch; Noah; Abraham; Joseph; Moses; Joshua; Samuel; David; Isaiah; Elijah; Elisha; Daniel; Ezekiel; John the Baptist; Jesus; 120; Saul of Tarsus
A Community of Multiplying Sanctuaries...
Multi gifted; transformed sinners; connected; trained to serve. Eph 4
History of such communities
Antioch; Jerusalem; Corinth; Ephesus; Rome; Alexandria
Today in missions
House churches in China; CHE communities in Africa; evangelicals as refugees in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, India; declining churches in the West; heretical churches on the rise.
The near future
The spiritual military levy of Rev 7; the great Angel; the outer court; the two lamp stands; the massive battle; the last great evangelistic work
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14