Building Our Temple

BUILDING OUR TEMPLE

by Dr. Larry A. Bergeron

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

Red Bay COG / June 24, 2001 / AM

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

In a few moments we will be looking at the book of 1 Corinthians 3

Throughout the history of mankind, man has erected temples to their gods.

Most of these temples were dedicated to false deities and religions.

This characteristic in human nature I believe comes from man being made in the Image of God.

For you see, the great purpose of God in redeeming mankind is to make of every human being a residence for the Spirit of God . . . a temple.

God’s will for us is that we prepare ourselves—according to His plan—to be a holy temple in which His Spirit will dwell.

So the question is, what kind of temple are you? How are you building your temple?

Stand with me as we read from 1 Corinthians 3:10

SCRIPTURE READING

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

16Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

PRAYER

SERMON

As we look now at the work that is involved in BUILDING OUR TEMPLE, there are four things we need to consider: the FOUNDATION, the FURNISHINGS, the FIRE, and the FUTURE.

1. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR TEMPLE

Ask any contractor and he will tell you that a building is only as good as it’s foundation.

If the foundation is faulty, the building is doomed

If the foundation is solid, the building will stand a long time

Today, as we look at the foundation of our Temple, we are reminded of the history we find in the Old Testament of the Tabernacle and Temple building.

The pattern for building the temple began during the wilderness journey of the children of Israel.

It was not Moses’ plan that God desired.

For you see many want to try to build God’s house in their image

In their mind and ideas they are the kind who always gravitate to the negative.

They are never satisfied unless it’s their way

Of such was Korah who was killed for his rebellion against Moses who was following God’s command

Of such were Nadab and Abihu who offered strange fire and were killed at the altar

Oh that God would open the eyes of those who have been snared by the devil, that He would open the eyes of those who do that which is right in their own eyes.

You see, our foundation is everything.

It must not be on our opinion or desire, but on God’s Word and Will

But from the beginning God demanded—upon penalty of death—that His dwelling place would be built to HIS SPECIFICATIONS.

Moses was instructed on Mt. Sinai—as we are shown in Exodus 25—to build the Tabernacle EXACTLY ACCORDING TO THE PLANS THAT GOD HAD GIVEN HIM.

IF ANYONE DEPARTED FROM THIS PATTERN, THEY WERE TO BE PUT TO DEATH.

You may say, What does this have to do with me?

I’m a Christian, I follow the New Testament

God has declared that there is only one foundation that He will permit His Temple to stand upon,

Some call it Moriah, Others Zion,

We have come to know it as

OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

There is but one name under heaven by which men must be saved

. . . THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

If we try to build a dwelling place for God on any other foundation, God’s wrath will remain upon us, because we have rejected His Blue Print for our salvation.

May we who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit of God is saying to us.