House Of God Series

Solomon’s Splendor Part 3, The House Of God

1 Kings 6

INTRODUCTION

- Read 1 Kings 6:1-14

- People’s reaction - WOW!

- Our Reaction???

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”

(TS) If I could take you there I would - But I can’t! The temple no longer exists

So why talk about it? Is there any significance?

- It was at the temple Mary & Joseph found Jesus when he was a young boy listening to the teachers

- It was at the temple where Jesus did much of His teaching

- It was at the temple Jesus announced the 7 woes upon the Pharisees

- It was at the temple where Jesus drove out the buyers and the sellers

Jesus had a passion for this place - But, it was NOT the Temple Solomon built (although impressive, it was cheap replica built by King Herod)

SOLOMON’S TEMPLE

If we could see the original temple... What would it look like? Would it overwhelm us?

1 Kings 6 tells us...

- walls of cedar (stones were dressed at quarry, no stone was seen) …verse 15

- floor was pine … verse 15

- inner sanctuary, perfect square, lined with cedar …verse 16

- Details of carvings (Cherubim, gourds, flowers, palm trees) …verse 18

- EVERYTHING WAS OVERLAID WITH GOLD (1 Kings 6:19-35)

Walls… floor… cherubim… doors…

* It is estimated that the gold alone used in Solomon’s Temple (at $260 an ounce) would be worth $31 billion

Is it any wonder people would walk by and say,

“WOW, What A Mighty God We Serve!!!”

ANCIENT CATHEDRALS

I lived in Wales for 2 years… I worshipped in the living room of the preacher’s house (nothing impressive). But just down the road was St David’s Cathedral. It was very impressive!

I traveled to Ireland and saw St Patrick’s Cathedral

I traveled to London to see St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral in London (where Prince Charles & Princess Dianne were married)

Originally built in 604, but destroyed by Vikings in 675. Today’s Structure took 34 years to build (1675-1709) and they are spending 10 million pounds this year (2001) to clean the interior walls!!!

Worms Cathedral, Worms, Germany (Martin Luther nailed his theses to the doors)

Built: 1170 - 1224

Cost: $50 million in today’s currency

Still Stands today! as a testimony to the people of that time who gave their all to God

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Built: began 1163, finished in 1345

Cost: $100 million, took 200 years to build,

1/4 of all citizens in Paris were involved in its construction

Still Stands today! as a testimony to the people of that time who gave their all to God

(TS) When you look at these buildings - you can’t help but think that God was the most important thing in these peoples lives. THESE PEOPLE WERE DEVOTED TO GOD

The Cathedrals would dwarf everything else in town. It was the first thing you would see as you entered a new village (Today, the first thing you see is McDonald’s!)

These cathedrals are all across the world... How were they financed? God’s people willingly gave. They loved God and they wanted to demonstrate it by building a building worthy to be called the HOUSE OF GOD

These Cathedrals were built a 1000 years ago - but the same love and devotion exists today...

MODERN CHURCHES

WILLOW CREEK, ILLINOIS

14,000 people

Building cost - $12.3 million

1st BAPTIST, FLORIDA

Cost $47 million

2nd BAPTIST, HOUSTON, TEXAS

Cost $90 million

SOUTHEAST, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Began in 1965 with a hand full of people

In 1985 - 1700 members - spent $10 million relocating to Hikes Lane

In 1993 - 7500 members - started talking about relocating again!

Purchased 100 acres - $3 million

Spent $53 million relocating (AND THESE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED!!!)

TODAY (2001) - They average in attendance each week 15,000

(TS) Some people would criticize these churches for spending that kind of money - “That’s Bad Stewardship”

But I see ...

1. people who are devoted to God

2. people who are Concerned about winning the lost to Christ

3. people who are leaving their mark as a testimony of their faith for future generations who will pass by their buildings

These people know that God is using them in mighty ways, and they are generously giving to the cause