Keeping God's House Clean Series

God didn’t really need a building, because you can’t restrict God to any dwelling. But He chose to allow His Shekinah glory to fill the Holy of Holies of Solomon’s Temple. But the Jews were rebellious and forgot God. So the first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. When the Jews returned from captivity about seventy years later, a second temple was built. But this was a plain, basic building; not nearly as opulent as Solomon’s Temple. Then about 40 years before Jesus showed up in Bethlehem, Herod the Great renovated the Second Temple until it was a grand facility again. This is the temple that was in Jerusalem when Jesus walked through and started cleaning house. That Temple was completely destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Will there be a Third Temple? Read my next novel.

II. NOW GOD HAS A PEOPLE FOR HIS TEMPLE

After Jesus died on the cross there was no need for a temple. The moment He died, the curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying humanity no longer had to go through a ritualistic sacrifice to approach God. A new way to God was opened on the cross. God still has a temple, but it is no longer a building. He has a people for His temple. God’s current House can be understood in two different ways.

A. God dwells in the midst of His church

When Paul wrote to the congregation at Corinth he asked, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) When we gather together in the name of Jesus, He is here in our midst. This congregation, not this building is God’s temple. But in addition to this collective expression of God’s temple, there is also an individual application.

B. God makes His home in those who love and obey Him

Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23) It is true Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. Thirty years ago, Robert Munger wrote a little booklet entitled “My Heart—Christ’s Home.” It’s a wonderful little book that has sold over 10 million copies.

When you place your faith in Jesus, He inhabits your body, soul, and spirit. He owns us. Sometimes you might hear a Christian say, “It’s my life, my body, I can do with it as I please.” That’s not so. The Bible says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So, since collectively, we are God’s Temple, and individually we are God’s temple, HOW can we keep God’s House clean? That leads to the final truth.

III. GOD WANTS HIS TEMPLE TO BE PURE AND HOLY

The Bible says, “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Jesus walked into the temple that day and what He saw wasn’t holy and pure. He had the right to clean out God’s House because it was His Father’s House, so He took charge and did something about it. Have you allowed Jesus to take charge in your life? Let me share three things that happen when Jesus takes control of His Temple (your life) and starts cleaning house.