Overcome By Extravagant Praise Series

Overcome By Extravagant Praise

1 Kings 8

Introduction

It may seem counter-intuitive, but when we are distressed, we should begin to praise God. No matter what we are facing, God’s goodness is still praiseworthy, His presence is still needed, His power is never fading, and His care for us in our storm is constant. This is demonstrated in 1 Kings 8.

Our text takes us to an incredible time of accomplishment. King David wanted to build a temple for God, but the Lord told him that His son, Solomon, would be the one to build it. 1 Kings 6:38 tells us that it took Solomon seven years to build the temple, completed in 960 BC. The description of the beauty of the temple is striking. The most precious of materials was used. The detail of the construction and ornamentation is precise. If there is such a thing as a human building a place that attempted to honor God in the highest manner, the temple was it.

1 Kings 8: the bringing of the ark of the covenant into the temple. It’s hard to imagine the energy of that moment. All of Israel gathered together - the priests and levites carrying the ark and the sacred furnishings from the tabernacle into the temple … sacrifices being made.

1 Kings 8:6-13 NLT

Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. 8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day. 9 Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai,[a] where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt. 10 When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 11 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon prayed, “O Lord, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. 13 Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!”

3D Video of the Temple: https://youtu.be/y2tha7ogpec

Entire chapter is filled with the extravagant praise of God. The Temple stood as a magnificent monument to the presence and power of God. Every part of the temple was meaningful, as directed and planned by God as a self-revelation.

1. The Temple Points to Jesus

Bronze Altar - reminds us of Jesus the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice who died to make us right with God.

The Sea - a bronze basin - reminds us that Jesus cleanses us, washing us clean of sin when we respond in faith and are baptized, receiving the forgiveness and cleansing from God.

Holy Place/Most Holy Place - through the blood of Jesus we are are able to enter the presence of God, body coming to His throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16)

Golden Lampstands and Tables of Showbread. Christ is both the light of the world and the bread of life.

Golden Incense Altar - The prayers of God’s people are a sweet incense rising up before Him. (Revelation 5:8 …they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.)

The Temple was a majestic structure to remind the people of God’s power and presence / and to remind us of the eternal plan of God in Jesus Christ.

That temple would be destroyed and another built - somewhat less in opulence, but still important. The second temple is the one Jesus would have entered. It was the temple that was the center of religious life as the apostles taught the gospel after Pentecost.

John 2:18-20  NIV

The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days? But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”

2. Prayers of Presence to Help Us Overcome

At the dedication of the temple Solomon offers seven prayers of overcoming based on the presence and power of God!

A Prayer of Praise (23 O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to those who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.)