A SPIRITUAL HOUSE – The building & Purpose
1 Peter 2:4-5 & Ephesians 2:19-22
INTRODUCTION
A. The idea of a spiritual house (called by many names) is seen almost from the very beginning of the Scriptures
1. We see it first in the Exodus - Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
- Following Israel’s exit from Egypt, God told them to build a tabernacle – a place where He would meet with them, and in Exodus 40:34 we read of God placing His presence there: Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
2. We then read of the temple, planned by David and built under Solomon’s reign - 1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.
- God filled it with His presence as recorded in 1 Kings 8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord,
B. The next time we read of a new spiritual house is when Jesus comes on the scene
1. Here things change drastically, because we no longer see God speaking in terms of physical buildings when speaking of a temple
2. Jesus was the temple,
a. In John 2:19 we read Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
b. We know that He was God, for in him dwelt all the fullness of the godhead bodily.
3. And as with spiritual houses of the past the glory of God shown in that place and His presence was noticeable.
5. With His death, the temple’s (Herod’s Temple) curtain was rent from top to bottom as well as the veil of His body.
- It would seem that the idea of a temple, a spiritual house was over, UNTIL!
C Both Paul and Peter pick up on this temple – spiritual house - terminology
1. Only this time they use it, not in reference to a physical structure or even Jesus Christ but rather, in reference to believers – likening us to stones, building materials for the construction of a spiritual house.
2. Listen to two passages from the New Testament
a. 1 Peter 2:4-5 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. b. Ephes. 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
3. This morning I want to talk to you about a church building.
4. Its not about this building that surrounds us or even the one we will build in the future: It is not made of wood, brick or stone.
5. It has no physical doors or windows, and no steeple.
6. This spiritual house is made up of living stones – it is made up of you and me!
D. I want to look at three things concerning this Spiritual House
1. Jesus First – The Foundation and Chief Corner Stone
2. Us Second – The Building
3. Together – The Purpose
4. May God grant us a spiritual house: alive to Him and Doing His will
PRAYER:
As we consider this spiritual house we begin where everything must
I. JESUS FIRST – The Foundation and Chief Cornerstone
A. Paul Writes, Ephes. 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1. In the beginning of this letter to the Ephesians Paul is explaining the greatness of our God’s salvation
2. Ephes. 1:3, 7, 12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;…That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
2. And then in Eph 2:19 he proclaims we are citizens of the eternal kingdom and a part of the household of faith and his mind naturally moves to those of the household and he remembers a passage of scripture found in Psalm 118:21-23 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. [22] The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. [23] This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
3. This is the foundation the apostles and prophets laid – none other than salvation by God’s own Son.
4. But not only foundation, the cornerstone, that which orients every other part of the building properly.
5. Set aside by God’s people, the Jews, yet firmly planted in the foundation by God!
B. Peter, writing to a group of people who were under sever persecution for their faith in Christ, reminds them, Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. (Amplified Version)
1. Very possibly remembering the words of Isaiah found in Isaiah 28:16 therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (or be ashamed or be disappointed).
2. Peter proclaims Jesus to be precious and the one who is the foundation of the spiritual building.
C. Jesus is our foundation, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 1 Cor 3:11 (Amplified Version)
1. Jesus, our Savior, is the one chosen by God to give us a sure foundation and true heading for the spiritual building the church.
2. And like any other building the foundation must be sure – any other foundation for life or the church other than Jesus Christ is faulty – will crack under pressure and fall apart.
3. Folks, Jesus is our foundation and chief cornerstone!
4. Men may disallow him, but in God’s sight He is most precious.
5. And if He is most precious to God the Father, He had better be most precious to us – is HE?
- Our life speaks to that fact or contrary to it – Which is it?
In this spiritual building Jesus is the foundation, but then there is what makes up the building and that brings us to the second point I need to make
II. US SECOND – The Building Material
A. Again listen to the Two Apostles
1. Ephes. 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together….
2. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house….
B. We Need To Understand
1. God is building him a temple, a spiritual house and we are the building material
a. If we are in Christ we are fitted together – “fitly framed together”
- The Greek word translated “fitly framed together” is a long one and I would slaughter its pronunciation so I will just let you know that it means “to join closely together, to fit together as in a building or body.”
b. There is to be unity, we are not different buildings, but one building put together with Christ as our Cornerstone.
c. We are to be meshed together and the tighter we are meshed together the greater our strength in Christ!
d. Folks we must bond, we must be of one mind and heart, we must have unity!
2. But beyond that, is the quality of the building material
a. Paul, speaking of Christ writes in Ephes. 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
b. We can use cheap materials of less quality, but why would we when Christ paid for the best!
Now all this is good, but it is of no use if the house does not fulfill its purpose, and so we come to the point of the message for us
III. THE PURPOSE
A. The Scriptures:
1. Ephes. 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
2. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,…, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
3. We are to be a habitation of God (a place were the glory of God is seen) and offering up to God spiritual sacrifices.
B. Application
1. Folks we are the church of the living God and we are to be seen as a living entity
2. We do this as we reflect the glory of God to the world and sacrifice ourselves for the purpose of His kingdoms work.
3. In general there are five ways to show the glory of God and be a living building
a. Worship
b. Ministry
c. Evangelism
d. Fellowship
e. Discipleship
4. The world has plenty of spiritually dead churches – dead stones: that if they were torn down and removed the communities would not even notice they were gone.
5. Jesus wrote a word to the church in Sardis: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Rev. 3:1
- We do not want to be among that lot.
6. We need to know where the Lord is taking us and plan how we are going to get there under His leadership
a. So I want you to be in prayer about it this week
b. Ask those you come in contact with this week what they think the church ought to be doing in the community.
c. Ask yourself what the church could do to glorify God in each of these five areas and then ask God to help you be willing to sacrifice to see it happen.
7. But lets do this for one reason: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31
CONCLUSION: In closing let me remind us,
A. Jesus made a statement to his disciples that we need to take to heart this morning: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23
1. We are to be a building of living stones bringing glory and honor to our God
2. We need to know
a. We cannot worship God without action
b. We cannot minister to others without action
c. We cannot evangelize without action
d. We cannot fellowship without action
e. We cannot be disciples without action
3. IF we are true worshippers of God we will see Jesus precious above all things and seek to follow Him in spirit and truth!
B. Do we want to be a Spiritual House?
1. Are we living stones?
2. Are we fixed upon Jesus and His will?
3. Do we see the fulfillment of His holy will as the greatest good and our priority?
4. Are we willing to send up spiritual sacrifices in Christ?
C. How is our spiritual house?
