When God Fills The Church

25 August 2024 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY

AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Dedication of the Temple

8 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

1 Kings 8:6

6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

1 Kings 8:10-11

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

10 And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Title: When God Fills the Church

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:6, 10-11 (NRSVue)

“Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim… And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”

Introduction: In the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, we witness a profound moment where God’s presence descends like a cloud, filling the house of the Lord with His glory. This event is more than just a historical account; it is a powerful reminder of what it means for God to fill His church today. When God’s Spirit truly fills a church, it transforms not only the building but the lives within it and the community it serves.

Let us explore what it means to have the Spirit of God fill the church and how this divine filling empowers our ministry of discipleship in the community.

In the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, we witness a profound moment where God’s presence descends like a cloud, filling the house of the Lord with His glory. This event is more than just a historical account; it is a powerful reminder of what it means for God to fill His church today.

When God’s Spirit truly fills a church, it transforms not just the building but also the lives within it and the entire community it serves.

Last week, as I watched the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I was struck by the passion and energy during the state roll call. As each state was called, a deejay played a song that perfectly reflected the state’s identity and spirit. It made me wonder—what if we did something similar in the church? What if, when each household member was called to report to the Lord, a song played that captured the essence of who they are in Christ? What would we hear when your house or home was called?

The DNC roll call reminded me of the energy, passion, and commitment we must have as the church. Just as those delegates were inspired and motivated to represent their states with pride, we, too, must be inspired and motivated by God’s power to represent His kingdom with that same intensity. When God’s Spirit truly fills a church, it doesn’t just change the physical space—it ignites a passion within us that transforms our lives, fuels our ministries, and impacts the communities we serve.

I. The Presence of God Transforms the Church into Holy Ground

The first thing we learn from Solomon’s Temple is that it is no longer ordinary when God fills a place. The presence of God transforms the church into holy ground. In 1 Kings 8:10-11, the priests could not even stand to minister because the cloud of God’s glory was so overwhelming. This tells us that when God’s Spirit fills the church, it demands our reverence and submission.

In our churches today, we often focus on programs, activities, and structures, but when was the last time we were so overcome by the presence of God that we could do nothing but worship? The filling of God’s Spirit means surrendering our agendas to His will. It means recognizing that the church is not a social club or a place for entertainment but a sacred space where God meets with His people.

II. The Presence of God Empowers the Church for Ministry

When the Spirit of God fills the church, it does not just transform the physical space; it empowers the church for ministry. The ark of the covenant represented God’s covenant with His people, a promise of His guidance, protection, and presence. When God fills the church, He brings the power and authority to carry out His mission.