J14

"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy
temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit."
Ephesians 2:21-22

Paul speaks of the church as a temple which is currently under
construction. That is quite interesting because in Paul's day Herod's
temple was unfinished. It had been forty years in the building already
in our Lord's day, and it was destroyed in A.D. 70. Even when it was
destroyed, it had not yet been completely built. The church is under
construction today, and it will be finished!

"Groweth unto an holy temple" ~ it is growing unto an holy temple in the
Lord. This confirms the fact that it is still unfinished. The structure
is also different. It is not one stone placed on top of another in a
cold way. This temple is growing. God is taking dead material, dead in
trespasses and sins, and is giving it life. The living, born again,
stones are growing into a living temple.

As Solomon's temple was built without the sound of hammer, so the Holy
Spirit silently places each dead sinner into the living temple through
regeneration and baptism. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1Corinthians 12:13).

It is called "an holy temple" or holy sanctuary. It is holy because the
Holy Spirit indwells it. By the baptism of the Holy Spirit the saved
sinner is placed "in the Lord." The Holy Spirit indwells each believer.
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).

The church, the body of Christ, is "an habitation," a permanent temple,
of God in the Spirit. When believers come together in a building to
worship, the Holy Spirit is present. In that sense God is in that
building. But when every believer has left that building, God has left
it also. God is not in any church building anymore thn He is in any bar
room. Today God indwells believers ~ not buildings. God has never dwelt
in any building made with hands, and it is a pagan philosophy which
places God in a human-made structure.

The purpose of the church as a temple is to reveal the presence and the
glory of God on earth. When believers assemble together in a church, the
impression should be made upon the world, that God is in His holy
temple.

The world should feel that God can be found in a church service. Perhaps
more people would be attracted to the church if they were sure that God
was present. Invite them to yours today! God Bless You.