The God whom we worship does not need a house to dwell in. Since He is all presence, He can be anywhere. Yet, after years of guiding the Israelites through the desert, God would one day gave instruction to Moses to build a tabernacle for him (Exodus 25). And when the tabernacle was completed, we read that the glory of God filled the whole tabernacle. Then came David who started the initiative to build a magnificent house for God. This was however, only to be realized by Solomon, his son. And so after many centuries, we see God's house, which in the term of the world, we call it church, was built. Small church, big church, beautiful church, not so beautiful church, simple church, not so simple church are literally being built all over the world. Some of these churches are even national monument or heritage property. In fact if you are to visit some of these countries today, such as Italy, UK, a visit to church will be included in the itinerary but unfortunately not for the right reasons. The building of the temple was recorded in details in 1 King 5-8 and 2 Chr 2-7. Let's turn to 1 King 5 and read concerning the temple preparation. In one of Moody's daily devotion, we read that Solomon's building of God's house were centered on David had wanted to build a temple but his kingdom had been in a constant state of inner turmoil and wars with external powers. God had given Solomon peace - the right time for building the temple.
2. God's promise (1 Chr 17:10-14)
We read in 1 Chr 17:11-14 that God promised David that his son would build the temple. The building of the temple was not Solomon's own vision.
" 'I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.'
3. God's purpose (1 Kings 5:5; 2 Chr 2:4)
Solomon's project was directed to the purpose of God. It is for His name and to worship him. 2 Chr 2:4 Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on Sabbaths and New Moons and at the appointed feasts of The LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.
In the building of the temple, there were many parties involved: King of Tyre (V10), Sidonian loggers (V6), Gebalite craftsmen (V18). Gentiles were an integral part of the project foreshadowing the words of Jesus in Mark 11:17: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'.
4. God's Glory (2 Chr 7)
After the temple was completed, Solomon brought the ark into the temple and held a big dedication ceremony. The people came and Solomon offers thousands of animals (22,000 cattle, 120,000 sheep & goats), prayer and feast for 14 days (1 King 8:65). Then we read in 2 Chr 7 that the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (Also 1 King 8:10) Indeed, the temple itself reveals the glory of God. Compared to the earlier tabernacle, the temple was vast in design. The tabernacle (Exodus 26) was only 675 square feet while the temple recorder here (v2) is 2700 square feet – four times bigger. And while the tabernacle was mostly curtains and dirt floor, the temple was covered in costly material. We have so much detail description on the floors, walls, ceilings – cedar, pine, gold as well as the carvings of cherubim, plants and flowers. In short, it tells us the God loves beauty and design. He is a God of splendor and glory.
We see that indeed these principles indeed continue for the new church building. Bigger and more beautiful churches were built as we just seen from the slide show earlier. Indeed many churches were built based on these principles. Although it is sad that many churches has ceased to bring before God the purpose and the glory today. In fact many churches are either turn into museum or even mosques today.
But wait, that's not all. For us Christians, the definition of church is well defined and well understood. We know that the true church is not God's building. It is a community of those believing in Jesus Christ also known as Christians. All the Christians, no matter what their nationality is, belong to God's people, to his Church. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, the church is the dwelling place of God. It is the church that come together that bring out the purpose of God and glorify him. The Church is not a mere human invention. She is the Church of the Living God (1 Tim 3:15). She is his building, his field (1 Cor 3:9), his household and dwelling place (Eph 2:19,22) and his flock (1 Pet 5:2). He chose her before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4) and gave her to his Son (John 17:6,12) who came to this world and purchased here with his own blood (Eph 5:25-27).
If we are to study church history, we will see that indeed the church shaped the western culture from the first century. The church defended the right of human being, stand up for the poor and afflicted. Humanitarianism starts with the early church. The Christian community of the era started orphanage, hospices and hospitals. When the plague hit Rome, only Christians went into the infested area, feeding soup, caring for the dying. It puzzled so many why would they do it. But because of this, the church spread dramatically because the Christians stayed in the city caring for the sick while everyone else left. The women were treated like human being which was not true for the then society. This has impacted the culture so much that within 3 centuries, Christianity became the dominant religion. Constantine was forced to declared Christianity as the religion for the Roman empire because the Christians had taken over the society. It was a glorious era as the church shared the good news of God's love and mercy.
So we ask : the church today – Do we live up to this calling and purpose?
I know it is disheartened to see church do not grow. It is even more saddened to see our brothers and sisters being persecuted and we see the church suffered. Sometimes, we are discouraged to see some churches wiped out completely.
The seven churches in Revelation is nowhere to be found today. What is left in the 7 churches of TRelevation is only a pile of stone or a few pillar structures. Likewise, our church today may not last also. None of us can presume the continuation of any given congregation. In the past, churches had been extinguished, and it is possible it can happen again today.
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey was once the biggest church. Emperor Constantine built it in 360 and it was a church until 1453 when the Ottoman Turk conquered the city and Sultan Mehmed converted into a mosque. It remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey. They cannot worship there since there are too many Christian symbols. Even though they have covered it, many marks still visible.
We do not know what our Grace Chapel will be like in 50 years. The fact that we have lasted 50 years does not guarantee that we will last another 50 years. We all pray that under our watch, Grace Chapel will always be a place where God's purpose and His glory will be revealed. That it is a house where the gospel will be proclaimed and that God is honor and worship faithfully. I want to believe that all of us here will be willing to die for the faith if needed be.
There are indeed lessons for us and warn us that we will disappear if we are like some of these churches in Revelation.
Ephesus church is like our mega church today. When the church grows, instead of giving God the credit, we take credit for it. And so we see mega churches after mega churches and at the end the glory went to the people and not God. And God gave the warning to the church at Ephesus as recorded in Revelation 2. They were successful and Jesus even commented them on their hard work and perseverance. But unfortunately they forgotten their first love.
The Thyatira church is a universal church of toleration. In the name of toleration and peace, the truth is compromise and so the church preached that all ways lead to heaven and Jesus is only a way. In one recent interview in a church in USA, a pastor was asked if the church would accept homosexual member. The pastor said of course they do, just like they have overweight people and people was love chocolate. If we are to put homosexual into the same category as chocolate lovers or those who are overweight, there is no more ground on moral distinction.
The Sardis church, on the other hand is a dead church. Some commentator describe it as a morgue with a steeple. Full of programs and lots of activities tie to Easter and Christmas. But in actual case, the church forgets about the purpose it exists.
And then there is the church of Laodicea where Jesus Christ himself cannot even get into the church.
Indeed, We need to stand guard today. All of us and especially the Youth among us today must realize this foundation. If there is no peace among us, members fight against members, if we forget the purpose and the glory due to God. Grace Chapel will become Race Chapel. When we abandon the gospel, we abandon the means that God has for us. Other means may build the Church in numbers and in dollars, but only the means God has appointed can impart spiritual life to dead sinners and truly make them part of God's Church.
But don't want to paint a bleak picture. Instead, let me encourage you all.
First and foremost, we have to realize one key point here. And that God is the builder of the church. So many times, we forget that God is the author. He is the architect and we are only the contractor to carry out His job. It was Jesus who said "I will build my church". In Acts we read about God add to the church the numbers.
Let us turn our attention back to building of God's house by Solomon. Even though Solomon was the wisest and most intelligent man that ever lived, and even though he was the one who was going to build God's temple, yet God gave the plan of the temple to David and not to Solomon. It is really amazing to read in 1Chronicles 28:11-19 that the wisest man in the world had to be told how much gold he should use for the lamp stand and how to make forks!
You will notice that principles lay down by God for building the physical church, the temple is applicable to building the people church today. God does not reveal His plan for building the church as the Body of Christ, to clever people with good planning or management skills. What is needed is humble obedient heart.
In the 70s and 80s, Romania was ruled by the dictator Ceausescu who hated the church. He is known for demolishing churches as well as synagogues. One day he was driving through a section of the country and came across a beautiful church. He ordered his staff to have the church removed. The staff then told him that it was not a good idea as the people would revolt. He told the staff to hide the church. Now how do you hide a church? So the staff proposed to build tall building around it so that the church will not be seen. Work began and the government started to build tall apartments and office building surrounding the little church so that it is hidden. What happen is that when these buildings were completed, people living in the area began to attend the church and it grew. Remember, when it is dead end for us, God opens the way.
Another recent story that I heard was on Back to the bible radio broadcast by its President, Woodrow Kroll. For years, Back to the Bile would like to reach out to the Maldives which is 100% Muslim country. The country did not allow them to broadcast there so they broadcast from the nearby Seychelles. Because of this, it caused a diplomatic strain between this two countries and Back to the Bible has to pull out their broadcast. However, after a few months, BTB begin to broadcast and really aiming at the islands and the government of Maldives was so angry that they begin to publish in the local newspaper a full page ad that tell their people not to tune to this particular frequency. God is working behind the scene and indeed only He knows how many in Maldives actually have a chance to listen to the gospel and response to it.
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, many building tumbled and even the church buildings were not spared. But one very encourage news reported all over the world is that among the many bodies that came to aid, the church and Christian organizations were one of the most actives. From Catholic to SDA to the many different denominations in the protestant church, help was almost non-stop. Newsweek reported churches were helping churches. Same stories were reported by Times herald, Fox news and so on. This is a picture of the church building is down but the real church is standing up.
So Let's not be discourage but be encouraged. As long we involve God (Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.) We just have to plant the seed and God will grow it. (1Cor 3:6-7) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. so neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. Our responsibility is such that we STAY FAITHFUL and be weary of the pitfalls.
