THE CHURCH AS THE TEMPLE OF GOD
Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

        In the New Testament the Church is never a building. It is always a group of people gathered to worship God and to build each other up as the Body of Christ. The New Testament uses a variety of images to describe the Church: the people of God, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the believers, the saints, the elect, and the field of God to name a few. The New Testament also speaks of the Church as the Temple of God.

I. The Church is a dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:22).
    A. If the Church is God’s home, then God must be present in the Church.
    B. If the Church is God’s home, then God must be host rather than visitor. He is in control.
    C. If the Church is God’s home, then God must be comfortable in the Church.

II. The Church is built with people (Ephesians 2:20).
    A. The Church is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets.
    B. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church.
    C. The Church must be built in alignment with Jesus Christ to remain stable and straight.
    D. The Church consists of living stones—people.
    E. Being living stones set together in the Church is challenging.

III. The Church is a holy Temple (1 Corinthians 3:17).
    A. The Church must be holy because it is the Temple of a holy God.
    B. A church that is not holy provides false advertising about God.
    C. Becoming a holy Church means allowing the Spirit to form more and more Christ in us, Christ among us, and Christ through us.

        The Church is a people where God is at home and where people know that He is really among us. That can happen only when we are a holy people. Would God be at home in you? If there is anything that is part of your life that would make a holy God uncomfortable dwelling within you, He is able to help you deal with it. Open your heart to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you now about any sin or impurity within you that would keep God out of you, His holy Temple.