BUILDING THE LIVING TEMPLE, Part 2

Continued from Part 1...

 4. The people of God must prepare well. It takes time to build the temple of God. Preparation must be undertaken. It says David abundantly prepared because David understood the scope of the work that will be undertaken.

1 Chronicles 22:5 Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death. (NKJV) 

     How are we preparing today? We are preparing by allowing God's work of transformation to be done in us as well as by getting equipped through discipleships, Bible classes and hands on training in ministries. Let us prepare faithfully!

5. The people must set their heart and soul to seeking God. As David gave instructions to Solomon on the building of the temple, he told his son to set his heart and soul to seek God.

1 Chronicles 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.” (NKJV) 

     While God calls people to do work for His kingdom, it must not be forgotten that He first calls people to Himself. For the work of the kingdom to glorify God it has to be a result of a loving relationship with God, growing knowledge of Him and His ways, and obedience to His Word. Thus, seeking God is the precursor to the building of God's temple. May we be wholehearted in seeking God!

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.” (NKJV) 

     To seek God wholeheartedly is to put Him first. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to "Seek Ye first." It is not sufficient to seek God. He is to be sought first! Let us be warned by the message the Prophet Haggai was given for Israel.

Haggai 1:7-11 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” (NKJV) 

     Here was a people brought by the Lord back to their land. However, they became preoccupied with building their own houses and have neglected the rebuilding of God's house. As a result, they have worked hard to provide for their houses' needs yet they still lacked. Their needs could not be adequately met. Why? Because God withheld His favor. We are told that when we seek God first, all things shall be added unto us but when we put things above God we will find our efforts not prospering.

6. The builders must walk in unity and love. In Ephesians 4 where Paul talks about the Lord's body, His spiritual house, he pleaded that the brethren walk worthy of their calling by loving one another and being united.

Ephesians 4:1-3 ​ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (NKJV) 

     To walk in unity requires humility, patience, gentleness and love. For one, we must honor one another. Whether it is our leaders, peers, or those under us, we must learn to honor people and treat them with respect. In Jesus' ministry, it was mentioned that He did not do many mighty works in Nazareth. Why? It was because of their unbelief which resulted from their failure to honor Him. 

Matthew 13:57-58 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (NKJV) 

     Also, we are called to love one another! We are called to serve one another. We are to invest in one another. Let us bear the mentality "how can I be a blessing." May it be our hearts' desire to bless our brethren. It is not enough that we do not do others harm. We must do others good. Let us seek to be channels of God's love and blessing to others by serving others, giving to others, and helping others. We need to be involved in our brethren's lives.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV) 

Galatians even tells us that this is a priority. We are told to do good especially to the brethren.

Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (NKJV) 

     All of us in life will build houses. It is simply a question of whose house are we building, our own or God's. Will we finally let go of ambition and personal goals and dedicate our lives to building His vision, losing ourselves so that we can be living stones instead in His house? Our God is going to come to earth for a glorious church. Will we be part of it?