THE HOUSE OF THE LORD


 



THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

 

 

Religion has done something to our way of thinking over hundreds of years. It has affected our language, the way we live, and has become a lens through which we see life. 

 

 

We used to frequently sing a song in our services quoting Ps122:1: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into THE HOUSE OF THE LORD”.

It was very upbeat and we would bounce around, clapping enthusiastically, excited to be gathered together for another service “IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD”.

 

 

I remember being taught how to act in THE HOUSE OF THE LORD… how to be reverent, worshipful, quiet, respectful… honoring God… because… after all… we were coming into HIS SANCTUARY…

…which always referred to the main meeting area.

 

 

 

We didn't realize we were stuck in the Old Covenant, which says,

 “Have them build a SANCTUARY for Me, so that I may DWELL among them.” (Ex25:8)

 

 

“HOWEVER, God… …does not DWELL in TEMPLES made with hands” (Acts17:24-25)

…as the prophet says:  'Heaven is my throne and the Earth is the footstool of my feet,

what HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?'” (Acts7:48-50;Isa66:1)

 

 

So… if the building in which we meet IS NOT THE HOUSE OF GOD… HIS SANCTUARY… HIS TEMPLE…

                  …WHAT IS THE HOUSE OF GOD?

 

1Cor3:9 boldly states, “YOU ARE GOD’S BUILDING.”

                                    [an edifice serving as a home]

 

1Cor3:16 “YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD

…and the Spirit of God dwells in YOU”

Eph3:17 “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”

[dwell: to settle down as a permanent resident]

 

The Greek word translated, “TEMPLE” denotes THE INNER SANCTUARY  — the dwelling place of God.

 

YOU are the ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT…

…where the presence of YAHWEH dwells

…HIS SANCTUARY

 

Jn15:4 “DWELL in Me, and I will DWELL in you.”

 

 

Jn14:23 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM.”

 

 

…YOU… individually…

                                    …but also ...YOU… collectively…

 

Eph2:19-22 states that in Jesus Christ YOU ARE “THE BUILDING fitly framed TOGETHER” growing “unto an HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord:

In whom you also are BUILDED TOGETHER for an HABITATION OF GOD through the Spirit.”

 

 

We don't BUILD anything for HIM…

…He chose to BUILD US!

…not only as an individual TEMPLE

…but BUILT TOGETHER as a HABITATION for

the expressive, dynamic force of HIS presence in the Earth.

…THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!

 

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