Week 21: May 27th, 2018
Topic: Building the House of God – Part 1
Bible Reading: Haggai 1: 1-8
Introduction
Building the house of God is in two aspects, first, the physical aspect is to build a befitting structure or to remodel the existing building where the believers can congregate to serve and worship Almighty God. Secondly, the spiritual aspect is to learn about God, set the captives free and edify the faith of the people in the vineyard of God.
The primary purpose that we the Christians who are called by the name of Almighty God are created is to display His infinite glory. We are created for the world to glorify the Lord God through us Isaiah 43:7. If we are created for the glory of God, then the best way to proclaim the glory of God is to zealously do His work, most especially by building a magnificent house (Church/Temple) for Him or rehabilitate the existing ones.
The first commandment according to the scripture says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5. If you really love the Lord your God, you will have a burning desire to do His work and build a house for Him. One thing we must realize is that it is either you build a house or houses for the Lord or you will build a house or houses for the social or worldly activities. Anyone who does not want to donate, contribute or participate in building the house of the Lord, will certainly donate, contribute or participate directly or indirectly in building places for the Devil and the darkness; so, the choice is yours, but we pray that you will make the right decision. Whenever you are building the house of the Lord, you are laying your treasure in heaven where moth or rust cannot destroy them and where thieves cannot break in to steal them Matthew 6:19-20. Though there is time for everything in life, there is time to break down and time to build up according to the Bible. Now is the time to build the house of the Lord that is in ruins Ecclesiastes 3:3.
Nowadays, humans are so engrossed in social activities to the extent that they neglect the house of God. Many people are focused on the realization of their ambitions and career goals, which make them to have no time for the work of God or to build His house. The aspirations of many Christians are in conflict with building the house of the Lord or giving attention to their Creator. To these people, we say stop these nefarious activities and “turn over a new leaf”. The Book of Haggai stated that “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built”’”. Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Haggai 1:2-4. Are you one of those who are living in luxurious houses while the church/temple of God lies in ruins? Do not be among the people who always postpone the repairs or the building of the house of God. Never conspire to delay the building or the remodeling of the church/temple.
Many people who are using their financial situation as excuse must know that they can use their skills, gifts, time and energy to contribute their own quota to the building of the house of the Lord.
People must realize that everything they have is from God. He gave them sound mind and good health, He also made it possible for them to be successful and achieve their goals. So, whoever give willing for the building of the church gives back part of what God had bestowed upon him/her and this is a grace of God. Christians must not forget that we are strangers and sojourners on earth, and we have limited time to use, therefore, let us use our time on earth judiciously by working for God and building His house. Believers, donate/give your inheritance, wisdom and skills to build the church/temple to honour the Holy name of Almighty God, since all your possessions comes from Him 1 Chronicles 29:14-16.
It is the duty of Christians to instruct their children not to be left out but participate in every fundraising to build the house of God. They must order/encourage their children to build churches/temples for the Lord 1 Chronicles 22:6. If you love your children, command/encourage them to always donate and participate in every church building activity. They must encourage their children to surpass their own record concerning the building of the church/temple.
Therefore, know that with or without you, God will utilize people to build a befitting house/place where people will worship Him according to the passage which stated “For the Lord shall build up Zion: He shall appear in His glory” Psalm 102:16. We pray that you will be among the people that God in His infinite mercy will use to build His church/temple.
Though, God does not well in the houses/churches/temples that are constructed with hands according to the scripture which stated that “However the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says” Acts 7:48. Furthermore, it is written that “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? Says the Lord or what is the place of My rest?” Acts 7: 49, Isaiah 66:1. Though God doesn’t live in physical building, but in spiritual building, which is our body because our body is the temple of God, but we are still obligated to construct physical building where:
1. We can congregate to serve and worship Him.
2. Believers can gather together to pray for solutions to their problems.
3. People can learn about God, have spiritual growth and their faith will be edified
4. God can communicate with us and reveal His glory in our midst.
Types of House of the Lord
There are two types of house of the Lord namely physical and spiritual.
Physical House of the Lord: It is a holy place, a physical building constructed by human beings with hands or machinery to serve and worship the Lord.
Spiritual House of the Lord: We human beings are the temple of God according to the Bible passage which stated that “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16. Paul apostle corroborated that our body is the temple of God by saying “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. It is clear from the two passages that we human beings are the spiritual temple of the Lord.
The spiritual house of the Lord
Though we are going to concentrate on the physical house of the Lord, it is very important to briefly mention certain things about the spiritual house of the Lord.
You are the God’s building: Christians are fellow workers, servants and labourers working together with God and for God. We are God’s spiritual garden and we are His cultivated field and vineyard. All of us are God’s buildings 1 Corinthians 3:9. So whatever denomination we belong to, we must be careful of what we build on the existing foundation of the vineyard (church). We must apply the wisdom of God so that whatever we build on the existing foundation will be in conformity with the statutes and tenets of the church. Since no one can lay a different foundation other than the one which is already laid, which Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 3:10-11. If anyone lay any foundation that is different from Jesus Christ, then such person is neither one of us nor building the house of God.
Assurance of the Resurrection: Believers who use their bodies which are the temples of the Lord wisely should have the confidence that whenever their earthly tents they live is taken down or destroyed, that is when they die and leave this earthly body. They will be transformed and be given a house/building in the heaven (heavenly body), an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands 2 Corinthians 5:1. Therefore do not doubt the power of God but use your spiritual building/house for the edification of the faith of others and the development of the physical building/house of God.
God will use you for salvation: The intention of God is to use the faithful and immovable believers among us to rebuild the deserted ruins of His churches/temples that Jesus Christ used His Blood to ransomed and redeemed. God will use those believers to break the aged yoke of the people in bondage and give them salvation through Jesus Christ. Those believers will be utilized for the deliverance of people from the powers of the darkness and the clutches of Satan. Those lucky believers will be rewarded in this world and the world to come, and they will be referred to as rebuilders of walls and restorers of homes Isaiah 58:12. If you are one of God’s instruments, your primary aim must be to build the house of the Lord and liberate the captives of the terrestrial powers. Remember that God raised you up in righteousness, He will direct your ways and guide your actions; it is your duty to build His church/temple and let His exiles go free without any payment or reward Isaiah 45:13. Are you one of the believers raised by the Lord God to set people free, but you are collecting bribe and payment for your service? Are you one of the so-called believers who are violating this commandment of the Lord by using the Bible passage that says “those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar” as an excuse to demand payment and collect rewards (1 Corinthians 9:13). You can eat the offerings that people cheerfully give to the Lord, but you cannot demand payment for your service because it is forbidden. Since whatever happens is not by might or power but the grace of God. Therefore, change today and reconcile with God before it is too late.