INTRODUCTION

1. Temples held a central position in the lives of both Jews and Gentiles in the first century.

   1. For the Jews, the temple in Jerusalem was the primary place of worship

   2. For the Gentiles, pagan and idolatrous temples adorned cities like Ephesus, Athens, and Corinth and were the centers of their culture.

2. Today, the temple of God should hold a central position in the lives of Christians.

   1. The central role of God's temple is more important than ever, but the modern temple of God is far different from the temple structures of the first century.

   2. In this lesson, we will consider that the church of Christ is now the temple of God and what that means for us. 

       

THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD

1. The church collectively is a temple of God in which the Spirit of God dwells.

   1. In 1Corinthians 3:16, Paul asked the rhetorical question to the church at Corinth, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

   2. Knowing this fact, we need to have a proper awareness of God's presence within the church.

      1. The temple of Jerusalem was the place where God interacted with the Jews through the priesthood.  His presence was evident at the dedication of Solomon's temple, for the Jews saw God's glory fill the temple in the form of a cloud (1Ki. 8:10-11).

      2. Although we cannot see Him or a cloud that indicates His presence, we must still be aware that the Spirit of God now dwells in the church.  We should behave as if we can see God in our midst, for He is indeed in the church, which is His holy dwelling place in the world.

2. The church is a temple built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the corner stone.

   1. The temple in Jerusalem was a material structure founded on Mount Moriah and built of stone, cedar, and gold.

   2. The church is a spiritual temple that is not built in a specific geographic location or with earthly materials.  Instead, its foundation and structure is built according to Ephesians 2:19-22:

      ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, ²⁰having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, ²¹in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, ²²in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

3. The church is the house in which the holy priests, who are Christians, are to offer up spiritual sacrifices through Christ.

   1. Christians not only comprise the "living stones" of the temple, but we also serve as holy priests within the temple according to 1Peter 2:4-5:

      ⁴And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, ⁵you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

   2. Our place in God's temple imitates the place of Christ, for He was the stone that was rejected by men but became the corner stone (Eph. 2:20; 1Pet. 2:6-8), and He is our high priest in the true tabernacle of heaven (Heb. 4:14-16; 8:1-6; 9:11-28).

   3. When Solomon's temple was dedicated, thousands of oxen and sheep were sacrificed (1Ki. 8:62-64), and countless thousands more were offered over the centuries.

   4. Unlike those fleshly sacrifices, our sacrifices are spiritual in nature, and they should be at least as consistent and numerous as the Old Testament's sacrifices.  See Hebrews 13:15-16:

      ¹⁵Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. ¹⁶And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

       

       

       

       

GOD'S TEMPLE IS HOLY

1. The temple, which is the church, is holy and should be treated as such.

   1. We noticed the rhetorical question in 1Corinthians 3:16 earlier, but let us also notice the statement in verse 17, which says, "If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are."

   2. Those who treat the church of God as common by causing division, teaching false doctrines, practicing error, or carelessly disregarding it are defiling God's holy temple.  They will surely provoke the wrath of God by profaning that which is holy.

2. The meeting place of the church is not sacred, but the church is.

   1. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their false concepts about the temple (Matt. 23:16-21).  They placed more value on the gold of the temple and the offerings than upon the temple and the altar themselves.

   2. Let us not make a similar mistake by placing undue value upon the church's meeting place or its treasury.

      1. God's word gives no emphasis to sanctuaries and cathedrals as men do.

      2. Remember that the church is comprised of Christians, and it is they who are holy.  Therefore, we must keep ourselves holy both collectively and individually (1Cor. 6:19-20; 10:21).

3. Jesus did not tolerate the Jews turning His Father's house into a place of business.  He will not tolerate the church being turned into a place of business either.

   1. Twice during His ministry, Jesus "drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves" (Matt. 21:12).  He rebuked them for making His Father's house into a robbers' den and a place of business (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:14-17).

   2. Today, the Father's house is the church, and it must not be used as an instrument to conduct business.  The money collected within the church is to be used strictly for the church's designated work, for no other use is authorized in God's word.

4. The temple of God should have no agreement with idols.

   1. For the Jews, the thought of an idol being brought into the temple was revolting.  (The Jews literally revolted in 167 BC when the Seleucids placed an idol of Zeus in the temple.)

   2. For Christians, the thought of mingling idolatry with God's temple should be just as revolting.  Such mingling happens today when the church is corrupted with false religion.  Consider 2Corinthians 6:14-18:

      ¹⁴Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  ¹⁵Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  ¹⁶Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  ¹⁷Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord.  "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  ¹⁸And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

5. Christians should assume Christ's attitude toward the temple as their own attitude toward the church.

   1. When Jesus was still a child (12 years old), He was in His Father's house, the temple (Luke 2:41-50).  Men, women, and even children should feel the same necessity to be in the Father's house, which is the church (1Tim. 3:15).

   2. Zeal for His Father's house, the temple, consumed Jesus (John 2:17).  Christians should likewise be zealous for the house of God, the church.

       

CONCLUSION

1. Today, the holy temple of God is found in the spiritual structure of the church built by Christ (Matt. 16:18).  It is the dwelling "place" of the Father, Son, and Spirit in this world.

2. Therefore, let us properly regard the church as holy, and let us value its members, assemblies, services, and work accordingly.