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.
Focused Thinking:
Who is of God’s household now?
This “spiritual” Israel (see 2:12) includes both Jews and Gentiles who have been reconciled to God and made into his household.
How was this house built?
The foundation was laid by the apostles and prophets. Christ is the cornerstone that holds the structure together.
How will this house become a holy temple?
This temple isn’t merely a building. It is a body. The temple is holy because it is inhabited by God.
What is the new temple?
22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
God’s dwelling place is in man’s spirit (Is 57:15; 66:1, 2; Jn 4:24).
God makes His dwelling place in men by His spirit (1 Co 3:16, 17).
Christ is the foundation and chief cornstone of the local church (1 Co 3:11).
Each believer is a living stone set into the temple (1 Pe 2:4–8).
The History of the Temple — Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the
New Testament1
God dwelt in the Jewish tabernacle (Ex 40:34).
God dwelt in Solomon’s temple (2 Ch 7:1).
God dwelt in the temple of Christ’s body (Jn 1:14 and 2:18–22).
God dwells in the individual believer (1 Co 6:19–20).
God dwells in the church (Eph 2:21–22).
Personal Application:
What are the characteristics of this new temple?
- In this temple there is no dividing wall.
- In this temple there is no enmity.
- In this temple there is peace.
- In this temple we are fellow citizens of God’s household.
- In this temple Christ is the cornerstone.
- In this temple Christ’s presence makes me holy.
- Am I missing any Jewish context here to make this more applicable?
- Am I missing any cultural context here to make this more applicable?
- Am I missing any historical context here to make this more applicable?
What is the significance of my body being a temple for the dwelling of God in
the Spirit?
1 Corinthians 3:16–17
16Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy and that is what you are.
- I need to continue my discipline of exercise.
- I need to discipline myself to improve my diet.
- I need to strive to protect and purify my temple for God’s Spirit.
There is a relationship between physical purity and spiritual purity.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, help me to discipline myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Father, help me to build a holy temple personally and corporately for You. Help me build a corporate temple/church that welcomes You at all times. A temple, not where You are a visitor but where You dwell permanently.
Father, build a temple that unites this city. Use us to unite Jews and Gentiles, use us to unite African Americans and whites Use us to unite anyone who is divided. Father, I pray that our church will be known by love because our people are known by love. I pray that we are known by serving people. Give our people a vision of what could be, what should be and what must be.
Father, make us a people who love to love. Make us a people who truly live out the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Father, I pray that everyone knows that You dwell in the temple of Highpoint Church. I pray that this city will see the working of the Lord in and through our people. Make us a people who sow seeds of worship, connect, equip and serve. Give us the privilege of reaping the harvest. I pray that we will reap seeds in 2010 that we’ve been sowing for seven years.
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