A Pure Temple | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of creating a space where God's presence can dwell among us. The speaker draws from both the Old and New Testaments to highlight the significance of building a "Temple" that is worthy of God's glory. We are encouraged to strive for a community where honesty, love, and truth prevail, allowing God's presence to be manifest in our midst.

Key Scripture References

• Exodus 25:8-9 - In this passage, God gives Moses specific instructions for building the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following His specifications. This sets the stage for understanding God's desire to dwell among His people in a tangible way.
• 1 Kings 5:1-10, 2 Chronicles 3:1-14 - The construction of Solomon's Temple is another example of God's desire for a specific and beautiful place where He can dwell. This passage highlights the importance of following God's specifications in building a "Temple" that honors Him.
• John 14:23, 17:21-23 - Jesus teaches us to love one another as He has loved us, and that this love is the very essence of His presence among us. When we prioritize love and honesty in our relationships, God's glory can be manifest in our midst.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 - This passage emphasizes the greater glory available to us through Christ, which surpasses even the glory seen in the Old Testament Temple. We are encouraged to pursue this greater glory by living out the specifics of God's instructions in the New Testament.
• Psalm 132:13-14 - This passage highlights David's desire to build a Temple for God, and God's response is that He will establish an enduring dynasty because of David's heart. We are encouraged to emulate David's passion for building a "Temple" where God can dwell.
• Matthew 18:20 - Jesus teaches us that wherever two or three gather in His name, He is present among them. This emphasizes the importance of gathering as a community and pursuing a relationship with God that allows Him to dwell among us.
• Revelation 21-22 - The final chapters of Revelation describe a future where God's presence dwells among His people in a way that is greater than anything seen before. We are encouraged to strive for this kind of community and relationship with God now, rather than waiting for the future.

Key Takeaways

• We must prioritize creating a space where God's presence can dwell among us by following His specifications in both the Old and New Testaments. This means striving for honesty, love, and truth in our relationships and community.
• The glory available to us through Christ is greater than anything seen in the Old Testament Temple, and we are encouraged to pursue this greater glory by living out the specifics of God's instructions in the New Testament.
• David's passion for building a "Temple" where God can dwell is an example we should emulate. We should strive to create a community that honors God and allows His presence to be manifest among us.
• The New Testament emphasizes the importance of love and honesty in our relationships, and this is essential for creating a space where God's glory can be manifest.

This Week's Challenge

Take time to reflect on your relationships and community. Are you prioritizing love, honesty, and truth? Are there areas where you need to pursue greater holiness and oneness with others? This week, commit to being more intentional about building a "Temple" where God can dwell among us.

Reflection Questions

• What does it mean for you personally to create a space where God's presence can dwell among you? How can you prioritize love and honesty in your relationships this week?
• How can our community be more intentional about building a "Temple" that honors God? What specific actions can we take together to pursue greater holiness and oneness?
• Reflect on your own heart's desire for God's presence. Do you want Him to show up in some way that you have not experienced before? How can you seek this kind of relationship with God in the midst of your daily life?