Who indeed, can build a house for the LORD? No one, not even Solomon, can build a house that will contain the LORD for the LORD cannot be contained in a house. He cannot even be contained in the heavens. Our LORD is greater than all that exists! God cannot be contained by a building or a planet, or even the heavens! And... that is a very good thing! For God is wherever we are. There is no place that God is not.
So what is the use of building temples and churches? The reason for today is not so different than it was in Solomon's time. They are places to gather together and to bring our offerings; to hear and remember what God has done for us; to thank God for all that God has done for us; and to praise His Holy Name.
It never ceases to amaze me how often I hear that we can worship in the woods or on the lake or even on the golf course as well as in church. Of course you can! God is everywhere! But, which god are you actually worshipping? Are you worshipping God or His creation? Are you really serving God or yourself? What offerings are you giving to God when you're out celebrating your life and not the life that was given for you on the cross? Gathering as a community of saints, as children of God, to heard God's Word, receive His blessings, and yes, to give your offerings in praise and thanksgiving has been a part of the church on earth ever since the "Tent of the Meeting" was constructed.
I don't know what has happened to the church on earth over the preceding generations, but, somehow we've gotten to a place where a vast multitude of people who claim Christ as their head, do not have the time or inclination to gather with others who claim Christ as their Lord as well, and to remember, and give praise and give thanks to the God who created all things; who is greater than all things.
Reminder: "..faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17 NIV) Does your golf club or baseball bat speak that Word?
So what is the use of building temples and churches? The reason for today is not so different than it was in Solomon's time. They are places to gather together and to bring our offerings; to hear and remember what God has done for us; to thank God for all that God has done for us; and to praise His Holy Name.
It never ceases to amaze me how often I hear that we can worship in the woods or on the lake or even on the golf course as well as in church. Of course you can! God is everywhere! But, which god are you actually worshipping? Are you worshipping God or His creation? Are you really serving God or yourself? What offerings are you giving to God when you're out celebrating your life and not the life that was given for you on the cross? Gathering as a community of saints, as children of God, to heard God's Word, receive His blessings, and yes, to give your offerings in praise and thanksgiving has been a part of the church on earth ever since the "Tent of the Meeting" was constructed.
I don't know what has happened to the church on earth over the preceding generations, but, somehow we've gotten to a place where a vast multitude of people who claim Christ as their head, do not have the time or inclination to gather with others who claim Christ as their Lord as well, and to remember, and give praise and give thanks to the God who created all things; who is greater than all things.
Reminder: "..faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17 NIV) Does your golf club or baseball bat speak that Word?
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