Where’s the Temple to be built?
2Chronicles 1-3 / Titus, Philemon
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OT
1:11-12 God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for personal wealth and honor or the death of your enemies or even a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people, I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor such as no other king has ever had before you or will ever have again!”
2:5-6 “This will be a magnificent Temple because our God is an awesome God, greater than any other. But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?”
NT
3:3-5 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.
:15-16 Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever. He is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord.
OT Flash Points
Preparation for the Temple
NT Flash Points
Where can the Temple be built?
Surely not Israel
Surely not in me
Surely not in her or him
Really? That’s exactly where He is building His Temple
You and even Philemon are the stones [Peter – “living stones”] that God is building with
Perspective
His building material is our actual mortal, flesh and bone lives;
That’s where He wants to dwell and be LORD