Wherever We Go

In this past Sunday's sermon our Pastor taught on how wherever we go we are the temple of God and we bring the Holy Spirit with us.  In the past, the temple was stationary.  It remained in Jerusalem and God's people had to go there to make sacrifice for sin, bring offerings and meet with the Lord.  Jesus changed all that.  He made the ultimate, all-encompassing, eternal, omnipresent sacrifice for sin.  This redemption was now available anywhere, anytime, for everyone. 

No longer do we have to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to make peace with the Lord.  In fact, the Temple was destroyed around AD 70.  The option for redemption through that method has been taken away.  But our God has made a better way.  Jesus!

Not only do we not have to make repeat sacrifices over and over and over, we now carry the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go.  This message was repeated to me in our BSF study this week.  We were studying in Zechariah 1 where we see the Israelites stalled in their efforts to build the Lord a new temple.  They did just enough to get by.  What grace is afforded us as Christians to not have to rebuild a special place to meet with God.  What grace that we don't have to offer sacrifice after sacrifice, but can be cleansed by the one time sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Peter 2:5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 7:24-28  But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.  26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

We are fully forgiven forever because of Jesus.  We can bring this message and power wherever we go because we are the temple of His Holy Spirit.  How amazing is this?  Isn't it crazy that the simplest of messages can actually be so incredibly deep and heart changing.  It really is something most of us know, but so often we don't give a thought to as we wander through our day.  I want to ask myself, "How can I be the temple of God here where I am and let His Presence shine through in the moment?"  

Lord, remind us how we are Your temple and bring Your Presence wherever we go.  Let us not be forgetful readers.  James 1 22-24 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  Lord, it's so easy to get caught up in the physical world and forget Your great spiritual truths.  I so often do this and I am sorry.  Lead us in Your ways.  We love You.  In the Name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

Next week I will be away on a mission trip to Peru.  Please pray for God to be shining through those of us who are going and for a fruitful trip, safety as well.  Let us be a blessing wherever we go.  Thank you!  Oh, and this is my first ever mission trip out of the country!  Pray I honor God!