Date: 29-Dec-2024
Name: Nelson Chibwe
Topic: TEMPLE BY DESIGN NOTES
Content:
TEMPLE BY DESIGN
A. BACKGROUND
• Your body is a sacred space where the Holy Spirit resides. Individuals and collectively as believers, people are temples of God with Christ as the cornerstone.
o 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”.
o 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple”.
o Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
o 2 Corinthians 6:16: – “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
• Being a “temple” of God is both a privilege and responsibility for every believer. Privilege because - the Creator of the universe has chosen to make His dwelling place in you! Responsibility because - the Creator of the universe has chosen to make His dwelling place in you! Think about that for a moment.
B. THE PRIVILEGE
• In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in a physical temple, a place of great reverence and holiness. But through Jesus, that temple is no longer a building—it’s you and me. God’s Spirit lives in us. That means your life isn’t ordinary; it’s sacred.
o 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”.
o Ephesians 2:22 – “And in him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
o 2 Corinthians 6:16: – “For we are the temple of the living God”.
• Through our salvation, God has chosen us to be his temple; we have the privilege of carrying His presence. This shows our immense value and purpose as vessels of God’s presence.
• We are sacred and set apart for God’s work. As believers, our bodies are sacred spaces where God’s Spirit dwells. This was God’s design, making us His holy vessels.
• Being God’s temple means living with purpose, as vessels of His presence and instruments of His glory.
Prayer Point
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for choosing to make you His temple and for the privilege of carrying His presence.
Reflection points
• How does knowing you are God's temple change how you view yourself and your purpose?
• If your life is sacred because God’s Spirit dwells in you, how does that affect your decisions, relationships, and priorities?
• Are there areas in your life where you struggle to honor God as His temple? What steps can you take to change that?
• When others look at your life, can they see evidence of God’s Spirit dwelling in you?
C. THE RESPONSIBILITY
1) Cross-examination and making room
• Now that we know we are God’s temple, we must ask ourselves a crucial question: Is there room for God in my life? Or is my temple cluttered with distractions and sin?
o John 2:13-16 – “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and said, “Take these things away; stop making my Father’s house a place of business.”
o Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”.
o Colossians 3:8 – “Rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips”.
• Just as Jesus cleansed the physical temple, we must declutter our spiritual lives by removing sin, distractions, and unproductive habits. Clutter can take many forms: sin, distractions, unhealthy relationships, or misplaced priorities. These things hinder our ability to fully experience God’s presence.
• Take time to examine your heart. Ask God to reveal the clutter in your life. Then be intentional about removing distractions and prioritizing time with Him.
Prayer Point
• Decluttering - Ask God to reveal and remove anything in your life that hinders His presence.
Reflection points
• What are the “tables” in your life might Jesus want to overturn? (e.g., distractions, unhealthy habits, or sin.)
• Are there priorities in your life that are crowding out time and space for God?
• What specific actions can you take this week to declutter your spiritual life?
• How do you discern whether something in your life is helping or hindering your relationship with God?
2) Keeping the temple clean and filled with the Holy Spirit
• Now that we have decluttered our temple, it’s on us to keep it clean. Maintaining a clean and Spirit-filled temple is a continuous process that we cannot do by ourselves. This is a daily process of surrendering to God and aligning ourselves with His will.
• Steps to maintain a clean and spirit-filled temple:
o Confession and repentance of sin. Acknowledge and turn away from sin regularly. 1 John 1: 9 - ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
o Immerse yourself in God’s word. Filling your life with God’s Word through reading, studying, and meditation. Psalm 119:9 – ‘How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word’. Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
o Developing daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and worship. Ephesians 4:30: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God."
o Living a lifestyle of holiness by making God-honoring choices. Make choices that reflect God’s character in every area of life. Romans 12:1: "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God."
• Make a commitment to daily spiritual disciplines. Find accountability in other believers to help you stay on track.
Prayer Points
• Cleansing, renewal, and sustained holiness
o Pray for cleansing by the blood of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your life.
o Pray for the discipline and grace to keep your temple clean and Spirit-filled.
Reflection points
• Do you regularly take time to confess your sins and seek God’s forgiveness? If not, what is stopping you?
• How intentional are you in creating daily habits that allow God’s Word and Spirit to guide you?
• What practices help you stay spiritually clean and connected to God? Are there areas where you need to be more disciplined?
• How do you recognize when you are grieving or resisting the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to realign yourself?
D. THE INFLUENCE & IMPACT
• Finally, let’s talk about the impact of living as God’s temple. Your life isn’t just about you—it’s about reflecting God’s glory to the world.
o Matthew 5:16 – ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’
o 1 Peter 2:9 – ‘You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.’
o Philippians 2:15 – ‘Shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.’
• When you live as God’s temple, your life becomes a testimony. People will see God’s love, holiness, and power in you, drawing them closer to Him.
• Be intentional in your words, actions, and choices. Look for opportunities to share your faith and serve others with God’s love.
• Be a light to others: Live in a way that points people to Christ.
• Share your faith: Use opportunities to tell others about the hope you carry as God’s temple.
• Serve others: Let God’s love flow through you in acts of kindness and service.
Prayer Point
• Influence and Impact - Ask God to make you a living testimony of His presence for others.
Reflection points
• How does your life reflect the glory and holiness of God to those around you?
• If someone observed your daily life, would they see evidence of God’s presence in you? Why or why not?
• What opportunities has God placed in your life to shine His light and impact others for His kingdom?
• Are there areas where you feel you could better represent Christ? How can you take practical steps to improve?
E. CONCLUSION
• As we close, remember this: You are the temple of God. Carry His presence with reverence, declutter your life to make room for Him, keep your temple clean and Spirit-filled, and let your light shine for others to see. Let’s be the holy vessels God has called us to be, reflecting His glory in everything we do.
If God were to evaluate your life as His temple today, what would He say? Would He feel welcomed, honoured, and glorified, or would He find areas in need of cleansing and renewal?
Prayer Points:
Prayer Point
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for choosing to make you His temple and for the privilege of carrying His presence.
• Decluttering - Ask God to reveal and remove anything in your life that hinders His presence.
• Cleansing, renewal, and sustained holiness
o Pray for cleansing by the blood of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your life.
o Pray for the discipline and grace to keep your temple clean and Spirit-filled.
• Influence and Impact - Ask God to make you a living testimony of His presence for others.