July 27 - August 2: Believers as God's Temple (10)

SACRED ALTARS AND HOLY GIFTS

Unit III: Christians and Sacrifice (5 lessons)

Believers as God's Temple (lesson 1 of 5)

Daily Bible Meditations by Kaymian Weekley

Sunday, July 27: Ezekiel 47

Ezekiel's vision mirrors the vision in Revelation 22. Jesus Christ is the source of living water-the River of Life. The life- altering source changes our outlook and undoubtedly provides renewed hope. As this water is shared, we can see the Word be- coming life, spreading out across the world, and impacting the change that demonstrates the presence of God in the world. It is not uncharacteristic of God to abundantly share His love and other blessings with the world. Ezekiel's vision pointed to the positive changes that occurred after the water flowed; there were significant changes to the life of plants, animals, and people.

Monday, July 28: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

day 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 Are light and darkness the same? No, they are opposites in principle-a fact Paul reiterated as he made arguments to show our legitimacy as vessels of light. Being the temple of the living God is marked by our willingness to be careful in how closely we associate with people and things that are of darkness. Recogniz- ing our responsibility to do what is right amidst our struggles is a demonstration that we embody light - a source whose very nature dispels darkness. A holy temple spreads light, shares the Word, and chooses Christ. What temple are ye?

Tuesday, July 29: Matthew 16:13-20

In this interesting discourse between Jesus and His disciples, notably away from the crowds, the question of "Who is Jesus," brought out varying points of view from their interactions with other people. However, it was Simon Peter's spiritually inspired response that hit the nail on the head, and Jesus affirmed Himself as the one who will "build My church" (v.18). He is Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV) and thus, this collective body of believers of which Christ is the Head must also be the very foundation for the believers.

Wednesday, July 30: Psalm 24

I have learned first-hand the value of a closer walk with God; and without that deep desire to maintain my relationship, I get all bent out of shape. I have good spiritual posture when I choose God and His will for my life. Every believer should seek God with sincerity of heart, acknowledging that His Kingdom, established with His own hands, belongs to Him. His righteous- ness must be maintained in our daily walk with Him. He is in fact the King of Glory, the Lord of hosts. Honor and majesty belong to Him, oursupreme ruler. If our steps are to be ordered, we must make time with God our first and most important priority.

Thursday, July 31: Psalm 63

The distinctness of God's incredible glory is beyond our scope of understanding. We stand in awe of Him - to see the beauty of the Lord, His remarkable characteristics, embodied in His amazing grace and love. Yes, to God be the glory is quite appropriate! David's experiences with God's awesome presence were not lost on him. His desire, expressed with such grace, is an inspiration for us to also hunger and thirst after God. He had gazed on the strength, beauty, and power of God. He dedicated time for God - and early too - showing the diligence with which, he served the Lord. I am encouraged by the greatness of our God.

Friday, August 1: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

The body of Christ is working together for God's glory. The process for becoming a living sacrifice is marked by our willingness to allow God to be in control. Our individual understanding will affect our spiritual maturity as we walk with Christ. How do you feed your faith? Our central focus must be God. We demonstrate that we are babes (still carnal), when we focus on who carries the message rather than the source of the message. It is God that gives the increase. The instruments He uses to edify and build up His Kingdom must understand the role we play. We show that God is perfecting us when we grow in His grace.

Sabbath, August 2: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Paul made a number of points in this chapter and promptly emphasized the need to build on the right foundation. Having introduced the Corinthians to Christ, he wanted to ensure that the building up of the body of Christ continued with Jesus Christ as the firm foundation. We build here, with wisdom, reflecting our understanding of who Jesus is and what He represents. When our work is tried, the materials we have used to build will show their integrity. So then, all the work of the ministry must be laid on Jesus Christ - the sure foundation which is our eternal hope.

Reading:

Study: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Background: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Devotional: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Key Verse:

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Heart of the Lesson:

People yearn for a sense of belonging within a community that shares a common set of values. How do splinter groups threaten the community? Paul said disputes among believers are destructive and that unity emerges only when the church's foundation is built on Jesus Christ.

Questions for Studying the Text:

1. What is the best example of community to which you have belonged? What made it the best? What positive things came out of that community?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 fit within the larger theme of divisions in the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17)? How does this passage build on Paul's earlier metaphor of the church as God's field (1 Corinthians 3:5- 9)?
3. What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the only foundation (v.11)? How does this align with Ephesians 2:19-22? In what ways do others "build on" that foundation? What implications does this have for church doctrine and leadership?
4. What does it mean that believers are God's temple? How does this concept develop in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 6:16? What might Paul be referring to when he said, "If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person"? How does this warning apply to individuals and to the church community?
5. What kinds of "materials" are you using in your spiritual growth and ministry? Are they enduring or perishable? What role does the church community play in this? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your life and work for God will stand the test of His judgment?

Understanding and Living by Victor Hernandez

Created for Community

We live in world more complex than it was a hun- dred years ago and even more complex than when Jesus came to walk among us. This might lead us to believe that the early church did not have to struggle with many issues we face today. However, the members of the early church in Corinth wrestled with a lot of the same problems with which we are challenged. In the first chapters of 1 Corinthians, we see they were struggling with lack of unity in the church, immorality, and false teaching.

As God's creations, we are beings with the need to belong, to fellowship, and to feel welcomed. After Adam was created and had finished naming all the animals, God realized there was no companion for Adam. He began to long for his equal. He felt incomplete. Only after Eve was created did Adam feel a sense of wholeness and did God know His creation was complete.

Wisdom and Maturity

Hebrews 11:27 tells about how Moses left Egypt not fear- ing the wrath of the Pharoh, but persevering because he kept his eyes on God. The Corinthian church could have learned from Moses' example. Paul pointed out that the wisdom of the cross had been replaced by the wisdom of the world. They had lost sight of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who live according to the wis- dom of the world devolve into immaturity, while those who live according to the wisdom of the gospel grow into spiritual and mature lives. Today, I am convinced that if we begin to look elsewhere and do not keep our sight on the One who has clearly revealed Himself to us, we will lose our way. If we do not find our full identity in Christ Jesus, anything else will eventually take its place.

Spiritual growth is essential to the growth and unity of the church. The lack of spiritual maturity had led the members of the Corinthian church to act like children. As Paul pointed out, by their association with one of the messengers who had brought them the gospel, they seemed to have forgotten there is only one foundation for faith - Jesus Christ. Like Apollos, Paul was nothing more than God's servant, fulfilling a unique task that had been assigned to him by the Lord Himself. Paul warned the church not to focus on the human leaders, but rather on the one that gives growth. We all can do our part in proclaiming the gospel. However, in the end, it is God who makes the gospel flourish. All we can do is sow and water the spiritual seed. God makes it grow.

Misplaced Loyality

If we desire to maintain unity in the church, we must understand that our loyalty is to Christ and no one else. There have been instances in the Church, like in the case in Corinth, that believers have misplaced their loyalty and started trusting in Church leaders. This is not beneficial for the spiritual growth of the church. We all have been called to work in unity. We each have a unique talent. We each have a unique place in the body of Christ.

However, the responsibility to keep unity in the church is greater on its leaders. Unfortunately, there are times when leaders feel important when people start focusing on them instead of Jesus. They start preaching a different kind of gospel, laying another foundation, and causing division in the church. Church leaders need to be diligent and faithful in their ministry, making sure they are building upon the true foundation, the Rock that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Maturity and Unity

Paul pointed out that, as the body of Christ, we are God's temple. As such we need to work in unity and harmony. - The story is told of a lame man and a blind man who lived across the road from each other in a remote small village. For reasons neither could remember, they despised each other, arguing loudly and wishing the worst upon each other. Their neighbors had tried to help them find peace without any success. In time the village people had learned to just ignore them. One day there was a great fire in the small village. People fled the village to save themselves. The lame and the blind men screamed for help, but none paid attention. The blind man could walk but could not find a way out. The lame man could see a clear way out but could not drag himself fast enough to go through it. Soon they realized that the only way to save their lives was to work together. Climbing on the blind man's back, the lame man was able to direct the blind man while the blind man carried both to safety. - It is unfortunate how the story above represents what happens in various churches today. The third chapter of 1 Corinthians presents us with great theological thought and practical ideas for helping the church to work together, such as spiritual maturity, unity, and leadership in the church - practical ideas that are as relevant today in our church relationships as it was back in the first century when the letter to the Corinthians was written.

Our lack of spiritual maturity often makes us act foolishly. It causes us to focus on the faults of others instead of on their good qualities and to overlook completely our own faults and shortcomings. Therefore, it is essential to grow spiritually in order to help the church became united. When we reach spiritual maturity, we will understand that we depend on each other for the unity and growth of the church. Only then will we start working together for the benefit of the church, and more importantly the Kingdom, instead of focusing on our own benefit. Let us make each other and others feel welcomed into our church community. We need to love one another with agape love and learn to respect one another, accepting that everybody’s role in the church is equally important.

Hints for Teaching:

Lesson Goals:

1. Assess the factors faced by the Corinthian church community that caused Paul to write the message of 1 Corinthians 2 and 3.
2. Value the foundation and building materials that make for a solid and united church community.
3. Identify the ways in which God's Holy Temple shows in and through you.

Teaching Activity:

Present a case study of a church facing division over leadership or doctrine. How does Paul's teaching about laying a proper foundation and avoiding boasting in human leaders speak to this situation? Discuss ways participants can contribute to unity in their church. If our bodies and our church are God's temple, how should that affect our attitudes, actions, and relationships? Discuss practical ways to honor God's temple, both individually (e.g., health, holiness) and corporately (e.g., church unity, service).

Looking Forward:

Paul's teaching on the Church emphasized unity and community as we build on Christ’s foundation. Next, Paul will inspire us to live out the understanding that our bodies belong to God.