WARNING: DON'T TOUCH THE TEMPLE! (10 OF 36)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
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Warning: Don't Touch the Temple! (10 of 36)
Series: Saints Gone Wild
Keith Krell
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
In 1889 a most unusual structure was built. When it was first built for an international exhibition the citizens of the city called the structure "monstrous." They demanded it be torn down as soon as the exhibition was over. Yet, from the moment its architect first conceived it, he took pride in it and loyally defended it from those who wished to destroy it. He knew it was destined for greatness. Today it is one of the architectural wonders of the modern world and stands as the primary landmark of Paris, France. The architect was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower.
In the same way, we ought to be struck by Jesus Christ's loyalty to another structure-the church. Jesus entrusted His church to an unlikely band of disciples, whom He defended, prayed for, and prepared to spread the gospel. Today Jesus remains loyal to disciples like you and me. Although we make many blunders and are weak and foolish, Jesus, the architect of the church, knows His structure is destined for greatness when He returns.
Do these sentiments sound like pie-in-the-sky optimism? Does this seem a little far-fetched to you? If so, I can understand where you are coming from. But I need to ask you an important question: Have you ever contemplated how much God loves the church? In 1 Cor 3:16-17, Paul is going to inform us that God dwells in the church and values the church like no other entity. God says, "Long live the church!" We must join His chorus and shout, "Long live the church!"
1. We should value the church because God dwells within it (3:16). Our passage begins with the phrase, "Do you not know?" This phrase appears ten times in 1 Corinthians and serves as a common literary device to pose a rhetorical question. It is one of Paul's favorite expressions and he invariably uses it of something his listeners should know but don't. Typically, "do you no ...
Series: Saints Gone Wild
Keith Krell
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
In 1889 a most unusual structure was built. When it was first built for an international exhibition the citizens of the city called the structure "monstrous." They demanded it be torn down as soon as the exhibition was over. Yet, from the moment its architect first conceived it, he took pride in it and loyally defended it from those who wished to destroy it. He knew it was destined for greatness. Today it is one of the architectural wonders of the modern world and stands as the primary landmark of Paris, France. The architect was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower.
In the same way, we ought to be struck by Jesus Christ's loyalty to another structure-the church. Jesus entrusted His church to an unlikely band of disciples, whom He defended, prayed for, and prepared to spread the gospel. Today Jesus remains loyal to disciples like you and me. Although we make many blunders and are weak and foolish, Jesus, the architect of the church, knows His structure is destined for greatness when He returns.
Do these sentiments sound like pie-in-the-sky optimism? Does this seem a little far-fetched to you? If so, I can understand where you are coming from. But I need to ask you an important question: Have you ever contemplated how much God loves the church? In 1 Cor 3:16-17, Paul is going to inform us that God dwells in the church and values the church like no other entity. God says, "Long live the church!" We must join His chorus and shout, "Long live the church!"
1. We should value the church because God dwells within it (3:16). Our passage begins with the phrase, "Do you not know?" This phrase appears ten times in 1 Corinthians and serves as a common literary device to pose a rhetorical question. It is one of Paul's favorite expressions and he invariably uses it of something his listeners should know but don't. Typically, "do you no ...
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