A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD

A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

MAIN TEXT: Ephesians 2:19-22

KEY VERSE:

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:” — Ephesians 2:21 (KJV)

SUPPORTING TEXTS: Exodus 29:43-46; Psalm 24:3-4; John 2:19-21; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5.

DESCRIPTION: This message teaches that God is building believers together into a holy spiritual dwelling through Jesus Christ, calling them to purity, unity, spiritual growth, and a life that honours His presence.

INTRODUCTION

A temple is a place associated with the worship and presence of God. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to construct the tabernacle and later the temple as places of worship under the covenant He established with them. These sacred places reminded the people of God's holiness and their responsibility to approach Him according to His instructions. However, in the New Testament, God reveals a deeper truth: through Jesus Christ, He is building a spiritual house made up of redeemed people in whom His presence dwells by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:21 declares that the whole building is fitly framed together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Paul is explaining that believers who were once separated from God's covenant people have now been brought near through the blood of Christ. They are no longer strangers but members of God's household, united under Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. This temple is not merely a physical structure made of bricks and cement; it is the spiritual community of people who belong to Christ and are being formed together for God's glory.

The truth that we are becoming a holy temple in the Lord carries a serious responsibility. God does not call us only to gather for worship; He calls us to live holy lives, maintain unity, grow spiritually, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. Our conduct, relationships, words, thoughts, and decisions should reflect the God whose presence we profess to carry. We must therefore ask ourselves: Are our lives becoming a dwelling place that honours the Lord?

1. GOD DESIRES TO DWELL AMONG HIS PEOPLE

From the beginning, God's desire has been to establish a relationship with humanity and dwell among His people. Sin damaged that relationship, but God initiated His redemptive plan to bring people back to Himself. Through Jesus Christ, believers are reconciled to God and brought into His spiritual household.

God's presence is not limited to a church building, a special meeting, or a particular geographical location. Under the new covenant, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are being built together as a spiritual temple. This truth should influence how we approach worship and how we conduct ourselves outside the church auditorium.

a) God's Desire Is to Dwell Among His People (Exodus 29:45-46) – God declared that He would dwell among the children of Israel and be their God. This revealed His desire for a covenant relationship with His people. The New Testament brings this truth into clearer focus through Christ, by whom we are reconciled to God. We must value our relationship with Him above religious appearances and seek to walk daily in fellowship with Him.

b) Jesus Christ Makes Our Access to God Possible (Ephesians 2:18) – Through Christ, both Jewish and Gentile believers have access to the Father by one Spirit. We do not approach God through our personal achievements or human status but through the saving work of Jesus. Because of this access, we can come before Him in prayer, worship, repentance, and faith. We should never take this privilege for granted but approach Him with reverence and confidence.

c) The Holy Spirit Dwells in Believers (1 Corinthians 3:16) – Paul reminds the church that believers collectively are God's temple and that the Spirit of God dwells among them. This means the Church is more than an organisation or a gathering of people with common interests. It is a community in which God works by His Spirit. We must honour His presence by pursuing holiness, biblical unity, sincere worship, and faithful service.

d) God's Presence Must Influence Our Daily Living (2 Corinthians 6:16) – Paul declares that believers are the temple of the living God. This truth must affect how we behave at home, at work, in business, and in our relationships. We cannot claim to honour God's presence while deliberately living in disobedience. Our daily conduct should reflect our identity as people who belong to Him.

Biblical Example: The Dedication of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11)

When Solomon dedicated the temple, the cloud of God's glory filled the house, and the priests could not continue their ministry because of the cloud. This event demonstrated God's presence among His covenant people. Today, Ephesians 2:21-22 presents believers as God's spiritual dwelling through the Spirit. We should therefore desire not merely impressive buildings or programmes but a congregation whose life and worship honour God.

2. HOLINESS IS ESSENTIAL TO GOD'S TEMPLE

The word holy means set apart for God and dedicated to His purposes. To be a holy temple is to belong to God and to live in a manner that reflects His character. Holiness is not merely an outward religious appearance; it involves the heart, mind, speech, conduct, relationships, and private life.

God's grace does not give us permission to live carelessly. Rather, the grace that saves us also teaches us to reject ungodliness and live righteous lives. Since we belong to the Lord, we must continually surrender ourselves to His Word and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

a) God Commands His People to Be Holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) – Peter instructs believers to be holy in all their conduct because God is holy. Holiness must affect every area of life, not merely what people see during church services. It includes honesty in business, purity in relationships, integrity in leadership, self-control in speech, and faithfulness in private decisions. We must allow God's standard to govern our behaviour.

b) Holiness Begins in the Heart (Psalm 24:3-4) – The psalmist asks who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place, answering that it is the person with clean hands and a pure heart. Outward religious activity cannot substitute for inward purity. We must examine our motives, attitudes, and desires before God. Where there is bitterness, lust, pride, deceit, or unforgiveness, we must repent and seek His cleansing grace.

c) Our Bodies Must Honour God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – Paul teaches that the believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are not our own, having been bought with a price. Therefore, we should glorify God in our bodies. This includes fleeing sexual immorality, avoiding destructive habits, practising self-control, and making responsible choices concerning our physical lives. Our bodies belong to the Lord and should be used to honour Him.

d) God's Grace Empowers Holy Living (Titus 2:11-12) – The grace of God that brings salvation also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Holiness is not achieved by human strength alone. We need the Holy Spirit, the truth of Scripture, prayer, and willing obedience. When we stumble, we must repent, receive God's forgiveness, and continue pursuing a life that pleases Him.

Biblical Example: Joseph Flees Immorality (Genesis 39:7-12)

When Potiphar's wife attempted to entice Joseph into sexual sin, he refused and fled, declaring that he could not commit such wickedness and sin against God. Joseph chose obedience over immediate pleasure, even though his decision later brought him unjust suffering. His example teaches us that holiness sometimes requires us to reject opportunities that appear attractive but violate God's standards.

3. GOD IS BUILDING US TOGETHER AS ONE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE

Ephesians 2:21 emphasises that the whole building is fitly framed together. This means that God is not building isolated spiritual stones with no relationship to one another. He is forming a united people in Christ. Every believer has a place in His household, and every member has a responsibility to contribute to the spiritual health of the community.

The Church cannot function according to God's design when its members are controlled by pride, competition, prejudice, bitterness, or division. Although believers have different backgrounds, gifts, and responsibilities, they are united through Christ. Our unity must be expressed through love, humility, forgiveness, and a shared commitment to God's truth.

a) Christ Has Reconciled Us into One Family (Ephesians 2:14-16) – Christ is our peace, having broken down the dividing wall of hostility and reconciled people to God through the cross. The Church must not permit ethnic, social, economic, or personal differences to destroy the unity Christ purchased. We should honour one another as members of God's household and refuse to create unnecessary barriers between believers.

b) Every Believer Has a Place in God's Building (1 Corinthians 12:18-20) – God has placed the members in the body as it has pleased Him. Each believer has value, whether their service is public or largely unseen. We must not envy another person's gifts or despise our own responsibilities. God calls each of us to use our abilities faithfully for the good of His people.

c) Love Holds the Spiritual House Together (Colossians 3:13-14) – Scripture instructs us to bear with one another, forgive one another, and put on love, which binds everything together in unity. Genuine love does not mean compromising biblical truth, but it does require patience, humility, and a willingness to forgive. When believers treat one another with Christlike love, the congregation becomes stronger and more effective in its witness.

d) Fellowship Strengthens the Building (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Believers are instructed not to forsake assembling together but to encourage one another in love and good works. Christian fellowship provides opportunities for prayer, instruction, encouragement, accountability, and mutual support. A believer who deliberately isolates himself from meaningful fellowship may miss important opportunities for growth. We should participate actively in the life of the Church and help others remain steadfast.

Biblical Example: The Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)

The early believers continued steadfastly in apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They cared for one another and shared what they had to meet genuine needs. Their unity was demonstrated through practical love, not merely through words. Their example reminds us that God builds a healthy spiritual temple through believers who worship together, learn together, pray together, and serve one another.

4. THE HOLY TEMPLE MUST CONTINUE TO GROW

Ephesians 2:21 says that the building grows into a holy temple in the Lord. This indicates that God's work in His people is ongoing. Salvation brings us into a new relationship with God, but spiritual maturity develops as we continue to learn His Word, obey His commands, depend on the Holy Spirit, and practise our faith.

No believer should become satisfied with spiritual stagnation. Years of church attendance, ministry titles, and biblical knowledge do not automatically produce maturity. We must continually allow God to shape our thinking, strengthen our faith, correct our conduct, and deepen our love for Him and others.

a) We Must Grow in the Knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18) – Peter commands believers to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth requires a continuing relationship with the Lord, not merely an accumulation of religious information. We must study Scripture, pray, learn from sound teaching, and apply biblical truth to our daily lives. The more we know Christ through His Word, the better equipped we become to serve Him faithfully.

b) We Must Be Rooted in God's Word (Colossians 2:6-7) – Paul instructs believers to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith. Roots provide nourishment and stability to a tree. In the same way, Scripture nourishes our faith and gives us stability when we encounter trials or false teachings. We must meditate on God's Word and allow it to shape our convictions and decisions.

c) We Must Allow God to Correct Us (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The Word does not only comfort us; it also exposes error and corrects our direction. We must approach Scripture with humility and allow it to challenge attitudes and practices that do not please God. Correction is part of the process by which God matures His people.

d) We Must Bear Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) – The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These qualities show that the Holy Spirit is producing Christlike character in our lives. Spiritual maturity should become visible through our behaviour, especially when we face provocation, pressure, disappointment, or disagreement. We must seek not merely spiritual experiences but transformed character.

Biblical Example: The Growth of the Thessalonian Church (1 Thessalonians 1:2-8)

Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite opposition, their faith became known beyond their immediate community. Their growth demonstrated that a congregation can become spiritually strong through genuine faith, practical love, endurance, and commitment to the gospel.

5. GOD'S TEMPLE MUST BE A PLACE OF HIS GLORY

God's purpose in building a holy temple is not to produce a people who merely carry a religious name. He desires a people whose lives display His character and bring glory to His name. The Church should be known for the truth it proclaims, the holiness it practises, the love it demonstrates, and the service it renders to the world.

When God's people live in obedience, their lives become a testimony to His transforming grace. This does not mean that believers become perfect or never make mistakes. It means that they are committed to repentance, growth, holiness, and the pursuit of God's glory rather than the satisfaction of selfish desires.

a) Our Lives Must Display God's Light (Matthew 5:14-16) – Jesus called His followers the light of the world and instructed them to let their light shine before others so that people might glorify the Father. Our conduct should point people towards God. Honesty, compassion, generosity, integrity, and faithfulness are practical ways of displaying the transforming power of Christ. We must live so that people see evidence of His grace in us.

b) Our Worship Must Honour God (John 4:23-24) – Jesus taught that the Father seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Worship is more than singing or participating in a church service. It involves a sincere heart that honours God according to His truth. Our worship should be accompanied by obedience, reverence, gratitude, and a willingness to submit every area of life to Him.

c) Our Service Must Build Up Others (1 Peter 4:10-11) – Peter instructs believers to use their gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. God gives gifts not merely for personal recognition but for the strengthening of His people and the advancement of His work. Whether we teach, encourage, give, lead, pray, or serve in practical ways, we should do so faithfully and give God the glory.

d) Our Conduct Must Honour the Name of Christ (Colossians 3:17) – Whatever we do in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. This principle covers our private and public lives. Our speech, business dealings, family relationships, and ministry activities should be consistent with our confession of faith. We must avoid conduct that brings reproach upon Christ and pursue what honours His name.

Biblical Example: Dorcas, a Disciple Full of Good Works (Acts 9:36-42)

Dorcas was known for her good works and acts of charity, particularly her service to widows. When she died, the people she had helped displayed the garments she had made, showing the practical impact of her life. God raised her through Peter's ministry, and the event became a testimony to His power. Dorcas's example reminds us that a life devoted to God can bring comfort, practical help, and spiritual encouragement to many people.

6. WE MUST GUARD THE HOLINESS OF GOD'S TEMPLE

Because believers belong to God and are being built into His spiritual dwelling, we must guard our lives against anything that corrupts our faith or dishonours His name. The world offers many influences that can weaken spiritual devotion, including sinful desires, false teachings, pride, bitterness, and the pursuit of ungodly pleasures.

Guarding the temple does not mean withdrawing from every person who does not share our faith. Rather, it means remaining faithful to Christ while exercising discernment concerning the influences we allow to shape our hearts and conduct. We must be watchful, prayerful, and willing to reject anything that leads us away from God's truth.

a) Reject Every Form of Deliberate Sin (Romans 6:12-13) – Paul instructs believers not to allow sin to reign in their mortal bodies but to present themselves to God as instruments of righteousness. Grace is not permission to continue in sin; it is God's provision for a transformed life. We must identify and resist sinful practices, seek accountability where necessary, and depend on the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience.

b) Guard Your Heart Against Corrupt Influences (Proverbs 4:23) – Scripture instructs us to keep our hearts with all diligence because the issues of life flow from them. What we repeatedly think about, watch, listen to, and desire can influence our spiritual condition. We should practise discernment concerning entertainment, relationships, online content, and counsel. Our goal is not fear but the wise protection of our devotion to God.

c) Resist False Teaching (Acts 17:11) – The Berean believers examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether the things they heard were true. Their example teaches us to test spiritual messages by God's Word rather than accepting every claim uncritically. We should value sound biblical teaching and avoid doctrines that distort the gospel or encourage conduct contrary to Scripture.

d) Depend on the Holy Spirit for Strength (Galatians 5:16) – We cannot maintain holiness through determination alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist the desires of the flesh and live in a way that pleases God. We must cultivate a life of prayer, surrender to His leading, and respond promptly when He convicts us of sin. As we walk in the Spirit, we grow in holiness and become more effective witnesses for Christ.

Biblical Example: Daniel's Commitment to God (Daniel 1:8-16)

Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king's food and wine. He remained respectful while refusing to compromise his convictions. God granted him favour and wisdom as he remained faithful. Daniel's example shows that believers can live in a challenging environment without surrendering their commitment to God's standards.

CONCLUSION

God is building His people into a holy temple in the Lord. Through Jesus Christ, we have been brought near to God and made members of His household. The Holy Spirit dwells among His people, and the Lord continues to shape us into a community marked by holiness, unity, spiritual growth, and faithful service. This calling requires more than outward religion; it requires a heart that is surrendered to Christ and a life that increasingly reflects His character.

Therefore, let us offer ourselves afresh to the Master Builder. Let us reject deliberate sin, grow in God's Word, preserve unity with other believers, and use our gifts to strengthen the Church. Let our homes, relationships, worship, and daily conduct honour the God whose presence we profess to carry. May the Lord continue to build us together into a holy temple, and may our lives become a testimony to His grace and glory.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, build my life into a holy temple that honours Your presence, in Jesus name.

2. Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart from every sin and attitude that dishonours You, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, empower me to live in holiness, purity, and obedience every day, in Jesus name.

4. Father, establish my life firmly upon Christ and root me deeply in Your Word, in Jesus name.

5. Lord, remove every spirit of pride, bitterness, division, and unforgiveness from my heart, in Jesus name.

6. Father, help me grow in spiritual maturity and produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

7. Lord, make our congregation a united spiritual house marked by prayer, holiness, love, and sound doctrine, in Jesus name.

8. Father, give me discernment to reject false teaching and every influence that draws me away from Your truth, in Jesus name.

9. Lord, use my gifts, resources, and abilities to strengthen Your Church and bless others, in Jesus name.

10. Father, let my life, family, and ministry bring glory to Your name as You continue Your work in me, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow into spiritual maturity as the Lord establishes you in Christ, strengthens your faith, and shapes your character through His Word and Spirit.

2. Your life shall increasingly reflect the holiness of God, and you shall receive grace to resist temptation and walk in obedience to His truth.

3. You shall become a living testimony of God's transforming power, and your words, conduct, and relationships shall point people towards Jesus Christ.

4. Your spiritual life shall be strengthened through prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and faithful obedience, and you shall not remain stagnant in your walk with God.

5. You shall be an instrument of unity and encouragement in God's household, helping to strengthen other believers and build up the Church in love.

6. Your heart shall become increasingly sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and you shall receive discernment to recognise and reject influences that oppose God's Word.

7. Your gifts and abilities shall be used for God's glory, and your service shall bring encouragement, practical help, and spiritual growth to others.

8. Your household shall be strengthened by biblical truth, godly character, love, and prayer as you continue to submit your life to the Lord.

9. Your life shall shine as a testimony of God's grace, and your good works shall direct the attention of others to the goodness of your heavenly Father.

10. The Lord shall continue His transforming work in you, establishing you in Christ and enabling you to fulfil His purpose as a holy temple in the Lord.