A Dwelling Place for God

Throughout the month of February, we’ll be continuing our worship series based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – Celebrating the Grace and Power of God in a United Church.

If you were to ask someone what they think of when they hear the word, “church,” you’d get a variety of answers.

• Some people might describe the physical building where we gather for worship, fellowship, study, and small groups.
• Other people would describe a worship service with singing, scripture, prayer, and a message.
• For some individuals, when they hear the word church they think of the dear and close friends they have who add so much value, love, and encouragement to their lives.

All those answers are understandable and have some validity.

In describing how Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ in Ephesians 2:21-22, Paul writes,

“In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

I want to encourage you to ponder that last phrase as you think about the church.

First, Paul says, it is in Christ that the whole church in its diversity is joined and held together.

In Paul’s time, he was referring to Jews and Gentiles, enslaved and free, men and women.

In our day, whatever differences we may have with other members of the church, Christ holds and binds us together.

Second, the church is to grow into “a holy temple in the Lord.”

The church is to be a place where holiness of life is fostered, developed, and growing in all of us. Growing in spiritual maturity and Christlikeness should be part of all our daily, “To Do List.”

Third, Paul says we are interconnected, we “are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

Our faith is personal, but not private, it is unique to each person, but not individualistic.

God’s design for the church is for us to be built together spiritually into a dwelling place where God’s Spirit and presence are manifested and obvious to all and where the power of God is unleashed and touches and transforms lives.

When you hear the word church I hope one of your answers will be, “that’s the community I’m a part of that is built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Doug