I. Introduction
A. Angkor Wat
1. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Angkor Wat in Cambodia holds the title of the largest temple complex in the world.
2. The temple complex itself is over 400 acres.
3. It originally served as a Hindu temple to honor Vishnu, but was later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
B. Background of the Passage
1. Paul is continuing his discussion on the need for unity in the church at Corinth.
2. We learn in chapters 1-2 about the division the church is experiencing as people begin siding with teachers (i.e., Paul, Apollos, Cephas).
3. He uses three illustrations to help them understand the true nature of the church as God intended: God’s fellow workers, God’s field, and God’s building.
4. The last of these is developed as Paul talks about the foundation of the church (Christ) and how we build upon it.
5. Paul then calls upon the imagery of the temple to get the listener’s attention.
C. The Temple
1. Paul uses the more specific word for temple that includes only the temple structure itself, not the grounds around it (i.e., the holy place and holy of holies) according to Strongs.
2. “According to Paul, God is at work through the Spirit to create communities that prefigure and embody the reconciliation and healing of the world. The fruit of God’s love is the formation of communities that confess, worship, and pray together in a way that glorifies God.”
II. The Church as the Temple of God
A. , not Buildings
1. The church is not a . Christians themselves are the temple of God today.
2. OT
a. Part of the purpose of the Tabernacle/Temple was for God’s to dwell among His people.
b. Exodus 25:8
c. 2 Chronicles 7:12-16
d. Jesus forewarned about the destruction of the physical temple (Matthew 24), which came to pass in A.D. 70.
e. Jesus was, in part, teaching that the new kingdom would not be about a geographical location or a building made with hands (Mark 14:58, John 2:19, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 9:11), but would dwell within them.
3. NT
a. The temple and all it entailed were only a to the current covenant and how God now dwells in His people.
b. Hebrews 8:5 (See also Hebrews 10:1)
c. Ephesians 2:19-22 (esp v. 21)
d. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Peter reminds us that we are a spiritual house.
4. God’s presence on earth today is to be found among His people.
5. The place where God dwells today is not a brick building, but within His disciples.
B. , not Ordinary
1. As His dwelling place, God’s people are to be , not ordinary.
2. OT
a. The tabernacle and temple were always set apart from the average person; there was something about the temple.
b. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, upon which was the mercy seat, where God’s presence could be found. (Exodus 25:22; 30:6)
c. It was where the High Priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement to remove condemnation for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:1-34).
d. In a sense, the mercy seat sealed the condemnation of the Law away from the people.
3. NT
a. Through the of Christ, shed at His sacrifice, we are made holy.
b. Romans 3:25
c. The Greek word for propitiation in this passage is ἱλαστήριον, hilastērion, which means “mercy seat.”
d. Jesus is both the and the where we find the atonement for our sins.
4. Image
a. Temples of the first century were often built to reflect the deity they were built to honor.
b. Paul’s point is to tell them that, because of their holiness through Christ, their lives should reflect God.
c. Corinth was a city renowned for its numerous temples dedicated to the gods of Greek mythology. In a town full of physical buildings, Paul challenged them to understand that THEY were God’s temple; His presence on this earth, not some building made of stone.
5. As
His temple, we are to reflect the of Jesus. Do people catch a glimpse of the true nature of God when they come to West End?
C. , not Divided
1. The church is designed to draw us to God just as the temple once did.
2. OT
a. Men were commanded to return to the temple on three feast occasions for worship. (Leviticus 23:1-44)
b. When the Tabernacle was erected, the tribes would camp around it, keeping God the of the encampment. (Numbers 2:1-34)
3. NT
a. The church is meant to be a place of , not division. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
b. Paul stresses that if anyone causes division within the church, there will be severe consequences.
i. Wrongful actions in the Tabernacle led to the death of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3).
ii. Wrongful actions dealing with the ark of the covenant led to the unfortunate death of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:5-15).
4. The big exception is that the temple was only for the Israelites; now the church is for all.
5. Our unity is not one of majority or popularity; it is a true unity based on God’s Word.
III. Conclusion
A. What does this mean?
1. Do we reflect the nature of the Father and the Christ?
2. Do I work to build up the church, not tear it down?
3. Do I conduct my life in holiness, as one who understands that I carry God’s Spirit with me wherever I go?
B. Invitation