The Ultimate Temple
As I’ve been preaching on the building and fitting out of the temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon, I’ve been reminded afresh of my visit to Israel with Mandy in 2018.
One of the most memorable experiences was visiting what’s known as the Temple Mount (or ‘Haram esh-Sharif’), which is the large, flat area where all this construction took place.
It was amazing for us to stand at the very place at which the detailed descriptions in 1 Kings 5-7 occurred, and to feel such a strong connection with the historical events.
When we visited Israel it made so much of the Bible feel even more real, as we had a physical experience of the actual places we had only read about in God’s word.
However, as people of the New Testament, we need to keep remembering that the Temple Mount, including the Western or ‘Wailing’ Wall, is now just a museum of the past with no spiritual value.
Jesus made it very clear that he is the temple, and that when we trust in Jesus, we too become part of that temple.
And what’s more, the New Jerusalem won’t have a new temple soaring above the horizon, but in fact there will be no temple at all, because “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Revelation 21:22)
But for now, as we read the amazing details of the physical temple Solomon built, we can learn so much about what it is like for God to “live among the Israelites and… never abandon my people Israel.” (1 Kings 6:13)
For as we explore the details of Solomon’s Temple, we understand so much more about what it means when in John 1:14 that “the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
JODIE McNEILL
Coming up this weekend 6-7 March
This weekend Jodie McNeill will be continuing our series on 1 Kings ‘Power and Hope’ as we look at chapter seven and ‘The Building King‘.
If you have any questions, simply fill out a response slip during the service, email us at office@jamberooanglican.com or send an SMS to 0439 890 086.
Here are the questions that Jodie plans to tackle this weekend:
1 If Joseph is not Jesus’ biological father, then how is Jesus in the line of David?
2 Was Herod’s Temple an extension or a new building?
3 What does it say on the shields on the arches on our church ceiling, and why?
4 If God endorses capital punishment then why was Cain not executed?
5 Did Jesus stop the stoning of the woman in John 8 because he was against capital punishment?
6 If we’re never going to be perfect, why should we try?
7 Are Christians free to do whatever we like?
8 Before Christianity, did everyone go to Hell?
9 Why do ministers wear funny collars?
10 Was the ‘Big Cherubim’ the inspiration for monuments like the ‘Big Banana’?
Join us this Saturday at 5pm where after church we have dinner together at 7pm followed by our ‘Nightlife’ program from 8pm.
Or join us Sunday at 9am where we’ll gather for church, and then after will have fellowship over morning tea and tasty espresso!
We have kids programs at both of our services! Join us for ‘Joeys’ (toddlers through to preschool), ‘Junior Roos’ (for school years K to 2), and ‘Senior Roos’ (for school years 3 to 6). Our service is live streamed to the TV in the hall so if you need to stay with your child, you won’t miss out on God’s word.
If you can’t make it in person, head to watch.jamberooanglican.com to watch our livestream. To catch up on previous sermons, head to our Youtube channel youtube.jamberooanglican.com.
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