Ephesians 2:21-22: “In whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit.”
1 Peter 2:5: “You yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 16:18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
The church is not merely an organization or an assembly of believers; it is God’s spiritual building, His dwelling place on earth. The church is the masterpiece of God’s work in the universe. This building is composed of living stones, believers who have been redeemed, regenerated, and are being transformed by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22 reveals that the church is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, a process that requires the fitting together of all the members. Each believer has a unique role and function, contributing to the overall structure. Similarly, 1 Peter 2:5 emphasizes our role as living stones being built up into a spiritual house.
The foundation of this building is Christ Himself, as declared in Matthew 16:18. The church is built upon the revelation of Christ, and its strength lies in the life and authority of Christ. This building work requires our cooperation through the growth in life, the renewing of the mind, and the exercise of our spirit.
Thoughts of the day/Main Points:
– The church is God’s spiritual building, composed of living stones.
– Each believer has a unique role in the building process.
– Christ is the foundation and cornerstone of the church.
– The building grows as believers are transformed and fitted together.
– The church is a holy dwelling place of God in spirit.
Prayer Confessions:
Lord, build me up as a living stone in Your spiritual house.
Help me to see and fulfill my role in the building of the church.
Grant me the grace to grow in life and be transformed for Your building.
May Your church be built upon the solid foundation of Christ alone.
Lord, strengthen Your church to withstand the gates of Hades and manifest Your glory, Amen.