Becoming Pillars: Embracing God's Presence in Community

Summary

In Revelation 3:12, we are given a vision of what it means to be victorious in Christ: to become a pillar in the temple of God, never to leave His presence, marked with His name and the name of His city. This image was given to a church reeling from the loss of the physical temple in Jerusalem, a place they believed was the very center of God’s presence on earth. Yet, Jesus reveals that He Himself is the new temple, and that God’s dwelling is no longer confined to stone and mortar, but is now found in His people. We are called to be living pillars—steadfast, supportive, and enduring—within the living temple of God.

Our culture, however, urges us to live not as pillars, but as platforms—seeking to elevate ourselves, to curate experiences, and to chase after the next emotional high. The world has become disenchanted, stripped of mystery and meaning, and so we are pressured to fill the void with ever more intense experiences. This pursuit, whether through relationships, travel, or even spiritual highs, leaves us restless and dissatisfied, always searching for the next thing to make us feel alive. Even our faith can become a quest for the next feeling, rather than a deep relationship with God Himself.

Yet, the true richness of life is not found in the accumulation of experiences, but in the slow, faithful building of relationships and community. The story of my family’s dinner table—simple meals shared over decades, conversations that shaped lives, hospitality extended to the lonely and the lost—illustrates what it means to be a pillar. It is not the spectacular or the novel that forms the foundation of God’s kingdom, but the ordinary, hidden acts of love, service, and steadfastness. Pillars are not always seen, but they hold up the whole structure.

To be a pillar is to pour out love selflessly, to create spaces where others are welcomed and known, to endure through seasons of difficulty and change. Whether you are a parent under pressure, a young person tempted by the allure of endless experiences, or someone who has faithfully served for years, the invitation is the same: see your life as God sees it. Choose to be a pillar, rooted in Christ, building up others, and carrying the presence of God into the world. This is the hidden strength that sustains the church and reveals the kingdom of God in our midst.

Key Takeaways

- The New Temple Is Living and Personal
God’s presence is no longer confined to a physical building, but is now found in His people. Each believer is called to be a pillar in this living temple, supporting and embodying the presence of God in the world. This redefines our identity—not as spectators or consumers, but as essential, enduring parts of God’s unfolding story. [35:12]

- The World’s Platform vs. God’s Pillar
Modern culture urges us to build platforms for ourselves, seeking recognition, experiences, and self-fulfillment. In contrast, God calls us to be pillars—steadfast, supportive, and often unseen—who hold up others and create spaces of belonging. True greatness in the kingdom is found not in self-promotion, but in self-giving love and faithfulness. [36:39]

- The Danger of Chasing Experiences
Our society’s obsession with experiences—whether through travel, relationships, or even spiritual highs—can leave us restless and dissatisfied. When faith becomes a pursuit of feelings rather than a relationship with God, we risk missing the depth and stability He offers. The call is to move beyond the pursuit of the next “hit” and to root ourselves in the enduring love and presence of Christ. [48:22]

- The Power of Ordinary, Faithful Love
The most transformative moments often happen not in spectacular experiences, but in the ordinary, repeated acts of love and hospitality. A family table, faithfully set over decades, can become a place where the kingdom of God is made tangible. These hidden acts of service and steadfastness are what truly build up the church and shape lives for generations. [56:09]

- Choosing to Be a Pillar in a Changing World
In a time when old structures are fading and the pressure to chase novelty is intense, the invitation is to choose a different path. Whether young or old, we are called to live as pillars—rooted in Christ, loving others sacrificially, and building up the community of faith. This hidden strength is what will sustain the church and reveal God’s kingdom in our world. [01:04:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:02] - Reflections on Gratitude and Australia
[33:17] - The Temple’s Destruction and Jesus as the New Temple
[35:12] - Becoming Living Pillars
[36:39] - Pillar vs. Platform: Competing Metaphors
[42:58] - The Disenchanted World and the Pursuit of Experience
[45:09] - The Expansion of “Emerging Adulthood”
[47:08] - Life as a Platform for Experiences
[48:22] - The Decline of Conscientiousness and Rise of Anxiety
[50:17] - The Limits of Experience-Driven Living
[51:37] - Meal as Performance vs. Meal as Family
[54:43] - The Family Table: A Place of Kingdom Hospitality
[56:09] - Hidden Acts of Love and the Pillar Life
[01:02:02] - The Invitation: See Your Life as a Pillar
[01:04:58] - A Call to the Next Generation of Pillars
[01:06:46] - Prayer for Pillars and the Church

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Becoming Pillars, Not Platforms”

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### Bible Reading

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)
> “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In Revelation 3:12, what promises does Jesus make to “the one who conquers”? What do these promises say about our relationship with God?
2. According to the sermon, what was the significance of the physical temple to the early church, and how did Jesus redefine where God’s presence is found? [[33:17]]
3. The sermon contrasts “pillars” and “platforms.” What are some characteristics of each, as described by the preacher? [[36:39]]
4. What story did the preacher share about his family’s dinner table, and what did it represent in terms of living as a pillar? [[56:09]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a “pillar” to describe those who are victorious? What does this metaphor communicate about the kind of life God values? [[35:12]]
2. The sermon suggests that our culture encourages us to build “platforms” for ourselves. What are some dangers of this mindset, especially for Christians? [[36:39]]
3. How does the pursuit of constant new experiences, even spiritual ones, risk leaving us restless or dissatisfied in our faith? [[48:22]]
4. The preacher described ordinary, repeated acts of love and hospitality as the foundation of God’s kingdom. Why might these “hidden” acts be more transformative than spectacular experiences? [[56:09]]

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### Application Questions

1. The preacher challenged listeners to “see your life as God sees it”—as a pillar in His living temple. What would it look like for you to embrace this identity in your daily life? Are there areas where you feel more like a “platform” than a “pillar”? [[35:12]]
2. Think about your own family, home, or friendships. How could you create spaces of belonging and hospitality, like the preacher’s family table, even if it’s in small or simple ways? [[56:09]]
3. The sermon mentioned the pressure to chase after new experiences, whether through travel, relationships, or even spiritual highs. Are there ways you’ve felt this pressure? How has it affected your sense of contentment or your relationship with God? [[48:22]]
4. For parents: The preacher encouraged parents to reframe their role—not just as experience-providers, but as pillars pouring out love. What is one practical way you could shift your focus this week to invest in your children or family as a pillar? [[01:02:49]]
5. For young adults (or anyone feeling the pull of “endless experiences”): What would it mean for you to choose the “pillar” path instead of chasing the next big thing? Is there a specific decision or habit you could change to become more rooted in Christ and community? [[01:04:58]]
6. The preacher honored those who have served faithfully and often unseen in the church. Is there someone in your life or church community who has been a “pillar” for you? How could you encourage or thank them this week? [[01:02:02]]
7. The sermon ended with a call to pour out love selflessly and endure through seasons of difficulty. Is there a relationship or situation in your life right now where you need to show steadfast, self-giving love? What’s one step you can take this week to do that? [[01:08:48]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for strength to be pillars in their families, friendships, and church—steadfast, supportive, and rooted in Christ’s love.

Devotional

Day 1: Becoming Pillars in God’s Living Temple
To be a pillar in God’s temple is to become a living vessel for His presence, not through grand gestures or public acclaim, but by faithfully standing firm in faith and love, supporting the community and carrying the name of God wherever you go. In a world obsessed with platforms and self-promotion, God calls His people to a different architectural metaphor: not to elevate themselves, but to be strong, steady, and enduring supports in His spiritual house. This identity is not about being noticed, but about being foundational—allowing God to build His kingdom through ordinary, steadfast lives. [35:12]

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)
“The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”

Reflection: In what area of your life is God inviting you to be a steady, faithful presence for others, even if it goes unseen or uncelebrated?


Day 2: Choosing Pillar Living Over Platform Living
Modern culture urges us to build platforms for ourselves, seeking experiences and recognition, but God’s way is to call us to be pillars—serving, supporting, and loving others without seeking the spotlight. The temptation to live for the next big moment or to curate a life of impressive experiences can leave us restless and dissatisfied, always searching for more. True fulfillment comes not from standing above others, but from quietly holding up the lives around us, investing in relationships and community for the long haul. [36:39]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Reflection: Where are you tempted to seek recognition or experiences for yourself, and how might you instead choose to serve and support others as a pillar?


Day 3: The Power of Ordinary, Enduring Relationships
While our world prizes extraordinary experiences, it is the ordinary, repeated acts of love and hospitality—like gathering around a family table—that shape lives and reveal the kingdom of God. The most meaningful moments are often not the spectacular ones, but the faithful presence, the shared meals, the conversations in hard times, and the open doors to those in need. These simple, enduring relationships become the foundation for faith, healing, and belonging, far outlasting fleeting experiences. [56:09]

Romans 12:10-13 (ESV)
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs the gift of your faithful presence or hospitality this week, and how can you offer it in a simple, tangible way?


Day 4: Resisting the Pressure of Experience-Driven Living
The relentless pursuit of new experiences and constant stimulation can erode our ability to focus, deepen relationships, and find contentment in God’s presence. Our culture’s obsession with the next thrill or emotional high—even in spiritual life—can leave us anxious, distracted, and spiritually shallow. Instead, God invites us to a life of depth, rootedness, and meaning that comes from being present, practicing self-control, and finding joy in the ordinary rhythms of faithfulness. [48:22]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Reflection: What is one distraction or “experience” you can set aside this week to be more present to God and those around you?


Day 5: Loving Like Jesus—The Heart of Pillar Living
To live as a pillar is to love others not for what they can give us, but because Jesus is at the center of all relationships, calling us to pour out His love selflessly and sacrificially. This love is not about chasing feelings or the idea of love, but about choosing to serve, forgive, and care for others—whether they are family, friends, strangers, or those who seem difficult to love. When we root our lives in Christ’s love, we become vessels through which His kingdom quietly expands, one relationship at a time. [01:04:58]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to love right now, and what is one practical step you can take to show them Christ’s love this week?

Quotes

``But what this verse is saying is that actually Jesus's plan was that he was the temple and what he's then inviting us into is a kind of life where we live our lives in this very different way. And the temple ain't coming back. There's no great building project that's going to come where all of a sudden the third temple will be rebuilt. What John is telling us here in Revelation is that the new temple is actually a living temple. It's not made of stone or wood or bronze or copper or concrete. What it's actually made of is people like you and I. The people of God become the new container, vessel, dwelling place for God's presence. [00:34:42] (51 seconds)  #LivingTemplePeople Edit Clip

And what Max Weber said in 1917, and I think this in many ways describes the birth of the modern world in which we live, he said that the world had become disenchanted. And what he meant by this was that the magic, the mystery, the enchantment, the sense of being very small and this incredible world that you did not understand, that that way of living had now disappeared and it wasn't coming back. [00:42:22] (36 seconds)  #ExperienceOverVirtue Edit Clip

Alicia Brichole, the American Christian writer, says, many people's faith is actually stuck in a kind of loop where you're seeking the next feeling of God, the next conference, the next hit, the next incredible worship set, the next amazing podcast dropping, that next thing, to the point where we're more in love with the feeling of God, but she makes the point that the feeling of God is not God himself. That we have people who are chasing the feels and not actually God. [00:49:35] (42 seconds)  #PillarsOfMeaning Edit Clip

And so what I've realized is, is it any wonder then that we see people walk away from faith when they enter into moments where it doesn't feel good when difficulty comes? And is it any wonder that we live in a world where people are increasingly, incredibly isolated and struggle to build relationships and have a sense of concern and worry about relationships because we're expecting so much more from other people than what they can give us? God did not create other people to be just fonts of giving us incredible experiences all the time. [00:50:17] (39 seconds)  #LifeAsLivingPillar Edit Clip

And what i realized that we've done is we've created this world which is over exaggerated the importance of experiences and under exaggerated the importance of what relationship looks like over an entire life what my parents were doing was actually living as pillars they didn't have a role for this that what they actually did is lived as pillars in a way where for my friends who are in in difficult situations they would act as like parental figures for me and my brother as we were going up when my auntie passed away and her her daughter my my cousin was orphaned my parents i just moved out of home and my parents took her in and adopted my cousin so my cousin became my sister at the exact moment when they were meant to enjoy the empty nest life they actually took her in and and brought her into that house and what you realize is that the world when you see it through a different lens is a place that is filled with incredible mystery an incredible meaning but you just actually have to have a different lens of viewing it. [00:59:10] (84 seconds)  #ParentingAsPillar Edit Clip

We need a new way to actually see the world. It's not a new way. It's actually an old way. To the one who is victorious. I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God. And the name of the city of my God. The new Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. My simple invitation for you today is this. To see your life as God sees your life. A pillar being built in the living temple. [01:01:53] (46 seconds)  #LiveAsPillarOfLove Edit Clip

Second, I want to talk to the people who at this moment feel utterly smashed. Particularly parents. The pressure of being a parent at this time where so many things are happening. So much pressure on you to give your kids experiences. So many financial pressures. Working long hours. Running around like a taxi service. Staying up late, not sleeping. I was at a cafe recently and there were three guys near me. And they were talking about their kids' involvement in sports and how many different nights they're out. And they're like, they're getting back later and later. And they're like, these guys love sport. They were talking about footy and basketball and everything. But they got to this point then like going, this is getting ridiculous. And yes, the pressure on parents in Australia is getting to the point of being ridiculous. But I want to say, reframe the role of parenting. This is not about you having incredible experiences. You are actually pouring out the love of God on your children and family when you serve them. And you are acting as a pillar. And what you're doing as you live selflessly, you're actually building up other, your children to be pillars in the Lord. [01:03:32] (75 seconds) Edit Clip