Becoming Pillars: Embracing God's Presence in Community

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

• 1. 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]
• 2. 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]
• 3. 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]
• 4. 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]
• 5. 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. [64:58]

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
• [62:02] - The Invitation: See Your Life as a Pillar
• [64:58] - A Call to the Next Generation of Pillars
• [66:46] - Prayer for Pillars and the Church

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]]

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]]

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]]