Building God's Temple: Our Identity and Mission

Devotional

Day 1: The Church is God’s Temple—A Dwelling Place for His Spirit

God’s people are not just a gathering or an organization; they are the very temple where God’s Spirit dwells. Just as the Old Testament temple was a visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so now the church—made up of all believers—is the place where God chooses to live and work in the world. This means that every member is part of something sacred and purposeful, called to reflect God’s glory and presence to a watching world. The church is not a building, but a living, growing community where God is at home, shaping and transforming His people for His mission. [00:52]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Reflection: In what ways do you sense God’s presence in your life and in your church community, and how might you intentionally reflect His presence to those around you this week?

Day 2: God’s Church is Founded on His Word

The foundation of the church is not tradition, opinion, or human ingenuity, but the unchanging Word of God. Just as a building with a faulty foundation will eventually collapse, so too will a church that is not rooted in Scripture. Hearing God’s Word is not enough; we are called to do it, to let it shape our beliefs, our actions, and our community life. When God’s Word is the foundation, the church stands strong through every storm, and its people are equipped to live out God’s purposes in the world. [14:46]

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to let God’s Word—not your own preferences or traditions—be the foundation for your decisions and actions this week?

Day 3: Jesus is the Cornerstone—Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Him

Jesus is not just a part of the church’s foundation; He is the cornerstone, the reference point for everything else. If we lose sight of Jesus, our lives and our church will drift off course, just as a building becomes unstable when the cornerstone is ignored. Fixing our eyes on Jesus means looking to Him for direction, strength, and purpose in every circumstance—especially when the world is hostile or confusing. When we keep Jesus at the center, our lives and our church remain true, stable, and fruitful for God’s glory. [22:48]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally fix your eyes on Jesus today, especially when you are tempted to be distracted or discouraged?

Day 4: The Church Exists to Reflect God’s Glory to the World

The purpose of the church is not to impress people with buildings, programs, or human achievements, but to make God’s presence and glory visible to a world in need of hope. Just as the temple in Jerusalem was meant to draw the nations to God, so the church is called to be a living testimony that points people to Jesus. When the church centers everything on Christ and His gospel, people encounter God—not just religion. Our calling is to live and speak in such a way that others see God’s love, holiness, and hope through us. [31:16]

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV)
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see God’s glory through you this week, and what is one specific way you can point them to Jesus rather than to yourself or your church?

Day 5: Rely on the Holy Spirit—Let God Produce His Fruit in You

We cannot produce the life and character God desires by our own effort; it is the Holy Spirit who changes us and empowers us to live as God’s people. Just as a tree bears fruit by abiding in good soil, so we bear the fruit of the Spirit by submitting to and relying on God’s presence within us. The church is a work in progress, and so are we, but as we cooperate with the Spirit, God’s glory shines through our lives and brings hope to a broken world. [45:19]

Galatians 5:22-25 (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. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to stop striving in your own strength and instead ask the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the profound truth that the church is not merely a building or an organization, but the very temple of God—His dwelling place among His people. Drawing from Ephesians 2:19-22, we are reminded that we are no longer outsiders, but fellow citizens and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. This identity is not something we have achieved by our own merit, but a gift of God’s grace, given to us through faith in Christ. Our salvation is not a reason for pride, but for deep humility and gratitude, knowing that it is God’s mercy and love that have brought us from death to life.

The church, as God’s temple, is founded on His Word. The Scriptures are not just ancient writings, but the living and active words of God, providing the only sure foundation for our lives and our community. If we build on anything else—tradition, opinion, or human ingenuity—we are destined for collapse. Jesus is the cornerstone, the reference point for everything we do. If we lose sight of Him, our lives and our church will drift off course. Just as a builder must keep his eyes fixed on the cornerstone to ensure the structure is true, so must we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, especially in times of confusion, hostility, or suffering.

God’s design for the church is not just structural, but functional. We are being built together as a holy temple, a visible sign to the world that God dwells among His people. Our purpose is to reflect His glory, not our own. The world should see in us not just good works or impressive programs, but the unmistakable presence of God. This is a call to boldness—to declare the gospel not just within the safety of our walls, but out in the world, even in places of opposition or hostility. The tragic events of this week remind us that the world is desperate for hope, and that hope is found in Jesus Christ alone.

We are a people in process, being transformed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit by our own effort; we bear it as we submit and obey the Spirit’s leading. Our calling is to live out the gospel in every area of life, to be a people of hope, and to let God’s glory shine through us so that a watching world might find healing and salvation in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Church’s Foundation Is God’s Word, Not Human Tradition The strength and endurance of the church depend on its foundation. If we build on anything other than the Word of God—be it tradition, opinion, or cultural trends—collapse is inevitable. We must not only hear God’s Word but also do it, allowing it to shape every aspect of our life together. [16:43]
2. Jesus as the Cornerstone Keeps Us True and Aligned The cornerstone determines the alignment and integrity of the entire structure. In the same way, Jesus must remain the reference point for all we do. When we take our eyes off Him, even briefly, we risk drifting into error or self-centeredness; but when we fix our gaze on Christ, our lives and our church remain true, stable, and fruitful. [21:20]
3. The Church Exists to Reflect God’s Glory, Not Our Own God’s intention is that His people would be a living temple, a visible sign of His presence in the world. Our programs, buildings, and ministries are not the point; the world should encounter the glory of God when they encounter us. Our greatest witness is not our ingenuity or excellence, but the unmistakable presence of Jesus among us. [31:16]
4. We Are a People in Process, Dependent on the Holy Spirit Sanctification is not a self-improvement project; it is the Spirit’s work in us. We do not produce the fruit of the Spirit by sheer willpower, but bear it as we yield to the Spirit’s transforming presence. The more we submit and obey, the more we grow up into Christ, and the more God’s glory radiates from our lives. [45:19]
5. The World’s Hope Is the Gospel, Boldly Declared and Lived In a world marked by violence, division, and despair, the only true hope is found in Jesus Christ. We are called to boldly declare and live out the gospel, not just in safe spaces but wherever God sends us. Our mission is to be the temple of God in the world, carrying His presence and hope to those who are lost and searching. [48:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Reading Ephesians 2:19-22
[01:56] - Our Hopelessness and God’s Mercy
[06:41] - The Church: God’s Gracious Creation
[08:05] - God’s Blueprint for the Church
[11:43] - The Foundation: God’s Word
[14:46] - Building on the Rock: Hearing and Doing
[16:43] - The Only Sure Foundation
[18:13] - Jesus the Cornerstone
[21:20] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[22:48] - Living with Purpose and Focus
[26:23] - The Church as God’s Temple
[30:27] - Reflecting God’s Glory, Not Ours
[32:25] - A Call to Bold Gospel Witness
[36:48] - The Church’s Mission in the World
[40:05] - The Process of Sanctification
[45:19] - Bearing Fruit by the Spirit
[48:43] - Embracing the Cross and Our Mission
[53:39] - Closing Prayer and Commission

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) — So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

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## Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:19-22, what are the different ways Paul describes the church? (citizens, household, building, temple)
2. What does Paul say is the foundation of the church, and who is the cornerstone? (v.20)
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say happens if a church is built on anything other than God’s Word? [[16:43]]
4. How does the passage describe the process of the church being built? Is it finished or ongoing? (v.21-22)

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## Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul use so many different metaphors (citizens, family, building, temple) to describe the church? What does this tell us about our identity as believers? [[08:05]]
2. The pastor says, “If we take our eyes off of Jesus, even for a moment, we’re apt to do some crooked stuff in the church.” What does it look like for a church or a believer to lose sight of Jesus as the cornerstone? [[21:20]]
3. The sermon emphasizes that the church is a “people in process.” What does it mean for us to be “in process” and how does the Holy Spirit play a role in that? [[40:05]]
4. The pastor says the church exists to reflect God’s glory, not our own. What are some ways churches (or individuals) might accidentally start reflecting their own glory instead of God’s? [[31:16]]

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## Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against building on tradition, opinion, or cultural trends instead of God’s Word. Are there areas in your life or in our church where you see this happening? What would it look like to realign with God’s Word? [[16:43]]
2. The pastor shared a story about losing sight of the pattern while roofing and compared it to taking our eyes off Jesus. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel you’ve lost sight of Jesus as your reference point? What practical step can you take this week to refocus? [[19:15]]
3. The church is called to be a visible sign of God’s presence. When people encounter you (or our church), what do you think they see? What would you like them to see? [[31:16]]
4. The sermon challenges us to boldly declare and live out the gospel, not just in safe spaces. Can you think of a situation this week where you could share your faith or show God’s love outside your comfort zone? What’s holding you back? [[34:33]]
5. The pastor admitted to trying to “fix himself” instead of relying on the Holy Spirit. In what areas of your life are you trying to change by your own effort? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in you instead? [[43:36]]
6. The world is desperate for hope, and the only true hope is found in Jesus. Who in your life needs hope right now? How can you pray for them and look for an opportunity to share the hope of Christ with them this week? [[48:43]]
7. The sermon says, “We are not what we used to be, but we are also not what we are going to be.” What is one area where you see God changing you? How can the group encourage you as you continue to grow? [[40:05]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion: — Pray that God would help us to be a church built on His Word, with Jesus as our cornerstone, reflecting His glory to the world, and relying on the Holy Spirit to transform us and use us to bring hope to those around us.

Sermon Clips

None of us should ever look down on someone outside the church who is not saved and think that, oh, I am much better than you are. You're in a much better state than they are, but you didn't do anything for God to save you. It was God's gracious choice. And so therefore, we should always stay humble in this state that we find ourselves once we have been saved because it's by the grace of God that any of us will see him one day. Amen? [00:05:58] (33 seconds) #SavedByGraceStayHumble

You see, the foundation upon which the church of Jesus Christ has been founded is God's word, not just hearing at church, but actually doing the word. Actually living out this word and not allowing our thoughts, opinions, or traditions to become louder than God's word in the church. Friends, I don't think it's a leap here to say very clearly that if a church is built on anything other than the word of God, eventually it will collapse. [00:15:57] (36 seconds) #DoTheWordLiveTheWord

Looking unto Jesus. That's the clarion call to the church today. Look to Jesus. Look to Jesus. When it seems that evil is on the marks, look to Jesus. When it seems that the world is turning against us, look to Jesus. When we see a rising hostility toward the things of faith, look to Jesus. When things don't make sense in our culture, look to Jesus. He is our cornerstone. [00:22:17] (41 seconds) #JesusIsOurCornerstone

If we are going to be the temple of God we have to care more about God's glory than our glory we have to care more about Jesus' name than our name [00:39:51] (23 seconds) #GloryOverSelf

The more we learn to submit and obey the Holy Spirit, the more we grow up into Christ. The church is a place of the spirit. If we are going to accomplish God's objective for his church, we must rely on the spirit of God to accomplish it. When we do, God's glory radiates from his church. And a looking world is going to find hope. A lot of people are looking for hope today. Let me tell you where that hope is found. Jesus Christ. That's where the hope is. That's where the understanding comes. [00:45:52] (70 seconds) #SpiritLedGrowth

It's a wake -up call for every church in america to stop playing church and start being disciples of jesus to stop caring more about the lighting in the church or the video display in the church or any other factor in the church than we care about whether the gospel of jesus christ is clearly being taught it's a wake -up call for us all to embrace the cross [00:49:46] (34 seconds) #WakeUpCallToDiscipleship

Jesus declaratively said in the word that we could expect trouble because of his name so church it's time to buckle up buttercup it's time for us to embrace the cross and boldly declare our faith to a lost and dying to be the temple to be the temple of god to hear his word obey his word to look to jesus for everything and to be a people of the spirit if we do this and god will use river bend he will use you to bring healing and hope to this land [00:50:43] (62 seconds) #EmbraceTheCrossBoldly

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