Embracing Individuality in the Spiritual Temple

 

Summary

In reflecting on our place within the Church of Christ, we are reminded that we are part of a grand edifice, a spiritual temple where God dwells. This temple is not built through mass production but through individual selection, much like a craftsman carefully choosing stones for a building. Each stone, representing each believer, is selected and placed with intention and purpose. This process underscores the personal nature of our relationship with God, emphasizing that salvation is an individual experience, not a collective one. We enter the Kingdom of God one by one, through a narrow gate, highlighting the personal transaction between God and each soul.

Furthermore, the stones in this spiritual building are not identical. They vary in size, shape, and function, yet they fit together harmoniously to form a magnificent structure. This diversity is crucial, as it reflects the glory of Christianity, which touches all types and conditions of people. The Church is not meant to produce uniformity but to celebrate the unique contributions of each member. We are not all meant to be the same; our individual characteristics and gifts are to be embraced and utilized for the greater good of the Church.

The preparation and shaping of each stone are essential. Just as a mason trims and shapes stones to fit perfectly into a wall, God works on us, chiseling away our rough edges to fit us into His divine plan. This process involves teaching and preaching, which help us grow and mature in our faith. We must be willing to undergo this transformation, allowing God to mold us into the people He wants us to be.

Key Takeaways:

- Individual Selection: Salvation is a deeply personal experience, akin to a craftsman selecting stones for a building. Each believer is chosen and placed by God with intention and purpose, emphasizing the unique relationship between God and each soul. [24:50]

- Diversity in Unity: The Church is a diverse body, with each member contributing uniquely to the whole. This diversity is not only accepted but celebrated, as it reflects the richness and depth of God's creation. We are not meant to be identical but to bring our individual gifts to the service of the Church. [27:03]

- Embracing Individuality: Christians are not called to conform to a single mold but to embrace their God-given characteristics. Whether quiet or outspoken, each person has a role to play in the Church, and these differences should be seen as strengths rather than weaknesses. [30:28]

- The Process of Shaping: Just as stones are shaped to fit into a building, believers undergo a process of spiritual shaping. This involves teaching, preaching, and personal growth, allowing God to mold us into the people He desires us to be. [39:09]

- The Role of Teaching and Preaching: The Church's teaching and preaching are vital in shaping believers, helping them to grow and mature in their faith. This process is necessary for fitting into God's divine plan and fulfilling our roles within the Church. [42:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:22] - The Spiritual Temple
- [22:51] - The Question of Choice
- [23:45] - Individual Selection
- [24:50] - Entering the Kingdom
- [26:46] - Diversity in the Church
- [27:49] - Christianity's Reach
- [28:35] - Embracing Differences
- [30:28] - Individual Characteristics
- [31:44] - Not All Called to Preach
- [32:27] - Unique Roles in the Church
- [33:32] - The Power of Listening
- [34:26] - The Body of Christ
- [36:14] - Avoiding Mass Production
- [38:01] - Preparation and Shaping

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ and its many parts.
2. Matthew 7:13-14 - The narrow gate.
3. Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as a holy temple in the Lord.

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the process of individual selection in the building of the spiritual temple? What does this imply about our personal relationship with God? [24:50]

2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the diversity among the stones in the spiritual building? How does this diversity contribute to the Church's unity? [27:03]

3. What role does teaching and preaching play in the shaping of believers, according to the sermon? [42:35]

4. How does the sermon use the analogy of a craftsman selecting stones to explain the concept of salvation? [23:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might the sermon suggest about the importance of individual characteristics within the Church? How does this relate to the concept of diversity in unity? [30:28]

2. How does the sermon’s analogy of the narrow gate challenge the idea of collective salvation? What does this mean for personal faith journeys? [24:50]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the process of spiritual shaping is necessary for believers? How might this process be experienced in a believer's life? [39:09]

4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on diversity challenge the notion of uniformity within the Church? What implications does this have for how we view our roles in the Church? [27:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. How have you experienced the process of being "shaped" by God? What areas of your life might still need chiseling? [39:09]

2. Consider the unique gifts and characteristics you bring to your church community. How can you use these to contribute to the Church's mission? [30:28]

3. The sermon emphasizes entering the Kingdom of God through a narrow gate. What personal steps can you take to ensure your faith journey remains focused and intentional? [24:50]

4. How can you celebrate and encourage diversity within your church community, recognizing the unique contributions of each member? [27:03]

5. Think about a time when you felt pressured to conform to a certain mold within the Church. How can you embrace your individuality while still contributing to the Church's unity? [30:28]

6. How can you actively engage with teaching and preaching in your church to aid your spiritual growth and maturity? [42:35]

7. Identify one way you can support someone in your church who may feel like an "awkward stone" in the building. How can you help them find their place and purpose? [33:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unique Craft of Salvation
Salvation is a deeply personal experience, akin to a craftsman selecting stones for a building. Each believer is chosen and placed by God with intention and purpose, emphasizing the unique relationship between God and each soul. This individual selection process highlights the personal nature of entering the Kingdom of God, which is not a collective journey but a solitary one through a narrow gate. Each person must engage in a personal transaction with God, underscoring the importance of a direct and intimate relationship with the Divine. [24:50]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Consider your personal relationship with God. What steps can you take today to deepen this unique connection and embrace the individual path He has set for you?


Day 2: Celebrating Diversity in the Church
The Church is a diverse body, with each member contributing uniquely to the whole. This diversity is not only accepted but celebrated, as it reflects the richness and depth of God's creation. The Church is not meant to produce uniformity but to embrace the unique contributions of each member. Each believer brings their own gifts and characteristics, which are to be utilized for the greater good of the Church. This diversity in unity is a testament to the glory of Christianity, which touches all types and conditions of people. [27:03]

1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (ESV): "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."

Reflection: Reflect on the unique gifts and characteristics you bring to your church community. How can you use these to contribute to the diversity and unity of the Church today?


Day 3: Embracing Your God-Given Identity
Christians are not called to conform to a single mold but to embrace their God-given characteristics. Whether quiet or outspoken, each person has a role to play in the Church, and these differences should be seen as strengths rather than weaknesses. Embracing individuality means recognizing that each person's unique traits are gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of the Church. This perspective encourages believers to value their own identity and the identities of others, fostering a community where everyone is appreciated for who they are. [30:28]

Romans 12:4-6 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith."

Reflection: Identify one unique characteristic or gift you possess. How can you actively use this trait to serve and strengthen your church community this week?


Day 4: The Transformative Process of Spiritual Shaping
Just as stones are shaped to fit into a building, believers undergo a process of spiritual shaping. This involves teaching, preaching, and personal growth, allowing God to mold us into the people He desires us to be. The process of shaping is essential for fitting into God's divine plan, as it involves chiseling away our rough edges and refining our character. Believers must be willing to undergo this transformation, trusting that God's work in their lives is purposeful and for their ultimate good. [39:09]

Jeremiah 18:3-4 (ESV): "So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is currently shaping you? How can you cooperate with His transformative work in this area today?


Day 5: The Vital Role of Teaching and Preaching
The Church's teaching and preaching are vital in shaping believers, helping them to grow and mature in their faith. This process is necessary for fitting into God's divine plan and fulfilling our roles within the Church. Through teaching and preaching, believers are equipped with the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate their spiritual journey. It is through these means that God communicates His truths, guiding His people toward spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with Him. [42:35]

Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Reflection: Think about a recent sermon or teaching that impacted you. How can you apply what you learned to your daily life and spiritual growth this week?

Quotes


Let's remember we are considering our place and our positions as members of the Church of Christ. We are looking at ourselves as part of this Great Wall, this great edifice, this great building that's going up to make a temple, a habitation for God to dwell in, as God dwelt in the old temple in the shakina glory in the holiest of all. [00:22:08]

There is a personal and a particular selection. Every stone is picked out and placed in position by itself. There wasn't such a thing as mass production when you built in that way. You can do that sort of thing with bricks, one's as good as another, but not with this kind of edifice that the Apostle is thinking of. [00:23:45]

Thank God in a world in which the individual is so increasingly becoming lost that he remains the whole Center in these matters. I like to think of it like this, to change my illustration, there is only one way of entering the kingdom of God, and that's through a Turn Style. It isn't a wide open gate; it's a Turn Style. [00:24:50]

All the stones in this building are not identical. Go and have a look as soon as you can at some magnificent Stone building here in London and watch for this point. The stones are not equal in size, nor in shape, nor in anything else. They're all different, and yet they're all harmoniously fitted together. [00:26:46]

The glory of Christianity is that it touches all types and kinds and conditions of men, and this element of the variety and the variation and the lack of sameness is so tremendously interesting. The stones in the wall not only are not meant to be the same, it wouldn't be a correct wall if they were the same. [00:28:35]

We are not all meant to be the same as Christians. Our individual characteristics are still to be here. Some of us are born vehement; well, we are meant to be vehement. Others are quiet and phlegmatic; let them continue as such. There is nothing more appalling to me than a phlegmatic person trying to appear as if he were vehement. [00:30:28]

No, no, we're not all meant to preach, but you know there's a teaching today which almost seems to say that everybody, the moment he's converted, he has to give his testimony and then preach. We're not all meant to preach. We're not all meant to go to the foreign Mission field. [00:31:44]

Let us then, I say, get rid of this idea we must all be the same, and let's discover what God would do with us and have us be. You know, the history of the church bears eloquent testimony to this fact that sometimes some unknown obscure Christian, whom the church hadn't heard very much about, but who had been spending his or her time in prayer and in intercession. [00:32:27]

Some of us perhaps as Christians are called just to be kind to people, to be friendly and sympathetic, to just sit and listen to them. You know, you can help people tremendously by just listening to them. They unburden their hearts, but there are some of us who are so active and so busy and are doing so much talking we never give them a chance to speak. [00:33:32]

The next thing obviously is this question of the preparation and the shaping. Now, I've told you that this Builder sees that at this point he requires a certain shape and size of stone, and he looks at his mess of stones, and he casts his eye over them, and he picks one out. [00:38:01]

Have you ever watched the Mason doing his work? Many times as a boy, I did this, and it always fascinated me. He took the stone, and then he had various types of hammer, and he just knocked bits off. He trimmed it, he shaped it, he fashioned it, he chipped bits off it. [00:39:09]

It's done by preaching and teaching. That's the whole business of preaching and teaching. It's the fashionist to prepare us. We've all got these odd angles and corners, and as we are by Nature, we don't fit in. They've got to be chiseled off, angularities, awkwardness is we don't fit in. [00:42:35]

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Transcript
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