Living as God's Temple: Engaging the World with Hope
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the profound truth that we are the temple of the living God, and He dwells among us. This reality shapes our identity and our mission in the world. We are called to be distinct yet not detached from the world around us. Paul, in his letters, emphasizes that we are to live out the promises of God, not to earn them, but because they have already been given to us through Christ. This distinction between being religious and being devoted is crucial. We are transformed by God's glory, and this transformation defines us not by cultural standards but by who Jesus is within us.
We live in a world filled with sin and brokenness, but we hold onto the hope that one day we will be with Jesus, free from all brokenness. This hope, faith, and love are what define us and our purpose. We gather on Sundays and exist throughout the week to share this reality with others. We are strengthened and encouraged by our faith in Jesus, and we are called to share this with others, even within our church community.
Paul's message to the Corinthians is clear: we are not to be yoked with unbelievers, but we are also not to withdraw from the world. We are to engage with society, knowing that the one who is in us is greater than the one in the world. This gives us the confidence to live within the world without being conquered by it. Our children, too, can live within the world, knowing that their relationship with Jesus cannot be stolen by cultural influences.
The church is a place where we are responsible for one another's spiritual growth. This means we take responsibility for each other's spiritual health, and we engage in relationships that reflect the transforming power of the gospel. When hurt happens within the church, it is not a place to avoid conflict but to address it with the hope of reconciliation. Paul demonstrates this by addressing the Corinthians not based on their behavior but on their identity in Christ. He is transparent and honest, risking being hurt himself, but he does so to maintain the relationship and to correct misunderstandings.
We are called to be an influence in culture without being influenced by it. Paul warns against intimate relationships that can lead to being influenced by the world. Instead, we are to live out the gospel in a way that allows us to engage with culture without losing our distinctiveness. This balance is crucial for the church to maintain its relevance and its witness.
In our relationships, conflict can lead to deeper intimacy if handled well. Paul shows us that addressing conflict spiritually and emotionally can lead to reconciliation and a stronger bond. He keeps the conflict about the issue and not the person, demonstrating a maturity that brings things into the light and allows for healing.
The gospel doctrine we believe must be lived out in a gospel culture. This means loving one another earnestly and sacrificially, recognizing that brokenness is the problem, and seeking reconciliation and restoration. A church that embodies both gospel doctrine and gospel culture is powerful and influential, allowing people to grow spiritually and testify to the reality of Jesus at work.
As we conclude, we pray for the women in our church, acknowledging their unique challenges and blessings. We ask for God's grace and strength in their lives, that they may know they are loved and valued by Him. We pray for our relationships within the church, that we may steward them well and experience the fullness of God's grace through them.
### Key Takeaways
1. Living Out God's Promises: We are called to live out the promises of God, not to earn them, but because they have already been given to us through Christ. This distinction between being religious and being devoted is crucial. We are transformed by God's glory, and this transformation defines us not by cultural standards but by who Jesus is within us. [01:03:10]
2. Engaging with the World: We are not to be yoked with unbelievers, but we are also not to withdraw from the world. We are to engage with society, knowing that the one who is in us is greater than the one in the world. This gives us the confidence to live within the world without being conquered by it. [57:52]
3. Responsibility for One Another: The church is a place where we are responsible for one another's spiritual growth. This means we take responsibility for each other's spiritual health, and we engage in relationships that reflect the transforming power of the gospel. When hurt happens within the church, it is not a place to avoid conflict but to address it with the hope of reconciliation. [36:16]
4. Influence Without Being Influenced: We are called to be an influence in culture without being influenced by it. Paul warns against intimate relationships that can lead to being influenced by the world. Instead, we are to live out the gospel in a way that allows us to engage with culture without losing our distinctiveness. [54:18]
5. Handling Conflict with Maturity: In our relationships, conflict can lead to deeper intimacy if handled well. Paul shows us that addressing conflict spiritually and emotionally can lead to reconciliation and a stronger bond. He keeps the conflict about the issue and not the person, demonstrating a maturity that brings things into the light and allows for healing. [43:33]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:16] - Responsibility for One Another
[43:33] - Handling Conflict with Maturity
[54:18] - Influence Without Being Influenced
[57:52] - Engaging with the World
[01:03:10] - Living Out God's Promises
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'"
2. 1 John 4:4: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
3. John 17:15-18: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers"? How does he describe the relationship between believers and unbelievers? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
2. According to 1 John 4:4, why can believers have confidence when engaging with the world?
3. In John 17:15-18, what does Jesus pray for regarding His disciples' relationship with the world?
4. How does Paul address the Corinthians' behavior and identity in 2 Corinthians 6:11-13? ([42:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What are the implications of being "the temple of the living God" for how believers should live and interact with the world? (2 Corinthians 6:16)
2. How does the assurance that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" affect a believer's approach to cultural engagement? (1 John 4:4)
3. What does Jesus' prayer in John 17:15-18 reveal about the balance between being in the world but not of it?
4. How does Paul’s approach to conflict with the Corinthians demonstrate spiritual maturity and a commitment to reconciliation? ([42:05])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any where you feel "yoked" in a way that might be compromising your faith? How can you address this? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
2. How can you practically live out the truth that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" in your daily interactions? (1 John 4:4)
3. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be protected from the evil one while being sent into the world. How can you apply this prayer to your own life, especially in challenging environments? (John 17:15-18)
4. Think of a recent conflict you had within the church. How can you address it with the goal of reconciliation and maintaining the relationship, as Paul did with the Corinthians? ([42:05])
5. In what ways can you be an influence in your community without being influenced by it? Identify specific actions you can take this week. ([54:18])
6. How can you take responsibility for the spiritual growth of others in your church community? What steps can you take to support someone else's faith journey? ([36:16])
7. Consider a time when you felt hurt or let down by the church. How can you bring this hurt into the light and seek healing and reconciliation? ([37:58])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: Living Out God's Promises
We are called to live out the promises of God, not to earn them, but because they have already been given to us through Christ. This distinction between being religious and being devoted is crucial. We are transformed by God's glory, and this transformation defines us not by cultural standards but by who Jesus is within us. Our identity in Christ is a gift, not something we achieve through our efforts. This understanding frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and allows us to live in the joy and freedom of His grace.
Living out God's promises means embodying the truth that we are already loved, accepted, and transformed by Jesus. It means allowing His presence within us to shape our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. As we embrace this reality, we become living testimonies of God's faithfulness and love, drawing others to the hope and transformation found in Christ. [01:03:10]
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."
Reflection: How can you live out the promises of God in your daily life, knowing that they have already been given to you through Christ?
Day 2: Engaging with the World
We are not to be yoked with unbelievers, but we are also not to withdraw from the world. We are to engage with society, knowing that the one who is in us is greater than the one in the world. This gives us the confidence to live within the world without being conquered by it. Our mission is to be a light in the darkness, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in our interactions and relationships.
Engaging with the world means being present and active in our communities, workplaces, and social circles while maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. It requires wisdom and discernment to navigate relationships and situations in a way that honors God and upholds our faith. By relying on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can influence the world around us without being influenced by its values and practices. [57:52]
1 John 4:4 (ESV): "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
Reflection: In what ways can you engage with the world around you while maintaining your distinctiveness as a follower of Christ?
Day 3: Responsibility for One Another
The church is a place where we are responsible for one another's spiritual growth. This means we take responsibility for each other's spiritual health, and we engage in relationships that reflect the transforming power of the gospel. When hurt happens within the church, it is not a place to avoid conflict but to address it with the hope of reconciliation. We are called to bear one another's burdens and to encourage and support each other in our walk with Christ.
Taking responsibility for one another involves being intentional in our relationships, offering support, accountability, and encouragement. It means being willing to have difficult conversations and to seek reconciliation when conflicts arise. By fostering a culture of love, grace, and mutual care, we create an environment where spiritual growth can flourish, and the transforming power of the gospel is evident in our community. [36:16]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you take responsibility for the spiritual growth of those in your church community?
Day 4: Influence Without Being Influenced
We are called to be an influence in culture without being influenced by it. Paul warns against intimate relationships that can lead to being influenced by the world. Instead, we are to live out the gospel in a way that allows us to engage with culture without losing our distinctiveness. This balance is crucial for the church to maintain its relevance and its witness. By staying rooted in our identity in Christ, we can navigate cultural influences with wisdom and integrity.
Living out the gospel in a way that influences culture involves being intentional about our values, choices, and interactions. It means being a positive example of Christ's love and truth in every area of our lives. By staying connected to God through prayer, Scripture, and community, we can remain steadfast in our faith and be a light to those around us. [54:18]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what ways can you influence the culture around you without being influenced by it?
Day 5: Handling Conflict with Maturity
In our relationships, conflict can lead to deeper intimacy if handled well. Paul shows us that addressing conflict spiritually and emotionally can lead to reconciliation and a stronger bond. He keeps the conflict about the issue and not the person, demonstrating a maturity that brings things into the light and allows for healing. By approaching conflict with a spirit of humility, grace, and a desire for reconciliation, we can strengthen our relationships and reflect the love of Christ.
Handling conflict with maturity involves being honest and transparent, seeking to understand the other person's perspective, and being willing to forgive and seek forgiveness. It means addressing issues directly and respectfully, without letting them fester or cause division. By prioritizing reconciliation and maintaining a focus on the relationship rather than the conflict, we can experience deeper intimacy and stronger bonds within our community. [43:33]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you handle conflict in your relationships in a way that leads to deeper intimacy and reconciliation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are meant to be an influence in culture, not be influenced by culture. And so he says, don't be yoked together. And then he gives four descriptions of what that could look like. He calls it partnership, fellowship, agreement, having things in common. He says that Christians are different from the world, that we carry different values, that we live a different way, that we worship a different God, that we do so even within culture can make us be a little bit vulnerable. And so he says, draw a line. Don't be yoked. That is, don't have partnership, fellowship, agreement are common. Basically this, don't be involved in intimate relationships within the community. Intimacy without covenant, without something in common is dangerous, right? It's dangerous." [54:18]
2. "It's never God's intention to take people out of the world. Jesus says don't take them out of the world. The world needs them. They are susceptible to what? To the evil one, to the lies that are there. John picks up on this and in his letter to the church in 1 John 4, he says to them, you are from God, little children, and you have conquered. The forces in the world because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. How powerful is that promise? We are able to enter into society as destructive and as powerful as it is knowing that there is nothing within our culture that can steal my relationship with Jesus, that can steal my freedom, that can steal my assurance, that can steal my life." [57:52]
3. "We are the temple of the living God. God indwells us by his Holy Spirit. I trust that when I share on a Sunday morning that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of me in me, through God's word, is working on the Spirit in you. Some of you are trying to figure out, how do I get it all in? Right? There's a lot of content, and I'm sorry, there's a lot of content. I don't know, it's part of me being new. I'm like, I got to tell them everything. In 30 minutes, every week. Right? Listen, if we just trust, the Spirit will bring to mind the things that the Spirit needs to bring to mind for me. Okay?" [01:00:57]
4. "What Paul does here, is he basically says, the gospel is lived out in this way. We fight for it in one another's lives. We're able to bring things into the light. We're able to bring our hurt. We're able to bring our hearts. We're able to bring our love. We're able to bring our history into one another's presence, because Jesus has made us safe. That I've received an unconditional love, an unconditional grace from Christ in my life that allows me then to extend that to others instead of needing to get it from others." [48:14]
5. "The gospel frees us to say that brokenness is the problem. That people hurt one another because they're dealing with sin. And I respond to sin with sin at times. Therefore, I don't need to deny it because Jesus has taken it. He's taken it on himself at the cross. I believe that reconciliation is imperative. That Jesus rose from the dead. That he's given new life so that I can seek out reconciliation since Christ has reconciled me to God. And that restoration might be possible. Not always the case, but might be possible if we're believing that Jesus is working in our midst." [49:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "What the Bible makes clear is this, is that the church is the place where we are responsible for one another's spiritual growth, for one another's spiritual walk. How intimidating is that? You read these verses like we read in Hebrews chapter three. It says, There's a great description of what the church should be, that we're engaged with one another, that we're contending for one another's belief in Jesus, for one another's experience of the transforming power of the gospel. This means we take responsibility for one another's spiritual health." [36:16]
2. "We are the temple of the living God. God indwells us by his Holy Spirit. I trust that when I share on a Sunday morning that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of me in me, through God's word, is working on the Spirit in you. Some of you are trying to figure out, how do I get it all in? Right? There's a lot of content, and I'm sorry, there's a lot of content. I don't know, it's part of me being new. I'm like, I got to tell them everything. In 30 minutes, every week. Right? Listen, if we just trust, the Spirit will bring to mind the things that the Spirit needs to bring to mind for me. Okay?" [01:00:57]
3. "We are meant to be an influence in culture, not be influenced by culture. And so he says, don't be yoked together. And then he gives four descriptions of what that could look like. He calls it partnership, fellowship, agreement, having things in common. He says that Christians are different from the world, that we carry different values, that we live a different way, that we worship a different God, that we do so even within culture can make us be a little bit vulnerable. And so he says, draw a line. Don't be yoked. That is, don't have partnership, fellowship, agreement are common. Basically this, don't be involved in intimate relationships within the community. Intimacy without covenant, without something in common is dangerous, right? It's dangerous." [54:18]
4. "What Paul does here, is he basically says, the gospel is lived out in this way. We fight for it in one another's lives. We're able to bring things into the light. We're able to bring our hurt. We're able to bring our hearts. We're able to bring our love. We're able to bring our history into one another's presence, because Jesus has made us safe. That I've received an unconditional love, an unconditional grace from Christ in my life that allows me then to extend that to others instead of needing to get it from others." [48:14]
5. "The gospel frees us to say that brokenness is the problem. That people hurt one another because they're dealing with sin. And I respond to sin with sin at times. Therefore, I don't need to deny it because Jesus has taken it. He's taken it on himself at the cross. I believe that reconciliation is imperative. That Jesus rose from the dead. That he's given new life so that I can seek out reconciliation since Christ has reconciled me to God. And that restoration might be possible. Not always the case, but might be possible if we're believing that Jesus is working in our midst." [49:57]
6. "We are the temple of the living God. God indwells us by his Holy Spirit. I trust that when I share on a Sunday morning that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of me in me, through God's word, is working on the Spirit in you. Some of you are trying to figure out, how do I get it all in? Right? There's a lot of content, and I'm sorry, there's a lot of content. I don't know, it's part of me being new. I'm like, I got to tell them everything. In 30 minutes, every week. Right? Listen, if we just trust, the Spirit will bring to mind the things that the Spirit needs to bring to mind for me. Okay?" [01:00:57]
7. "It's never God's intention to take people out of the world. Jesus says don't take them out of the world. The world needs them. They are susceptible to what? To the evil one, to the lies that are there. John picks up on this and in his letter to the church in 1 John 4, he says to them, you are from God, little children, and you have conquered. The forces in the world because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. How powerful is that promise? We are able to enter into society as destructive and as powerful as it is knowing that there is nothing within our culture that can steal my relationship with Jesus, that can steal my freedom, that can steal my assurance, that can steal my life." [57:52]
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