Living as Temples: Honoring God with Our Bodies
Summary
Welcome to a new series titled "Kingdom Lifestyles," where we explore what it means to live as part of God's kingdom. Today, we focus on being "Fit for the King," emphasizing the importance of caring for God's temple, which is our bodies. Our key scripture is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought at a price, and thus, we should honor God with them.
When we accept Jesus into our lives, our bodies become His dwelling place. This transformation is a work of grace, not of our own doing, but it calls us to live in a way that honors God. We are reminded that salvation is not just a spiritual experience but also involves our physical bodies, which become God's property. This ownership is not like human ownership, which can be oppressive, but a divine ownership that respects our free will and invites us to make choices that align with God's will.
To be fit for the King, we must care for our bodies, recognizing them as vessels through which we serve God. This involves physical fitness, as bodily exercise has value, and spiritual fitness, which holds promise for both this life and the life to come. We are called to flee from sexual immorality, understanding that our bodies are not for sin but for God. This requires us to make conscious choices about what we consume, how we live, and how we honor God in our relationships.
In a world where the authenticity of Scripture is often contested, we are reminded that the Bible is our rule book, guiding us in our spiritual race. Just as athletes train and follow rules to win a prize, we must train ourselves in godliness, using the Word of God to renew our minds and transform our lives. This journey requires discipline, accountability, and a commitment to live according to God's principles.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Ownership and Free Will: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought at a price, and we are called to honor God with them. This divine ownership respects our free will, inviting us to make choices that align with God's will, rather than being compelled. [01:11:43]
- Physical and Spiritual Fitness: Caring for our bodies involves both physical and spiritual fitness. Bodily exercise has value, but spiritual fitness holds promise for this life and the life to come. We must train ourselves in godliness, using the Word of God as our guide. [01:18:22]
- Fleeing Sexual Immorality: Our bodies are not for sexual immorality but for God. We are called to flee from sexual sins, understanding that they are against our own bodies. This requires conscious choices about how we live and honor God in our relationships. [01:26:42]
- The Role of Scripture: The Bible is our rule book, guiding us in our spiritual race. Just as athletes follow rules to win a prize, we must live according to God's principles, using Scripture to renew our minds and transform our lives. [01:15:30]
- Accountability and Transformation: Transformation begins with small steps, like physical exercise, which can lead to broader changes in our lives. Accountability, whether through community or personal commitment, helps us stay on track in our journey to honor God with our bodies. [01:23:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Prayer for the Worship Team
[3:00] - Introduction to Kingdom Lifestyles
[5:45] - Bible Study Announcement
[7:30] - Fit for the King: Caring for God's Temple
[10:00] - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
[12:00] - Divine Ownership and Free Will
[15:30] - The Role of Scripture
[18:22] - Physical and Spiritual Fitness
[21:09] - Caring for Our Bodies
[23:58] - Accountability and Transformation
[26:42] - Fleeing Sexual Immorality
[30:24] - God's Principles and Our Choices
[32:49] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond
[36:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Support
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Fit for the King"
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what is the significance of our bodies being described as temples of the Holy Spirit?
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of divine ownership in relation to our bodies? [01:11:43]
3. What are the two types of fitness mentioned in the sermon, and how are they described? [01:18:22]
4. What role does Scripture play in guiding our spiritual race, according to the sermon? [01:15:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the idea of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit influence the way we view physical health and fitness? [01:21:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that divine ownership respects our free will, and how does this impact our daily choices? [01:11:43]
3. How can the analogy of an athlete running a race help us understand the importance of following God's principles in our lives? [01:15:30]
4. What does it mean to flee from sexual immorality, and why is this emphasized in the sermon? [01:26:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there specific areas where you feel you are not honoring God with your body? What steps can you take to change this? [01:21:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of both physical and spiritual fitness. What is one practical step you can take this week to improve in each area? [01:18:22]
3. How can you incorporate the discipline of an athlete into your spiritual life? What specific spiritual practices can you commit to this week? [01:15:30]
4. Consider your current relationships. Are there any that might be leading you away from honoring God with your body? How can you address this? [01:26:42]
5. The sermon mentions the role of accountability in transformation. Who can you invite into your life to help you stay accountable in your journey to honor God with your body? [01:23:58]
6. How can you use Scripture to renew your mind and transform your life? Identify one Bible verse that you can meditate on this week to help guide your actions. [01:15:30]
7. Reflect on the choices you make daily. Are there any that you feel are not aligned with God's will? What changes can you make to better align your choices with His principles? [01:11:43]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Divine Ownership and Free Will
Our bodies are not merely physical entities; they are sacred spaces where the Holy Spirit resides. This divine ownership is not about control but about a loving invitation to align our choices with God's will. When we accept Jesus, our bodies become His dwelling place, a transformation that is a gift of grace. This ownership respects our free will, allowing us to make choices that honor God. It is a call to live intentionally, recognizing that our bodies are not our own but are meant to glorify God in all we do. [01:11:43]
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Reflection: What is one choice you can make today to honor God with your body, recognizing it as His temple?
Day 2: Physical and Spiritual Fitness
Caring for our bodies involves a balance of physical and spiritual fitness. While physical exercise is beneficial, spiritual fitness holds eternal value. We are called to train ourselves in godliness, using the Word of God as our guide. This training is akin to an athlete's discipline, requiring dedication and perseverance. By nurturing both our physical and spiritual well-being, we prepare ourselves to serve God more effectively in this life and the life to come. [01:18:22]
1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV): "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: How can you incorporate both physical and spiritual exercises into your daily routine to enhance your overall fitness for God's service?
Day 3: Fleeing Sexual Immorality
Our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for honoring God. This requires us to make conscious choices about how we live and engage in relationships. Sexual sins are unique in that they are against our own bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. By fleeing from such immorality, we protect the sanctity of our bodies and honor God. This involves setting boundaries and seeking accountability to maintain purity in our thoughts and actions. [01:26:42]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Reflection: What boundaries can you establish in your relationships to ensure you are honoring God with your body?
Day 4: The Role of Scripture
The Bible serves as our rule book, guiding us in our spiritual journey. Just as athletes follow rules to win a prize, we must adhere to God's principles to live a life that pleases Him. Scripture renews our minds and transforms our lives, providing the wisdom and direction needed to navigate life's challenges. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we equip ourselves to run the spiritual race with endurance and purpose. [01:15:30]
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."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more of God's Word into your daily life to guide your decisions and actions?
Day 5: Accountability and Transformation
Transformation begins with small, intentional steps, much like physical exercise. These steps lead to broader changes in our lives as we seek to honor God with our bodies. Accountability, whether through community or personal commitment, plays a crucial role in staying on track. By surrounding ourselves with others who share our values, we find support and encouragement in our journey toward spiritual growth and transformation. [01:23:58]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who can you invite into your life to hold you accountable in your spiritual journey, and how can you support them in theirs?
Quotes
1) "So, if my body is a temple of God, it means I need to care for my body. Yes? And I want to just talk quickly about three things. And I'll stop at a time. I can expand in a second service. So, if my body is God's temple, I want you to think of an analogy. There are many analogies the Bible uses about us as God's people. But one of the things he talks about is an atleth. Yes? Like an atleth. We're running a race. There is a prize at the end of the race. And he says it's the person that runs in accordance with the rules of the race that will receive the prize. It's not the person that crosses the finish line only. Yes, you do need to cross the finish line. But if you don't run in accordance with the rules of the race, for example, if you're doing a 100 meters race and you don't run in your lane, you go on to another person's lane and you cross the finishing line first, are you going to win? No. It will be wasted. You might as well not have bothered. You might as well not have bothered stressing yourself to run that race." [01:15:30] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Because in that race, the rules are important. This is God's rule book for us as athletes in the kingdom of God. And we live in a world where the authenticity of Scripture is contested. Yeah? We live in a world where people will say all manner of things about the Bible to try to make us believe. But we don't doubt if this is truly the Word of God. What does the Bible tell us? Is it 1 Peter? It says all Scripture is God -breathed. That doesn't sound like 1 Peter. It sounds like Timothy, doesn't it? Yeah. All Scripture is God -breathed. And then it starts listing what the Bible is useful for. Correction, instruction, and righteousness. So that the man of God will be complete, fully furnished unto every good work. So, I go to the Bible. So, I'm an athlete. The rules are in the Word of God. If I don't train, I know the rules, but I don't train, will I run a good race? No." [01:15:30] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. Okay. So, we need to be physically fit. We need to... We need to have a good image of this temple. Remember, it's the temple of the Holy Spirit. You've been created, and God said, you are good. Yes? He says, everything he made, he said, it was good. We start first from thanksgiving. Lord, I thank you once I'm 139, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I don't have to look like somebody else. I am fearful. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. My job is in my own lane, as you've made me. How do I keep myself fit for purpose? It's not to try to be like the other person. If you have no exercise regime, nothing. You don't walk. You don't swim. You don't run. You don't bike. You don't fence. I don't know. You can list all the things we can do for exercise. I want you today to reconsider that way of life, because the Bible tells us there is value in that." [01:18:22] (85 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "So just as an athlete treats their body with discipline and care, we are called to honor God with our bodies as part of our spiritual race. We can't treat our bodies carelessly because they are the vessels through which we serve God in this life. By caring for our physical health and exercising self -control, because gluttony is a sin. You do know that that's in the Bible. I'm not just making that up. Gluttony is a sin. So we can't binge on anything because it's a sin in the Word. When we exercise control, we prepare ourselves for God. Okay. I wouldn't be able to go into the other two properly, and I'll hopefully have more time in the second service to do them, but I'm just going to mention them." [01:23:58] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The second thing is being spiritually fit. Go back to 1 Timothy 4, 7 to 8. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales. Rather, train yourself. Train yourself to be godly. Train yourself to be godly. From physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. When it comes to our bodies, and we think of being spiritually fit, there's so many things you can talk about. But in 1 Corinthians 6, 18, it says, flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits. Outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. I believe God wants to purge even his own house from sexual immorality." [01:26:42] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Why am I saying this? Say, Rachel, what's the issue? Because God is coming for a bride that is without sin. Without spot or wrinkle. He's not coming for a British bride. There are no British values in the kingdom. He's coming for the kingdom bride. It doesn't matter what is happening. He's not British. He's not American. He's not Zimbabwean. He is God and he has his principles. But we have a choice. And that's why I love God. He says, choose you this day who you will serve. Whether you will serve the gods of this world or you will serve the Lord. But for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord. If you have decided to follow Jesus, why are you putting your leg with all this stuff? Why? You are deceiving yourself. If I do it, I am deceiving myself. Because even if I run to the end, because I didn't run in line with the rules, I miss out on the prize. So what's the point? Why would I do all that running? And be panting? And in the end, I have nothing. All our works will be brought before him. And they'll be tried by fire. We must keep fit spiritually. Flee sexual immorality." [01:30:24] (85 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "And even in that situation, he still has a word for you. He still has a plan. There's still redemption in Jesus. You don't have to live under the bondage of that yoke and stronghold. So, be physically fit. Be spiritually fit. Mentally fit. And I won't be able to say anything about that because I'll look at that in the second service just because of our time. But he talks about renewing our mind. We use the word of God, we renew our mind. We fix our eyes on Jesus. And he brings transformation to us. So, where are we? Where are you today? Is your body the temple of God? And I said, the only way it can be the temple of God is if God lives in you. If you've responded to Jesus, have you made that decision? Are you a child of God? Are you just a Christian because your parents are Christians? You live a nice life. You're a good person and all of that. Or have you actually committed to Christ?" [01:32:49] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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