What It Takes To Build God's House | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

If you have your Bibles this morning and I hope you do meet

me in the Old Testament. Book of the book of 1st

Chronicles in chapter 22. We're going to take a break from

our study in the book of 2nd Timothy and address a very

important matter, that is relevant to our situation here

today is the first gathering on the Lord's day as Maranatha,

Bible Church. And it wasn't something that we

had planned, but we believe that God had saw this in advance, he

planned it in advance and he providentially executed whatever

was needed for us to be exactly where we are today.

And as you can imagine throughout the week, there have

been many thoughts and ideas of what should be said from this

Pulpit on this specific morning. But there is one dominant thing

that replaced everything else and that is this to allow the

word of God to turn our Attention to what's ahead.

It's not get entangled. What happened in the past, it's

as simple as that and as a community of people who love

God's word, I believe you're here because you love God's

word, you honor the Scriptures. It is the supreme authority of

your life. We have been given an amazing

opportunity to build a Ministry from the ground up.

And although, that is a very exciting thing.

It is also a very crucial window of time because we are laying a

foundation and that foundation will determine the future of

this ministry. And I want to let you know this

morning that a foundation of a Ministry is far greater than who

is elected to be in the board of directors, or what kind of name

you have or whether or not the government recognized you as an

entity. Every single one of us has a

role to play. Because Peter says, we are all

living stones being built up together as a spiritual house.

Every person here is a piece in the puzzle to make this house

the way God intended to be, but it requires us to honor God's

principles. And when you hear the word, the

phrase of the label the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we often

limit that and apply it individually.

I am a temple of the Holy Spirit, you are a temple of the

Holy Spirit. That's not wrong.

Paul tells us that he tells us that our bodies are the Temple

of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it requires a

protection to preserve the purity of the Sacred thing that

host. The presence of God.

But Paul also says that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 2. 22 tells us that in him, we are being built together

as a dwelling place for God by the spirit.

So that means that if in Christ, I am recognized as the Temple of

the holy spirit that demands more than just individual

responsibility, there is a corporate call in that identity.

And every single one of us here has a role to play in order to

ensure that the holy spirit of God would dwell in this place

and radiates the glory of Jesus Christ.

With that being said, our aim today is to do one thing.

It's to draw insights from the Old Testament, with New

Testament eyes, to see how they built the temple of God, in

which he dwelt in at one point and see how it applies to us.

So that we may lay the right foundation for Maranatha bible

church. Today, I want to speak to you

about three vital principles. To building God's house.

Pray with me. Lord your word says that we are

the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We realize the seriousness of

such an identity, the responsibility, and even the

honor, we ask, Lord of that in this place, not one, heart would

be close to these instructions. What we pray for the empowerment

of the Holy Spirit to deliver this word, that man would

disappear, but that the voice of Christ would be recognized.

We pray O Lord that your power. We destroy all lies, all doubts,

all unbelief, and that you would redeem onto yourself

faithfulness from your people. And so Lord, in this moment,

would you cancel every assignment of the enemy?

Would you shelter us from all distraction?

And would you allow us to hear your voice at is?

That is being delivered through your word through a broken

vessel. We ask these things in Jesus

name. Amen.

Now, if you remember there was a structure in the Old Testament

that God had instructed, the people of Israel to build, and

it was called The Tabernacle, it was this tent and this tent

would travel with the nation. That was delivered from Egypt

and they would go along through the wilderness.

And enter into the Promise Land, so that they would have a place

to worship. God, they would have a place

where God could cover their sin and that God would have a place

where he can do well in close proximity with his people.

Because that is the heart of God, he long should dwell with,

man? And this Tabernacle has been

given Specific Instructions, which is very, very, very

interesting. You've probably read through

Exodus, you probably read through numbers.

In fact, if you look at the totality in the scripture of how

much is mentioned concerned, the Tabernacle there is around 50

chapters And thinking about that tells us that God is very

specific with his needs and his desires.

And if he was specific with his desires, with that old

structure, that would reflect his glory and Hostess presents.

How much more is he specific with his new structure you and

me being built together as the temple of God.

This Tabernacle came into the promised land, it was situated

in a town called Shiloh. But after a while, when Israel's

monarchy started and the second king in line, David was in rain,

we learned that there was something disturbing him in the

soul. There is this holy agitation

concerning the house of God? And the thing that kept him up

at night, was that he lived in a palace made of cedar while God

dwelt in a tent. And this concerned him.

How is it that God Almighty, who chose to make his Abode on Earth

Here among his people is not dwelling in some place that

reflects his majesty and his Splendor.

How is it that when people look at where God dwells compared to

where a human King dwells, they see more excellence in this

house rather than in God's house.

So David determined within himself, that he would build a

new place, a new house for God. That there would be a place that

would reflect his Divine Beauty in his Divine glory.

And so at that point, he was consumed with this passion, I

must build God a house And it was at a specific time while he

was King that we receive a discovery from David of exactly

where geographically God's house would be built.

And it's in first Chronicles 22 verse 1.

1 Chronicles 22:1

We read then David said here shall be the house of the Lord

God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.

What happened prior to this? Well Davidson greatly and it

wasn't with Bathsheba, he created a census and we won't

get into why that was a sin. He numbered his people who could

go to war. God, judges him disciplines him

and sends a plague on the nation since he was a leader, leading

his people into sin. But God in his discipline wants

to give away out into his mercy. And so he gives an instruction

through a prophet to David. If you want this plague to cease

then you must make a sacrifice on a specific threshing.

Field owned by a man named ornan the jebusite.

So David makes his way there. He walks to this obscure

individual and he says, I need your land.

The man is moved that the fact that the king is coming to him

for such a request. And so he doesn't even hesitate

to say, well it's yours just take it for free.

David says, no, I want a full price He builds an altar, he

makes a sacrifice fire falls from heaven to show God's

approval for this sacrifice and it is at that time David steps

back he looks and the Revelation comes to him.

This is where God's house has to be built.

It's amazing to know that the Bible tells us exactly where

that field was located bear with me.

Go to Second Chronicles chapter 3 and look at verse 1.

2 Chronicles 3 · chapter mention

Then Solomon and second chronicles. 31.

Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

Did you see it? We're on Mount Moriah. on Mount

Moriah where the Lord had appeared to David, his father at

the place that David had appointed on the threshing floor

of ornan the jebusite, Now, this is why Mount Moriah is so

interesting because it is only mentioned twice by name in the

entire scriptures and second chronicles 31 here and where's

the other place? With Abraham and Isaac in

Genesis 22, verse 2, when Abraham was awakened by this

Genesis 22:2

strange call by God, go to the land of Moriah and there you

shall sacrifice your son. And so the only two places where

Mount Moriah is mentioned, Is linked to the theme and the

application of what sacrifice. Abraham was called to sacrifice

to give up his most prized possession, the long-awaited

promise. And though he drank from the

goodness of God, for a short period and relish in the fact

that he has now from his old body, a an offspring God says,

give him up. And David fast forward, hundreds

of years comes to the same area. To make a sacrifice.

And when on and says I'll give it to you for free.

Let me read to you what David said in response and First

Chronicles, 21 24. But King David said to ornan no,

but I will buy them for the full price.

I will not take for the Lord. What is yours?

Nor burnt offerings. That cost me nothing.

It's up there. Good.

What was David saying? I'm not interested in worshiping

God in the cheapest way possible.

If it doesn't cost me anything, it's not worth anything.

Here's the first principle for building God's house.

Nothing will truly host. The glory of God apart from a

collective attitude of people who are willing to give and

sacrifice, God's house must be built upon a people who are

convinced to being selfless. The same way.

God's house was built upon a land that symbolized sacrifice.

That's the foundation. And that's what we saw in this

past week. How is it that you can see a

Ministry being recognized by the government?

How is it that? When we were homeless for a

brief moment, we received the home in the same night.

And have all our meetings the same way they were before.

How is it that we can live stream our services in a place

that doesn't have internet in less than a week?

How is it that people were able to be picked up who don't have a

car to get to the services? How is it that there are those

who move things from one place to another?

How is it that people were willing to make food for busy

leaders who are trying to get things done in the background?

How is it? Because there are people who are

willing to sacrifice. And not just in the family of

faith that you're familiar with. But even this church, this place

that is hosting us. It was their sacrifice.

That said come be here. You are God's people.

You are our brethren. We want to help you and without

hesitation saying you are among us, we worship the same Christ.

See, when you have a people who are willing to sacrifice

Miracles can happen. Supernatural.

Things can occur. Things that we never thought

could be accomplished could be accomplished.

This principle of unity in one minded and one hardness is so

profound that it can even be utilized among the wicked.

That's why when God saw the Tower of Babel being built, he

says this is trouble. They're unified, they're set on

accomplishing something, and we got to get down there and

confuse them. And that's why we have to

understand that. If we are willing to see this

place, continue to grow with God's glory.

Each of us in this place who calls this ministry home.

Must say, whatever you ask of me.

God, I will do Just tell me and I'll do it.

Let me fill in the Gap. And I will do my best by the

grace of God. Notice David said something else

to orn and he says, I will not take for the Lord.

What is yours? Unfortunately, there are many

Christians who have a different standard of worship than David

does here. In some cases, you have members

of churches who just ride on the labor of others without making

any investment on their own and those are people who usually

complain the most. They make no contribution, they

come to receive receive receive and when it's not to their exact

taste, or when they want to see the menu change, they begin to

complain. Well, join the club and do

something. and our other members who, Are not willing to serve

unless they occupy a certain position to their liking.

They have their eye on a particular place with a specific

title and they say unless I have that I will not serve at all.

And then there are others who won't serve, unless they receive

the recognition that they desire because all of the serving is a

facade to feed selfish ambition. And so, if I'm not getting

Praise of not, if I'm not being thanked if I'm not getting paid,

And this place is not worthy of My Sacrifice.

I read something humorous, a long time ago, and I thought to

myself, when will I ever be able to share this?

And it's a sarcastic comment that somebody made about their

Church. They said no one appreciates my

steadfastness loyalty. And long-suffering.

So I'm leaving. Some of you will get that on the

way home. Very loyal of you.

Very long suffering of you. Sacrificial attitude that might

cost you something will contribute to the building of

God's house. And I want to prove to you how

the opposite attitude is detrimental to the advancement

of the gospel, and the health of a local church.

I want to show you how when people are consumed with

anything else, except a willingness to lay down your

life, your comfort, your desire, your pleasures, even This is not

the first time that Israel had a project to build God's house

after many years. Many generations, they sinned

against God continually, he warns them Prophet after prophet

and even says, if you go this way, my house will be in Ruins.

Sure enough God kept his word, they send one generation was

exiled into Babylon. The place that Solomon built was

destroyed. But after a certain amount of

time a new generation re-enters into the promised land, and they

begin to with excitement and adrenaline build God's house

again, And something happens. Outside.

Hostility comes because whenever you build God's house, Satan

won't do it. He won't allow you to do it

without frustration and intimidation and persecution

even at the foundational level. Be careful.

So, the enemy recognizes that they're building God's housing

and they start sending reports. They start slandering they even

go back to the leader. That let them out into the

Promise Land again and the project comes to a halt And then

they waited and then they waited.

And then they waited and a long period of time goes by, where

the house of God was placed on pause then God speaks through a

prophet named haggai and I want you to hear this, you don't have

to turn there, haggai chapter 1, verse 2.

Haggai 1:2

Thus says the Lord of hosts, these people say, the time has

not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.

Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of haggai.

The Prophet, is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your

paneled houses while this house lies in Ruins?

So, this halt became an excuse. They were willing to fight for

God's house, they thought themselves, you know what, maybe

we're not supposed to do this and they turned their focus and

their energy and their efforts to their personal homes.

Making it more luxurious and spacious and glamorous is God

against nice homes. Know the issue here is about

priorities He says you're willing to continue in your

life. You're willing to be so consumed

with your own Empire and your own little kingdom while my

house lies in Ruins. She was an attitude problem, it

was a priority issue. And God's house could not

continue because the people's hearts were consumed with

something else more than his glory more than the gospel more

than the Great Commission. And I will tell you this, that

if we allow ourselves to be lullaby, I'd by The American

Dream by our own personal plans. More than the kingdom of God, we

won't go very far as a church. Well maybe just ride it along

and come from meeting to meeting once in a while, have a potluck

but that's not what church is. We want to see, Souls getting

saved. We want to see people

transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We want to live this life for eternity but it's going to

require sacrifice. It's going to require sacrifice,

you know I've heard from missionaries and missionary kids

that when they come from the field back to America, they lose

the fire when they get here. They lose the fire and they wish

they can go back where they have to hide to have church where

they were threatened, to be killed for singing and reading

the Bible. Prosperity has hurt the church

more than persecution ever has. But I want to tell you today,

that the foundation must be an attitude of sacrifice because

that's where God's house was built on Mount Moriah.

Where an altar was planted to show God.

Whatever you ask of me, I will give it, but that's not the only

thing. Because David, although he made

an instrumental move by saying, I will not give to God that

which cost me nothing. Realize that there is another

standard that God has in order for his house to be built.

And this one must have hurt David but he received it because

he received it from God. This man was willing to

sacrifice. There is no doubt but

unfortunately he had a reputation.

He possessed a reputation that eliminated him as a direct

builder for the temple. It was so serious in God's eyes

that although David even in one of the Psalms says, my eyes,

can't sleep and less. I see this thing come to pass,

although he was daydreaming, although he tossed and turned,

although he took all his resources emptied, his bank

account to make it happen. God said, that's wonderful.

David. It's a good thing that's in your

heart, but you can never build my house.

Why go back to 1st Chronicles, 22.

And look here at verse 7. David said to Solomon, my son, I

had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord,

my God, but the word of the Lord came to me saying you have shed

much blood And have waged great Wars, you shall not build a

house to my name because you have shed so much blood before

me on the Earth. It's amazing that God doesn't

just have standards for leadership in the New Covenant.

He had it also in the old Because he's the same.

And here we are. Told that David was not allowed

to be associated with the laying of the foundation of this new

house, because his reputation was associated with war and

conflict. And God says, I will have no man

of violence. Have any connection concerning

my house, which represents peace and Holiness and beauty and

love. And so David was denied by God.

David was not allowed. In fact, it was passed down to

his son. Solomon Solomon was the one who

had received the resources from David but he wouldn't be the

Builder. Now, here's what's amazing

Solomon's name means what peace. And this is also interesting.

The Tabernacle is the permanent structure before that was sorry,

the temple. The Tabernacle was the tent that

Tabernacle when it first came into the promised land was

placed in a place called Shiloh. Which means tranquility Then the

temple comes. David, you're not allowed to

build this house, it will be given to Solomon because of

principle number two principle number one.

It must be built upon the collective attitude of

sacrifice. But number two, it can only

build be built by those who are men and women of peace.

Men and women of rest. if you are someone who is attracted to

conflict, if the highlight of your life is drama, If you are

drawn to people who are who make it, their mental and social

exercise to speak ill of others and to smear people's

reputations. You will have no part in

building, God's house. You're a man of blood, you're a

woman of blood, I don't care how pretty your dresses.

I don't care how much money you make, I don't care what kind of

title you have in society. Does it matter how much you

think you pray? In fact, much prayer for

people's gossip in disguise. It's just the perfume on the

poison to say. Oh yeah, it's not really gossip.

Your praying is not praying. Doesn't matter how much you

think you sing? How much scripture you, memorize

do? You realize, who David was?

Was he not a man of prayer. A real man of prayer, was he not

a worshiper? Was not an author of scripture.

And yet God says, you cannot build my house because you're a

man of war. God uses those who hate

friction. God uses those who are willing

to have awkward conversations so that they could put tension to

rest, God uses those who actually obey the words of the

Lord Jesus Christ. Who tells us what you should do

when somebody sins against you. To such people does God give the

honor to help build his house. In fact, let me tell you this.

Not only do you disqualify yourself of being a stone, a

piece in the puzzle of God's glorious Temple.

You might actually be a contributor to the destruction

of that. Very same Temple.

In the New Testament. This is not Old Testament stuff.

I'm fact, if I didn't give you the reference, you would

probably think what I'm about to quote, the use from the old

Covenant, and it's not, but I want you to see it in your

Bibles for yourself and First Corinthians 3:16, Look what Paul

1 Corinthians 3:16

says here to a New Testament Church.

Interesting enough who is also referred to as the Temple of the

Holy Spirit. But notice what he says at this

particular time Do you not know that you you see that word you

in the Greek? It's plural.

So he's not talking individual, he's talking to the corporate

body, the church at Corinth. Do you know that all of you are

God's Temple? And that God's spirit dwells in

you. If anyone.

Some. Professing Christians Heretics

know. If anyone destroys God's Temple,

God will destroy him. For God's Temple is Holy and you

are that Temple. Now, I'm sure all of us in here.

Can conjure up what? It looks like in our minds for

somebody to destroy a physical building.

You vandalize. It take a sledgehammer to the

walls. You bulldoze over it.

But here's my question reading this text.

How do you destroy a spiritual structure?

Because that's what he is saying here, he's not talking about a

physical Temple. He's talking to the church, he's

talking to the body of Believers, the collective saints

that make up the church. How do you destroy that?

Do you punch somebody in the face?

Do you catch either car? Do you flip over the pulpit?

I'm sure many of us can draw principles from the word of how

God's church can be destroyed, but let's honor the context.

Look here in verse 18. Let no one deceive himself.

If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him

become a fool that he may become wise.

What is he saying here? Paul is not advocating that

Believers. Let go of wisdom and apply

foolishness. The way, the Bible characterizes

it and condemns it as we read in Proverbs.

For example, we all know that. He's talking about those who are

wise in this age and are proud of it and are Guided by it and

are led by it. A humanistic understanding

modern philosophies and ideologies what he's saying is

let go of that and embrace God's wisdom, and Revelation and

whatever he sheds light on as your supreme authority in all

things. That is very important because

this church was riddled with division.

And he points out the source of why, Corinth had so much trouble

internally, because there is a people who have elevated their

own ideas, their own Concepts. Their own successful business

models above God's word, God's Authority and that bread chaos.

And so you have a man in First Corinthians 5 who was in gross

sexual sin and you had a church that had no problem him

congregating with them because they would not honor the words

of the Lord, Jesus Christ about church discipline, and a little

leaven affects the whole lump. And you are believers and First

Corinthians 6, who had conflict with one another.

And they were what going to court going to secular court.

And a watching unbelieving world is seeing Christians who can't

get along and are willing to charge each other.

And then the first Corinthians 8, there are people who could

care less about the weak conscience of others who have

come out of idolatry. So they're eating food and

wounding the hearts of others who don't have the strength to

understand the gospel of grace, that liberates them from such

things. And Paul says, you're not

operating in love. It is because you are operating

with your own ideas. Your own desires, your own

feelings. And you are an Essence

diminishing, the power of God's word over your assembly.

That was the source of division. And I want to tell you

something. Over the years in Ministry, I've

learned a lot. I'm still learning, I will never

stop learning. But I want to tell you one of

the strongest things that I've learned throughout the past

seven years, there are many people who profess to hold God's

word as their ultimate guide and authority and final say, but

very few who deny that by their practice.

Many people profess the holds God word is their ultimate

Authority, but those same people who deny it in their practice.

I see many people who claim to love God's word by don't want to

govern the church the way the scriptures do.

I've seen many people who love to hear sermons but they also

love to hear and eat gossip. And spread slander and failed to

approach a brother to clear a matter.

And instead use it as fuel, more hatred in their hearts, I've

seen many people who are asking for counsel and their marriages

and their family and when you open the book and you point to a

verse and you apply it to their situation, they refused because

their feelings are stronger than the scriptures and they invite

chaos into their home's. Here's what I want to tell you

this morning. If you don't honor God's word

and you don't submit to its teachings Maranatha Bible Church

is not for you. It's not.

It's not I'm sorry because this church WIll Elevate God's word.

The pastures are not the supreme authority.

The scriptures are, this is above all of us and if you're a

people that doesn't want to take the Bible.

Seriously you're not welcome at this church. if you're not a

person of peace, you have no part in building God's Temple.

And please feel free to never come here again. if the Bible is

not what you treasure and what you obey above everything else,

God's house must be built upon a collective attitude of

sacrifice. God's house must be built by

people of peace and those who Endeavor to destroy God's

Temple. God will find a way to destroy

him. But there's something else.

Up to this point, we've learned those two things.

But it cannot be separated by the motive of wanting to be a

people of Peace, the motive of wanting, to, lay down, whatever

it costs to make this happen. There's, there's a desire there

that drives that what was it in David that initiated this?

What was it? That was consuming of the say,

Lord, whatever it is. Here's all the talents of gold

and silver, Lord, whatever it is.

Even though I'm not the Builder, I won't have my name etched on a

brick, let my son do it, or his son, do it.

No matter what it takes for your name to be exalted.

What? What was it?

1st Chronicles 22 verse 19. As David stands before.

Not just Solomon, but all the leaders of Israel.

And he says this to them. Now set your mind and heart to

seek the Lord, your God, arise and build the sanctuary of the

Lord God. So that the Ark of the Covenant

of the Lord and the holy vessels of God, may be brought into a

house built for the name of the Lord.

Do you see it arise and build wise so that the Ark of God can

have a home? What was the driving passion and

David's heart the presence of God?

That God would have a place that would radiate his Beauty and his

goodness and his Holiness. So that people could see, this

is who God is. and I want to tell you, That our ambition may

look different in New Covenant but it is the same in principle.

We want to see the glory of God in Christ Jesus.

Put on display. We want to see the Gospel of

Jesus Christ Advance with the greatest Force, possible through

these Jars of Clay. We want to see God's word obeyed

and applied, so that his his image can be reflected and

shining through us. And as I said earlier, if you do

not love Christ, if you don't really have a personal

relationship. If this is just religion for

you, if this is just something that you can do to, just check

off your religious conscience because you need to go somewhere

and tell people you go to a church.

If you don't believe that he is returning, if you don't believe

that all of this is coming to an end and Christ will rule and

Reign. This is not the church for you.

I'm sorry to say it. It isn't, you're going to be

very very uncomfortable. This is not a place that has

their sole ambition to make sure you don't feel lonely in life.

So you have a community, this isn't a place to find friends,

though. That's a byproduct.

This place is dedicated to Christ and Christ Alone.

And just, like I said, earlier. if even the ambition of a

handful, Is something else. That is enough for Havoc to

ensue in this place. Because there was a king before

David. His name was Saul.

And Saul had equal opportunity to take the Ark of God that was

tucked in somewhere and bring it into a place where he would be

honored and Central again in the nation of Israel, but he blew

it. He blew it, man.

He forfeited the opportunity. Why?

Because as we're learning on Friday, Saul did not have the

same passion as David David was Possessed with this desire to

know the presence of God and unfortunately saw was possessed

to maintain a position. The main concern was for saw was

this is my Throne. This is where I have my power

and any threat to that. I will crush like a bug.

And here's this young teenager, David who kills Goliath and Saul

was told by a prophet that there is a neighbor among you, who is

better than you, who will take your place and he's trying to

connect the dots. Is this, the guy They come back

from the battlefield into the main city and a new song is on

the top list of Israel's hottest radio station, Saul has slain

his thousands and David his tens of thousands and as he walks in

there, he realizes that people are praising David and that

wasn't the issue. Saw had, no problem, David being

praised his issue as David was praised more than him.

Jealousy Creeps in and the man spends the rest of his Reign

chasing David around. Instead of chasing the presence

of God. In fact let me read to you what

David says about the the reign of Saul and First Chronicles

13-3. Listen, this is a very short

sentence but it says a lot. David says when he became king

then let us bring again the Ark of our God to us for.

We did not seek it in the days of Saul.

What a terrible commentary. For Sol's leadership.

He had no concern about the presence of God.

He had no concern about the glory of God.

He had no concern about people coming into close proximity to

their God because he was consumed with a different

ambition. It's about me.

It's about my Throne. My name, my reputation, my

Monument. And the third principle to

building God's house in a way that would host.

His Beauty, his power. His majesty is that we must all

have the same goal Christ and Christ Alone.

This man was the opposite but he symbolizes what's possible.

For those who are in leadership positions, or those who are in

congregations, I want to tell you according to the scriptures,

the worst recipe that you can have.

That would be the breeding ground for innumerable evils.

It's what consumes Saul jealousy?

And selfish ambition. Jealousy.

And selfish ambition. Does that sound familiar to you?

Maybe you're not convinced of what I'm saying.

All you have to do is look to Saul's Reign and realize the

disaster that he left behind him as a king.

The internal division, the heartbreaks.

Families, being torn apart. and a weakened Kingdom, that was the

laughing stock of a watching world that heard that the god of

Israel, the true and living God is apparently among this group,

Let me read to you. What James says just in case you

don't believe me and I'm reading too much into this and James

James 3:16

3:16. He speaking to multiple churches

and he says for where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there will be disorder, and every vile practice.

Jealousy and selfish. Ambition, when you have those

two things, operating in a church, You open the floodgates

for every vile practice imaginable, lies, slander.

Violence division. So what will it require to see

God's house built for Maranatha Bible Church?

Let me remind you. A collective attitude of

sacrifice like we've seen in this week, in a way that I will

never forget for the rest of my life.

Number two, built by people of Peace, you want war.

You find joy. And creating clicks.

You find joy and hurting others. You find joy and getting dirty

details about somebody go somewhere else.

And built by people who are unified in mind and heart saying

we're here for Christ Jesus. We're here for him to be pleased

and blessed at any cost. Where we are flushed by all

pride and arrogance jealousy and envy let it die today.

In Jesus name these things brothers and sisters If We Hold

true to our hearts and apply them, We will see God building

this house in a way that we can ever imagine.

We will see God do things in this place that I see a couple

of times in the scripture where the ministers could not even

Minister. Because of the glory of God,

Taking over in that meeting. We have so much ahead of us, so

much to plan, so much to pray for, but none of that will mean

anything. Unless the foundation is laid,

right? Let me ask you a question today.

Are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to serve in a

way where you fill the Gap? Not serving the way you think

you need to serve. Are you a person of peace?

Are you a person that's willing to forgive?

Are you person that's willing to say you know it's a little

awkward but I'm going to call so and so because I heard this and

I don't want to deal with this in my heart I don't want to

think differently. Let me get all the facts.

Straight hey brother is this true?

Oh it's not oh whoa. Okay, I'm sorry.

Maybe we should talk with so-and-so and figured I do that.

And are you in this moment? I don't care how hungry you are

today right now, I want to ask you, do you have a greater

hunger for the glory of God? Are you living for Christ?

Are you living for his gospel? Are you saying to yourself and

to God on a daily basis? I live for one thing, His name.

His pleasure. His truth, if not.

I'm sorry, you're going to feel very very uncomfortable in the

days ahead. Because by the grace of God, we

will try to obey as closely as possible.

Everything that's written in this book.

People say what's the vision of the church?

This, I don't have a fancy Vision.

It's this whatever you see here. That's our vision.

What's your model of ministry? I don't know what Jesus said.

What Paul said. I don't have tricks.

We don't have a fog machine. We're not going to get one.

What's your hope? That is long as its leadership.

And as long as we are, people are alive and healthy and sound

in mind. Christ.

Would do whatever you want to do through us, and that he would be

pleased to see a place that says, we are the Temple of the

Holy Spirit. We belong to you, host Your

Truth, your power. Your manifold wisdom in this

place. And let Christ be seen alone.

On that note. Let's close in prayer.

Would you apply these truths to your heart this morning?

As the worship. Team comes up.

Let's spend a little bit of time in prayer.

I hope my memory doesn't fail, fail me.

If somebody can look at me and Nod is not today, the

recognition to pray for the persecuted Church.

Is that today? Next week, it was last week

well, because we missed the last week.

We're going to do it this week as well.

It's been an eventful two weeks, as you can imagine.

Just pray in your heart, spray in your hearts for this

ministry. Pray in your hearts.

Well, what is it that you're asking of me.

Pray in your hearts for the persecuted church.

That has endured way more suffering than you could even

comprehend and ask God to have his way in his Temple.

Just pray. Take your time.

Don't be distracted today. Take your time.

Heavenly Father, we come before you on this precious afternoon,

we've heard your voice today, we've heard your will and your

purposes for this ministry and Lord together as living stones

have been made Alive by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and

dwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit, we long to be your

temple. And Lord the same way.

You were so detailed and how you constructed that Tabernacle.

Through the words of Moses. Lord, we give you every detail

of Our Lives. We give you every detail of this

ministry. And we asked, oh God, that you

would have your way, Lord. We pray that you would beautify

it. As you see fit that, you would

color it that you would display it, that you would place it

wherever you believe. It needs to be.

We ask you Lord that. As long as we are your temple,

we would know your presence. That every meeting we would know

your conviction, we would know the comfort of the Holy Spirit,

we would know, illumination concerning the word of God and

that people would walk in this place and realize, God is in the

midst, God is in this place. They wouldn't give their

attention to a man. They want to give their

attention to any gifting, they would even give their attention

to the building itself. They would know something of the

tangible presence of Christ. Make it so in Jesus name Lord,

we pray for divine wisdom. In unity.

We pray that we would all be a people of peace that are willing

to obey. You, we subdue all personal

reasonings even our experiences We submit it to the word of God,

we say your word will be our Authority.

Lord, we ask that this church wherever you would take us.

Would fulfill one thing. It would win, your smile, you

would be blessed. People would be blessed that

selfish ambition would die. It would not have any room to

breathe in this ministry. Oh God, that it would be

suffocated by a love for. Christ, that it would find no

room to have its way in this place.

Oh, Lord. Only you can do that

supernaturally within us. Lord, as a church, we lift up

the persecuted church across the world.

Lord, those who are hiding those who are speaking in code.

Those who have lost family members, those who are at one

time met together and the next week, their church was destroyed

because they have been found and discovered and torn.

Heart Lord, strengthen them. Strengthen them, we don't know

them by name but, you know, them, Lord strengthen them in

Afghanistan, strengthen them in Africa, and South America, in

China and Russia, strengthen them and Canada have your way.

Lord, Jesus. Strengthen those Pastors in

those leaders. Oh God, the wives of pastors and

leaders. Oh God.

The children of ministers, or those who attend those churches

who have paid a high price. Been disowned by their family

who've lost their jobs, Lord, even as we pray.

Now would you manifest your presence Comfort them?

Embrace them. He continued to enjoy freedom in

America met that freedom. Not be.

Our curse may not be. Our hindrance may not be the

lullaby that puts us to sleep Lord.

While this window of time is still available, give us the

grace and strength to stride and to move forward with great

leaps. We asked, oh God, not knowing

what tomorrow will hold. As we learn since Sunday, then

not one day would be ways. It, our lives are more than our

homes. Our lives are more than

vacations. Our lives are more than what we

wear. Our lives are more than even our

health, your gospel, your kingdom.

Eternity, make us an eternity conscious people, only your

spirit and your word can accomplish that though.

We thank you for those who have supported us online.

Those who are watching even now bless them in Jesus name.

Bless them. Lord, encourage them.

Oh God, let them know. Let them know that we love them

and that their support means so much.

And in this moment as your temple, We sing to you.

We sing to you and Thanksgiving for your goodness.

Receive this level of Praise from a place that agrees that we

will be a people who was sacrificed be at peace and be of

one mind in Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

And amen. Can we stand and Worship the

Lord Jesus together? Please.