2 Chronicles 7:11-22

???????? The true cost of a building project

This passage talks about a historical building project. What started as David's desire to build a house for God has succeed with Solomon building the Temple.

????????‍♂️????????‍♂️ But God is the real builder here

God will build through the love and unity of His people for each other and the gospel.

The temple that Solomon commissioned was a glorious design, with gold and jewels and silver. But it was not as big as it seems.

A church building is a home for the gospel where God's people can go and spread it far and wide.

TheThe dedication of the temple

We see here the great celebration after the temple is finished. There is a party, but also sincerity. The ark of the covenant arrived and the presence of the Lord came over it. When God shows up, things happen.

????‍????????‍???? Solomon's Vision

Solomon had a vision of God following the temple, highlighting 3 things:

TheThe purpose of God's house

AA house of sacrifice.

We are not constructing a 'container' for God. We build a church to move God's people out, and it will be a place of sacrifice. Not a sacrifice like in Solomon's day but a focus on the cross of sacrifice. Our worship in response to that is a sacrifice to God, our commitment to the church is a sacrifice

AA house of prayer

God is present in a church. He can be encountered and enjoyed.

Through Jesus He became human so we can relate to Him. In Jesus God puts up His temple on earth so we have access to Him at any time.

Our church buildings should not be made sacred - they are just buildings! Yet they are still the house of God and so are not secular buildings. They are special places where God dwells amongst His people, and His people can encounter and relate to Him. We talk to God so we can know Him. A spiritually blessed church is a church that knows God and shows others God so they can be saved.

TheThe provisos of God's house

ObedienceObedience

The "Ts&Cs" of God's house start with obedience. David is the great example of great faith - "A man after God's heart". If we build a church and do not use it as God intends, it stops being a testament to God's provision and greatness. It would become a monument to our folly and idolatry. The building is not our God. It should not be an idol. We seek the Lord always, and seek only things that He can give.

TheThe power of God's house

????☁️????☁️ The fire and the cloud

We see the presence of God arriving in the temple as fire and cloud. Our power lies not in the physicality of the building, but in the majestic power of God that comes upon us in mysterious ways.

If our worship does not invoke the power of God, then it is self-promoting and false.

When Israel saw the power of the Lord arrive they worshipped. When people see the power of God in us in His church, they will worship.

RevivalRevival and Renewal

The presence of God brings about a renewal and revival amongst His people. They get that God is with them, and with us.

God has dealt with our sins and our failures, He renews our relationship with Him so we can glorify Him.

God will come down when His people meet. We desire that He comes down on us as we worship Him, so that He comes to the land around us in revival. When God comes down, people know about it. It's not just the church that gets impacted, it's everyone.