Dwelling
Place
1
Kings 8:46-50
Keep these points in
mind when we make application of Solomon’s prayer:
1. Jesus is the true temple of the
Divine God - John 2:19-21; Colossians 2:9.
2. That temple from John 2 is,
in a way, equivalent to the church in Matthew 16:18-19.
3. In other words, the
church is Christ’s temple,
His spiritual body
- Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:21-22.
4. The Godhead,
therefore, dwells in the church (collectively)
and in Christians (individually) - 1
Corinthians 3:16; 6:19.
As we study Solomon’s
prayer relative to God dwelling in that physical temple, we will make
application of some important points to God dwelling in us, His spiritual temple.
GOD’S
DWELLING BEGINS WITH GOD’S NATURE - 8:22-26:
You should circle the
word “promise” and “promised” in verse twenty because Solomon will refer to it
again in verses 24, 25, and 56. Six times, Solomon uses the word “promise.” God
is a God of promises and God
does not break His promises.
The idea that Christ,
the incarnate Son of God, can dwell in humanity is a major part of the great
mystery of the Old Testament (Col. 1:27). Jesus promises that He can and will
dwell in us. We can be assured that He will do what He has promised us because Jesus cannot lie!
CALLS
FOR GOD’S RESPONSE - 8:27-30:
There are many
different calls for God to respond to this prayer.
1. “Keep” that which
you have promised (vs 25).
2. “Let your word be
confirmed” (vs 26).
3. “Have regard to the
prayer” - vs 28 - “to listen”
4. “That your eyes may
be open … to listen” - vs 29
5. “Listen” - vs 30
6. “Listen” - vs 30
7. “Listen” - vs 30
8. “Forgive” - vs 30
The New Testament also
talks about “calling” on the Lord. We call on God to be saved (Acts 22:16;
Romans 10:13, quoting Joel 2:32). But “calling” here is so much more than
prayer. It is a call of faith, a call of dependence on God, recognizing that we
cannot be saved without Him.
GOD’S
DWELLING IS CONTINGENT ON OUR FAITHFUL RESPONSE -
8:46-53:
Verses 47 & 48
summarize the response that Israel must give to God if they still want God to
dwell among them: “Turn in their hearts,” “repent,” “plead,” “repent with all
their mind and with all their heart,” and “pray.”
The bottom line is
that God’s grace is not
unconditional! Now, on this occasion, the glory of the Lord came
down from heaven and filled the temple - 1 Kings 8:10-11.
Today, if we do want
Jesus to dwell in our hearts, if we want the glory of the Godhead to dwell in
us, then we must respond to Him in the way that He has commanded.
First, humble
ourselves before the God of heaven - 1 Peter 5:6.
Second, listen to what
Jesus has to say - Matthew 13:9.
Third, believe what
Jesus tells us - John 8:24
Fourth, we also have
to quit sinning (“repent”) - Luke 13:3
Fifth, we must confess
our faith in Jesus Christ - Matthew 10:32
Sixth, we must be
immersed in water, into the death of Christ - Mark 16:16
Seventh, we, too, must
continue living faithfully - Hebrews 4:11
God has promised that
He’ll answer our prayers if we call on Him and respond with an obedient mind
and heart.
--Paul Holland
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