Ephesians 2:19-22  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

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The church is the TEMPLE OF GOD.

• His habitation.
• When the stones are properly in position, as Jews and Gentiles are properly met in Christ, the temple is ready for God to indwell.

Throughout the Old Testament we see the Tabernacle of Moses, the Tabernacle of David, and then the Temple erected and the Ark of the Covenant placed within those buildings.

• Only when the buildings were completed was the Ark placed inside.

Exodus 40:17-21  And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.  (18)  And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.  (19)  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.  (20)  And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:  (21)  And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:33-35  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.  (34)  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  (35)  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

2 Chronicles 5:1  Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:5  And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14  It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;  (14)  So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

The Ark was placed in the buildings when they were finished, and the glory of God filled the structures!

Ephesians says we are the building.

• We are the temple.

Colossians 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Ephesians 1:22-23  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  (23)  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Jesus Christ’s physical body on earth contained all the fullness of God.

• This is the same purpose for His Body, the Church, today!
• But this fullness is not fully realized until the Church is built up into this holy habitation for God, for it is when it is built completely that HE FILLS IT WITH HIS FULLNESS.
• The body being called His fullness refers to what He especially fills, and focuses on as His priority in filling anything.

John 1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Grace for Grace means blessing after blessing in the form of MINISTRIES.

• Grace is not only unmerited favour, but also DIVINE EMPOWERMENT.
• Gift ministries.
• His fullness fills all the members of this BODY/TEMPLE.
• He fills us with spiritual gifts.

 
Ephesians 3:16-19  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  (17)  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  (19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

This fullness continues to be spoken of in Ephesians.

• He uses TEMPLE LANGUAGE again.
• Breadth, depth, height and length.
• We have to COMPREHEND.
• THINK OF THE TEMPLE FILLED WITH GLORY when you read of being filled with His Fulness.
• And realize that this is spoken of as our goals as believers in the overall Church.
• DIVINE EMPOWERMENT is what he spoke of in saying we ARE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT.

Ephesians 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Here he mentioned GRACE again.

• DIVINE EMPOWERMENT.
• AN OFFICE empowered by God for us to do something in the Kingdom.

Ephesians 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Paul Quotes from Psalm 68:18, and says that psalm spoke of the ascension of Jesus Christ when He went to the RIGHT HAND THRONE of His kingdom!

• In that ascension HE GAVE GIFTS!

In Acts 2, we read the 120 were filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This experience of speaking in tongues became the talk of everyone there who came to watch that day.

Acts 2:6-8  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  (7)  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?  (8)  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Peter started preaching and told them Joel prophesied of all of this and this was the result of Christ ascending.

Acts 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Just like Paul told the Ephesians that Jesus ascended to the Kingdom throne and GAVE GIFTS TO MEN, Peter said the Lord’s ascension to the right hand throne caused Him to SHED FORTH what they were SEEING AND HEARING – the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.

• Aren’t you glad HE ASCENDED ON HIGH AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN!

Recall Paul was talking about us as a TEMPLE.

• And the purpose of a TEMPLE is for God TO INDWELL AND FILL that temple.
• This was the purpose of the tabernacle.

Exodus 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

WE ARE THAT SANCTUARY TODAY.

• THE ARK NEEDS A SANCTUARY.
• When the Sanctuary is built, the ARK OF HIS PRESENCE IS PUT INSIDE TO DWELL THERE.
• And there is a place on earth where GOD DWELLS AND HIS GLORY ACTUALLY LIVES!

Exodus 29:44-46  And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.  (45)  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  (46)  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

2 Corinthians 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 Kings 6:11-14  And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,  (12)  Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:  (13)  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.  (14)  So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

1 Kings 6:19  And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

We have fivefold ministry FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

• For the BUILDING UP THE TEMPLE!
• EDIFYING THE BODY means BUILDING THE TEMPLE.
• It is associated with THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.
• Christ was the fullness of the Godhead BODILY.
• He FULLY manifested GOD.
• We need to come to that degree of FULLNESS!
• But it is not each one of us, BUT WE ARE ALL PARTS OF THE OVERALL BODY.

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

We read EDIFYING THE BODY again.

• Each part of the temple – every person – actually helps both build up the temple when they function, and minister God’s will out into this world around us.
• IT IS TWOFOLD!
• As we minister, we build the temple up for HIM TO MORE AND MORE PERFECTLY be able to manifest in us all as a GROUP as well as allow God’s Spirit to touch the world around us.

When Paul quoted Psalm 68, he quoted verse 18 that says:

Psalms 68:18  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

THERE IT IS AGAIN!

• THAT THE LORD MIGHT DWELL AMONG THEM.
• When the Temple was being built, God was soon to have a DWELLINGPLACE.
• Not until it was finished did they  put the ARK inside.
• And when the Ark was placed inside, it was GOD DWELLING INSIDE AT THAT POINT.
• And the glory of God filled the house.
• All of this ascending to give us gifts IS FOR THE GRAND AND OVERALL PURPOSE OF GOD DWELLING INSIDE US AS HIS TEMPLE!
• Like the ARK placed in the temple.

And what is so awesome about this Psalm is that it begins with this verse:

Psalms 68:1  Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

In the same Psalm that speaks of the giving of GIFTS so GOD CAN DWELL AMONG US, that David quoted in referring to the CHURCH as the TEMPLE BUILT FOR A HABITATION OF GOD, ….

• And knowing that the ARK OF THE COVENANT’S PLACEMENT IN THE TEMPLE WHEN IT WAS FINISHED meant GOD WAS NOW DWELLING INSIDE…
• This first verse is actually the words MOSES SPOKE WHENEVER THE ARK OF THE COVENANT WAS MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE!

Numbers 10:33-35  And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.  (34)  And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.  (35)  And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

Psalms 68:1  Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

RAISING A TEMPLE SO GOD CAN RISE IN POWER

Get the picture!

• Paul quotes this Psalm where verse 18 says Jesus ascended to the right hand throne of His Kingdom AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.
• That verse says Jesus did this SO HE COULD DWELL AMONGST US!
• That means the GIFTS ARE TO BUILD UP A TEMPLE FOR HIM TO INDWELL.
• The gifts are what Paul said EDIFY THE CHURCH, OR BUILD UP THIS TEMPLE, and cause the saints to accomplish WORK OF THE MINISTRY.

BUT YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR GIFT!

Ephesians 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

We each have a measure, BUT ONLY THE EFFECTUAL WORKING IN THAT MEASURE will we ever see the TEMPLE BUILT UP.

• And when the temple is built up, the LORD INDWELLS IT.
• HIS FULLNESS FILLS IT.
• And we experience everything the Lord is able to allow us to experience.
• Before this happens, we only experience SOME THINGS God can do.

So in the very Psalm that speaks of Christi going to glory to give GIFTS TO US, so He can indwell us, we read of the4 BATTLE CRY for the Ark of the covenant that Moses hollered everytime the ARK WENT FORWARD!

Psalms 68:1  Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

Imagine getting built up into a temple SO THIS GOD MANIFESTS IN US IN THIS WAY!

Moses cried this forth …

Numbers 10: (35)  And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

THE ARK IS GOING FORWARD!

• It is going forward to greater feats of victory.
• We need to see GOD GO FORWARD in the greatest manner He can by BEING BUILT OF AS A TEMPLE AND SEEING THIS GOD INDWELL US to be able to manifest in this world like He needs to manifest!
• Solomon hollered the same victory shout when the ark was put into the temple.

2 Chronicles 5:7  And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims:

2 Chronicles 6:41  Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

We need to build up this temple by each of us functioning in our gift so we can see everyone functioning and all lively stones built up SO WE CAN CRY “RISE UP OH GOD!”

What is so exciting about this cry is that the TARGUM, an Aramaic translation, says "rise up now, O Word of the Lord”. 

• JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH!
• So it all points to Jesus as God and even as WORD MADE FLESH!

The ARK was where the WORD of God came from, between the cherubims.

• God actually SPOKE from that location on the Ark!

This is the Ark that tore down Jericho’s walls.

• The ark that opened up the Jordan.
• The ark that broke the human head and hands off Dagon in his own temple!
• The ark that slew tens of thousands of people.
• RISE UP, OH GOD!!!

RAISING A TEMPLE SO GOD CAN RISE IN POWER