One Temple | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message challenges the idea of seeking personal recognition and instead encourages believers to focus on building a dwelling place for God, where Christ can dwell among His people. The speaker emphasizes that true fulfillment comes not from individual accomplishments but from being part of a unified body of Christ, where people from every nation come together in love and worship.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 2:19-22 - This passage highlights the idea that believers are no longer strangers to God's household but are now part of a unified body, where Christ is the foundation. The speaker notes how this concept is crucial in understanding our identity as Christians and our role in building a dwelling place for God.
• John 17:20-23 - Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes His desire for unity among believers, that they may be one just as He and the Father are one. The speaker sees this passage as a call to action, encouraging believers to prioritize unity and love over individual pursuits.
• Psalm 132:13-14 - King David's prayer in Psalm 132 reflects his desire to build a house for God, not just a physical structure but a dwelling place where God can be present among His people. The speaker sees this as a model for our own lives, encouraging us to prioritize God's presence over personal ambitions.
• John 14:23 - Jesus promises that if we love Him, He will dwell in us and we will love one another just as He has loved us. The speaker notes how this passage emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ and allowing His presence to transform our lives and relationships.
• Ephesians 4:1-3 - This passage calls believers to live a life worthy of their calling, walking in humility and Gentleness as they strive for unity with one another. The speaker sees this as a crucial reminder that true growth and maturity come from serving others and prioritizing the body of Christ.
• Habakkuk 2:14 - This prophecy speaks of God's desire to dwell among His people, creating a dwelling place where He can be present. The speaker notes how this passage echoes the idea that our individual pursuits must give way to building a unified temple where Christ can dwell.
• Matthew 16:18-19 - Jesus promises that He will build His church on the rock of Peter, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. The speaker sees this passage as a reminder that our individual efforts are insufficient to build God's kingdom; instead, we must join ourselves with others to create a dwelling place for Christ.

Key Takeaways

• We must prioritize building a unified body of Christ over individual pursuits and personal recognition. This means surrendering our desire for fame, wealth, or power and instead focusing on loving and serving one another.
• The presence of God is the ultimate goal; we must seek to create a dwelling place where He can dwell among His people. This requires humility, Gentleness, and a willingness to put others before ourselves.
• True growth and maturity come from serving others and prioritizing the body of Christ. We must strive for unity with one another, just as Jesus prayed in John 17.
• We are no longer strangers to God's household but are now part of a unified body, where Christ is the foundation. This means we must recognize our identity as Christians and our role in building a dwelling place for God.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take two specific actions to prioritize building a unified temple:

1. Identify one area of your life where you have been pursuing personal recognition or individual accomplishments. Repent of this and ask God to help you redirect your focus towards building the body of Christ.

2. Reach out to someone in your community who is different from you, and seek to build a relationship with them. This could be through volunteering together, having a meal together, or simply engaging in conversation.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in my life where I have been prioritizing personal recognition over building the body of Christ? How can I surrender these desires and focus on loving and serving others?
• How can I prioritize unity with my fellow believers, just as Jesus prayed in John 17? What specific actions can I take to build relationships with those who are different from me?
• What is the presence of God like in my life right now? Am I creating a dwelling place for Him, or am I building a tower to myself? How can I prioritize His presence over my individual pursuits?