Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, [t]o the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[.]

2 Thessalonians 1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, [t]o the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[.] 2 Thessalonians 1:1

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, my focus is 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 and I lean on one of John Piper's Look[s] at the Book (or video labs) for this text - there are seven parts that "look" at this text and I reviewed part 3. In this video, Piper hones in on how Paul (and scripture in general) refers to the church based on the original Greek text, and its later translation into Latin and then English.  In watching this lab, there is one broad takeaway: 

Church derives from ekklesia - the Greek word from the original text.  This word per Piper appears more than 100 times in the New Testament (see also Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon as leveraged here).  It broadly refers to an assembly of people, and not just an assembly of God's people, and as it is inclusive of several possible definitions.  The implication Piper sees is that we should not think of the church as a building but as an assembly of God's people - wherever they are.  Piper shares how this definition gives the church power as power is given to God's people and not to an organizational structure confined to a single church/building/campus or even a denomination.  

Piper then proceeds to share how this definition of church as an assembly carried over to the Latin translation which of course was dominant in 1500 years of church history, and embodied in the Catholic church. He describes that when William Tyndale, as part of the Protestant Reformation, translated the Bible into English, his translation efforts were thought of as heresy, not just because the reformation itself undermined the organized church, but also because of the methods used to translate the Bible.  Such efforts ultimately led to Tyndale's persecution and ultimate execution.  Piper quotes David Daniel who shares that in translating ekklesia into congregation (vs church) plus how he translated other words*, Tyndale "undercut the the entire sacramental structure of the thousand year church throughout Europe."  This decentralization of the church of course to put power into the assembly or congregation - God's people (vs in church hierarchy and in the Pope) - was core to growth of the church beyond its Catholic roots. 

*translation of ekklesia into congregation vs church, presbuteros into elder vs priest, metanoeo as repent vs penance, exomologeo into admit vs confess

Piper also seeks for us to further understand from the text (v1) how attributes of assembly are defined as united "in "God the Father" and united in "Jesus Christ our Lord."   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?"

1 Kings 5-7 and 9:25; 2 Chronicles 2-8

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But  who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?" 2 Chronicles 2:5-6

Day 131 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with Solomon's efforts to build the temple in Jerusalem.

Having attended a church plant that met first in a movie theater then in a middle school building, I am familiar with the criticism and resistance that often accompanies attendance at a church that does not have a traditional or permanent church building.  Solomon is accurate in his statement that God is not contained in a church building as of course He is omnipresent. He is in our hearts and among His children when they meet together.  He exists in the Word and through the Holy Spirit.

See also

But the temple he had spoken of was his body.

John 2

But the temple he had spoken of was his body. v21

As Jesus clears the temple courts of the merchants (see also Mark 11), the Jews questioned Jesus' authority to do so, asking Him for a sign that demonstrates such authority (v18).  Jesus warns the Jews of the temple's destruction (see more here and here) and tells them that He will rebuild the temple in three days.  John correctly records how the disciples remembered Jesus' words prior to the crucifixion and resurrection.  Additionally, although many believers and non believers alike focus on the church building (and its adornment/facilities), Scripture warns us to place too much emphasis on the physical church building. See also DesiringGod.com on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is always with me and You give me a firm foundation - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a God.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.

Ezekiel 48

And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there. v35

Just as I posted a couple of days ago, chapters 46-48 (the last chapters of the Book of Ezekiel) describe how Israel will be fully restored, including both a physical restoration of the temple in Jerusalem, and a spiritual restoration of Israel's people.  Yet we must remember that what is presented in Ezekiel is a vision of things to come, and more broadly the Bible is not presented chronologically so it is important to try and follow the "arc" of history.  Check this out from John Piper's website, and as well chronological Bibles.

Today, I am reminded how God sent His Son Jesus to die for us and when Jesus rose from the grave He gave us the Holy Spirit who is always with us as God cannot be contained in a building such as a temple - He is with and within us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You sent Your Son for us and we have the Holy Spirit - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act of love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

Ezra 3

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. v12

In Ezra 1, we see God moving the heart of Cyrus to allow the Israelites in Babylonian exile to return to Jerusalem.  As work began to rebuild the temple, those not old enough to remember the temple as built by Solomon shouted for joy while the older generation who did remember wept.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary further details the sorrow of those who did not see the rebuilt temple as "match[ing] the splendor of Solomon's temple nor did the presence of God reside within it".   Matthew Henry, I believe, correctly points out that for those filled with sorrow they should recall their own sin (particularly as priests and Levites) as part of the cause for their exile.  They should focus not on the size of the temple but on the amazing grace and mercy of God who was no less great in the rebuilt temple.

Yet, this is what we do. We look at what is seen - church buildings, programs, etc. as if church was a product for us to consume - I know I have done this myself.  Our focus should always be on God and our relationship with Him and how our present circumstances reflect His glory because that is why we exist. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, full of love and splendor and You need no building!  I am so grateful for all that You are, and all that You have done in my life!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him?

2 Chronicles 2

But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? v6

Indeed...we should not think of a church building as a place where God lives.  God lives in the hearts of those who attend the church...yes, God is everywhere...but He lives, manifests Himself, and is glorified through His children - that is why we exist as believers - to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
  
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is able to do all things, and You saved me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am unclean and broken.  Please forgive me for my selfishness, etc. and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

1 Kings 8

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! v27

Solomon builds God's temple and dedicates it, raising his arms in prayer.  It is true that no building can contain God, but it can serve to glorify God and be the "hands and feet of Jesus".  We are made in Christ's image to do works on behalf of Him, to glorify Him and to bring others to Him.

We should also recognize that God DOES dwell on earth - He has in Jesus and He continues to do so in OUR hearts through the Holy Spirit. 

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. Matthew 22:24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You dwell in me and You have transformed my heart and life.  I am blessed and my cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such rich blessings.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.