DISCUSSION

1. What two truths does Paul teach us in verse 16 by his rhetorical question? What does it mean that “you are God’s temple,” and how does Paul explain it? How does Exodus 25:8 help clarify? How should this change the way you think about your everyday life, if you are in Christ?

2. According to verse 17, what does Paul say God will do to those that “destroy [His] temple”? What reason does Paul give for this warning? Is Paul speaking individually to saints here, or is he speaking of the church? How should this make us tremble, and, at the same time, respect Christ’s church?

DOCTRINE: God has made believers His temple by the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, therefore we must all seek the holiness of the church and never defile it.

I. GOD HAS MADE BELIEVERS HIS TEMPLE (v. 16a)

The Lord’s glory shines forth through the Temple. If you belong to Jesus, you are far from ordinary.

II. GOD HAS MADE BELIEVERS HIS DWELLING PLACE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (v. 16b)

In Christ, you are INDWELT by God the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16), SANCTIFIED by God the Holy Spirit for holy service to God (1 Corinthians 6:11), ANOINTED by God the Holy Spirit for objective knowledge (1 John 1:20), ENLIGHTENED by God the Holy Spirit for experiential knowledge (Ephesians 1:18), GIFTED by God the Holy Spirit to serve the church (1 Corinthians 12:1), EMPOWERED by God the Holy Spirit for evangelism (Acts 1:8), FILLED by God the Holy Spirit for ministry (Ephesians 5:18), FRUITFUL by God the Holy Spirit for godliness (Galatians 5:22-23), and SEALED by God the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption, so that Christ loses nothing that He has purchased (Ephesians 4:30).

I) If you belong to Jesus, you are far from powerless (Romans 8:11). II) If you are united to Christ by faith, you are as safe as can be (Ephesians 1:13-14).

III. GOD HAS PROMISED HARM TO THOSE WHO HARM HIS TEMPLE (v. 17a)

I) See here why pastors and leaders will be judged more strictly—because God loves His holy temple, the church (Hebrews 13:17, James 3:1). II) See why pastors must take such care of Christ’s church—they are His temple, stones held together by His blood. III) See how horrible it is for any believer or church to allow themselves to be defiled by following after the traditions of men rather than the word of God. IV) See here that the Lord will bring vengeance on the enemies of His church— those within and without—who seek to defile it. V) See how much the Lord loves you, believer—He threatens your enemies with a sharp sword.

IV. GOD HAS MADE HIS PEOPLE HOLY, SEPARATING THEM FOR HIS GLORY AND ENJOYMENT (v. 17b)

Since we are made God’s holy temple, we who are in Christ must live holy in both body and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).

You and I must be holy in our doctrine, worship, and every day actions. We must pray, for His house is to be called a house of prayer. We must praise, for it is fitting that God’s house be filled with praises. God owns you as His house, believer, therefore give Him no disturbance—let Him rule the home. Since God owns us, you and I must belong to Him and no other.