BUILDING THE TEMPLE IN OUR HEARTS
- Key Verse
- And He said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down." (Matthew 24:2)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is willing to tear down the things He has built when they get in the way of knowing Him and following His plan and purposes.
Reflections
In this passage Jesus is prophetically speaking of how the temple will actually be torn down. It was built with huge stones. Historians say that the stones were 10 to 12 feet long, and Jesus is saying that they would all be torn down. This is not a building that even a hurricane or tornado could take out. But it was in fact torn down by Titus (son of Caesar; not Paul's buddy) and Vespasian in 70 A.D.
While the temple was originally built by the people of God as He had instructed them to do, they had walked away from His will and purposes. They were no longer about the things that God was about. They had made their religion a "how to," instead of a "why." They were relying on old ways of gaining God's favor through keeping the law, but their hearts were hardened towards the relationship with God to which Jesus called them. For a building to be of any use, His temple must be built first in your heart.
I love that God uses our facility to host so many people at Celebrate Recovery (a biblical 12-step ministry), the Porch (a weekly gathering for singles and young adults), and all of the men’s and women’s Bible studies that meet there. And how great is it that so many participate in these activities (and others) on top of all those who gather on Sundays for corporate worship, teaching, children’s ministry, etc. But those ministries work not because of our facility, but because of the heart behind them. I love that we have an actual building—a great tool for ministry, but the ministry that happens in and through us only works and matters because God continues to build His temple in the hearts of His people.
So I hope and pray that we never turn our hearts from God as a body. I also trust that He will tear down the building if that is how He can achieve His ultimate purposes in us.
Discussion Questions
1. What areas of your heart need to be torn down and rebuilt?
2. Who is building into you, and on what foundation?
3. Are you building into other people?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How does a mother hen take care of her chicks?
2. How has Jesus taken care of you this week?
Blake H
March 30, 2010 06:35 AM
Thanks, Brett. Great insight and application for me today. I love how you stated the central truth ... I appreciate your leadership within our church
Lesley Johnson
March 30, 2010 06:59 AM
Good morning Brett and thanks so much for the "heart to heart". Great reminder for me to keep my heart pliable and teachable. Lesley
March 30, 2010 08:05 AM
Nice to see your face on my computer this morning and hear your words. Stay in the word, empty nesting is great!, but they do come back, you need to change your door locks. Jerry Montgomery
Todd Shaddock
March 30, 2010 08:39 AM
Brett, That is the first time I have ever laughed out loud while reading a journey write up...I really appreciated your boldness and 'matter of fact' approach displayed in your final paragraph. I certainly 'speak your language.' Also, your statement 'a religion of HOW to instead of WHY' is going to be used by me as I minister to folks that might be caught in religion instead of a relationship. Thank you for all you do for our community. You are appreciated by many and more importantly the Lord.
Carlton Kupp
March 30, 2010 08:51 AM
Brett, Great insight into how God has to tear down things in our lives to make us focus on Him. I have experienced it in my life and am thankful He did it. I enjoyed trekking to Burundi with you and Sheri.
brandon avance
March 30, 2010 08:56 AM
great devo, love the thought and encouragement.
Scott Coy
March 30, 2010 09:32 AM
Great observation about a building that nature can't tear down but man can...and did!! You stirred me this morning to pray to be that structure/man that neither nature or man can tear down. Great visual of God doing the construction. Love being in it with you!
David
March 30, 2010 10:15 AM
PRAISE GOD! AMEN!
Eric Colton
March 30, 2010 11:05 AM
Great Devo Brett. Thank you for your continued love and service to the body of Christ...
Sue Bohlin
March 30, 2010 11:25 AM
Fantastic devo, beloved brotherfriend! you got to the "heart" of the matter, which is the theme that keeps coming out in just about every chapter of Matthew! Thanks again for leading us well on our Burundi trip. Ray and I are waving to you from the Vienna airport on our way to Belarus (between Poland and Russia) to share "Book wisdom" with "friends" there for a couple of weeks. (We're in code mode for this trip.) Looking for "Ah-nold" here in the airport . . . apparently, he's left the building. :-)
Sheri
March 30, 2010 09:14 PM
Brett - thanks for your insight and the amazing ways that you lead our family! Love you bunches, Sheri
Becca Nail
March 30, 2010 11:53 PM
Thanks for reminding me of the areas I need to work on within my heart. I have certain walls that are distracting me from my chase after Christ. Thanks for encouraging me to examine them and tear them down. You are such a huge part of my life and my family. Thanks for always being there for me when I need you. I look up to you because exemplify Christ. I love you and miss you:) -Boo
Summer
March 31, 2010 12:06 AM
Love how you take God's word and make it real and relevant....SWEET! But where do you stand on praying with a potential spouse?
scooter
April 1, 2010 10:32 AM
Love ya bro 1) people pleasing 2) you, in Christ 3) yes. your grand children