The House of God VI: The House Agenda

The House of God VI: The House Agenda 

Text: Ephesians 3:7 – 11

That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ;  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (verses 8b, 9)

The house of God is about stewardship of the glory of God on earth. The Bible is about the loss and restoration of God’s glory on earth. Throughout the Bible, the glory of God distinguishes his house and his people from others. God’s glory comes from knowing him as revealed in his word. The agenda of the house is for God’s people to share God’s glory in the form of his tangible presence, character attributes and power with all people. The agenda is to share God’s goodness and love. The house is therefore not only a reservoir but also an attractive display and distributor of God’s love and a pillar of truth in the world (1 Timothy 3:15; Mathew 5:14-16; 28:19-20; Mark 11:17). God’s dream is an earth filled with the glory of the knowledge of him (Habakkuk 2:14).  Christ fulfills the glory by inhabiting his people. As stated by Paul, ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ (Ephesians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). That is the mystery hidden from the foundations of the world. The glory was given to the church so that it can be to the world and to God.

The Hebrew word ‘kabawd’ refers to evidence of honor, praise, splendor and abundance. In reference to God, it is something of divine presence, divine encounter, divine nature or divine power. God’s presence provides his people with provisions for their needs and responsibilities. We need God all the time. For example, when in face of temptations and trials, when we are weary and need strength, when we need a hand to hold us, a shoulder to lean and a back to climb on.  Through his strength, even though challenged in life, we are neither corrupted nor conquered.

The relationship of God with humanity can be traced from the garden to the city - the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2, 3) to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).  From the garden to the city, God makes provisions to be on earth with the people he created. Let us trace the house:

In the Garden

God was present with Adam and Eve. In the cool of the day, they would fellowship (Genesis 3:8). Adam and Eve enjoyed God’s glory and it was their covering. The glory gave them dignity and marked right standing with God. They were very free to enjoy the fullness of God. They occupied a position of authority that gave them dominion over earth. They had ability to multiply and replenish. They were healthy and lacked nothing. Their experience gives us an idea of what God desires for his house.

Adam and Eve failed in their stewardship of the glory of God by disobedience regarding the tree of knowing good and evil (Genesis 3).  God however promised to restore the glory (Genesis 3:15).

As the Tabernacle

In exodus 25:8, God spoke to Moses ‘"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8). Prior to this time God related to his people like Abraham through visitations for specific purposes. Now it would no longer be visitation but accompaniment. The tabernacles of Moses and that of David were tent structures that housed the Ark of the Covenant and were portable. It was designed for migration so that they could advance and take territory. When the tabernacle was dedicated, God’s glory came down in the form of a cloud (Ex. 40:33-35). The glory distinguished the house and marked it as of God. The tabernacle made it possible for God’s people to relate with God and to enjoy his prosperity (2 Samuel 6:12).

Stewardship of this glory was not without challenges. At times, the ark was taken to captivity and the glory lost – ikabod.

As the Temple

When the children of Israel had reached the promised land and were no longer migrating as before, they built a house for God in a fixed location. Araunah the Jebusite’s threshing floor occupied the location before David bought it. David regretted that he lived in a house of cedar while God lived in a tent. God appointed David’s son, Solomon, to build the house. Solomon built a magnificent temple whose splendor and that of his kingdom attracted the attention of the world.  When the temple was dedicated, God’s glory filled it endorsing it was God’s (1 King 7:51; 8:10-13).

This temple is best known for an era of peace and prosperity. The people of God at their destination were enjoying the land of promise. Gold was abundant and flowing in all the time from the nations and from the gold fields of Ophir. 

Stewardship of this glory was also a challenge. Israel lost the glory when they were taken to captivity because of sin and the temple had to be rebuilt two times – by Ezra, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and much later on by King Herod. 

As the Church

Each impression of God’s house seemed to serve a purpose and to enhance the evidence of glory from the earlier one. God promised through the prophets that a time would come when he will live in a house not made by human hands. In which his law will not be on tablets of stone but written on people’s hearts. The prophecies are fulfilled in the church collectively and as individual believers (Ephesians 2:2). In it, the purposes of the migration and temple eras are fulfilled with ability for much greater impact.  The ark can no longer be taken captive by the enemy and the people can no longer be taken away from a temple. God inhabits his people. The ark is no longer confined to one location.  It is no longer a time for visitations but habitation and no longer a time for migration but of exaltation. Believers are highly exalted to sit with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 1, 2) far above evil principalities. They are not seeking to conquer because Jesus Christ completed the conquest. Now it is time to receive from Father God.

The glory of God also came down at the launch of the church in the form of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-4).  The Glory did not exclude the priests from entering the temple but filled the priests for their work because they had become the temple.  Through Christ, believers gained the divine nature and God shared in humanity. The metaphors of the church all suggest closeness of relationship between God and his people - a body, a people of God, a family, a flock, a bride, the elect, a vine and branches, and other concepts.

The glory in the church far exceeds that of the tabernacles and temples (2 Corinthians 3:7-11).  The glory is however in earthen vessels and relies on the willingness of the earthen vessels to break (2 Corinthians 4:7).  Stewardship of the earlier houses faltered. How will we steward the greater glory we have as the church. Will all people see and hear the good news of Christ.

In the City

The dominion that was lost in the garden is to be restored fully in the great city. The New Jerusalem will fully express the final triumph we already have in Christ. The cross of Christ already has made the provision we can enjoy the abundant life of the New Jerusalem now. It will however reach its consummation at the end of time. It will usher in the final abode of God with his people for eternity (Revelation 3:11-12; 21:23. The glory once departed now restored.  We will dwell the house in forever with the Lord (Psalm 23:6).  It will be the city without limitations (Zechariah 2:2-5). The Lord will be wall of fire surrounding it and will be the light and sufficiency of it.

What will you do with what you have received from God? We have received in order to show and share - that all may see the goodness of God. That is the agenda of the house of God. What will you do to share Christ and show his love this week?

[This message is the sixth among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa