In 538 BC the Persian king Cyrus issued a decree. When they returned from exile, the Jews rebuilt Jerusalem in three stages. First they rebuilt the altar in the days of Zerubbabel and Joshua the son of Jozadak. Then, in that same year of 536 BC, the foundations of the temple were also laid, but it remained unfinished until the days of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who in 520 BC began to stir up the leaders and the people to complete what had been started. So the temple was finished in 516 BC. About sixty years later, in 458 BC, Ezra returned to Jerusalem. The city, however, had been burned with fire, and in 445 BC Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of the city.
In all of this we can clearly see three key events that mark the work of rebuilding Jerusalem when the Jewish people returned after the Babylonian captivity — the building of the altar in 536 BC, the completion of the temple in 516 BC, and the completion of the city walls in 445 BC.
I believe that, broadly speaking, these same three stages can also be observed in the building of a local church:
- the church as an altar — at its founding;
- the church as a temple — at its establishing;
- the church as a city — at its development.
To speak of the church as a city of God is nothing unusual.
For example, Hebrews 12:18–24 says:
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18–24)
Seeing the church not only as a temple but as a city of God gives us an interesting reading of Psalm 87.
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said of you, city of God: 4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me—Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” 5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” 6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” 7 As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.” (Psalm 87:1–7)
What would help a local church to become, from a temple, a city of God? How do we turn from a temple into a city of God?
A RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARD THE CHURCH
In the first place, in order to grow, the church ought to have God’s vision of itself. How does God see the church?
THE VISION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE CHURCH
What is Jesus’ vision for His church? To understand it, let us see what He says about it in His Word. For example, in Matthew 16:18:
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)
What do we learn from Christ’s words? First, His vision is for a stable and invincible church — a church built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). This church is stable. It is built on a rock. This church is strengthened enough to withstand the schemes and strategies of Satan. His attacks are powerless against the Church.
And second, the architect and builder of the Church is none other than Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:10). And He cannot fail. He has enough wisdom to build His church, and enough power to make it invincible against Satan’s attacks.
Matthew 18:15–20:
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:15–20)
THE VISION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL FOR THE CHURCH
The apostle Paul’s vision for the church is just as important as that of the Lord Jesus Christ, because the apostle Paul is His apostle — a messenger sent to carry Christ’s message. So through him the Lord further reveals and develops what He has already said about the church.
BODY
What does God’s Word tell us about the relationship between Jesus and the Church? To describe this relationship the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the body and the head. Christ is the head of the church, and it is His body (Ephesians 1:22, 23).
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22–23)
In the first place, this metaphor emphasizes the depth of the relationship between Christ and the church. They are as closely joined as the head is joined to the body.
Second, this metaphor emphasizes Christ’s care for the church. Christ sacrifices Himself, rises again, ascends, and reigns for the church.
Third, this metaphor reveals the authority of the church. It is important, because it is filled with the fullness of Christ.
Fourth, this metaphor explains why the church is holy. Although it is made up of sinful people, the church is holy, because it belongs to Christ and His fullness supplies what we ourselves lack.
And in the fifth place, this metaphor emphasizes the unity of the church. The body of Christ is one, and it is this body that worships and follows Christ as its head.
John 17:22, 23:
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:22–23)
Acts 4:32–35:
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:32–35)
The body speaks to us of the mutual dependence of its parts on one another (1 Corinthians 12:12).
Ephesians 4.
Divine order, authority, and empowerment.
TEMPLE
We have already mentioned what the apostle Paul says about the relationship between Christ and the church. He sees it as a body, the head of which is Christ Himself. But besides this, he says two more things. First, he sees the church not only as the body of Christ, but also as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16–17)
If the metaphor of the body speaks to us of the church’s function to represent and reveal Christ, then the metaphor of the temple of God speaks to us of worship. Of course, here again the church’s belonging to God is emphasized. It is His temple, and as such it is holy. But the primary function of the temple is that it serves for worship, for meeting with God.
As the temple of God and His house, the church serves not only as a place of worship, but also as a guardian of the truth. In 1 Timothy 3:15 the apostle Paul calls it “the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
In all of this we see that our church in Dolno Ezerovo ought to be a place where people can come to know God, to worship Him, and to serve Him.
And notice the balance in these two metaphors of the church. Yes, as a temple, the church is a “place.” It is something static — a fortress of the faith that cannot be shaken. But on the other hand, as a body, it is something dynamic. The body moves. It does various things. It grows.
In order to serve God we must have a shared vision of the church. Satan knows that if we sow this divine vision in our hearts, it will drive us to work for its fulfillment and will produce incredible spiritual fruit. That is why he tries in every way to make us turn our eyes away from it and to think about other things. This is why we must make the effort to keep God’s vision alive before us. Do not get yoked together with people who have no faith for the church’s vision. In this and in other places in the Epistles, the apostle Paul warns us about the harmful influence of “unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) and of “bad company” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
BRIDE
In Ephesians 5:22–33:
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:22–33)
Song of Songs 6:10:
10 Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? (Song of Songs 6:10)
DEVOTION
— 100% concentrated on Christ.
All her thoughts are focused on the bridegroom and the wedding day. She is preparing herself and is busy with the arrangements for the greatest day of her life.
The church sets everything else aside and is absorbed in one single thing — her union with Christ.
PURITY
In a time of revival the church is marked by two things — purity and cleansing. She is free from every other tie and impure motive. Love of money, love of power, intrigue, sin, and worldliness are completely replaced by wholehearted faithfulness to her Betrothed, the Lord Jesus Christ.
ORDER
When the bride is preparing for the wedding, everything is planned, organized, and arranged. Each thing is set in its appointed place and position.
- Sound teaching;
- Love — above all;
- The spiritual gifts are poured out through clean vessels;
- All the ministries are in their appointed places according to the kinds of grace, and the anointing flows freely, without fear and without hindrance.
Struggles for power, jealousy, an attitude of superiority, and personal ambitions disappear, giving way to the fruit of the Spirit, who provides security and protection.
ATTRACTIVENESS
Nothing is more attractive than a bride going to the altar. Even the hardest of hearts are usually softened at the sight of a bride and groom giving their lives to one another before God. This is what the world must see in the Church — the beauty, the glory, and the attractiveness of the Gospel. She gains the favor of people who in their hearts are seeking God and wondering where to find Him. This attractiveness of the Church will lead to revival, and all the glory will belong to God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This will turn the church from a temple into a city of the living God (Psalm 87).
DEVOTION TO THE WORK
To have a wonderful plan for a building is not enough. The plan is extremely important, and without it no one could build anything worthwhile, but the construction of a building requires, besides a plan, something more. What? Work. And so, we have the wonderful vision of the Church that God has revealed to us in His Word. Then what is needed for it to be realized? Work and perseverance.
In Acts 2:40–47 we read what happened on the day the church was born.
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40–47)
In my view there are two key phrases in this passage. One is “devoted themselves,” and the other is “every day” — they devoted themselves every day. This tells us of only one thing — a constant giving of ourselves to God and to serving Him and for Him; in other words — abiding.
To what did the disciples of Christ devote themselves? To four things (v. 42):
- to the apostles’ teaching,
- to fellowship,
- to the breaking of bread,
- and to prayer.
These are the four things in which we too must persevere if we want our church to develop and to become, from a temple, a city of God. These are things that not only here but also in other places in the Scriptures we are commanded to be constant in.
UNCEASING TEACHING
In 2 Timothy 4:2 the apostle Paul charges his beloved disciple Timothy:
2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2)
Acts 6:4:
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)
LISTENING TO SERMONS — A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
Far too many churchgoers are inclined to regard the hearing of sermons as an end in itself, says the layman evangelist Howard E. Butt, Jr. — to such a degree that the hearing of sermons could turn out to be one of America’s greatest sins.
In the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., Butt rebuked sermon-listening as “an escape from responsibility.” “God desires transformation from hearing into living,” he declared.[1]
UNCEASING FELLOWSHIP
Hebrews 10:23–25 says:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23–25)
THE ASPIRIN
In a letter to the director of an aspirin factory, a concerned pastor shared the following:
Dear Sir,
You make aspirin tablets, which relieve suffering, colds, and fevers. The compound used in your tablets makes it possible for people to get out of bed and to overcome headaches, frayed nerves, and muscle spasms. I have noticed that these tablets work wonders on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and especially well on Saturday. But the people who take them on Sunday seem to get no relief at all. They claim that they cannot get free of their aches and pains, and so they cannot attend Sunday school and church. Would it be possible for you to add an ingredient that would work on Sunday as well?
Hopefully,
A concerned pastor[2]
UNCEASING BREAKING OF BREAD
Of the Lord’s Supper it is said that it should be taken “whenever” we drink it in remembrance of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
“Whenever” — this gives us a certain freedom as to how often we are to have the Lord’s Supper, but it must also be done “constantly.” In other words, the Lord’s Supper is one of the things in which we must “persevere,” and we must never cease from it “until he comes.”
UNCEASING PRAYER
For prayer we have a completely clear and simple instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:17:
17 pray continually, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
A DAY WITHOUT PRAYER IS A DAY WITHOUT BLESSING
A German merchant named Hahnel, in his final hours, called his children to his bedside. He told them the following story. “Once, in my youth, I was on a business trip. In one small town my group had to wait for a short while. I, however, went into a church that was nearby, where a service was being held at that very hour. The preacher was speaking about the blessedness and value of prayer, and he kept repeating the words: ‘A day without prayer is a day without blessing.’ Amid all the cares and labors of my later life, I discovered that only in prayer are found the deepest rest and good cheer, courage and strength, both for life and for death. For God, to whom my spirit is now about to go, became long ago, through my prayer, an old friend, whose face I seek daily. And now I rejoice, amid the pains of death, that I will see His loving face. So now, as I am about to leave you, I know of nothing more precious to bequeath to you than the exhortation to pray, for in prayer and with prayer you have everything you could wish for, both for the present time and for eternity.” Then, in simple faith, the old father lifted up his voice one last time in prayer. “My Lord and my God, You loved me first, and in my weakness and sin I learned to love You… Let my last prayer be that the sweet name of Jesus and His divine power may never depart from the hearts and lives of my children and their children. Make in this house a family of prayer, for Your Name’s sake, Amen.”[3]
And so, in order for our church to grow and to develop, in order for it to become, from a temple, a city of God, we must, in the first place, follow God’s vision of what the church is and what it ought to do, and second, we must persevere in “the apostles’ teaching, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer.”
UNCEASING EVANGELISM
To these four activities we must add one more — evangelism. Because a church must never look only inward toward itself or only upward toward God. To be pleasing to God, it must also look outward to this world. This is stated in Acts 5:42:
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)
Here I would like to remind you of the mission of our church as well. It contains concrete steps and actions for fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
We have committed ourselves
to LEAD people
to God,
to ESTABLISH them
in the faith,
and to EQUIP them
for service,
by investing ourselves in them,
by motivating
and helping them
to REPRODUCE themselves
in many generations
of FOLLOWERS
of Christ.
I believe that if we look at the church in God’s way, and if we do what the apostles did, this will help our growth, and we will become, from a temple, a city of God.
[1] Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland, TX: Bible Communications.
[2] Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 Sermon Illustrations Arranged by Topic and Indexed Exhaustively (Revised edition of: The Expositor’s Illustration File). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
[3] AMG Bible Illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Bible Illustrations Series. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.