“The Glory of the Lord fills the Temple” by Rt. Rev’d Dr. M.O. Fape

Text: “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple” (2 Chronicles 7:1)

The construction of a Church building has a great history behind it. The Israelites built Tent and Tabernacle in the wilderness (2 Sam. 7:3-6). Later, in the monarchical dispensation, they built Temple (1 Kings 6). While in exile and post exilic times, they built Synagogues (Neh. 13:1 cf. Luke 4:16-19). In the New Testament time, the concept of Church emerged – the collection of believers in Jesus Christ. While the word Church has come to be understood more as a building, in actual fact, it refers to members of the body of Christ, the called out. That is the sense in which Paul was always referring to Christians as the, “…Church of God in…”

 While thanking God for David and Solomon for the construction and dedication of the first ever Temple in the Bible, the records of which are seen from 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 8, it must be noted that the physical structure was of no significance until people moved in to worship. In other words, it is the quality of people worshipping in a designated place of worship that determines its glorious appearance.

 There is a fundamental truth that is always forgotten today as people construct Church buildings. Why did David conceive the idea of building a Temple for God in the first instance? To have a befitting place to place the Ark of Covenant – 2 Sam. 7:1-2, “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” Why was the Ark so important to the children of Israel? The continents reveal this secret. It contains three elements:

 1.         The Ten Commandments – Deut. 10:1-5 cf. Joshua 1:8-9.

2.         Aaron’s Rod that budded – Num. 17:10 cf. 2 Tim 2:15, 19-20 – This is God’s Mark of approval upon the life of Aaron that indeed he had been called by God. Is there any God’s mark of approval that we are called by him. Is this evident before our members

3.         Pot of Manna – Ex. 16:33-35. This is the demonstration of God’s power to feed us miraculously without bringing shame to his name. Many Christians today, whether in politics or business have brought shame to the name of Christ. They are not only in the world, but they are of the world.

 All of the above are part of the history of the children of Israel. Little wonder that the Ark was greatly treasured by the Jews. However, the Ark did not possess any magical power except that it dwelt in the midst of those who lived by the demands of the contents. That was the reason its physical presence could not prevent the defeat of the children of Israel in 1 Sam. 4. Truly does the Bible say, “Shall we continue in sin…” (Rom. 6:1).

 Indeed, on the day of the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem as contained in the text of this sermon, the glory of the Lord filled the house, bearing in mind the fact of the presence of the Ark, the central role it played in their history; and the willingness of the people to demonstrate the practical relevance of the contents of the Ark. The worshippers moved from looking at a mere physical object to seeing the spiritual import of the Ark.

 First in the Ark were the two Tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This signifies the word of God. The word of God was proclaimed undilutedly without any error. People were given the word of God raw, though it might offend their senses, yet they got the word of God and not what they would like to hear. That was made possible because the priests who ministered were consecrated just as Aaron was consecrated – 2 Chronicles 5:11. For the glory of God to fill this house continually, those who minister here must be ready to proclaim the undiluted word of God.

 This is linked with the second content of the Ark, Aaron’s Rod that Budded. There was mark of approval upon the lives of priests who ministered in the temple. They had regard for God and his words, unlike Nadab and Abihu who offered profane offering to God in the wilderness (Num. 26:61). This is a big problem today. There are many ministers of God today who are not vessels unto honour (2 Tim. 2:19-20). Founding and establishing congregations to some ministers of God is to feed fat on the people of God. They have forgotten that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 Unity brought down the glory of God. This is clear from 2 Chronicles 5:13. There was unity both among the leaders and the led. The congregation was not complaining as it was in the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan and Abiram against Moses and Aaron in Numbers 16. That was the background to the emergence of Aaron’s Rod that Budded in Numbers 17:1-10. There are some members today who are not happy in the assignments given to them. What they like to do is the job of the Pastor when the Lord has not called them to such an office. Many are congregations today with membership singing discordant tunes of worship. Party spirits have crept in craftily and disintegration has set in. How will the glory of God show in such a worship environment?

 The third content of the Ark, the Pot of Manna in Exodus 16:33-3 is a demonstration of God’s power to feed us miraculously without bringing shame to his name. Many Christians today, whether in politics or business because of what they would eat or drink have brought shame to the name of Christ. Their life style is a complete negation of the gospel. They are not only in the world, but they are of the world. These are the same set of people who would come on Sunday lifting up their hands pretending to be praising God. How will the presence of such people bring down God’s glory in the hour of worship? They have forgotten what the word of God says in Psalm 24, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). God cannot inhabit the praises of such congregation.

Brethren, remember that your body is also the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19); his glory must fill your life. Only a consecrated life can reveal the glory of God. Therefore, as in the words of Apostle Paul to the brethren in the Church at Rome, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).

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