My first public job was in the summer of 1972. I had just turned 16 and I was a laborer on a construction site. Primarily my duties were to make mortar and carry bricks. We were adding an addition to a church and ironically, four years earlier my brother had started his first job on that same church building as well. Today, almost forty years later, I’m still in the church-building business, only I’ve learned down through the years that God’s church is not a physical building but rather a spiritual building.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Peter refers to Christians as – ‘living stones being used to build God a spiritual house.’ (see 1 Pet 2:5) According to the Bible, God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are all involved in building this spiritual house. God the Father is the Architect; God the Son is the Foundation; and God the Spirit is the Builder.
I. God the Father as the Architect
We have learned thus far in our study of the book of Ephesians, that before God hung a single star in space, He planned our salvation. We have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. (see Eph 1:4)
Paul often refered to God’s special plan as a ‘mystery.’ It was not a mystery in that it didn’t make sense, but in that it was hidden from men until the time God wanted to reveal it. We read in the chapter 3 of Ephesians –
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Though the mystery of God’s plan has many aspects, there are two primary parts that no one could ever have imagined:
A. That this salvation would come through God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ
Though the Jews looked for a Messiah, they believed that He was coming to establish an earthly kingdom. They never imagined that He would come to save them from their sins. They believed that obeying the Law of Moses would earn them eternal life. Perhaps you will remember the rich young ruler who came to Christ and asked – “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16)
Even Paul believed this way before he was saved. Later he wrote to the Romans –
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
B. That this salvation would include Gentile as well as Jew
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.
The Bible teaches us that the Jews were chosen by God, not to be superior to the rest of the world, but to be God’s special servants whereby He could use them to reach the world with His love. It was always God’s plan to save both Jew and Gentile.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
We read in the book of Galatians that in Christ, there is – ‘neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female… for ye all are one …’ (Gal 3:28)
II. God the Son is the Foundation
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Everyone who is even the least bit familiar with construction knows that a building must have a solid foundation in order to be secure. Jesus told a story about a house that a man built upon the sand. Concerning that house Jesus said, “the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Mt 7:27) What many do not realize about this story is that the storm Jesus spoke of is not the adversities of life, but rather the day of judgment when men stand before God and give an account for their sins. We read in the book of Revelation –
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The ‘Book of Life’ is God’s record of every person who has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. A saving relationship with Jesus Christ is the only foundation that will weather the storm.
Paul tells us two important things about Christ and God’s spiritual house.
A. Christ is the Chief Corner Stone
20 ‘… Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone…’
As the name indicates, the corner-stone went at a corner of a building. It was an essential part of the foundation. It was carefully hewn and set in place for it established the layout of the rest of the building. Today corner stones often bear the name of the architect or builder, the date the building was built and perhaps even the name of the building.
A key truth that I have tried to emphasize throughout our studies of the book of Ephesians is the importance of Jesus Christ. At least twenty-seven times in this one letter Paul makes reference to the Christian’s relationship to Christ. Note if you will in the passage before us today –
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace …
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity… for to make in himself of twain one new man…
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Jesus Christ is the church’s chief corner-stone and therefore all that we do, we should do in His name and for His glory.
B. Christ is the Foundation
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Paul states that God’s spiritual house is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; yet the apostles and prophets had no saving value in themselves. Men can’t save men. The foundational value of the apostles and prophets is that they were the first to preached Christ crucified.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We at Twin Oaks Baptist Church preach Christ crucified because it is faith alone in Him alone that saves a man’s soul.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Keith W. Ward
III. God the Spirit is the Builder
God the Father is the Architect, God the Son is the Foundation, and God the Spirit is the Builder.
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
God’s church is not a building made of bricks and boards. God’s church is a building made of the souls of those who have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit as He imparts to us the life of Christ.
There are two primary ways that the Spirit is building God’s church:
1. Through Bringing Men to Salvation
Salvation is not an attempt to do better. It is new life, eternal life, Christ’s life – put into a dead soul.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)
Jesus told Nicodemus that it is the Holy Spirit who gives to us this new life. ‘Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.‘ (Jn 3 )
Today we will watch individuals follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. Mere water cannot save a man. It is only a physical symbol of a spiritual reality. The spiritual reality is the Holy Spirit baptizing a man into Christ.
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
As I have often told people, only God can take what is black and baptize it into what is red and cause it to be white.
2. Through Building Men to Serve
When we get to chapter four of the book of Ephesians, we will see how the Spirit equips us to serve Christ. Jesus said, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you…“ (Acts 1:8) We read in Zechariah 4:6 “… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Conclusion
I wonder what the Ephesians were thinking as they read Paul’s letter. I wonder how the thought of them being a temple affected them. Here’s why I say this.
The word ‘temple’ carried a very deep meaning with both the Jews and the Gentiles of the 1st century.
- To the Ephesian Gentile Christians, the word ‘temple’ immediately took their mind to a place in Ephesus known as the Temple of Diana. Diana was the pagan goddess of fertility and such temples often involved acts of immorality as a part of their worship. Some even had what was known as ‘temple prostitutes.’
Yet note what Paul says to them –
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together (carefully joined together) groweth (is becoming) unto an holy temple in the Lord:
A ‘holy temple.’ Not a place of immorality and perversion, but a sacred place set apart unto the holiness of God. That’s the kind of house is building. A holy temple. To the Christians in Corinth, another place known for its immoral practices of religion, Paul wrote –
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Consider also how the Ephesians Jewish Christians might have reacted to this thought.
The Jews thought about their temple in Jerusalem and how at the very heart of that temple was a place called the ‘Most Holy Place.’ The Shekhinah Glory of God filled that room and only the high priest could enter that room once a year to apply the blood of a sacrificial lamb. Now Paul was telling them –
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, we now may draw near and have full access to the Father. ‘Both’ Paul says. Both Jew and Gentile. Further more, we no longer do a pilgrimage to a temple. Together, both saved Jew and Gentile – we are the temple!
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
"Seeds of Faith" 