Reverence for the House of God

I think the Lord would take it a step further...

Just like He said, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
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I think he would say, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary; I am the Lord: But I say unto you, that your body is the temple, you are stones, living stones that make up the habitation of God.

Was man made for the Sabbath, or the Sabbath made for man? Come unto me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
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Sometimes I feel that we have lost sight of the fact of the "body" of Christ is the Church...not the building and programs and the Sunday school lessons or even the preaching.

As believers we carry with us everywhere we go His presence. We are all ambassadors of Christ, we are all called to "preach the gospel" not just on this day or that day, but all days.

I also feel that we need to use care in how we judge other believers, because we are not just dealing with people...we are dealing with the Lord himself.

When Paul was knocked off his horse, the Lord didn't say to him "why are you persecuting those who believe in me"....He said "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

There is even the warning to the early believers that by not discerning the Lord's body many were weak and sickly among them, and many died!

Lord, help us to discern your body.

websitejack



1Cr 6:19 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?
1Cr 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.


2Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.


1Cr 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
1Cr 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Cr 11:30 For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.


Hbr 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Hbr 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].
Hbr 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hbr 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Hbr 4:5 And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Hbr 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

This is just my opinion.

I think that we should be as little children coming home to our father house.  A place of fun, laughter, joy, rest, decipleship, and love.  Many would make the house of God a tomb, with their many rules.  God does not want sin or selfishness in His house, but rather fellowship and freedom.  Sure we need to honor God, the same way I would respect my father and his wishes on how we should treat his stuff, but my father would not want me to just sit there or sing some boring songs that have no value toward my growth, happiness, and well being. 

Snup:

Thats a very encouraging heartfelt comment.

I'm not sure if this is what you're getting at, but it makes me absolutely insane when people bring coffee and donuts into the sanctuary.

My only question is ''when was the first ''church'' building constructed?

Wow, this is resurrected from the dead. Check out the OP date

To answer the last question, if you are talking about a dedicated Christian Temple my educated guess would be in the 4th century. Prior to that any dedicated Temple that was built for that purpose would have been torn down by the pagans.