Places and programs are just instruments for people to experience the presence of God. Solomon’s prayer clearly shows that the purpose of the temple was to create sacred space and time for people to have fellowship with God and experience his redemption in spite of their shortcomings. There is plenty of grace in God’s kingdom when we draw close to him. Grace-giving reminds us that when we realize that what we have we received by grace then we must also give by grace so that God may bless those who need his grace.
Sermon Category: English
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Plea (Part 1)
Places and programs are just instruments for people to experience the presence of God. Solomon’s prayer clearly shows that the purpose of the temple was to create sacred space and time for people to have fellowship with God and experience his redemption in spite of their shortcomings. There is plenty of grace in God’s kingdom when we draw close to him. Grace-giving reminds us that when we realize that what we have we received by grace then we must also give by grace so that God may bless those who need his grace.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Dwelling Place
What God commands, God provides. God provided Solomon’s kingdom with the material and spiritual resources to fulfill God’s promise to David to make Israel his dwelling place. The temple and its ministries became an instrument for his glory to dwell with his people and from Israel carry out his redeeming purposes to bless the nations. When we are faithful stewards of God’s resources God honors our faithfulness by using what we have and transforming our meager efforts into an opportunity for his kingdom to come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Wisdom and Wealth
Wisdom and wealth provide a strong foundation for a prosperous nation but material prosperity needs to be filtered through the lens of biblical truth if it is to accomplish God’s eternal goals. When we receive God’s blessings it is easy to forget whose blessings those are and this forgetfulness is the beginning of our demise. Count your blessings, don’t take these for granted is still a necessary step to fulfilling God’s plans for our generation.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Legacy
Our generation is standing on the shoulders of giants. Every resource that we have received comes with the sacrifice of those that have come before. In David’s charge to Solomon, we see the heart of someone who realizes the purpose of his life is greater than any temporal personal wants. Solomon’s legacy is a legacy whose purpose is to connect one’s personal legacy with God’s eternal plans.
Solomon’s Generation: A King’s Roadmap
Hundreds of years before Solomon was born, God had already provided instructions for his people to live as a kingdom of priests. Their success desperately depended on their willingness to obey God’s word. In this passage, we will see God’s expectations for his people to know what God’s kingdom is all about.
Untouchable: Seek and Save the Lost
We are all born lost and we remain lost until Jesus finds us. Sometimes the day-to-day activities in our lives create the illusion of purpose and meaning but the reality is that without Jesus Christ our life is hopeless and empty. Our heart longs for God and it is not until Jesus Christ intercepts us with his invitation that we realize how lost we are. Jesus’ invitation is simple but profound. “Follow me,” he says, and when we respond positively to his invitation our life is filled with a new sense of his healing and presence that exceeds anything this world can offer.
Untouchable: Are We Willing? Let’s Go to the Feet of Jesus
Sometimes we know God can help us but for many reasons, we are not able or willing to help ourselves. When our personal resources are unable to bring us close to the One who can transform our lives with his word, God has provided a community of faith to remove the barriers that separate us from his presence. In this passage, we will see God’s grace embodied in the faith-full intercession of a Christ-centered community.
Untouchable: If You Are Willing
Bridging the gap between God and us is not easy. In order for us to experience the fullness of life that Christ came to give us we must be willing to take ownership of our brokenness and come to the one who can make us whole. In this miracle of Christ, we will see the God whose touch transforms the lives of those who acknowledge his willingness.