The Church: God’s Living Temple
Daily Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:9, 16-17, Matthew 18:20
1 Corinthians 3
9 We are God’s coworkers, and you are God’s field, God’s building.
16 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person, because God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.
Matthew 18
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In ancient cities, temples were buildings where people thought their gods lived. Yet the apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christians something remarkable—together, they formed God’s temple where God’s Spirit lived. “This [Temple] image refers to the church community as a whole, not its individual members, as the holy place of God’s presence.” * Jesus promised to be present when believers gathered in his name. The church is not just a building or program, but a living encounter of people with God.
- Paul called the church community God’s temple—the place where God’s Spirit lives. This was revolutionary, shifting focus from a physical building to people gathered in shared faith and service. That’s why we often refer to worship as “the place where you encounter God.” Can you view the people you worship and serve with, more than the physical building where you do some of that, as God’s temple? How might that alter your understanding of your faith journey?
- Jesus promised to be present wherever two or three gather in his name. He emphasized the power of coming together in faith, rather than trying to follow him alone. Can you remember times you’ve felt God’s presence in group settings? What makes gathering with other believers important, and different from private devotional time?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, guide me into a fuller understanding of how you wish to dwell in me, and in all my fellow believers, as your ultimate temple. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jacob Hery
Jacob Hery serves as Adult Discipleship Coordinating Assistant at Resurrection's Leawood location. Before joining the staff, he spent two summers as an intern serving in Resurrection's Modern Worship department. Jacob graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music, with an emphasis in songwriting and a minor in worship leadership. In his free time, Jacob enjoys binge-watching sitcoms, hanging out with friends, and writing music.
After getting settled in my dorm room freshman year, the next big step for me was finding a church home in my new college town. However, that journey was not easy. After attending various churches of different denominations, all of which were trying to navigate the health crisis of 2020, I eventually became frustrated as I struggled to find in-person services and the few I discovered were critical of my sexual orientation. After a couple of months, I gave up on going to church altogether.
However, as a full-time ministry hopeful, I knew that God was not calling me to tune into church via livestream. He wanted to use me by being intertwined in the local church. I hesitantly began my search again; asking fellow United Methodists about what churches they attended and what might be the best fit for me. I eventually found myself at Asbury United Methodist Church. And that church family changed my life.
I had struggled with finding community, and they provided a home. I felt a wavering in my calling, and they held space for God’s reassurance to come again. I had some of the most treacherous times during my college years, but Asbury remained a sanctuary I could find refuge and rest in.
Yes, having alone time with God is important and sometimes we need space from an unhealthy church. But I know that being in a church community literally saved my life several times. God resided in the people who made up the church and was tangible in every interaction I had.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Charles A. Wanamaker, study note on 1 Corinthians 3:16 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p.309 NT.
