How To Live From the Rest of God

When someone repeats a certain word in a short span of time, its because there's something we need to focus attention on. The word HOUSE appears six times in just 6 verses.

Let's figure out what this means - because in order to rest we've got to 'pay close attention to these things.'

This is not a building. It's not even a church building.

"Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool -- where is the house which you would build for me? ... All these things my hand has made," (Isaiah 66:1-2 KJV)

Paul, reminded the wise men of Athens that "God does not dwell in temples made by hands," (Acts 17:24 KJV)

As is often the case, the answer to the question is found in the text of Scripture. Verse six reads:

"we are His house..." (followed by a conditional phrase.)

God never intended to dwell in buildings. He wants to dwell in the midst of a people. Not a PERSON individually, but a house. Lone Ranger me and Jesus Only Christianity is 1. NOT SCRIPTURAL. 2. UNHEALTHY 3. EVEN DANGEROUS. Sure, we are called to have time away with Jesus as individuals - but we are always called back to our brothers and sisters in the house.

I love Revelation. There is so much there about living the Christian life victoriously. There's that amazing picture found in the 21st chapter of Revelation - it is fitting that the canon of the 1st and 2nd Testaments should this way...it began in a garden, but it now spreads to the City of God. This is the culmination of the all Scripture - "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men," (Revelation 21:3b RSV).

Paul refers to this in First Corinthians, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" (1 Corinthians 6:19a).

This is God's ULTIMATE INTENTION - to inhabit your body and to make you to be the manifestation of his life, the dwelling place of all that he is; FOR THIS REASON:

Ephesians 3: 19 "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

In review....

1. God is still speaking. Hearing God as a people is vital to our walk as followers of Jesus.

2. Jesus must be exalted above everything else. We must acknowledge that He is above everything else. God has exalted Him for a clear purpose - THAT UNTIL HE IS REVEALED AND ALL 'EYES SEE HIM' - WE MUST BEHOLD HIM BY FAITH....

3. How to experience Jesus. Jesus is a son - He is part of a House. Moses built a house. Jesus is now the patriarch of a new house - we are his house...."if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory..." In other words - we enjoy the blessings of this house by continuing to believe

2 KEY WORDS AT THE END...AND THEN I WILL PAUSE FOR NOW.

V 6 -

CONFIDENCE - In secular Greek, 'παρρησία' - PARRASIA described the open and frank relationship of citizens within the state. This means to feel comfortable inside the house...so comfortable that we are real and bold, and JUST KNOW THAT WE BELONG...In Spanish we say to guests "estas en tu casa." To enjoy a home's blessings - we HAVE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HOME.

HOPE - elpis - the knowing that the object of your faith is real. HOPE CONNECTS THE PRESENT TO FUTURE BLESSING. FAITH IS THE CONDUIT - HOPE IS THE ANCHOR.