What a Building Cannot Do

(Acts 7:48-49)
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However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
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“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as
that?” asks the LORD. “Could you build me such a resting place?”

Introduction: Although an elaborate temple for Jewish worship is described in the Old
Testament, a “church building” is curiously absent in the New Testament. Does that ever
make you wonder where the modern use of church buildings came from?

1. The reference to a “church” as a meeting place is never found in the Bible.

2. Instead, the term often rendered church, , is properly translated “an
assembly” or “a gathering of people.”
3. During the first 3 centuries since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), believers met in
homes, caves, catacombs, and anywhere else where they could gather for worship and
the study of God’s Word.
4. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine declared Christianity as the state religion of
Rome. With this decree, pagan temples were converted to Christian place of worship.
It as also during this time that Christian ministers began to dress in “religious”
clothing that was distinct from other worshipers.

Think about it: How could the early church be a vibrant assembly of believers in spite of
the absence of a building, prestige, wealth, and political clout?

Thesis: While it is wonderful to have a building in which to meet, we must all take time to
understand what a building can and cannot do.

I. The limitations of a building:

1. A building can provide a presence in the community but it cannot share the Gospel
message.

2. A building can provide classrooms but it cannot teach you how to become a follower
of Jesus.

3. A building can be a place for gathering but it cannot worship God.

4. A building can have a kitchen and dining area but it cannot build loving relationships.

5. A building can provide meeting rooms but it cannot meet the felt needs of individuals.

II. Only a dedication follower of Jesus can:

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1. Tell others about God’s love and gift of salvation.

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes
and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
(Mark 16:15-16)

2. Study, obey, and defend the Word of God.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does
not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
(2 Timothy 2:15)

3. Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.
(John 4:23-24)

4. Enter into loving relationships with other believers.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must
love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another.
(John 13:34-35)

5. Exercise spiritual gifts to serve God and others.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . .
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one,
just as he determines.
(1 Corinthians 12:7, 11)

Conclusion: Rather than dedicate this building to God, will you dedicate yourself to the Lord
this morning?

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God?
(1 Corinthians 6:19)