[0:00] Psalm 84 of the Scottish Psalter. We'll find that on page 338. Psalm 84 of the Scottish Psalter.
[0:15] How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts to me! The tabernacles of thy grace, how pleasant, Lord, they be! My thirsty soul longs vehemently, ye fence thy courts to see.
[0:31] My very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee! Behold, a sparrow findeth out, and house wherein to rest. The swallow also for herself hath purchased a nest.
[0:46] Even thine own altar, where she's safe, her young ones forth may bring. O thou, almighty Lord of hosts, who art my God and King. We'll sing these verses to God's praise.
[0:58] How lovely is thy dwelling place. O Lord of hosts, who art my dwelling place.
[1:14] O Lord of hosts, who art my dwelling place. O Lord of hosts, who art my dwelling place. That tabernacles of thy grace, how blessed Lord may be.
[1:41] My thirsty soul longs vehemently, ye fence thy courts to see.
[1:59] My very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee.
[2:17] The openest battle findeth out, and house within to rest.
[2:36] The swallowable hope so far, her self hath purchased it a nest.
[2:55] The Lord of hosts, who art my dwelling place.
[3:25] My heart my Lord and King. May we join together in prayer.
[3:37] May we bow our hearts in prayer before our Father. Our Father in heaven, you have brought us again to this place by your grace.
[3:48] And we thank you for that. That you have been with us through our days of journey. And that you have kept us and spared us through these experiences of our own hearts.
[4:03] Experiences that are personal to each of us. Unknown, maybe only to you. The difficulties that we each go through. The challenges that we face and the hardships that we have to endure.
[4:18] And the anguish of our hearts. And the anguish of our hearts. And the anxiousness that sometimes plagues us. Lord, may we come to you.
[4:29] And the imagery of the little children coming to you. Seems so fitting. That we do not know everything. And we are in need of one who does.
[4:42] Times we don't understand how things work out. And we are left with our hands up. Looking to our Father. That will so lovingly embrace us.
[4:58] And take hold of these hands. That may seem to be so lost. That you will comfort us in our afflictions. And be there to give us guidance.
[5:10] And to be that one who will show us a love. Lord, we pray. That each of us within this building.
[5:21] Would still our hearts for this time that we are gathered. And turn our ears to hear your words. That speaks to our innermost souls.
[5:33] That we may have ears to hear. And a heart of understanding. To your word. And we value the preciousness of it.
[5:43] May it seem as gold in our hands. Even beyond the value of gold. For what we hold is everything to the believer.
[5:55] That is our hope. It is our life. It is a gift for us.
[6:07] That encourages us along the way. And this is the Father's love revealed to us. Lord, we pray. That we have no concern.
[6:19] But he is there to guide us. And Lord, we pray. For those who do not know you as their Father. Within this town.
[6:30] Many who have no concern. Outwith of themselves. That they do not see their need of a Savior. Lord, we pray. That you would have rest their souls.
[6:43] And their hearts. And their minds. That they would consider. What life is. What is the reason. To their being. What shall come.
[6:55] After death. There is nothing surer. That it should come to each other. And so we pray. That you awaken souls from darkness.
[7:06] And that your light would shine into their lives. That they may see. Lord, we pray for those. Who are laid aside.
[7:18] Who cannot be here. Yet would love to be. And we thank you for the technology. That enables us. To share our worship services. One with another.
[7:29] And we ask that you would be with them likewise. As you are with us here. And we pray for those. Who are laid aside. That you would be their strength.
[7:41] And that they would turn to you. For that strength. And that they would find a hope. In the Lord Jesus Christ. A hope for them.
[7:54] A personal hope. And a living hope. That will speak to them. In their difficulties. And Lord. We remember those who are mourning.
[8:06] We remember the Maccannon family. That you would be with them. In their loss. And again. That they would know. Your comforting hand. In their lives.
[8:17] Lord. We pray. We pray. And remember. The young. Those who are in Sunday school. At the moment. We pray for them.
[8:29] As they look at. The story of Jairus' daughter. That. How he came. Before. Christ. With a great need.
[8:39] For his sick daughter. That he. Was the one. Who said. That. That. That she is not dead. She is only sleeping. And that we have that hope.
[8:51] The believer. Has that hope. In Christ Jesus. That they fall asleep. In Christ Jesus. Death. Shall no longer. Have a sting. To us. For we are promised.
[9:03] A life. Renewed. In the presence. Of our Savior. The Lord. Jesus Christ. Lord. We pray. That you remain with us.
[9:14] For our time together. Be with every. Gospel. Endeavor. That is. Done so. In your name. And the preaching.
[9:25] Of your word. Throughout our island. And our nation. This day. That it would go with power. And the company. Of your spirit. Speaking. Into the hearts.
[9:36] Of men. That seem. So lost. And encouraging. Those. Who seem. To have. Stumbled. On their way. And giving.
[9:47] Strength. For those. To carry on. On the narrow. Path. Of life. The narrow. Path. That leads. To life. May we all. Turn aside.
[9:58] And follow. That path. For our. Lives. Lord. We ask. Be with us. For our time together. Forgive us. Our sins. We pray.
[10:08] And all these things. We ask. In his name. The Lord. Jesus Christ. Amen. I know the kids.
[10:19] Are in Sunday school. But I think we're still. Going to do a. Children's talk. For those. Who may be listening. At home. I have here. I don't know. Probably won't see them.
[10:30] On the camera. There's a nail. There's a. Like a big nail. There's another. Another small nail. And a wee. Copper nail. So.
[10:41] They all have. Their different. Purposes. That one's. Usually used. For roofing. The copper one. The wee. Small one's. Usually used. In the house. Just for doing. The finishings. And. And that's more.
[10:52] Of a. Structural nail. For holding. Big pieces. Of wood. Together. And there's a. Version. Romans. Chapter 12. Verse 6. Having gifts.
[11:04] That differ. According to the grace. Given to us. Let us. Use them. Now. If we look at the building.
[11:15] Here. Or you look at the building. Where you are at home. And the building. The building. Here you can see the beams. And the different bits of wood. That construct. The structure. Of the building. And we're going to be looking at the building.
[11:27] In our sermon. Later. So I want to do a talk. Just a wee short. Kids talk about that. If we were a part of the building. What part would you like to be?
[11:38] Would you like to be the door? Would you like to be the walls? The windows? Or the beams? Above us? These beams that everyone can see? I don't suppose many of you. Would want to be a nail.
[11:49] The nail. Is often forgotten. When you look at the building. But it is very important. So many different parts.
[11:59] Within our building. The beam. The beam. Would be of no use. Without the nail. To hold it. Everyone may see these beams. But if the nail. Is not there.
[12:10] To support it. It will be of little use. The nail. Gives. The building. Its strength. And without the nail.
[12:21] The building. Would just fall apart. God. So. God. Gives each of us. Different gifts. As the verse says.
[12:32] And we must use them. Whatever God. Gives us. We may. We may want to be a beam. But maybe we would just be a nail.
[12:44] Maybe we'll be a wound. You know. Maybe God. Gives us gifts. To be. Something different. We're not all. The same. And maybe. When you're in school. You feel like. Maybe.
[12:54] You do all want to be the same. But God has given us. Different gifts. And it's not. It's not bad. To be different. But we must use these gifts.
[13:06] For God's glory. And the upbuilding. Of his. Church. And that. Even if we're a nail.
[13:17] We would be glad. To be a nail. Within God's church. Whatever. Whatever. Nail. It would be. We're not all. Going to be. Seen. The nail.
[13:29] Is hammered. Into. Different parts. And is largely unseen. And painted over. But it is the strength. Of the building. So I want you to remember.
[13:43] That. No matter what gifts. God has given to you. That you would use them. For him. For him. And that maybe. You will be the support.
[13:55] And the strength. To help. Each other. And that we would be doing things together. And not. Pointing people out. Because they are different.
[14:08] But encouraging one another. Because we are different. And that we would be mindful. That we are all different. That we would support. And give strength.
[14:20] To one another. Every part within the building. Is of value. And each of us. Is of value. To Christ. So whatever. We are.
[14:31] Whatever gifts. God has given us. That we would not be ashamed of them. And that we. Would use them. For his glory. The nail.
[14:42] Is largely forgotten about. But if the nail. Were even just. A praying person. How many nails. Are within a building. How much strength.
[14:53] Is found. In all of these nails. United together. If it is just. A praying person. It is not just. A praying person. The praying person.
[15:05] Gives strength. And that we would be. Praying for one another. And remembering one another. So we are not to be ashamed. Of what we are. And what.
[15:15] Gifts. God has given to us. But that we would. Embrace them. And use them. For his glory. So whatever you are good at. Do it. For God.
[15:27] And do not. Be scared. To. Use your gifts. Amen. We will see the Lord's prayer. Together. Our Father. Which art in heaven.
[15:39] Hallowed. Be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth. As it is in heaven. Give us. This day. Our daily bread. And forgive us.
[15:50] Our debts. As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not. Into temptation. But deliver us. From evil. For thine. Is kingdom. The power.
[16:01] And the glory. Forever. Amen. If we could turn together. And read. In scripture. In the book of Ephesians. Ephesians. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
[16:15] Chapter 2. And we'll read the whole chapter. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
[16:27] Chapter 2. And we'll read from the beginning. Let us hear God's word.
[16:40] And you who are dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. Following the course of this world. Following the prince of the power of the air.
[16:52] The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh. Carrying out the desires of the body.
[17:05] And the mind. And were by nature children of wrath. Like the rest of mankind. But God. Being rich in mercy.
[17:16] Because of the great love with which he loved us. Even when we were dead in our trespasses. Made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved.
[17:28] And raised us up with him. And seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So that in the coming ages. He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace.
[17:42] In kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And it is not of your own doing. It is the gift of God.
[17:54] Not a result of works. So that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus for good works. With which God prepared beforehand.
[18:07] That we should walk in them. Therefore remember. Remember. Remember. Remember. Remember. Remember. That at one time. You Gentiles in the flesh. Called the uncircumcision.
[18:19] By what is called the circumcision. Which is made in the flesh. By hands. Remember. That you were at that time. Separated from Christ.
[18:30] Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. And strangers to the covenants of promise. Having no hope. And without God in the world.
[18:42] But now. In Christ Jesus. You who were once far off. Have been brought nearby by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.
[18:54] Who has made us both one. And has broken down in his flesh. The dividing wall of hostility. By abolishing the law of commandments.
[19:05] Expressed in ordinances. That he might create in himself. One new man in place of the two. So making peace.
[19:16] And might reconcile us both to God. In one body. Through the cross. Thereby killing the hostility. And he came.
[19:27] And preached peace to you who were far off. And peace to those who were near. For through him. We both have access. In one spirit.
[19:39] To the father. So then. You are no longer strangers and aliens. But you are fellow citizens. With the saints. And members.
[19:49] Of the household of God. Built on the foundation. Of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself. Being the cornerstone.
[20:00] In whom. The whole structure. Being joined together. Grows into a holy temple. In the Lord. In whom. You also.
[20:12] Are being built together. Into a dwelling place. For God. By the spirit. Amen. May the reading of God's word.
[20:24] Be blessed to us. If we can consider. We'll take our text. As the last verse there.
[20:34] Of verse 22. In him. You also. Are being built together. Into a dwelling place. For God. By the spirit. As we spoke of.
[20:48] In the kids talk. I mentioned. We were talking about buildings. Sometimes. We can't help. But admire buildings. There are many beautiful buildings. In our world.
[20:59] And you may have your own. Favorite. Building. That you would. Maybe you've been to visit it. Or maybe you'd. Like to go and visit it. Somewhere that fascinates you.
[21:09] But one building. That we all love. Or I hope. That we would all have a love for. Is our home.
[21:22] Not that it is anything. Fascinating. Or magnificent. Or admirable. In its physical structure. But it is.
[21:33] Our home. Because of what's on the inside. What is it that we love about. Our home. What is it that makes us feel. Like it is our home.
[21:46] And I want to look at the building. That has been built here. At the end of the chapter. We'll look through. From verse 18. And hope. That we will see.
[21:57] What it means for us. What has been built for us here. And we'll see the complete. And wondrous. Working. Of the Father. The Son. And the Holy Spirit.
[22:08] And how the historical things. Within scripture. Tie together. Beautifully. And reassuringly. For the believer. In Christ. Jesus.
[22:19] Trying to make it as simple. As I can. And using the imagery. Set here. Of the building. We can take. Three elements.
[22:29] Of a building. To use as reference points. There is a point. Of access. There is of course. The physical structure. Of the building. And the building.
[22:41] Which is not built in vain. But the building. That is built. With a purpose. So we have the access. To the building. The structure. And the purpose. Of the building.
[22:52] So let us begin. With access. Look with me. At verse 18. For through him. We both have access.
[23:03] In one spirit. To the father. Through him. Who is Christ Jesus. We both. Have access. The both there.
[23:15] Being the context. Of what is set out. From verse 11. The both. Is the Jew. And the Gentile. Read from verse 11. Therefore. Remember.
[23:26] That at one time. You Gentiles. In the flesh. Called the uncircumcision. By what is called. The circumcision. Which is made. In the flesh. By hands.
[23:37] Remember. That you. Were at that time. Separated from Christ. Alienated. From the commonwealth. Of Israel. And strangers. To the covenants. Of promise.
[23:49] Having no hope. And without. God. In this world. God. The Jew. Was God's. Chosen race. It dated.
[23:59] Back. To the. You can see it. From the Israelites. That were in Egypt. Back to the family. Of Jacob. Back. To the promise. Made with Abraham.
[24:11] And the sign. Of circumcision. Which we. Just mentioned. There as well. These people. Were the children. Of promise. A chosen. Race. Race. A race.
[24:23] That came. Through the plight. Of their history. Right up. To Paul's day. When he wrote. This letter. And even. Continuing. On to our present day. And the Gentile.
[24:34] Was simply. The person. Who was not. The Jew. Who fell out. Of the hope. Of the Jewish nation. But now.
[24:45] What we can read of. In verse 13. We look at verse 13. But now. In Christ Jesus. You who were once. Far off. Have been brought near.
[24:57] By the blood. Of Christ. And Paul is saying here. To the Gentile. Come. There is hope for you.
[25:07] As much as there has been. For the Jew. There was a separation. Made by God. But Jesus Christ. Has now. Broken down.
[25:18] The dividing walls. That are referenced. In verse 14. There is no longer. A promise. Made. In family.
[25:28] Birthrights. Ceremonial laws. And sacrifices. It's not. National. Citizenship. But now. There is a new. Birth.
[25:39] For all. Born. Into. A new. Family. A new. Nation. A new. A new. Promise. By the spirit.
[25:51] And we. Have access. To the father. Through Christ. And by. His. Spirit. And this. Access.
[26:02] Is the same. Today. For the Jew. And the Gentile. As it is. For you. And for me. And whosoever. Shall come. The question is.
[26:14] Do you want it? Do you. Want. To have access. To. This. Promise. Of hope.
[26:26] And the wonder is. That. We would have it at all. That we would be granted. Such. An access. Most of us. I think.
[26:37] Would have been considered. Gentile. And we. Are sinful. People. Before. A holy. God. God. Who will punish us.
[26:49] For our sins. And pour out his wrath. Upon us. If we do not. Come under. The protective. Shelter. Of. The Lord. Jesus. Christ.
[27:00] Would God. Choose you. Of yourself. Well. No. But he does. Because of what. Christ. Jesus. Has done. And only.
[27:11] Through him. And his works. Are we. Granted. Access. At all. And access. Through Christ.
[27:24] Is access. To God. The most caring father. We could ever want. It is access. To heaven. Access.
[27:34] To joy. Access. To love. Access. To a family. And access. To eternal life.
[27:47] Do you want. That access. Christ. Who so willingly. Came. To break. Down. These walls.
[27:58] Of division. The Christ. Who came. So that there would be. No more. Separation. The one. Of glorious.
[28:09] Heavenly. Perfection. He did not need to come. But he loved you. And I. Enough. To give up on his heavenly.
[28:22] Privileges. And humble himself. To the death. Of a cross. For you. And for me. And yet.
[28:33] Many people. Still. Wish. To uphold. The separation. Many people.
[28:44] Do not want. Access. To Christ. They're building up. Their own walls. To keep. That. Separation. Christ.
[28:57] Tore. Down. His. Side. So that we. Would have access. And it was of great. Cost. To himself. To give us.
[29:09] That access. So that you. Can have access. And still. Some of us. Wish to build up. A wall.
[29:20] To divide. Surely not. How. Can. You want. To be separated. From Christ.
[29:32] The man. Of love. The man. Who will be so. Loving. To see you. Come. And has given you. That access. And yet.
[29:43] In every attempt. That we make. To separate ourselves. From Christ. He will. So lovingly. Put. A door.
[29:54] Into that wall. That we make. So that we can still. Have access. To him. Even when we. Build that wall up. Because we do not.
[30:04] Love him. He still loves you. And when you don't. Want to be with him. He still wants you. To come to him. And he.
[30:15] Puts that. Door of love. In every. Dividing wall. That you. Build. Even though. You might not. Love him. Verse 18.
[30:27] Again. It says. For. Through. Him. And. Through. Nobody else. Are you and I. Granted. Such.
[30:38] A glorious. Access. John 10. Verse 9. Says. I am. The door. If anyone. Enters. By me. He. Will.
[30:49] Be. Saved. John 14. Verse 6. I am. The way. There is one door. One way.
[31:00] One. Saviour. The Lord. Jesus. Christ. And in our lives. We are not granted.
[31:11] Access. To wherever. We would like. To go. I'm sure. There's many places. We would want. To visit. I'm sure. There's many. Stately. Homes.
[31:22] That we would love. To get into. And have access to. But we're not. And maybe. We would like. To sit with the Queen. And maybe.
[31:33] Some of us. Would be lucky enough. Just to meet her. But would she let you. Come back with her. Into her home. Into her own. Private.
[31:44] Part. Into her. Personal space. It's not likely. That she would do. Such a thing. It's not likely.
[31:55] That she. Would let you in. To share. Of her. Privileges. That she has. Been the Queen. But the. Heavenly King.
[32:06] Has granted. You. Welcome. To share. In the privileges. Of her. Her home. And he tells us. If we read. In verse 19.
[32:17] So. Then. You. Are. No longer. Strangers. And foreigners. But your. Fellow citizens. With the saints. And members.
[32:29] Of. The household. Of God. We are not. Just granted. Access. We are. Welcomed. You are.
[32:40] Welcomed. Not just. As a stranger. Is welcomed. Out. But as a member. Of that. Household. Just like.
[32:50] The chosen. Jew. Was. So. Are we. Welcomed. Into. Her. Promises. Received.
[33:02] Warmly. And gladly. Not just. As a stranger. But as if. You have always. Been. A family member.
[33:12] Of that. Household. We are. Adopted. Into. God's. Household. As. A son. Or a daughter. And it is.
[33:24] A wonderful. Thought. That he will. Provide. A home. As he does. For us. But what. Of this. Household. Well.
[33:35] It says. It's been compared. To a structure. So let us. Take our second point. A structure. Now if you look. At verse. 20.
[33:46] Through to 21. We'll read it there. Built. We'll just take it back a bit. Saints and members. Of the household.
[33:57] Of God. Which is built. On the foundation. Of the apostles. And prophets. Christ. Jesus. Himself. Being the cornerstone. In whom. The whole structure.
[34:08] Being joined together. Grows. Into a holy. Temple. In the Lord. Every building. Has its parts. And joined together.
[34:19] Some way. Or other. Be it. The blocks. Or the stone. Be it. The blocks. Or the stones. The rafters. Or the beams. Be it nails. That we spoke of.
[34:30] That join. Or screws. Or glue. Or whatever. Is used. Every part. Comes together. To make the final plan.
[34:42] A reality. And it is very important. To remember every part. As we said. In the kids talk. And value. Every part. But there are.
[34:53] Without a doubt. Elements. Of that building. That are crucially important. Such. To its structure. And the structure.
[35:04] Stability. Like. Its foundations. Jesus. Again. As he was central. In our access. He is the crucial element.
[35:17] In the structure. He is the cornerstone. It says. In whom. All is built. Upon. The cornerstone.
[35:29] That would have been laid. First. I gather. And it would have been. A reference point. For the rest of the building. To be built. Out from. He is. The cornerstone.
[35:41] Of the building. The starting point. The foundation. The reference point. To which the whole building. As it has been built. Must cohere. With.
[35:53] Every good building. Has a plan. This building. Would have had a plan. And the temple. Of the old testament. Had intricate plans.
[36:05] Given by God. To Moses. Jesus. And these plans. Are all set out. For a hopeful day. Of completion.
[36:16] The father. Has a plan. Of salvation. Christ. Is. The foundation. And in perfect timing.
[36:27] As the spirit. Works. A building. In our lives. His kingdom. Will come. In completion. And we.
[36:39] Have trusted. In the only way. The only door. The only. Access. Will be included. As part. Of this.
[36:50] Structure. Being. Joint together. To this. Holy temple. Which today. He is still building.
[37:01] And if the believer. Were a part. Of this structure. They need to be. Joint. Together. Somehow. And it is.
[37:12] Particularly. Relevant. If we think. Of the walls. Of a building. You cannot. Usually. Just stack. Your blocks. On top. Of one another. There's no. Strength.
[37:23] To that. There needs. To be some. Sort of bonding. Agent. Between them. To give them. The strength. Normally. A cement. And as Christ.
[37:37] Is the foundation. Strength. In this building. And in this structure. He also. Is the bonding. Agent. He is.
[37:49] What joins us. One another. With strength. In whom. The whole structure. Being joined. Together.
[38:02] And it's a wonderful. Thought. That those. Who believe. In Christ. Jesus. Have a connection. With one another. Wherever you are.
[38:14] In the world. You have. This common. Connection. Through. Christ. Jesus. With one another. And I'm sure. Many of you. Have done. Mission work.
[38:25] Or have traveled. Abroad. Or overseas. Which. Not even overseas. Within our own nation. You. And you have met. These. Strangers. But you have.
[38:38] You have. This bond. With them. Through Christ. Jesus. And it's. Kind of strange. But you can understand. What I say.
[38:48] If you've experienced it. You build friendships. And bonds. With these people. And I hope. That. That is. Something. That you can relate to. If you have. Travelled abroad.
[39:00] There is a fellowship. Through Christ. Jesus. With these people. Who were. Strangers. To you. Because you are one.
[39:11] In Christ. Jesus. Galatians. Three. Verse. Twenty. Eight. There is neither. Jew nor Greek. There is neither. Slave nor free.
[39:22] There is no male. Nor female. For you are all. One. In Christ. Jesus. And if you are Christ's.
[39:35] Then you are Abraham's. Offspring. Heirs. According. To promise. It fits so well. With our thoughts. This morning. There's the axis.
[39:47] And the promise. But we are one. In Christ. Jesus. This. One. Structure. As it reads.
[39:57] Off in 21. Which is. A holy. Temple. As a Christian. Do you not know.
[40:09] That you are God's. Temple. And that God's. Spirit. Dwells in you. First Corinthians. Three. Verse 16. Do you not know. That you.
[40:19] Are God's. Temple. And that God's. Spirit. Dwells in you. That's something. We struggle. To understand. But if we think.
[40:29] Of the temple. Or the tabernacle. Of the. Old Testament. This was. Where God. Would speak. To Moses. It was.
[40:40] Where the glory. Of God. Dwelled. On earth. Where God. Would dwell. With his people. And that. Follows through. Into the temple. That Solomon. Built.
[40:52] But what. Did Christ. Say. About the temple. He. Was the temple. That would be. Torn down. And rebuilt. In three days.
[41:05] Not of hands. But of his spirit. And he. Is a temple. Where the. Father's. Glory. Resided. In him. Jesus.
[41:17] Who dwelt. Among. The people. As the. Living. Temple. Where God. Would reveal. Through him.
[41:27] His glory. And speak. To the people. And. That. Dwelling. Place. Of God.
[41:38] Before. Sinful. Men. And. Because. Of Christ's. Work. We receive. What's. The Holy Spirit. The third.
[41:49] Person. Of the Godhead. Same. In substance. Equal. In power. And glory. Who dwells. In us. And. We struggle.
[41:59] To grasp that. That we are. God's. Temple. A temple. Not made with hands. But of his spirit. And does that.
[42:10] Inheritance. Not leave us. In awe. Of what we have been granted. Access. To. And maybe. I cannot. Really explain it.
[42:20] That clearly. But. The believer. I hope. Can say that. There's something in me. That's. That's not of me. I have a love.
[42:31] For God. That. I know. It's not. Of me. It's. It's something. That's been. Put into me. Almost. And maybe. It's. Only become.
[42:42] So clear. As when. When the battle. Begins. And the battle. Begins. Between. The new nature. The new spirit.
[42:53] That has come. To dwell in us. And the old. Sinful nature. That resides in us. And we war. Between these. Different. Spirits.
[43:04] Within us. And it's a battle. And it's a fight. And maybe. That's only. When it seems. So clear. That he dwells in us. When it's difficult. And we find.
[43:14] Difficulties. In our Christian life. And temptations. Tempting us away. To other things. So we have access. Through.
[43:25] Christ Jesus. And he is making us. Part of this. One. Structure. In. Christ. Jesus. Founded.
[43:37] Upon. Christ. Jesus. The cornerstone. But. What. Of. Its. Purpose. So let us look at. Purpose. Verse.
[43:49] 22. In him. You also. Are being. Built together. Into a dwelling place. For God. By.
[43:59] The. Spirit. Now the King James Version. Changes the beginning. Of verse 22. To match. The beginning. Of verse 21. So Christ Jesus.
[44:12] Himself. Being the cornerstone. In whom. The whole structure. Being joined together. Grows. Into a holy temple. In the Lord. In whom. You.
[44:22] Also. Are being. Built. Together. Into a dwelling place. For God. By the Spirit. So not only. Is the foundations. In Christ. As part.
[44:33] Of the temple. There's. Also. This. What? Dwelling. Place. Being built.
[44:44] Together. Into. A dwelling. Place. For. God. That's. Amazing.
[44:55] That his purpose. For this building. Is so that he will dwell. In us. And we touched on this briefly.
[45:05] In our last point. Of the dwelling place. Within the temple. And the temple. That is within us. But this dwelling place.
[45:16] It's not. Just. A structure. It's a home. You've heard the phrase. It's not just a house. It's a home. That's where you feel at home.
[45:28] And there's a vast difference. Between the two. As you know. It is not. It is. For the King James again. Pits it. In this last verse.
[45:40] The dwelling place. Is. The habitation. Of God. It is. The dwelling place. Is a home.
[45:50] In Greek. In the original language. God takes up. Residence. Within. The believer. But it is.
[46:01] A work. That has been. Built upon. Continually. By the Holy Spirit. Unto. Perfection. And I don't know.
[46:11] About you. Maybe. If you think back. Before. You were converted. Or even. If you are not. Converted. You can maybe. Think of people. As you can say.
[46:22] You know. There's something. About that person. There's something. Special. About that person. He's a Christian. But there's. There's something. Different. About him. And maybe.
[46:35] This explains it. I remember. Thinking myself. Back. And I think. You know. There's something. About that person. There's a care. Or a love. Or a concern. Shown towards you.
[46:47] And this kind of. Explains it. Because. God. Dwells. Within them. The Bible. It says. In John's. Gospel. Chapter 14.
[46:58] Which is a great chapter. I encourage you. To read it. Again and again. If anyone. Loves me. He will keep. My word. And my father.
[47:09] Will love him. And we. Will come. To him. And make. Our home. With him. A home.
[47:22] Of love. Founded. Founded. Upon. The one. Who loved us. Before. We loved him.
[47:34] The one. Who always. Wanted. To give us access. He opens. The door. To the one. Who shall knock.
[47:46] Not only. A home. In this earthly body. Does he take up. But he promises. A heavenly. Home. In a heavenly.
[47:57] Body. Where the believer. Shall be most welcome. And you can almost. Hear the words. Of this. Homely.
[48:08] Reunion. My. Good. And faithful servant. Whom. I love. I am so glad.
[48:18] To see you. Coming. Look. Look. At what I have. Been preparing. For you. Come and see.
[48:29] Your family. That is here. They have been longing. To meet. With you. This is. Your home. As it is.
[48:42] The father. And. We shall dwell. There. Together. And. The true beauty.
[48:53] Of the home. Is found. Really. With the comforts. That are in the place. And the residents. That dwell there.
[49:05] And that the love. That is shown. To one another. In the home. And. In a sense. Without.
[49:16] Giving you. Too much. Overloading you. With. Different thoughts. In a sense. This heavenly home. Takes us all the way.
[49:29] Back. To the garden. Of Eden. Where God. Shall dwell. With man. Once again. We will be. In the midst. Of God's.
[49:39] Presence. A place. Where God. Will speak. To man. That's what the temple. Would symbolize.
[49:49] Throughout time. And the tabernacle. The dwelling. Place. Of God. On earth. Where he. Speaks.
[50:00] To man. And reveals. Himself. To man. In this. Temple. Just. As a symbol. Of Eden. Where he.
[50:11] Would be. The tabernacle. To the children. Of Israel. Was located. In the center. Within the 12 tribes.
[50:23] It was the central. Point. And that image. Comes together. In Christ. Who is. Our center. A center.
[50:36] Of this. New nation. He is. Our. Access. To God. Through him. The curtain.
[50:49] Was torn. When he died. At Calvary. Access. Was granted. He is. Our center. Whose wall.
[51:01] Is torn. Is torn. Down. In his death. He is. The believer. The believer. Foundation. The believer.
[51:12] Strength. And in him. The believer. Finds. A purpose. Placed. Within his plans. As he. Welcomes us.
[51:23] Into. His. Household. And reborn. Into. A nation. Of promise. Do you have. That hope.
[51:36] In Jesus. Christ. Today. The few. Verses. That we considered. Here. At the end. Of Ephesians. Chapter 2. Ties.
[51:47] Scripture. Beautifully. Together. You can. Think. Think. Think. Back. To Eden. And it. Takes us. All the way. Forward. To. Eternal.
[51:59] Glory. But Christ. Holds. Everything. Together. Within. Its. Center. Does.
[52:09] He. Dwell. In you. Are you. Part. Of the temple. That he. Is. A building. As one. In Christ. Jesus. Does he.
[52:20] Dwell. In you. The door. Is placed. Before you. Today. Will you. Come. And knock. Will you. Come.
[52:31] And seek. The one. Who loves. You. And would love. To have you. Dwell. With him. What great.
[52:41] An inheritance. Awaits. The one. Who comes. An inheritance. Provided. In Christ. Jesus. We pray.
[52:51] That it will be true. Of each of us. That is gathered. Here. That we. Can say. Through. Christ. Jesus. In whom. I dwell.
[53:04] And he. Who dwells. Within me. May these thoughts. Be blessed. To us. I'll say a short. Prayer. Father.
[53:16] Father. In heaven. How wondrous. It is. The plan. Of salvation. That you have set. Before us. And how you. Grant us. Access.
[53:27] You have torn. The curtain. Your works. Have paved. The way. For us. You. Came. To the cross. And died.
[53:37] At Calvary. So that we. Might live. And you. Took out. Punishment. So that we. Would not. Have to. And through. That punishment. And justification.
[53:48] Of sin. We. Are granted. Access. Pray. That each of us. Knocks that door. A door. Maybe. That has been put.
[53:59] On a wall. That we have built. Ourselves. In our own. Desires. And our own. Stubbornness. Of life. Maybe. We have rejected. Christ.
[54:09] This far. Pray. That each of us. Would embrace him. And he. Shall embrace you too. In love. May these be blessed to us.
[54:22] All. Through the name. Of that saviour. Who is our centre. The Lord. Jesus Christ. Amen. May we conclude.
[54:33] And by singing. To God's praise. In the sing. Psalms version. Of. One hundred. And eighteen. Sing.
[54:44] Psalms. One hundred. And eighteen. Page number. Page one. Five. Six. And we'll sing.
[55:02] From verse. Fifteen to twenty. Twenty. Twenty. Triumphant. Triumphant. Shouts. Of joy. Resound. In places. Where the righteous. Dwell.
[55:13] The Lord's right hand. Is lifted high. His mighty hand. Is all things. Well. I shall not die. But I shall live. The Lord's great works.
[55:24] I will proclaim. The Lord severely. Chastened me. But rescued me. From death's. Domain. Throw. Wide. The gates. The gates. The gates. Of righteousness.
[55:34] I'll enter. And give thanks. To God. This is the gate. Of God. Through which. The righteous. Come. Before. The Lord.
[55:46] You answered me. I will give thanks. Salvation comes. From you. Alone. The stone. The builders. Had refused. Has now.
[55:57] Become. The corner. Stone. We'll sing these verses. To God's place. Triumphant. Shouts. Of joy. Resound. Triumphant.
[56:12] Triumphant. Shouts. Of joy. Resound. In places. Where.
[56:23] The righteous. Well. The Lord's. Life. The Lord's. Life. The hand.
[56:33] Is lifted. High. His mighty. Lamb. Does all.
[56:44] Things. Well. I shall. Not. Die. But. I. Shall.
[56:55] Live. The Lord. The Lord.ž State. Words. I. Will.
[57:06] Proclaim. The Lord. الل. какой.winning. The Lord. Servant. Be.
[57:17] But rescued. china. Beside. From Nuclear. State. Blue. Wings. O white the gates of righteousness, I lengthen and give thanks to God.
[57:46] This is the gift of God through which the righteous come before the Lord.
[58:06] You answered me, I will with thanks. Salvation comes from you alone.
[58:25] The stone the builder had refused, as now began the cornerstone.
[58:45] Now close with prayer. Lord, may you watch over us in our parting. Be with us in our time together. Lord, remain with us in our meditations of you.
[58:58] And ask that you would forgive us our sins, we pray. Lord, remain with us, we ask you. Go with yourselves. And be that dwelling place of which we would love to be a part of.
[59:13] Forgive us our sins. All these things we ask in his name. And our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.
[59:25] You're done. Amen. Amen. Amen.