Young People's Group

Being Built Together

by Mitchell Tan
January 15, 2020

BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST AND THE WORD OF GOD

The Church when built on a strong foundation can stand against anyone and anything. That foundation is Christ and His word. When people become part of the family of God, they become part of the Church that is built on the solid word of God (Ephesians 2:19-20). The “apostles and prophets” represent the New Testament and the Old Testament respectively. The Lord Jesus is the Chief cornerstone upon which we aligned all things with regard to the Church. With this as our foundation, the Church can grow definitely and effectively.

THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE BUILDING IN CHRIST

“In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:21-22

Paul used the imagery of a building with regard to the Church. The phrase “in whom” is mentioned twice. It is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a development of the idea with reference to the two phrases “in whom.”

1. THE CONCEPTUAL ASPECT OF BEING FITTED TOGETHER

A. JOINED TOGETHER AS ONE

The first “in whom” is with reference to the concept of being fitted together. Paul was explaining how the Church is seen as a whole building. Every part of the building is meant to be joined and fitted together. Every member in the Church is interconnected together that they may effectively function and minister as one. Every single one in the Church has a part to play within it.

B. GROWING INTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD

When the Church is built on the foundation of His word, it will keep growing. It will grow into a holy temple of the Lord. In the Old Testament, the temple of God was a physical building, where the glory of God dwelt. In the New Testament, the temple of God is now a reference to the people of God. The Church is meant to grow to be a holy people where the Lord would reside in.

2. THE PERSONAL ASPECT OF BEING BUILT TOGETHER

A. BEING BUILT TOGETHER WITH EVERYONE ELSE

The second “in whom” is a reference to the personal and practical aspect of building the Church in Christ. Paul specifically mentioned that the Ephesians were being built together as a church. They were still “under construction”. They were meant to keep building stronger and bigger as one united whole. This is what we see in Bethany. She has been fitted together and is being built together as a special entity.

B. FOR A DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IN THE SPIRIT

The Church is the place where the Lord God would dwell. It is through the Spirit of God that Lord would dwell among His people. When the Church is built on the right foundation, it will not only grow. The Spirit of God will bring everybody together as one. Bethany has become the dwelling place of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

All of us can be fitted together and be built together in Bethany. All of us can find a place in Bethany and seek to grow together as a Church. Let’s seek to let the Spirit of God fill us and lead us that we can come together so much more as the dwelling place of God.

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