Aug 15 – 2 Chronicles 2, 2 Chronicles 3, 2 Chronicles 4, 2 Chronicles 5:1 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Psalm 97:1-12

2 Chron 2:6

But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?

Even when building the temple, Solomon was under no illusions. He wasn’t building a place for God to live, even the heavens aren’t big enough for that. Solomon knew the purpose of this building – it wasn’t’ the ‘house of God” in the sense that God was going to live there, but in the sense that it was the place where people would come to make offerings. It was a place of meeting.

It’s the same with churches today – it’s not the we are attempting to confine God within the walls of a building (or at least we shouldn’t be) it’s a place that we’ve set aside for a place of meeting. Somewhere where we can come, where we can get away from our day today and meet with God. Sure, we can do that anywhere – but there’s something about coming aside with an intention.

The temple 9and the church) is never meant to be a place in which to confine God, but a place for us to be able to come with intention.

1 Cor 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Running in a race is a serious business. It requires training, dedication and hard work. Even down to what you chose to eat on the day of the race. It’s a lot of work for a shot at a medal.

Paul is using this imagery to compare with the dedication we should be putting into our “race”. This isn’t a race against each other, but a race to the kingdom. He’s encouraging us to take this race of life seriously – we aren’t aimless in our faith, but we are focused and dedicated – with our eyes on the prize. What’s the prize? Not an earthly medal, but an eternal prize. (Which is case you hadn’t guessed is worth a whole lot more).

Take your race seriously – you only get to run it once. Get self control – where there’s areas in your life that hinder deal with them efficiently so they don’t hold you back. Don’t live life aimlessly – wandering from one problem to another, but be focused and determined. CT Studd put it well in a poem he wrote: “Only one life, ‘twil soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

1 Cor 10:12-13

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Ever been tempted? Of course you have. We all have. It doesn’t make you unusual. And whatever temptation you’ve faced, maybe you’ve felt it was too strong or that you are alone in the temptation. That’s not the case. You’ve not faced anything that’s not common to man. You are not the first person to deal with that temptation.

We must take heed – what can bring down others can bring down us if we don’t stand. There is nothing unusual about temptation – it will come Therefore we must train ourselves to stand against it. We must submit ourselves to Christ so that when temptation comes we are able to withstand it.

It will never get so strong that there’s no way out. There’s always a way out. There’s always a way of escape. And the closer we get to Christ, the more we can see that way out.

Don’t’ focus on the temptation. Focus on Him and the temptation will be seen through the correct perspective.