WHAT THE TEMPLE HAD THE LOCAL CHURCH NEEDS

II Chronicles 7:1-14  God's answer to Solomon's prayer.

·        God gave a gracious answer to Solomon's prayer. The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all who receive them, with his majesty and holiness.

·        The people worshipped and praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, his people can rejoice in him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy.

·        Solomon prosperously effected all he designed, for adorning both God's house and his own. Those who begin with the service of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It was Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Let us then stand in awe, and sin not.

·        Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.

·        LET’S EXAMINE SOME THINGS THAT THE TEMPLE HAD THAT WE CAN HAVE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH TODAY…

I. THEY HAD GLORY--verses 1 and 2.

A. Glory affects people. When the glory got on Moses, the people could not bear to look on his face.

B. Glory awakens people.

1.      On the day of Pentecost when the church was in her glory, men were pricked in their hearts.

2.      Paul was awakened on the road to Damascus when the glory shined around him.

II. THEY HAD GRATEFULNESS--verse 3.

A. They bowed.

B. They blessed the name of the Lord and said His mercy endures forever.  One of the signs of the end-time is unthankfulness.

III. THEY HAD GIVING--verses 4-9.

A. They gave sacrifices--verses 4-5.

B. They gave themselves--verse 6.

C. They gave the sanctuary--verse 7.

IV. THEY HAD GLADNESS--verse 10. The people went to their tents with joy and gladness in their hearts. A child of God can live in a tent and be happy if they get what they need when they go to the house of God.

V. THEY HAD GUIDANCE--verses 12-14.

A. Instructed about humiliation--verse 14.

B. Instructed about supplication--verse 14.

C. Instructed about consecration--verse 14.

VI. THEY HAD GOD--verses 15-16.

A.     His Eyes to see their need

B.     His Ears to hear their prayer

C.     His Power to meet their need and answer their prayer

VII.           THEY HAD GROWTH---II Chronicles 8:1-6

A.     Cities Restored vs. 2

B.     City built in the Wilderness vs. 4

C.     City built in the Upper

Conclusion: God will do for us what he did for them, only if we are willing to meet the conditions which they met.