By

Shelby G. Floyd

The God of Israel greatly blessed David, the second king of Israel! David for the most part always tried to obey God’s word. It was in his heart to build a great house for the Lord in Jerusalem. But God said no, because he had been a man who had shed much blood as a mighty warrior.

God promised David that his son Solomon would build this great house where God would be worshipped and would record his name. Both David and Solomon prepared gold, silver, precious stones, bronze, iron, all kinds of timber and fabric for building this great temple. When it was finished, thousands of animals were offered up as sacrifices. This demonstrates that sacrifice is very costly as a propitiation for sin.

The people of Israel gave liberally to make this great house for the Lord happen. Solomon reminded the people that what we give to the Lord is really his own. God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater. It is his on loan to us as Solomon stated in his prayer: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chronicles 29:14).

The Spiritual House

We are not principally building a physical house, but a spiritual house made up of living stones (Christians), built on the one foundation—Jesus Christ: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). The great house that God is building is the extension of the church throughout the entire world. Peter continues the idea that God continues to build his spiritual house: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The apostle Paul describes this house to Timothy, his son in the faith:

This great house is the church of the living God: “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; ¹⁵ but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the ^[b]mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.                                                                                                                                                              (1 Timothy 3:14-16).

Let us support this great house with ourselves and our finances (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)!

Shelby G. Floyd, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142.

Preach the Word: https://preachthewordatheartland.com/

Copyright © 2025 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved