The Holy Spirit's Abode

(#875, Imperial, 1960)

Read John 14:23; Eph. 3:16-17; 2:22.

The great lack of the present hour among the churches is their utter failure to give to the Spirit of God His rightful place in the Church and in the individual heart.

w    The emphasis in the present Sunday schools, young people's, women organizations, etc., is efficiency of organization program and equipment, etc.  The Spirit seems to be secondary.

w    The Pastor of today must be efficient in every line of social, financial, educational requirements -- a good organizer -- a good mixer.  The Spirit-filled, Spirit-taught, and Spirit-led preacher is not sought after.

w    The average church member is living wholly apart from any personal contact or knowledge of the Spirit.  He seeks to fulfill every divine requirement by his own initiative, unaided by the Spirit.

ƒ      The place of the Spirit's abode.

Ever since Creation it has been God's desire to dwell with man.  God could not dwell in sinful man.  God gave Moses plans for the tabernacle for God to dwell temporarily.  Then He permitted Solomon to build a temple.  Then God came down in Christ to dwell with men.  After the ascension, on Pentecost, God came down once more, this time to dwell with each Christian.  We are His temple! (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).

ƒ      The method of His abode (1 Cor. 6:19).

w    We have been purchased by Christ's blood (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23).  We are not our own but belong to God.  We are His dwelling place.

w    We have been prepared (Romans 8:11).  Therefore we are debtors, not to live after the flesh but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:12-13).  We are to turn the house over to the Spirit of God.

ƒ      Our solemn responsibility (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

We must keep our temples fit for the Holy Spirit to occupy.  Sin, self and worldliness defile the temple.  "Him God will destroy."  Cleansing comes through the Word (John 15:3).

We have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7).  Let God possess that which He has bought.