The future temple - Bible in a Year Pastor Kile Baker - November 19th, 2023 How and where will we worship God? Ezekiel 8 In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting in front of me, and there the hand of the Lord God came down on me. I looked, and there was someone who looked like a man. From what seemed to be his waist down was fire, and from his waist up was something that looked bright, like the gleam of amber. He stretched out what appeared to be a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the offensive statue that provokes jealousy was located. I saw the glory of the God of Israel there, like the vision I had seen in the plain. “Son of man, do you see what they are doing here ​— ​more detestable acts that the house of Israel is committing ​— ​so that I must depart from my sanctuary? You will see even more detestable acts.” “Son of man, do you see?” “...[the] detestable acts that the house of Israel is committing” “...the detestable, wicked acts they are committing here.” “what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his idol?” “[how] they must also fill the land with violence and repeatedly anger me, even putting the branch to their nose?” 2 Chronicles 7:19-20 “…if you turn away and abandon my statutes and my commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and bow in worship to them, then I will uproot Israel from the soil that I gave them, and this temple that I have sanctified for my name I will banish from my presence; I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.” How do we worship God without worshiping something else? Idolatry is taking a good thing, and turning it into a “god” thing. Pagan, unGodly worship prioritizes getting something from a “god.” Godly worship prioritizes giving something to God. John 4:21-25 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” The way we worship is, and will be, more important than the location in which we worship. 1 Peter 2:1-5 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The future temple will be all of creation worshiping God in every way, at every moment, and in every action. Ways to worship now to prepare for the future: Communally - Worshiping together in person at church and together in your group. Individually - In private where your Heavenly Father sees you. Truthfully - Reading the truth in the word, to learn about the Word (Jesus) who is the Truth. Spiritually - With genuine, heartfelt and joyful intention led by the Spirit. Small Group Questions: How would you describe worship? Do you consider yourself a worshiper of God, and if so how do you worship? Have you ever worshiped something or someone other than God? What does that do to your relationship with God, and with others? What do you think worshiping God will be like in Heaven? What are four different ways you can worship? Can you do them all this week? Why do you think worship is important to God?