Pastor Weekly - 2/4/26
Hello ICC Family!
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
We did not linger very long on these verses a couple of weeks ago as we were focusing on the power and Spirit of God. So, I want to make two quick points today…
The first is simple… What a blessing and what an encouragement verse 16 is for us! This is why it is such a blessing to be able to come together as the body of Christ each week to worship - because God is there! He is present in each of us individually and personally. But He is also present with us corporately as the church, supernaturally drawing us together as one family with one Father. God’s Spirit dwells in our midst at International Christian Church! That is amazing! The God who spoke all things into being, and who continues to hold all things together… the God who is the giver of all life and every good gift… the God who loves us so much that He sent his Son to die for us… knows us and wants to fellowship with us and dwells with us!
This is why what happened a couple of weeks ago at Cities Church in Minneapolis is so shocking and so dangerous. And my meaning is not that it is shocking and dangerous for the church - whether that be Cities Church or another at some point in the future - even our own. God will build his church, and the gates of hell will not stand against it (Matthew 16:18). God’s will will be done and his kingdom will come. We should have no doubt or worry about that at all. But until it does, we have to remember that we are sent out as sheep among wolves to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Therefore, we should not be surprised that wolves would want to attack us. And we should always be praying for wisdom for God to show us how to be serpents and doves at the same time - innocent and blameless, yet shrewd and wise. To that end, we will be having a review of our safety and security procedures this Saturday morning at 9:30 at the church. If we would like to be on the security team, please join us!
What is shocking about the church protest was to see people (some wearing the name of Christ) disregarding the consequences of verse 17 above: If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. The temple that is being referred to here is the church, and it is not referring to a building but the gathering of the church - the worship that takes place as God’s people come together as the bride of Christ. People that hinder that - whether it’s protesters from the outside or members on the inside that harm the unity in thought and purpose of the church - have been warned. It is dangerous for them! And therefore, even as we review our security plans we also pray for those that would seek to destroy us. We pray that God would have mercy on them, open their eyes and hearts to the beauty of his love, and that they would surrender their lives and wills to God.
If you have any questions about these things at all… don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I hope to see you tonight at discipleship or joining the young adults tomorrow night. We have two great studies going on right now!
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
We did not linger very long on these verses a couple of weeks ago as we were focusing on the power and Spirit of God. So, I want to make two quick points today…
The first is simple… What a blessing and what an encouragement verse 16 is for us! This is why it is such a blessing to be able to come together as the body of Christ each week to worship - because God is there! He is present in each of us individually and personally. But He is also present with us corporately as the church, supernaturally drawing us together as one family with one Father. God’s Spirit dwells in our midst at International Christian Church! That is amazing! The God who spoke all things into being, and who continues to hold all things together… the God who is the giver of all life and every good gift… the God who loves us so much that He sent his Son to die for us… knows us and wants to fellowship with us and dwells with us!
This is why what happened a couple of weeks ago at Cities Church in Minneapolis is so shocking and so dangerous. And my meaning is not that it is shocking and dangerous for the church - whether that be Cities Church or another at some point in the future - even our own. God will build his church, and the gates of hell will not stand against it (Matthew 16:18). God’s will will be done and his kingdom will come. We should have no doubt or worry about that at all. But until it does, we have to remember that we are sent out as sheep among wolves to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Therefore, we should not be surprised that wolves would want to attack us. And we should always be praying for wisdom for God to show us how to be serpents and doves at the same time - innocent and blameless, yet shrewd and wise. To that end, we will be having a review of our safety and security procedures this Saturday morning at 9:30 at the church. If we would like to be on the security team, please join us!
What is shocking about the church protest was to see people (some wearing the name of Christ) disregarding the consequences of verse 17 above: If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. The temple that is being referred to here is the church, and it is not referring to a building but the gathering of the church - the worship that takes place as God’s people come together as the bride of Christ. People that hinder that - whether it’s protesters from the outside or members on the inside that harm the unity in thought and purpose of the church - have been warned. It is dangerous for them! And therefore, even as we review our security plans we also pray for those that would seek to destroy us. We pray that God would have mercy on them, open their eyes and hearts to the beauty of his love, and that they would surrender their lives and wills to God.
If you have any questions about these things at all… don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I hope to see you tonight at discipleship or joining the young adults tomorrow night. We have two great studies going on right now!
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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