464. EPH 2:22. THE CHURCH A HABITATION FOR GOD

Eph_2:22. The Church A Habitation For God

"An habitation of God through the Spirit."’97Eph_2:22.

God in a variety of forms expresses his complacent regards and delights in his church. He loves the church with the devotedness which a mother feels to her only son. He values it as his peculiar treasure, and as such he exercises his care constantly for its preservation. He maketh his church his especial dwelling, and fixes his gracious residence within it. He has chosen it for his hallowed rest, and there he has said, his eyes and his heart shall be continually. As such the apostle represents the church of Christ in our text. It is a building fitly framed and united together. For "an habitation of God through the Spirit."

I. As a Building it has a strong and immoveable Foundation.

That foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ. A foundation "elect," "precious." A foundation stronger than the pillars of heaven, against which the gates of hell can never prevail. On Jesus all the interests of the church rest. He sustains the whole weight of the massive structure, and upholdeth all by the word of his power. From this foundation we may conclude as to the strength, immoveableness, and perpetuity of the building itself, 1Co_3:11, &c.

II. As a Building it is formed of various and many Materials.

These materials were originally unfit, and in their natural state adapted only to the purposes of the wicked one. Divine truth and grace brought them out of the quarry of nature; gave them their suitable shape and character; chiselled them, and gave them polish and fitness for this spiritual erection. And this applies to all the materials. For in the true and spiritual church of Christ, there are none but real converts, those who have become spiritual persons. Of these there is great diversity of character, and condition, and extent of intellectual and moral worth. The number of these is only known to God, as they are scattered in all Christian congregations over the face of the whole earth, and have been added to this holy structure in every age of the history of our world.

III. This Building includes the Union of these Materials with each other.

"Fitly framed together." "Builded together. Hence the term church signifies congregated persons. Persons united and associated with each other. Grace unites men to God, and also the good and excellent together. Those who believed on the day of pentecost "were together." In this way the safety of all is contemplated. Separated, they would indeed be feeble; united, they are as a wall of adamant. In this way the comfort of all is promoted. The social feelings are sanctified and cherished, and they feel that many are better and happier than one alone. In this way the usefulness of all is increased. In serving Christ we are also to serve one another. The foot and the hand both serve the body, and also each other. In this way the welfare and prosperity of all are advanced. Christian virtues are exercised, Christian graces cherished, Christian feelings excited, and Christian prosperity thus very materially extended. The church, as a building, unites the holy to God and to one another.

IV. As a Building it is devoted to the most hallowed and glorious Purpose.

"A habitation for God." What a sublime thought! God dwells in the highest heaven. The heaven of heavens cannot contain him. His presence fills the universe. He is everywhere by the immensity of his omnipresent Spirit. Yet he dwells in the midst of his church, as its glory and blessedness.

"He makes the churches his abode,

His most delightful seat."

Here he sanctifies unto himself a palace. Here he has a glorious high throne of holiness. Here he holds audience, and scatters amply around the blessings of his grace. Here makes the place of his feet glorious. Here has the attendance of his holy angels, those ministers of his who do his pleasure. Here he manifests himself as he doth not unto the world.

V. This Building is erected and prepared as an Habitation for God through the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God is the efficient agent in all the gracious change effected in the souls of believers, and by which they are sanctified to the hallowed service of God. The Spirit of God illumines the soul and fits it to be a palace of holy light. The Spirit purifies the soul and fits it for the enthronement of the immaculate Deity The Holy Spirit furnishes the soul with all those graces and qualities, by which it secures the approbation and complacent smiles of the divine countenance. Through the Spirit the means of the church of Christ are blest to the real growth and welfare of its members. The Spirit counteracts and overthrows the Satanic powers, which would overwhelm the believer, or, if possible, raze the kingdom of Christ. "When the enemy comes in like a flood," &c.

All that purity with which the church is beautified, and is rendered meet for the residence of Jehovah, is through the Spirit. Of the church as the habitation for God we notice,

1. It is the habitation of his choice.

He fixed his delights upon it, and chose it as his residence on earth. He passes by the palaces of the great and the mansions of the noble, and dwells with his afflicted and persecuted saints.

2. It is the habitation of his love.

How much he loves what seraph can tell? Let the amazing gift of his Son, and the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary, declare it. Let the history of providence attest his unchanging regards towards it.

3. It is the habitation of his care.

He ever watches over it. He keeps it continually. His everlasting arms encompass it. His angels minister to it. All his perfections are pledged for its security.

4. It is distinguished for its antiquity.

It has been God’s habitation for nearly six thousand years.

5. For its vast extent.

It is now so enlarged as to embrace many lands, and shall ultimately reach from the rivers to the ends of the earth’97be the glory and joy of the whole world.

Application

1. Do we form a part of this holy structure?

2. Does the God of love dwell within us, and reign over us?

3. What sacredness, what purity, what dignity, is associated with this representation of the church.

4. With what wisdom, veneration, and lowliness of mind, should every member of the church be clothed.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS