2 Chronicles 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you… (for the opening of a place of worship): — We should make the erection of a house for God's worship, and our first services therein to invite His presence, an occasion for contemplating the grandeur of His majesty, the wonders of His condescension, and bowing down our souls in profound abasement before Him. I. THE BENEVOLENT CONDESCENSION OF GOD. This is illustrated in the text, which suggests — 1. The type: Solomon's temple. 2. The antitype: the body of Christ. 3. The consequence: God dwelling in the Church.What is a Church? "A congregation of faithful men." As if so many temples were placed together, window opening to window, and door to door; light answering to light, and warmth generating warmth, and the perfume of one apartment mingling with another, and songs responding to songs; so Christians, dwelling together, become one great temple, which we call a Church of the living God. Just as many single drops run into a mighty stream, so many believers, pardoned and regenerated and animated by the Spirit of God, become one glorious Church; and Christ is its Head, and He will dwell in it even while the world stands. II. THE PROSTRATION AND HUMILIATION OF SOUL WHICH SO BECOME US BEFORE THIS GLORIOUS GOD. When we contemplate the God whom we adore, we may justly ask — 1. What can we think of this building? It is a place for prayer, praise, and the preaching of the gospel. 2. What of the worshippers? We ought to have an ardent desire to become more fit for His abode, more enlarged, more heavenly, more intellectual, more spiritual, more fervent, more consecrated to Him. 3. What of the worship? (James Bennett, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! |
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