Scripture Reading: Haggai 1:2-9, 1 Timothy 3:14-15
The functions and relevance of the House of God include the following:
- It is a place for listening to godly messages (Ecclesiastes 5:1).
- It is a place for exhibiting goodly behaviour (1 Timothy 3:15).
- It is a place for offering priesthood sacrifices that are acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5).
- It is a place for feeding the flock (Acts 20:28).
- It is a place of prayer, known as “House of Prayer” (Matthew 21:13).
- It is a place where judgement will start from (1 Peter 4:17)
- It is a place of happiness (Psalm 122:1).
- It is a place of prosperity (Psalm 122:7)
- It is the habitat of the Holy Spirit (Habakkuk 20:2).
- It enables the proper shaping of our path towards the enhancement of the actualisation of our destiny (the young Samuel in 1st Samuel 1-4).
- It is primarily where teachings of Jesus Christ like:
Humility (Proverbs 29:23; James 4:10; Proverbs 22:4; 1 Peter 5:6)
Patience, Perseverance, Endurance (James 5:7-8; Romans 12:12)
Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32) are taught. - It is where our prayer life are encouraged and effectively lifted up (Romans 8:25-27).
- It is where our gifts and skills are identified, encouraged and nurtured: For example:
a. Music (Psalms 105:2) many singers, musicians and instrumentalists first displayed their gifts in the church.
Professions like
b. Medicine (Colosians 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:23),
c. Accounting (2 Kings 12:14, with Judas Iscariot a treasurer in the ministry of Jesus – John 12:6),
d. Law (Zenas the lawyer in Titus 3:13), construction (Exodus 36:1-3),
e. Agriculture (Genesis 1:11), are well identified in the bible.
Thus, our secular professions would also be effectively managed through the instrumentality of the House of God.
Therefore, we must ensure that we keep the House of God holy, and prepare our minds in readiness for acceptable worship in His Sanctuary for our individual and collective growths.
We should also know that Holy Spirit is everywhere and not restricted to the House of God. Meanwhile, whenever and wherever that we exhibit godliness in our activities, that implies the House of God.
Therefore, the House of God serve several purposes for us, both spiritually and secular purposes. The reality is – there is no regret for those who dutifully serve Him.
May we not backslide in our salvation journey, through Christ our Lord.
Memory verse:
Matthew 21:13
“And he said unto them, it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves”.
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)