A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 261

2. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit: in the midst of the people of God, the Shekinah of God is manifest today.

a. The Church is the Temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16-17 – Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. b. God inhabits the very bodies of his people, making them his holy sanctuary, 1 Cor. 6.19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

3. As members of the body, we can imitate the saints of old and experience the power of God’s presence in worship before him.

a. Moses, Exod. 33-34, cf. Exod. 33.16-18 – “For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” [17] And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” [18] Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

b. David, Pss. 27.1ff; 34.1-3; 104.; cf. 1 Chron. 13.8 – And David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.

c. Paul, Phil. 1.20-21 – . . . as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that