The House That God Builds: A Gospel Message Hidden in Solomon’s Temple

Aug 14

Sermon Summary

The story of Solomon building the temple in 1 Kings 5-8 is a powerful picture of how God works to build His house—both in the Old Testament and in our lives today.

Just as every skyscraper in a city skyline has a unique story and required careful planning, resources, and teamwork, so too does the church of Jesus Christ. Each believer is a miracle, brought in by the new birth, and each local church is a testimony to God’s ongoing work and faithfulness.

The process begins with the Father’s blueprint. David, though he desired to build the temple, was not permitted by God because he was a man of war. Instead, he gathered all the necessary resources and entrusted them to his son Solomon. This reflects the heart of God the Father, who from eternity had a plan for redemption and the building of His spiritual house. The Son’s obedience is then seen in Solomon, who takes the resources and instructions from his father and faithfully implements the plan. This is a foreshadowing of Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will, culminating in the finished work of the cross.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Solomon appoints twelve governors to provide for the needs of the kingdom, just as Jesus appointed twelve apostles to feed His household with the Word of God. The building of the temple also required the help of King Hiram, a Gentile, who provided the timber that Israel lacked. This is a beautiful picture of how God’s plan was always to include the nations, breaking down barriers and making one new people in Christ.

The stones for the temple were shaped in the quarry, away from the building site, so that no sound of hammer or chisel was heard during construction. In the same way, God shapes each of us in the secret place—through prayer, worship, and personal surrender—so that we can be fitted together as living stones in His spiritual house. Yet, all the human effort and preparation is incomplete without the presence of God. When the temple was finished, the glory of the Lord filled the house, just as the Holy Spirit fills and empowers believers today.

Ultimately, the purpose of God’s house is not just for one nation or group, but for all peoples to know His name. Solomon’s prayer of dedication points forward to Jesus’ high priestly prayer, interceding for all who would believe. Our calling is to join in this mission, surrendering to God’s shaping, being filled with His Spirit, and praying for the nations to come to know Christ.

“When the temple was finished, the glory of the Lord filled the house, just as the Holy Spirit fills and empowers believers today.”

— Pastor Adam

Watch/Listen

Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Reflections from Chicago’s Skyline
[03:00] - The Miracle of the Church
[04:30] - The Father’s Blueprint: David’s Preparation
[07:15] - The Son’s Obedience: Solomon Builds
[11:24] - Twelve Governors and Apostolic Ministry
[14:55] - The Gentile King Hiram’s Role
[17:30] - Living Stones: Shaped in the Quarry
[20:45] - The Glory of God Fills the Temple
[23:35] - The Holy Spirit and the New Temple
[26:03] - Solomon’s Prayer for the Nations
[27:04] - Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer and Our Mission
[29:30] - Invitation to Salvation
[32:40] - Responding to God’s Call
[34:42] - Surrender and Prayer at the Altar

Key Takeaways

God’s work in building His house always begins with His initiative and plan. Before any public work is seen, there is private preparation—just as David gathered resources and made plans before Solomon began building. In our lives, God is always at work behind the scenes, preparing us for His purposes, even when we don’t see immediate results. [07:15]
The obedience of the Son is essential to the fulfillment of the Father’s plan. Solomon’s willingness to follow David’s instructions mirrors Jesus’ perfect submission to the Father, culminating in the finished work of the cross. Our salvation is not based on our own efforts, but on Christ’s complete obedience and sacrifice, which we receive by faith. [11:24]
God’s mission is always bigger than one person or group; it requires the participation of many. The appointment of twelve governors and the inclusion of King Hiram, a Gentile, show that God’s house is built through diverse contributions. The church is not about individual personalities, but about a body of believers, each bringing their unique gifts and backgrounds to serve God’s greater purpose. [14:55]
Spiritual formation happens in the “quarry”—the secret place of prayer and surrender—before we are set into God’s house. Just as the stones were shaped away from the temple site, God works on our character in private, chiseling away what doesn’t belong and preparing us to fit together with others. This process can be painful, but it is necessary for us to become vessels fit for His use and to experience true unity in the body of Christ. [23:35]
The ultimate goal of God’s house is to be filled with His presence and to be a place where all nations can encounter Him. The glory of God filling the temple points to the Holy Spirit filling believers, empowering us to fulfill God’s mission. Our calling is to pray, intercede, and reach out so that people from every background can come to know Christ and be united as one in Him. [27:04]

Bible Reading

1 Kings 5:1-5 NKJV - 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David. 2 Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: 3 You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the LORD put [his foes] under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; [there is] neither adversary nor evil occurrence. 5 And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to my father David, saying, "Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name."
1 Kings 6:7 NKJV - 7 And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel [or] any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.
1 Kings 8:10-13, 41-43 NKJV - 10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. 12 Then Solomon spoke: "The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. 13 I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever." ... 41 "Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who [is] not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name's sake 42 "(for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 "hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as [do] Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV - 4 Coming to Him [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God [and] precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-16 NKJV - 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, [that is], the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Kings 5:1-5, what role did King David play in the building of the temple, and why was Solomon chosen to actually build it? See [07:15]
What was unique about how the stones for the temple were prepared and assembled, according to 1 Kings 6:7? See [20:45]
In the sermon, what was the significance of King Hiram, a Gentile, providing materials for the temple? See [14:55]
When the temple was finished, what happened that showed God’s approval and presence? (1 Kings 8:10-11) See [23:35]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon compares David’s preparation and Solomon’s obedience to the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. What does this teach us about how God works in our lives and in the church? See [07:15]
Why do you think God chose to have the stones shaped in the quarry, away from the temple site? What does this say about how God shapes us as believers? See [20:45]
The inclusion of King Hiram, a Gentile, in the building of the temple is highlighted in the sermon. What does this reveal about God’s heart for the nations and for diversity in His church? See [14:55]
Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8:41-43 looks forward to all nations coming to know God. How does this Old Testament vision connect to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and the mission of the church today? See [27:04]

Application Questions

The sermon says that God is always working behind the scenes, preparing us for His purposes, even when we don’t see immediate results. Can you think of a time in your life when God was preparing you for something before you realized it? How did you respond? See [07:15]
Solomon obeyed the instructions and used the resources given by his father. In what areas of your life do you find it hard to trust and obey God’s plan, rather than your own? What would it look like to surrender those areas to Him this week? See [11:24]
The sermon points out that the church is not about one person, but about many people with different gifts working together. What unique gifts or experiences do you bring to the church? How can you use them to serve others? See [14:55]
God shapes us in the “quarry”—the secret place of prayer, worship, and surrender. What does your “secret place” with God look like right now? Is there something God is trying to chisel away in your character? How can you make more space for Him to work in you privately? See [20:45]
The ultimate goal is for God’s house to be filled with His presence and for all nations to encounter Him. How can you pray for and reach out to people from different backgrounds in your community? Is there someone specific God is putting on your heart? See [27:04]
The sermon challenges us to join Jesus in interceding for others, not just praying for our own needs. What is one way you can pray for the nations, your neighborhood, or someone who doesn’t know Christ this week? See [27:04]
The process of being shaped by God can be painful, but it’s necessary for unity and usefulness. Is there an area where you’ve been resisting God’s shaping? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today? See [34:42]

First Kings chapter five.
So many of y'all know that my family and I traveled to Iowa in the last week to take part in a funeral for my Aunt Julie. That's my mother's sister who passed away a couple of weeks ago.
And so we laid her to rest. Thank God she was saved. She is in glory today.

I want to thank all of you once again for your prayers and your support during this time.

On the way back, I had a long layover. My daughter and I were traveling back, and we had about six hours in between planes.
We've done enough sitting in airports, so we decided to take the orange line and we got on the L train and went down to downtown Chicago—the Loop, as they call it.

One of the things, if you've ever been to a large city like that, even here in Virginia Beach, they have a few, but there you are immediately struck by a skyline filled with amazing tall buildings.
In a large city like that—New York, Houston, Phoenix, even Washington D.C. to some degree—you see these incredibly huge skyscrapers.

And you think about what it would take—what kind of undertaking would have to happen—to get a building just a single building.
It's a massive, monumental project—metal and glass going up into the sky hundreds and hundreds of feet.

You think about what it would have to take—metal and metal and metal and metal and metal—and just one.
But then, considering all of those buildings on that skyline as we're riding on that train, it's quite overwhelming.

It's not only what you see; it's that every single building there has a story—that there was a massive undertaking, a plan which was implemented, materials which had to be secured and put together.
Each one of those buildings has its own incredible story of how it got there.

I want to tell you, that's exactly true of the church of Jesus Christ.
That's true of the church generally, the church universal, and it's also true of individual communities of believers like we have here at the Potter's House in Virginia Beach.

Each one has a unique story, a fingerprint—an incredible undertaking of God, miracles that have taken place to get us to where we are today.
How many know each and every one of you is a miracle?
If you are saved and part of this family, it means a miracle had to take place.

You know what it's called? The miracle of being born again.
That's how we even enter into this incredible club that has been around for 2000 years.
It starts with a miracle. It is continued through miracles, and every opportunity we have to shine a light on how miraculous it is, I think we should do it.

In the book of 1 Kings chapter 5, this message was inspired as we were reading our daily Bible reading plan.
A couple of things stood out: King David, who is securing provisions. His heart is to build a temple for the house of the Lord.

We are going to see that God did not allow David to build that temple but instead gave the job to his son Solomon.
And this story began to explode in my mind—I hope you will see what I saw as I was studying this story.

Let's read together.
We want to read first of all 1 Kings chapter 5. We're going to bounce around a little bit, but I want you to begin here in verse 4.

It says, "The Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. And behold, I purpose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, 'Your son whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.'"

Let's pray for a moment.
Lord, we come by the precious blood of Jesus.
We thank You for the Word of God, which gives enlightenment and revelation to our hearts.
I'm praying that You would speak to us today.
We need the anointing of Your Holy Spirit to show us Your gospel truth through these testament scriptures.
We give You all the glory in Jesus' mighty name.
God's people would say, Amen.

We see a story of how God builds His house.
And I want to look first of all at the father's blueprint.

Now, remember, it's King David who has—
You can read the stories of how he gains victory in many places.
He has victory over many enemies.
The Bible calls him a man after God's own heart.
There's a lot to learn from the life of David.

But as I began to think about this story, if we think about it through the lens of David as the father and Solomon as the son,
In our scripture here in 1 Kings chapter 5, David is at the end of his reign.
The wars have been fought, the land is now at peace.
His heart turns to something greater than just building a palace for himself.
Now he wants to build a house for the glory of God.

The Bible says that as he turns his heart toward this goal, because he is a man of blood, a man of battle, God would not allow David to build this house.
Rather, he begins to gather what is necessary—resources: gold, silver, bronze, timber, stones—and he begins setting aside all the materials needed.

And he is not going to build the house himself.
He is going to give all of that material to his son Solomon.

And as I was thinking about that, my goodness—
Isn't it true that this is the role of the father?
I began to see that between David and Solomon, there was a relationship here that reflects the heart of the Father, God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

How many know this morning that God the Father is the preparer?
It is His plan from the beginning of time that Jesus steps into David's preparation.
Then, it is a picture of the Father's role in our salvation.

From before the world—
Before the world, God had a plan.
Redemption was not an afterthought.
From the moment of creation, the Bible says Jesus was slain from the foundations of the world.
Acts 15:18 says, "Known to God from eternity are all His works."

And God the Father, from the beginning of time, had a plan in His mind—to do what?
To build His house.
To build His house.

God is the one who initiates.
There is private preparation before public building.

Secondly, we see the son's obedience.
As David, the king, gathers all this wealth and resources, he puts it into the hands of his son, King Solomon.

Now Solomon has a decision to make:
Is he going to do the will of the Father, or is he going to do his own thing?

We know these are imperfect pictures.
We know these are men reflecting characteristics of God, but imperfectly.
Both David and Solomon had shortcomings and sins.

However, we also see a picture of the relationship between Father and Son with David's materials and instructions.
It falls to Solomon to begin the work.
He is the one to implement the plan of the Father.

Every beam of wood, every stone of granite, every ornament follows the design.
In 1 Kings 6:38, it says, "In the 11th year, in the month of Bull, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. It took seven years to build."

And as I thought about Solomon taking all of the resources from his father and putting them to work to build a house for the Lord—
Oh, isn't it true that Jesus is the perfect?
He is the sacrificial substitute.
He is the implementer of the Father's plan.

He takes all the wealth and resources from God the Father and puts them to work in building a house for God.
Jesus took the Father's plan and performed it to perfection.

On the cross, John 19:30, Jesus cries out His final exclamation before tasting death:
"It is finished."
In Greek, "Tetelestai"—one word that means, "It is accomplished."
The debt has been paid, the race fought and won, and we benefit.

But it’s Jesus who paid the price.
It is finished.
The work is complete.

That means—
That’s good news for you, because there’s nothing left to do.
This work of salvation has been completed at the cross.
All that remains for us is to receive by faith.

According to the plan, Jesus was about His Father’s business.
He told His disciples, "I did not come to do what I wanted, but to do the will of Him who sent me."

And do you see the perfect reflection from the life of Solomon to the life of Jesus?
We serve a God who makes a plan, and the Son of God who follows and executes that plan.

Now, what's interesting about this story is that it goes even deeper.
As I read these chapters, I felt like one of those conspiracy theory people, connecting dots with yarn strings.
I was like, "Whoa."

So, let’s go to the next step.
In chapter 4, verse 7, the Bible says Solomon had 12 governors over Israel, each providing food for the king and his household, one for each month of the year.

Isn’t that interesting?
That Solomon, as the son of King David, has 12 governors to supply for the king’s household.

It’s interesting—Solomon doesn’t run it all on his own.
He appoints these governors.
And guess how many?
Twelve.

Any bells ringing yet?
As Jesus, the Son of God, implements the will of God, He also chooses 12 disciples—12 apostles.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gives instructions:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you."
And He adds, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

This appointment of 12 governors foreshadows the apostles sent out by Jesus to feed His household—not with bread, but with the Word of God.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

What do we learn from this?
That ministry is never a solo effort.
No church is about one person or personality.
Every church, and the church as a whole, is a body—each with different strengths, able to accomplish more together than separately.

The picture gets bigger in chapter 5.
Look at this:
In 1 Kings 5:7, it says that King Hiram of Tyre—another king—heard about Solomon and rejoiced greatly.
He said, "Blessed be the Lord this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people."

Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire.
Who is Hiram?
The Bible says he is a king of a Gentile nation—Tyre, not your car.
A Gentile nation separated from the promises of God.

But when King Hiram sees what God is doing through Solomon—building the temple for the King of kings and Lord of lords—he rejoices.
He says, "I will provide the timber, the lumber needed to build this house."
They will harvest it, transport it, cut it, prepare it.
They will help build the temple.

Israel did not have those materials, but King Hiram, a Gentile king, provided through an ally.
Isn’t this an amazing picture of what God does in His church?
In the book of Acts, the promises of God extend beyond Israel.

Jesus came first for His people—the Jews.
Many rejected Him.
And so, the apostles turned to the Gentile nations.

Ephesians 2:14-16 says, "He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."

This morning, that means the promises of God, foretold in the Old Testament but not fully seen until the book of Acts, are now being received by the Gentile world.

In Acts, some Jews called Judaizers believed that Gentiles had to become Jews first—circumcision, law-keeping—to follow Jesus.
A council in Jerusalem discussed this, prayed, and looked at the Scriptures.
They concluded:
"God has blessed the Gentiles. We see in them the same Spirit—laying hands on the sick, speaking in tongues, lives changed. If God sees fit to send His Spirit, who are we to stand in His way?"

From that time, the Gentile nations received the good news.
The same message that came to you is going out to all the world, changing lives everywhere.

Today, we might not face the same battles—Jews demanding Gentiles practice Jewish customs—but there's a reflection.
Churches can become clicky, exclusive.
People can be territorial—"I like my seat," or "I don’t like how they live or talk."
God forbid, if God saves people and brings them in, we are all the same at the foot of the cross.
There is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free—Paul says, "We are all one in Christ."

And thank God, even in Solomon’s time, there was a role for a Gentile king—Hiram—to provide materials for the house.
That was one thing David could not provide—the Gentile king.

Now, look at this:
In 1 Kings 6:7, it says that the temple was built with stones finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel was heard in the temple while it was being built.

Get the picture:
Not only timber was needed to hold up the roof, but the walls were made of stone.
If you go today to Jerusalem, you can still see the foundation stones Solomon laid.
They are made of granite.

What’s interesting about granite?
It’s not found in Jerusalem.
It was imported from a long distance away.

And what is explained here is that they didn’t want the sound of hammers and chisels in the temple site.
So, they fashioned every stone at the quarry according to the plan.
They cut stones in the mountains, then transported and placed them precisely.

They would send instructions:
"Tell the builders to make one exactly three by two cubits."
And they would craft it accordingly, then bring it into Jerusalem and set it in place.

The Bible says about us:
We are "living stones"—1 Peter 2:5.
"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

What I see in this truth this morning is that every one of us has a secret place—a relationship with God.
If you don’t have one, you can have one before you leave today.
In your secret place, God shapes your character—resisting temptation, yielding to the Holy Spirit.

He’s got a hammer and a chisel, shaping you, removing what shouldn’t be there.
He’s guiding, knocking off rough edges, investing in you—like Jeremiah’s potter with clay—making a vessel fit for the Master’s use.

That miracle happens in your secret place.
God brings us together, fits us, forms us into a house where He will dwell.

Worship is the process by which God shapes us into the likeness of His Son and sets us into His purpose.
Are you in the quarry right now?
God’s knocking off rough edges, pointing out what doesn’t belong, shaping you to be more like Him.

The purpose? So that we can come together as a house where the Lord dwells.

Let’s look then at 1 Kings 8:10.
The Bible says that as the temple was being constructed—the timber, the stones—those were what man could do.
But then, something happened that man cannot do.

In verse 10, it says, "It came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled that house."

After the temple was completed, the priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence and power.
As they came out, a cloud appeared—so thick that people couldn’t see.
That cloud was the presence of God's holiness—the glory of God.

It’s the same cloud that covered Mount Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments.
It was so overwhelming, they had to leave.
They couldn’t continue.

Isn’t it beautiful that the Lord fills the temple made by human hands?
We see it in the book of Acts, don’t we?
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He dwells on earth for 40 days, then tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem.

In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, they are all together, in one place, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
They begin to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance.

That building—God’s spiritual house—continues today in your life and mine.
How many know that God no longer dwells in a house made with human hands?
Your life is now the temple of the living God.

Wherever you go, you carry His presence.
The Spirit empowers us to do what we could never do in our own strength.
1 Corinthians 3:16 says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not optional; it’s essential for fulfilling the church’s mission.
It’s possible to have a beautiful church building but be void of God's Spirit.
It’s possible to look good on Sunday but be full of dead men's bones inside.
It’s possible to be religious but not have a real relationship with God.

God wants to fill what He’s doing in your life.

My last connection in this story comes from 1 Kings 8:41.
As all this takes place—the Father providing, the Son obeying, the Gentile nations supplying, the temple being built—there’s a prayer, a dedication.

King Solomon, seeing what God has done, fills the temple and begins to pray.
Look at his prayer in 1 Kings 8:41:
"Moreover, concerning a foreigner who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake—when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You."

Solomon is dedicating the temple.
The purpose of that temple was to be a place where all nations could come—find peace, healing, salvation.

It was very imperfect, though—a place of sacrifices, a marketplace by the time Jesus came.
That’s why Jesus started flipping over the tables.
He said, "This is supposed to be a house of prayer, but you’ve made it a house of merchandise."

The real reason for the temple was so that the whole earth might know the name of Yahweh.
And I see in that prayer a reflection of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17.
He’s at the Last Supper, giving His final teaching.

He prays in John 17:20:
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word—that they all may be one."

Are you included in that prayer?
Have you heard the word through the apostles?
Yes.
Have you read it in the New Testament?
Yes.
Have you heard it through the church’s teaching?
Yes.

Because we have received His word, Jesus is praying for you and me.
And His prayer?
That we all may be one—regardless of background, race, or nationality.

That we can come together as one in Christ.

Isn’t it beautiful that Solomon prays that this house would be a place where the whole world could know Jesus?
And Jesus Himself prays for the temple—meaning you and me—that we would be a house where His name is known.

Our job now is to go out, proclaim this good news, and bring those who do not know Him into the knowledge of Christ.

Hebrews 7:25 says, "He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to make intercession for them."

Remember, Solomon is a Christ figure in this allegory.
As Solomon intercedes for the nations to the Father, so Jesus lives to intercede for us.

His primary mission?
His primary ministry?
Right now, in 2025?

He’s interceding for His church.
He’s interceding on our behalf to the Father.

God’s heart is not tribal; it’s global.
We are not here to exalt a man, a mission, a fellowship, or a nation.
We are here to exalt the name of Jesus.

And Jesus said, "If I am lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself."

So, we lift up Jesus.
How do we become like Jesus?
By doing what He does.

If His primary ministry is prayer and intercession,
then we should follow His example.

Let’s not just pray for our needs, but pray for the nations—
for the unreached, for our neighborhoods, for our families, for the unity of the church, for fruitfulness and effectiveness in the time God has given us.

As we do, we recognize the Father’s plan, the Son’s obedience, the Spirit’s empowerment, the unification of Jew and Gentile, and yes, you are part of this great mission.

What a beautiful story that points us to the mission God has set before us.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes for a few moments.
I pray not only that we see interesting connections between Old and New Testament truths, but that we apply them to our lives.

As our heads are bowed and our eyes are closed, I want to ask:
Have you become part of this great mission?
The mission initiated by God, implemented by the Son, empowered by the Spirit?

It’s possible to know all these things intellectually, to be impressed, to have revelation, and still not know the Savior.

Are you one of those living stones?
Is God forming and fashioning you for His use?
Are you saved?
Are you set free?
Are you born again?
Has your life been changed by the power of God?

If not, you can receive that today before you leave this place.
If you’re not right with God, we want to give you an opportunity to trust in the only One who can save you.

I can’t save you.
The church can’t save you.
But Jesus, the risen Son of God, has all authority to rescue and redeem you from your sins.

We’ve all fallen short of God's glory.
And honestly, what we deserve is condemnation.
But thank God for His grace and mercy at the cross.

If you will turn from sin and trust Jesus today, you can be transformed in a moment.

Pastor, that’s me.
That’s what I need.
I need a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.

Is that you?
Quickly, can I see your hand?
Lift it up.

Thank you for that hand.
Someone else?
God’s dealing with you.
God’s speaking to you.

An honest heart this morning.
God, touch your life.
I see that hand.
Someone else?

God is speaking to you.
He’s drawing you by His love and grace.
Don’t miss this opportunity today—to receive salvation by faith, by grace.

Is that you?
Quickly, with honest hearts, lift your hand and say,
"Pastor, pray for me. I need salvation. I need healing. I need forgiveness."

Anyone else?
Quickly, one last call.

Thank God.

If you lifted your hand, would you do one more thing for me?
Just lift up your eyes.
Lift up your eyes.

Are you sincere?
Are you sincere this morning?

Amen.
I want to pray with you.
Would you come?

We’re going to have someone meet with you and pray with you here today.
God’s going to help you.

Thank you for your honor.
God’s going to help you, sister.
Good to see you.

Hallelujah.
Amen.

You can come.
Sister, you want to come and pray for these?
Thank you.

Amen.
Pray for you to lift up in Jesus’ name.

Hallelujah.

As these are coming to this altar, we’re going to pray together.
Can we stand together in this place?
We’re going to believe God to help us.

What a master plan that God has for us.
We are called now to be part of this grand plan of God—a plan to reach the nations.

And maybe this morning, you are in a season where God is shaping and forming you for the master’s use.
I want to open this altar for those who want to surrender their lives to the process of shaping and molding—saying, "Lord, I’ve been resistant. I’ve been quenching the Spirit, and I know You have more for me."

You want to come and surrender.
Maybe this morning, you want to be filled with the Spirit, because we can do nothing in our own strength.
If we’re going to do all that God has called us to, we need the Holy Spirit to fill the temple.

This morning, I want to pray with you.
Let’s open up this altar for prayer.
God’s dealing with you—would you come?

Would you come and join us here as we pray?
Lord, use my life.
Join me in Your purpose, Your plan, Your will for my life.

We’re going to pray together as we sing a song of worship.
God’s speaking to you—would you come and join these at the altar?
We’re going to cry out to God for a moment.

Hallelujah.

Still in the audience, you can be seated as we pray, but let’s believe God for a few moments to help us today.