Little Falls Chapel Easter Sermon
By Pastor Linda Reese
Today’s focus: God desires to bless His people with His presence and express appreciation. King Solomon builds a temple so magnificent that God’s glory fills it, overwhelming the priests.
Building the Temple:
- Seven-year construction using finest materials and skilled craftsmen.
- Temple becomes the center of Israel’s worship, replacing the portable Tabernacle.
- Detailed description of temple furnishings and their symbolism:
- Cherubim (God’s holiness)
- Ark of the Covenant (God’s presence)
- Altar of incense (prayer)
- Golden lampstands (God’s light)
- Bronze altar (sacrifice)
Dedication of the Temple:
- Solomon gathers elders and tribal heads to emphasize the event’s significance.
- Temple’s beauty is useless without God’s blessing.
- Ark of the Covenant is placed in the Holy of Holies, never to be moved again.
God’s Manifest Presence:
- Priests withdraw from the Holy of Holies.
- Cloud of Glory fills the Temple, signifying God’s acceptance and presence.
- Even Moses had experienced the same awe when God’s glory filled the Tabernacle.
God’s Promises (1 Kings 8:15-21):
- God kept His promise to David.
- Solomon acknowledges God’s faithfulness and fulfillment of His word.
- God’s presence among His people is emphasized over the physical temple.
God’s Presence in the Past:
- Pillar of cloud and fire guided Israelites through the wilderness.
- God’s glory appeared in a cloud on Mount Sinai.
Seeing God Today and in the Future:
- We cannot see God directly in our imperfect state.
- Jesus Christ is the revelation of God, the way to the Father.
- In eternity, we will see God face to face and be made perfect.
Solomon’s Prayer:
- Focuses on God’s faithfulness and mercy.
- Acknowledges God’s greatness and the Temple’s insufficiency to contain Him.
- Requests God’s presence and answer to prayers.
Solomon’s Specific Petitions:
- For God’s guidance in various situations (drought, famine, war).
- Acknowledgment that punishment follows disobedience.
Dedication and Celebration:
- 14-day feast with abundant sacrifices.
- Celebration of God’s goodness to David and Israel.
Sacrifice for Christians Today:
- Loyalty to God in praise, prayer, and actions.
- Giving up earthly desires.
- Offering praise and thanksgiving to God.
Conclusion:
- Solomon emphasizes God’s faithfulness to His promises.
- Importance of recognizing God’s presence in our lives.
- Challenge to live consecrated lives that witness to God’s glory.
Reflection Questions:
- How have you experienced God’s presence in your life?
- What sacrifices can you offer to God today?
- How can you live a life that reflects God’s glory?