Sermon Notes 28 September 2025

Pastor Ryan Perry Sermon 218September 2025

Today, through the Holy Spirit, we are God’s temple. He dwells with us - in us.
 
We confess: Yahweh is One. Jesus Christ is Lord. Loving Him is loving the Father. Through the Spirit, we are His temple.

I. Recap of the Series — God’s Dwelling Places

• Eden — God’s first temple, walking with humanity.
• The Tabernacle (Mishkan) — God’s tent among tents in the wilderness. 
• Solomon’s Temple — God’s glory filling Jerusalem, especially at Sukkot. 
• Jesus — The true temple, God dwelling with us in flesh. 
• The Church — Now, through the Spirit, we are God’s temple. 

1 Corinthians 3:16–17;  Acts 17:24

II. The Shema: Our Blueprint Deuteronomy 6:4–5
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” 

• Yahweh = “I was, I am, I will be.”
• Jehovah = later mix of YHWH + Adonai.
• Elohim = __________, ruler, mighty one.

III. How to Love Yahweh — Loving Jesus is Loving Yahweh

• Heart (Lev) — thoughts, desires, will. (Proverbs 4:23; Ezekiel 36:26) 
• Soul (Nephesh) — life, body, breath. (Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy 24:7) 
• Strength (Me’od) — muchness: resources, influence. (2 Kings 23:25; Gen 1:31) 

John 14:9 — “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” 
John 10:30 — “I and the Father are one.”

IV. Daily Life as Worship Deuteronomy 6:7–9 

• Teach your children — sharpen them like a blade (shanan). 
• Live God’s commands in home, work, rest, and community. 
• Every part of life becomes the classroom of covenant love. 

V. Spiritual Sacrifices as God’s Living Temple 

• Praise — Hebrews 13:15  = sacrifice of _________________
• Thanksgiving — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 = give thanks in _______________
• Obedience — 1 Samuel 15:22 = to ________________ is better than sacrifice
• Love — Ephesians 5:2 = walk in love, as _____________ loved us

VI. Cracks in the Temple (and Spirit’s Repair) 

• Gossip — Proverbs 16:28; Ephesians 4:25 → Spirit rebuilds with __________
• Pride — James 4:6; Isaiah 14:12–14; James 4:10 → Spirit rebuilds with ________
• Unforgiveness — Matthew 6:15; Ephesians 4:32 → Spirit rebuilds with ________

VII. Our Unity and Mission 
Acts 1:8 — Power to be _____________
Ephesians 2:22 — Built together as His ___________  ___________
One stone can’t make a ___________. One gift can’t finish the ___________

VIII. Closing Confession (Christ-Centered Shema)
Philippians 2:11 — “Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 
John 14:6 — “No one comes to the Father except through me.”