The Four Types of Houses

Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-16

Venue: ACK Kiaritha Parish

Theme: Understanding God’s Eternal House

The Bishop’s message, based on the passage from 2 Samuel 7:1-16, explored four significant types of houses and their meanings for Christians today.

David’s House

David, having established his house of cedar, marveled at its beauty and wealth. He compared his grand house to the state of God’s dwelling, leading him to desire to build a temple for God. This first house symbolizes our human achievements—our physical homes, success, and possessions. David’s thought reflects a genuine desire to honor God with something tangible, yet God had a different plan.

David’s Dream Temple

The second house was the dream temple David envisioned for God. He sought to build a magnificent structure to honor the Lord, but God sent a message through the prophet Nathan, stating that it would not be David but his offspring, Solomon, who would build the temple. Despite its grandeur, this temple was eventually destroyed. The Bishop emphasized that human-made temples, no matter how splendid, are temporary. David’s temple serves as a reminder that earthly structures are vulnerable to destruction.

The Eternal House

The eternal house flows from David’s lineage, beginning with his royal descendants, and leading to Jesus Christ. Unlike the physical temple built by Solomon, this eternal house is indestructible. It was established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it endures forever. Jesus built a spiritual house that will never perish. The Bishop stressed that our faith rests in this eternal house, where we find our ultimate hope and security.

Our Bodies as Temples

The fourth house discussed was our own bodies. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Bishop reminded the congregation that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called to honor God with our bodies, offering ourselves as living sacrifices. This personal house is meant to be holy, dedicated to God’s service, and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are responsible for nurturing and respecting this temple.

Key Outcomes of the Service:

• 57 Candidates Confirmed: A significant milestone as these individuals took a step in faith, affirming their commitment to Christ.
• Groundbreaking of the New Teen Church: The parish celebrated the beginning of a new space dedicated to nurturing the faith of young believers.

This sermon highlighted the contrast between temporary, earthly homes and the eternal, spiritual house established through Christ. It called the congregation to reflect on the state of their own bodies as temples of God and to live in a way that honors the eternal house Christ has built for them.