What lessons from 1 Kings 7:21 can strengthen our church community today? The Scene at the Temple Doorway “Then he set up the pillars at the portico of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and named it Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and named it Boaz.” (1 Kings 7:21) Pillar Truth #1: God Establishes His People (Jachin) • Jachin means “He shall establish.” • The very naming of the pillar proclaims that the Lord Himself plants and secures His house. • Psalm 127:1—“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” • Ephesians 2:20–22 shows that God “fitted together” His people into a holy temple, founded on Christ. Takeaway for us: – Confidence—our congregation is not a human experiment; God has established it. – Stability—because He planted us, we remain unshaken when culture shifts. – Purpose—being “set up” by God calls us to align our ministries with His revealed design, not personal agendas. Pillar Truth #2: God Strengthens His People (Boaz) • Boaz means “In Him is strength.” • Strength is not sourced in numbers, finances, or personalities but in the Lord’s might. • Isaiah 40:29—“He gives power to the faint; to him who has no might He increases strength.” • Acts 4:31—believers, filled with the Spirit, “spoke the word of God with boldness.” Takeaway for us: – Courage—God’s strength fuels Gospel proclamation and discipleship. – Endurance—when fatigue hits, the Body leans on divine power, not mere willpower. – Unity—relying on the same source of strength curbs rivalry and fosters mutual support. How These Truths Shape Our Church Life Today • Worship is God-centered: we gather because He established us (Jachin) and empowers us (Boaz). • Leadership is servant-oriented: elders and ministry heads remember they are stewards of what God set up and sustained. • Mission is Spirit-driven: outreach rests on His strength, ensuring humility and dependence. • Fellowship is secure: knowing we are firmly planted together encourages vulnerability, forgiveness, and perseverance. Living Out the Pillar Lessons 1. Begin every planning meeting by reading a verse about God’s establishing work (e.g., 1 Corinthians 3:6–7); remind the team who truly builds. 2. Incorporate testimonies during services that spotlight how the Lord’s strength carried members through trials—modern echoes of Boaz. 3. Memorize 1 Timothy 3:15 (“the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”) to reinforce our identity as pillars reflecting His pillars. 4. When facing major decisions, fast and pray collectively, confessing dependence on the Lord who both establishes and strengthens. 5. Celebrate anniversaries as “Jachin days,” marking God’s faithful establishment; pair them with “Boaz challenges,” steps of faith that demand His strength. |
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