1 Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither… I. It might be expressive of the CHARACTER OF THE WORSHIP WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD IN THE TEMPLE. 1. Worship prepared for. The stones were cut and shaped beforehand. So should we go to the house of God in the spirit of devotion. Many go expecting there to get spiritual thoughts, who keep worldly thoughts in their heads until they reach the very doors of the sanctuary. To cultivate a spirit of prayerfulness and reverence before going to the house of God will warrant us to expect the acceptance of our worship, and a blessing on ourselves. 2. Worship quietly conducted. God is not delighted with loud and noisy declamation. A reverent tone will be subdued; but not hypocritically so. 3. Worship conducted in an orderly manner. Random, irregular, disorderly services cannot be such as God would approve. Late attendance, listlessness in God's house, unseemly haste to leave, all these appear to be condemned. 4. Worship appropriately conducted. There should be regard paid to the fitness of things. II. The circumstance mentioned in this narrative may be expressive of the CHARACTER OF THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE, OF WHICH THE MATERIAL TEMPLE WAS TYPICAL. 1. There must be a change in those who are made stones in the living temple. 2. Religion has to do with the externals of man's life. An uncouth, rough, rugged Christian is an anomaly. The servant of God should be gentle, meek, patient, lovely, amiable 3. The work of preparation must be done outside the church. Men are not to be brought into Christ s church as members in order that they may be converted, but because they have been already converted. 4. All stones in the temple were serviceable. Christians in different spheres of life have greater or less responsibility according to circumstances; but all are "precious in the sight of the Lord." (F. Wagstaff.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. |
    |