Building blocks for the temple of God

The membership of the New Apostolic Church in Denmark is about 440. Some 210 members participated in the divine service the Chief Apostle held in Tønder on 26 April 2015, a small town in the south of the country, close to the border with Germany. He based the sermon on 1 Chronicles 29: 8–9: “And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, into the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.”

The construction of the temple as an image

The Bible text reports about King David and his preparations to build the temple. The Chief Apostle explained that God had given exact instructions on what he was to do and how he was to do it. The king not only saw to the necessary preparations, but also called on the people to contribute to the undertaking. “The heads of the clans and the commanders of the army volunteered to give of their wealth so that the temple could be built.”

“The temple is an image for the church of Christ.” God has provided instructions and a plan for this too. “The Lord Jesus, the King, has brought His sacrifice and then contributed the riches of His gospel. And that is how the church of Christ can come into being. He calls on us to volunteer our share: ‘If you like, you may contribute.’”

The buildings blocks we can contribute

“On the other hand, the temple is an image for our soul. We are to be the temple of God,” Chief Apostle Schneider said. “The plans for this were drawn up by God. Even our own salvation is founded on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are called upon to contribute to the building of the church of Christ, to our own salvation, and that means that we should bring joyful and willing sacrifices.”

What can we offer up? The Chief Apostle mentioned three essential points:

• “We have to give up all those attitudes that don’t please God.”
• “Sometimes we even have to give up our ideas, notions, and wishes.”
• “Don’t do anything that could hurt your neighbour.”

Giving up attitudes that don’t please God

“What are the riches that we can contribute?” the Chief Apostle asked. “Everyone of us is his own little king. We ourselves can decide what we want. As human beings we can decide what is good for us and what is bad for us. That is our greatest wealth, our greatest freedom.”

“Those who seek salvation in Christ have to abandon this attitude,” he clearly said. “They have to surrender to God and say: Christ is my focus from whom I take my bearings. From now on He is going to tell me what is good and what is bad.” This is no reason to think that we are being restricted in our freedom. “We surrender willingly and joyfully because we have discovered and found something that is more important and more valuable: the peace of God and Jesus Christ.”

Giving up our own ideas

Everyone has his own ideas on how the building of the temple, the completion of the work of God should proceed, The Chief Apostle observed, “It is absolutely legitimate that we want people from our own country and nation and cultural area to attain salvation.” But, he added, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3: 28). Such barriers were created by mankind. “We all belong to one people.”

“We make an effort to bring testimony so that more souls can be added. We come up with all kinds of ways what could best be done.” But the best method is still the method of the gospel. “Model your life on the gospel, love your neighbour, and attract people by radiating the positive force of a New Apostolic Christian.”

Don’t do anything that could hurt your neighbour

The temple has to be built solid, in other words, the church has to be one, the Chief Apostle continued, “For such unity we have to be prepared to sacrifice many things. Paul said that we should not plan anything that could hurt our neighbour. Sure, we would all like to have our say. We all have our habits and traditions. But when we realize that we could hurt our neighbour by saying certain things or doing certain things, then let us resist the urge.”

“These are a few sacrifices that we can bring,” the Chief Apostle said in closing. “And if we do this willingly and gladly the Lord, our King Jesus, will be all the happier for it. And His joy will serve for our benefit.”