2 Chronicles 3-7

This is a time in the life of our church that is known as a high holy moment. We have gathered here today for a purpose that usually comes only once in the lifetime of a congregation. But for us in the short history of seventeen years in the life of Cornerstone Baptist Church it is the second dedication of a building to the work and glory of God. When we lost our building last June 15th due to a lightning strike that set the building on fire, we had no idea what God had planned for us. But look about you and will see how the work of many people has resulted in this reconstruction that we dedicate to the Kingdom of God today.
The scripture passage that we read together took place at the dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem. In time it would be destroyed and rebuilt three times. Today, all that is left of the third Temple is a wall where the Jewish people pray known as The Wailing Wall. As we stood on Temple Mount we were told that there are plans to build a fourth Temple in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

We do not know how long this building will stand. Hopefully, it will serve the succeeding congregations until Jesus comes again. It does not matter how earnestly we pray today or how joyfully we celebrate as to the future of the church. What does matter is whether or not we are the obedient and dedicated people of God who worship in this place. We can learn from Holy Scripture how God responds to Sanctuaries dedicated to Him.

I. THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE. (2 CHRONICLES 3,4)

King David had purchased the property for the Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. But he was not allowed to build it because he was known as a “man of war.” But God promised him that his son, King Solomon, would be the builder. In the fourth year of his reign, 966 B.C., Solomon began the project that would take seven and a half years to complete. He conscripted 3,850 foremen to supervise 183,300 men for the work. There were 80,000 stone masons and 70,000 carriers. All of the stone work was cut and fitted at the quarry so that there was no sound of a hammer in the actual construction. Cedar was used for the beams. Bronze was used for all of the outside furnishings in the great courtyard. Everything inside the Temple was overlaid with pure gold.

II. THE TRANSFER OF THE ARK TO THE TEMPLE. (2 Chronicles 5)

The dedication ceremonies were set in the fall of the year during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jerusalem was filled with many thousands of people from all of the twelve tribes of Israel who attended the fifteen day celebration. The ceremony began with the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant from it temporary location on the southeast side of Jerusalem to the Temple. For hundreds of years since it’s formation after the Exodus, it had resided in the tent of meeting known as the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant symbolized the presence of God among his people. You can imagine the excitement that went through the great throng when they saw the Ark being carried by the priests through the streets of Jerusalem to its permanent place in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Trumpets were sounding. Cymbals were clanging and other music instruments were playing. The choirs were singing, “He is good. His love endures forever.” The priests could not touch the Ark but carried it through long staves that were attached to each side. It contained the two tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments. The Ark reminded the people of God’s presence and the blessings under the Mosaic covenant. It was placed between the cherubim and was separated from the Holy Place by a six inch thick veil behind which only the High Priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to place the blood of the sacrifices on the Mercy Seat. As soon as the Ark was in place, a great cloud filled the Temple symbolizing God’s approval as He had done when the Tabernacle was dedicated.

III. THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION. (2 Chronicles 6)

On a large bronze platform in the outer court Solomon addressed and blessed the people. He then knelt with his hands raised to heaven and prayed the prayer of dedication. He thanked the Lord for his covenant-keeping faithfulness and asked the Lord to continue to love his people as they are faithful to him. He acknowledged that this Temple, although grand and glorious, could never contain the might and majesty of God. But he asked God to utilize the Temple as focal point of communion with his people. He prayed that this would also be a place where wrongs between individuals would be adjudicated. When the nation sinned and was defeated in battle, or when judgments of drought and other disasters would befall them and they would repent, he asked God to hear their prayers. He prayed that the prayers of foreigners who would go to the Temple to seek him would also be heard. He prayed that in times of war, God would be with them. He referred to the Lord’s Name fourteen times in this prayer for the Lord said that he would place his Name there. He concluded the prayer with a plea for God to dwell there and bless his priests, his people, and the King.

IV. THE SACRIFICES (2 Chronicles 7)

As an offering of worship to the Lord, the ceremony included sacrifices of repentance of sin for the whole nation. Notice how numerous they were: 22,000 head of cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. All of this was pointing to the fact that when Messiah came, only one Lamb of God would be required for the sacrifice. So the King and all the people dedicated the Temple to God. Then fire from heaven came down and consumed the burnt offerings and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.

V. THE BIG “IF”

You would think that a place like this would last forever. The Lord said to Solomon, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. When I shut up the heavens and there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers that are offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” The big “If” indicated that all of these blessings were conditional on the obedience and faithfulness of the people. “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land which I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. And though this temple is now so imposing, and all who pass by will be appalled and say, “Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and this temple?” People will then answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’ Because of disobedience this magnificent temple lasted only about 475 years.

So the lesson for us is – it means nothing in the sight of God for us to dedicate this building to him, unless at the same time we dedicate ourselves and remain in faithful obedience to Him.

We must dedicate ourselves to God the Father, the Lordship of Christ, to a dependence upon the Holy Spirit. We must fulfill the Great Commision. We must remain true to the authority of scripture. We must pledge ourselves to each other to love and serve in harmony of purpose. A symbol of all of this is what you see before you. This large cross is a part of the building and holds up this back wall. In reality, the cross holds up the church as a congregation and each of us in our spiritual pilgrimage. If we will remain faithful to God, He will remain faithful to us with his blessings and divine favor.

The Hymn expresses it all:

“Jesus Keep me near the cross
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the Cross, In the cross, Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the River.”

Praise Be To His Name!