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In the Bible, we see that Solomon was chosen to build God's house instead of his father David. God didn't want David to build His house because David was a man of war with blood on his hands. God wanted His house to be a place of prayer and love. This teaches us an important lesson about what makes a true house of God.

What makes a church truly God's house?

Many buildings have "church" on their sign, but the people inside quickly claim ownership: "This is our spot. We paid for these bricks." But a true house of God belongs to Him alone. We are creatures of habit, sitting in the same spots each week, getting comfortable in our routines. But comfort isn't what church is about.

Throughout 2 Chronicles 7:12-22, God repeatedly refers to "this place," "this house," and "this land." While everything ultimately belongs to God (even "the cattle on a thousand hills and the hills themselves"), He specifically designates certain places as His own.

If we gather together but God doesn't show up, we've missed the entire point. Sadly, many churches today go through their mundane weekly services, but "Ichabod" (the glory of the Lord has departed) has been written over their steeples. Not because they're bad people, but because somewhere along the way, they chose to make it "their church" rather than God's.

What happens when a church becomes a place of sacrifice?

In biblical times, people brought perfect, spotless sacrifices to the temple. They couldn't bring just any lamb - it had to be without blemish. If they couldn't afford a lamb, they could bring a turtle dove, but it still had to be perfect.

Today, we don't need to bring animal sacrifices because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary. However, we still must sacrifice things in our lives that keep us from fully serving God. Just as we trim fat from a steak, there are relationships and habits we need to cut away.

Ask yourself: "Is this relationship making me closer to Christ or pulling me away?" As believers, our primary allegiance is to the King of Kings. We must be willing to sacrifice anything that hinders our relationship with Him.

How does a church become a place of assembly?

The Greek word for church, "ekklesia," means "a called-out assembly." We are called out of the world and sin to assemble together for one purpose: to meet with the Lord.

What's frightening is when people tarnish Christ's name throughout the week, then come to church pretending everything is fine. God knows the truth. When we assemble, it should be with genuine hearts seeking God's presence.

Why must a church be a place of supplication?

God calls His people to "humble themselves and pray" (2 Chronicles 7:14). Yet many of us spend more time talking to others than talking to the Lord. Think about it - we tell our spouses and children we love them regularly, but how often do we tell God we love Him?

Jesus endured unimaginable suffering for us - something no human would do for another. Shouldn't we spend more time talking to and getting to know the One who loves us that much? Have you even stopped during your week to say, "Lord, thank you for being so good to me. I love you"?

What makes a church a sanctified place?

A true house of God must be sanctified - set apart and holy unto Him. This requires:

  • Humility - Recognizing that "but for the grace of God," we wouldn't be where we are today. We didn't change ourselves; God changed us.
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  • Holiness - The church should feel different from the world. People should leave saying, "I feel like I went to church," not just hearing "seven ways to live a successful life."
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  • Honor - A place where we honor, praise, and glorify the Lord above all else.

Life Application

As we consider what makes a church truly God's house rather than our own, let's challenge ourselves this week:

  • Examine your sacrifices: What things in your life need to be "trimmed away" so you can draw closer to God? Are there relationships, habits, or attitudes hindering your spiritual growth?
  • Prioritize prayer: How much time do you spend talking to God compared to others? Make it a point this week to tell God you love Him daily.
  • Seek sanctification: In what ways are you trying to make church about your preferences rather than God's presence? Ask God to help you focus on Him rather than yourself.

Questions to reflect on:

  • Am I coming to church just "biding time" or am I helping build something for generations to come?
  • Does my attitude in worship reflect gratitude or entitlement?
  • If God weren't present in my church, would I even notice the difference?

Remember, a true house of God isn't about the building or our preferences - it's about His presence. When this place truly becomes His place, lives are transformed, and God's glory is revealed.