As we get ready to celebrate LAT's 4th Anniversary on 2nd September, we must review our history to remind ourselves of what has brought us this far. The first key lesson, which we addressed last week, was building according to God's pattern - only doing what God commands. The second lesson, which we shall address today, is the understanding of the reason for God's house.
It is a wonder that although most Christians know why physical houses are built, they do not seem to understand the purpose of God's house. People build houses to dwell in them. Likewise, when a house is built for God, it is for His habitation. This should be obvious, but sadly it is not for many. I am reminded of my father who used to say that common sense is not that common.
The ministry assignment God gave me is to build for Him a house of great magnificence, fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations (1 Chronicles 22:5). I was not told to build a house for people, but for the Lord. Because of that, our focus has neither been money, popularity, nor any other thing; rather it has been doing all we could to have God dwell with us by His manifest presence.
My namesake Moses was told, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). When he did so, "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34). This is why God said that Moses was faithful (Numbers 12:7). Moses built a house, and God found it a place He could call home.
Solomon too was charged to build a house for the LORD God of Israel (1 Chronicles 22:6). Because he was successful at it, God came and dwelt in that house; "for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God" (2 Chronicles 5:14).
I long to be called what Apostle Paul said of himself - a wise master builder. Paul had the sense to know that everything must have Jesus as the foundation and only focus. He said, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation . . . for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). Paul understood that a church is supposed to be nothing else but a house for God to dwell. That is why he wrote saying, "You also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22).
By the grace of God, we have tried to emulate Moses, Solomon and Paul. Although we have not been perfect - for no one will ever be - our hearts have been right and our efforts have been for the right cause. During our services, especially on Sundays, we always experience the manifest presence of God. And in several dreams and visions, God keeps confirming that LAT is His dwelling place.
Today we are what we are as a church - a house of God - because over the years we have built on no other foundation but Jesus Christ. All we have done has been for His glory. Every time we meet, we endeavor to make Him welcome. We must never forget this part of our history. As I said last week, people and institutions get on the road to destruction when they forget their history.
By the way, the house of God we are building is not yet complete. But it will be completed much sooner than we expect in accordance with what God revealed to Mrs. Asha B. Jumba in a dream last week.
God bless you.