Sermon title: Belonging in God’s House
Sermon text: 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:27-30, 41-43

The temple is a source of great paradox. On the one hand, it made possible a time and place where people could draw near to a holy God. On the other hand, it became a site of endless corruption and shenanigans. And yet, if the temple project left behind a trail of tears, it also ultimately pointed to a house where everyone belongs.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Why build a house for a God who does not dwell in houses made by people? (8:27)
  2. Why insert a prayer for foreigners in the middle of a long list of in-house requests? (8:41ff)