This study was first taught on August 16, 2020

Topic: Are You Outside or Inside the Temple of God?

(use the audio to study)

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Background
In our last meeting, we saw that:<ul>
<li>The ways of God are past finding out, as we looked at Peter and John’s trip to the temple to pray, ostensibly—it was really to make the lame man walk and the salvation of souls! </li>
<li> The ways of God are markedly different from the ways of man.</li>
<li> No matter how much man plans, it is the counsel of the Lord that shall stand.</li>
<li> Joseph’s slavery was well orchestrated by God.</li>
<li> Jesus’ crucifixion was predetermined by God.</li>
<li> Saul, who became king in Israel, was set up by God to meet with Samuel in the guise of looking for lost donkeys.</li>
<li> Saul of Tarsus was a chosen vessel even when he was persecuting the church.</li>
<li> Peter’s disappointment/failure in terms of his fishing career paved the way for the miracle of the catch of fish and the birthing of a foremost apostle.</li>
<li> Our lives, likewise, are being orchestrated by God, even as we speak.</li> </ul>
We also noted that all things work together for good for those who are called for His purpose; that God may not reveal everything to you but everything is of the Lord—Job’s temptation, Israel’s exile, COVID-19, etc.

We concluded that God’s purpose does not change, but when He does not want to do what He should do, He raises intercessors. We saw the example of Sodom and Gomorrah and how God mentioned His mission to Abraham, who went on the intercede for the cities and brought salvation to Lot and his family. May the Lord help us to yield to His dealing and patiently endure.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 3:2
There are many things that we can discuss from this verse—the man born lame, the paradox of life (a lame man at the Beautiful Gate), among others—but what we want to discuss is the fact that while the man born lame was outside the temple, there were those who were entering into the temple. We want to look at this matter with a view to asking a vital question, which will form our topic of discussion.
We shall begin by looking at <u>what the temple of God is</u>, and then we shall see <u>what it means to be outside/inside the temple of God</u>, and then we can <u>evaluate where we stand</u>.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:15-20; Revelation 21:3; Matthew 12:30; Revelation 3:15-16; Romans 8:9, 14; Matthew 4:25—5:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Ephesians 2:11-13; Galatians 5:16-23; Romans 8:14, 5-8; Matthew 21:12-14; 23:13, 15; 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1; Revelation 22:14-16; Jeremiah 23:9ff

Conclusion
<strong>Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12</strong>
We can learn from the Parable of the Ten Virgins as well as the example of Israel in the wilderness. We must appreciate that even though it may seem that you are inside the temple, you may actually find yourself to be outside. Let us not take it for granted that we are inside the temple, when our lifestyle may be saying something else. Hence, the Bible tells us to “take heed”, lest we fall!

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