Make Miracles Happen - 21st Century Temples Part 2

21st Century Temples

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 6
• Psalm 11:4
• 2 Chronicles 7

Overview

God no longer dwells in stone buildings; He dwells in His people. Whatever marked Solomon’s temple should mark us as 21st-century temples. Pastor Joachim reviewed the first two traits—visibility and prayer—and added two more: holiness and miracles. Through vivid stories from Sweden, China, the Soviet Union, and an everyday street corner, he showed how ordinary believers become living temples that reveal God’s presence to the world.

Main Points

1. A Visible Temple

• Solomon’s temple could be seen from anywhere in Jerusalem; believers should be just as noticeable.
• People are not uninterested in the gospel; they lack visible temples to approach with their questions.

• Story: Johan, a new Swedish Christian, printed 50 posters of himself with the words “I am a Christian—ask me why.” Within two days 40 classmates privately asked about his faith.
• Illustration: Johan organized “praying old ladies” to intercede every hour of the school day, turning his campus into a spiritual watchtower.

2. A Temple of Prayer

• God responds to prayer, not perfection.
• Continuous intercession keeps the temple active and accessible.

3. A Holy Temple

• Psalm 11:4 calls the Lord’s dwelling “holy.”
• Every religion uses a ladder image: people climb up toward holiness. The gospel reverses it—God climbs down, lifts us, and seats us with Christ.
  • Holiness is a gift at salvation, not a reward at the finish line; it is our point of origin.
  • We work not to perfect holiness (Jesus already did) but to reflect it through words, attitudes, and priorities.
  • Circumstances cannot pollute holiness unless we let them—like a boat that only sinks when water gets inside.

• Story: Pastor Chen spent 18 years in a Chinese prison. Assigned to wade daily in a cesspool, he discovered solitude to worship, turning the stench into a “garden” of God’s presence. During the exact six years he served there, his home church grew from 100 to 5,000 members.

4. A Temple of Miracles

• 2 Chronicles 7 portrays the temple as a place of divine exchange: sickness healed, brokenness mended, peace restored.
• Early passion for miracles often springs from personal need; later we must pursue miracles for others.

• Story: At 17, Pastor Joachim entered the Soviet Union with a missionary. Asked to pray for 800 sick people, he saw a woman’s withered arm instantly restored—the first miracle he witnessed, and a lifelong marker that God’s power is for distribution.
• Story: Johanna, 16, prayed on a Swedish street, spotted a girl sobbing, and “threw out her arms.” The stranger—on her way home to commit suicide—was embraced, brought to a prayer meeting, and later emailed: “I think I need to get to know this Jesus person.” She is now alive and joyful in Christ.

Key Truths

• Believers are God’s chosen dwelling; visibility matters.
• Prayer, not human perfection, activates the temple.
• Holiness is received, then reflected; it starts day one.
• External hardship cannot cancel internal holiness.
• God’s miracle power is meant to flow through us to others.
• The greatest miracle is a heart opened to Christ.

Response

• Live openly; let people know where to bring their questions about God.
• Schedule and guard daily times of prayer.
• Reflect the holiness you already possess by monitoring words, attitudes, and choices.
• Expect God’s power to meet needs around you; offer prayer boldly.
• Share the gospel, trusting the Spirit to create the greatest miracle—salvation.

Closing

Pastor Joachim called the church to embody all four traits:

“Let’s commit our lives to be visible temples, temples full of prayer, holy temples, and temples full of miracles.”
Following the message, leaders invited listeners to surrender to Jesus and become living temples themselves.

Prayer

The congregation prayed, thanking God for making them carriers of His presence and asking for grace to live visibly, pray continually, reflect holiness, and minister miracles. Those deciding to follow Christ prayed: “Dear Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner… From this moment on I choose to live for You. Amen.”