Can You Tell Me Where God Lives?

Big Idea: The eternal, unchanging God is everywhere, yet He chooses to dwell personally in the humble, contrite believer who trembles at His word.

Overview

Closing an eight-year, verse-by-verse journey through Isaiah, the speaker turns to the book’s final chapter to answer one question: Where does God live? Isaiah 66 reveals that the Lord is omnipresent—heaven is His throne and earth His footstool—yet He refuses to be confined to any building. Instead, He resides in people who see their spiritual poverty, are broken over sin, and stand in awe of Scripture. The chapter also shows God’s righteous anger against empty religion, His faithfulness to Israel, His coming global reign, and the universal worship that will mark the new heavens and new earth. The message ends with a call: open your heart, become God’s living temple, and cultivate genuine worship everywhere you go.

Key Scripture

• Isaiah 66:1-2 — The foundation of the whole message: God is omnipresent but seeks the humble, contrite heart.
• John 14:16-18 — The pivotal promise: the Spirit comes to live “with you and in you,” leaving us no longer orphans.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 — The defining application: believers themselves are now the temple where God dwells.

Main Points

1. God lives everywhere (vv. 1-2a).
Heaven is His throne, earth His footstool. No handmade temple can contain the immutable, omnipresent God.

2. God chooses to live in the humble (v. 2b).
Three marks invite His presence:
• Poor in spirit—seeing our true need.
• Contrite—wounded, repentant hearts.
• Trembling at His word—standing in awe of Scripture.
Jesus fulfilled this promise, sending the Spirit to indwell every believer (John 14).

3. God lives in righteousness and judges hypocrisy (vv. 3-6).
Ritual without repentance disgusts Him; the same hands that offer sacrifices can also murder. 1 Corinthians 6 warns that our bodies, as His temple, must not be joined to sin.

4. God lives among the living and keeps His promises (vv. 7-14).
Israel miraculously birthed the Messiah and, in one day (May 14 1948), became a nation again. Those who love Jerusalem share in her peace and testify of God’s glory to the nations.

5. God lives as King and Judge (vv. 15-17, 19-21).
He will return with fire and a sword, repaying His enemies and gathering all tongues to see His glory. Some from every nation—including Israel—will serve as priests in His kingdom.

6. God will dwell with His worshipping people forever (vv. 22-24).
In the new heavens and new earth every month and every Sabbath all flesh will worship before Him, while the fate of rebels remains a solemn warning.

Application

The call: Become the dwelling place of God—open your heart to Christ and commit to a life of authentic worship.

Head — Recognize that omnipresent as He is, God has chosen to make you His temple if you believe.

Heart — Cultivate poverty of spirit, contrition, and holy awe; refuse casual attitudes toward sin or Scripture.

Hands

1. Repent and invite Jesus to reign within you.
2. Set aside regular time to worship privately—sing, pray, even “tremble” over His word.
3. Treat your body and conduct as God’s house; flee whatever defiles it.
4. Pray for and bless Jerusalem, rejoicing in God’s ongoing work among Israel.

Reflection Questions

1. When you picture God’s dwelling place, what comes to mind—and how does Isaiah 66 correct or confirm that image?
2. Which of the three marks in verse 2—poverty of spirit, contrition, trembling at the word—needs most attention in you right now?
3. How have you treated your body and mind this week: as your own possession or as God’s temple?
4. What practical changes could make private worship a regular rhythm in your life?
5. How does God’s faithfulness to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you?

Prayer

Lord, You who sit enthroned above the heavens and rest Your feet upon the earth, we marvel that You desire to dwell in us. Create in us poor and contrite hearts that tremble at Your word. Cleanse Your temple—our lives—from every defilement, fill us afresh with Your Spirit, and teach us to worship You in reverence and joy until the day all flesh bows before Your throne. In Jesus’ name, amen.