Temple to Habitation

03/05/2026 - Kyle Hanna

A Place – the Temple

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
The purpose of the Temple is two fold:
The heart behind the rules

  • Building
  • Priests
  • Sacrifices

The narrative of God’s pursuit

  • Eden (Gen 3:8)
  • Wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22)
  • Tabernacle (Exodus 25:8)

A Place – Jesus

John 2:18-21

Jesus the True Temple:

Place

  • People travelled to a localised place, Jesus went out to the people (Matthew 4:23)
  • The temple bridged the gap of glory and brokenness, Jesus is the bridge (1 Timothy 2:5)
  • Meeting place of holiness and humanity, Jesus was fully holy and fully human (Colossians 1:19)

Priest

  • Priests were intercessors in prayer, Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:24, Hebrews 4:14)
  • Priests guarded holiness and sacred things, Jesus embodies holiness (John 2:13-17)
  • Priests taught the Law, Jesus is the True Teacher (Matthew 7:28-29, John 17:17)

Sacrifice

  • The Substitute
  • The New Co-Existence
  • The Dwelling

A People – Us

  • Through Acts of the Apostles 2, God’s presence moves from being with His people to dwelling within them by the Holy Spirit—fulfilling the story from temple to Jesus to us.
  • Because of Jesus, we now carry God’s presence into everyday life, not to contain it but to overflow—becoming a living, sent witness of His presence in the world.

Reflection Questions for Small Groups

  • If forgiveness wasn’t something you had to earn, but something offered freely—how would that change the way you see yourself?
  • What would it look like for you to trust that your brokenness doesn’t disqualify you—but is actually the place where Jesus wants to meet you most?
  • What parts of your life feel most “unworthy” or difficult to bring into the light? What do you usually do with those parts?
  • When you hear that God’s heart is to be with you, not distant from you—how does that land?
  • If Jesus doesn’t just show God’s heart but embodies it, what might that reveal about how God actually feels toward you?
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