13 Sept 2015 Solihull Rededication

 

 

 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16) 

A sermon at the Re-dedication of Solihull Methodist Church following a refurbishment of the sanctuary.

Bible readings:   1 Kings 8:22-30; Luke 4:16-21.

What a wonderful space! What a magnificent achievement! We rightly echo the words of Solomon. But like Solomon we have inherited the project from those who have gone before us. Our Church (buildings and people) is being refreshed to serve the present age. We Methodists are perhaps more comfortable thinking of ourselves as a tabernacling people than as a temple people, but we too have to resist the temptation of making the things that point us towards God more important than the God to which they point. When we worship and express our love for God we find ourselves being drawn into loving what God loves - the whole world and the people in it. Jesus said that when the Word of God about releasing people from all that oppresses them and clouds their vision was read and he was there, it became real. He is with us when we read the Word, and it must become real through us, his body in the world. So we dedicate our building and ourselves as we seek to worship and serve God in the future. We praise God for all that is past; and trust God for all that's to come.