The temple as a place to converse with God.  2 Kings 19:14-19

• King Hezekiah and Judah were under severe threat and certain annihilation from the Assyrians.
• Hezekiah goes to the temple and lays out the threat before the Lord. (14)
• He appeals to God as the one true creator God and God over all kingdoms. (15)
• He petitions for God’s attention to the serious matter at hand. (16)
• The “big ask” is that God deliver Judah so that his name as the true Lord God be made known.(18-19)

Why go to the temple for this matter?   

The Temple Story.

• God chooses David to be the father of a holy dynasty of kingship. 1 Chronicles 17
• The vision for a place to proclaim the name of the Lord and to go to worship him was given to David.
• David’s son Solomon is chosen by God as the one who will build his temple.
• David finishes his reign preparing both his son and a nation for the building of the temple.1 Chronicles 22
• Solomon builds the temple according to the instructions given him by his father which was received from the Lord. 2 Chronicles 2-4

The Dedication of the Temple.  2 Chronicles 6:14-42

• Praising God for who he is. (14)
• He is a God who keeps promises. (15)
• Solomon asks God to keep his promises made to his father David. (16)
• God is greater than this man-made temple. (18)
• Solomon asks for forgiveness when repentance happens. This request is to protect the promise. (20-31)
• Purpose declared—build your name up Lord! (32-34)
• Forgive and build up your name Lord. (38)
• Commissioning of the temple and dedication to its purpose. (41-42)
  • May your presence rest here—a constant sense.
  • May your might be evident here.
  • May the message of the priests be salvation.
  • May there be rejoicing here over your goodness.
  • Remember your promise to David.

God protects and advances his purposes.2 Kings 19:32-34

• God responds to Hezekiah’s petition at the Temple.
• Assyria will not even sniff the outer walls of Jerusalem. (32)
• God will be the defender and savior. (34a)
• For the sake of his name and for the sake of his promise to David! (34b)

Take Aways.

• In praying for our future as a church, we are dedicated to the calling of God to go out into the Harvest Field as proclaimers of Jesus.
• We pray for his protection of the mission he has called us to as a church, and that this church building is dedicated to the support of that mission.
• To fulfill that mission, the church building is a place where we worship and praise his name, we teach his truths to apply to our lives, and commission each other to fulfill God’s calling upon each of us.
• In conclusion, this building has been and will be where we lay before God our challenges, our burdens, our questions, and plead for his help as we seek his response.This is a house of prayer!  

To the glory of the Lord and the power of his name to be forever praised!  Amen!