Sunday, February 03, 2019

We are a Living Sanctuary

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.


Relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Peter 1:14-19; 2:9

“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV).

In a damaged and often dark world, the church is like the guy with the flashlight in a power outage. No one would think it is okay to hide the flashlight or smear it with mud to hide the light. The right thing to do is share.

We, the church, are a living sanctuary, a place from which the light of God’s glory and presence is made known. This is who we are when gathered and when dispersed.

What does it mean to be a living sanctuary?

We are the place in which God has chosen to dwell. The worship of God is no longer confined to a physical space but takes place everywhere we are. The Holy Spirit dwells in us as Church, and we are always in him and members of one another.

We are the place where the presence and glory of God are made manifest. The sanctuary of God is no longer a tent or stone but flesh and soul. The church goes where we go. As we come together for worship and discipleship, we proclaim to God and one another that he is great and he is here. As we move among home, work, and play, we display and proclaim his holiness and goodness.

We are a holy place for others. We share the light of God’s glory and presence, knowing that sharing is more important than making ourselves comfortable.

How might we behave like a living sanctuary?

Let us
…help one another grow toward holiness as we worship God and disciple one another.
…serve others at home, work, and play and carry God’s light into dark places.
…gather in ways that welcome and honor Father, Son, and Spirit.
…disperse in ways that make God’s glory and presence clear.
…support one another as we carry God’s light into the world.


Let us be a church that joyfully shares the flashlight.

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