I Have Hallowed This House
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the vital partnership between human effort and divine hallowing in building a life dedicated to God.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the divine partnership in the act of building, where man constructs outwardly while God sanctifies inwardly. He illustrates this cooperation through the example of education, highlighting that while we can shape a child's life with our actions and teachings, it is ultimately God who must bless and hallow these efforts. Meyer urges that our endeavors, whether in preaching or parenting, must be infused with the Holy Spirit to truly achieve their purpose. He reminds us that holiness comes from God's presence, and we should strive for our lives to be temples filled with His glory. The sermon calls for a deep reverence for God's role in our daily activities and the importance of seeking His sanctification.
Text
I have hallowed this house
which thou hast built. 1 Kings ix. 3.
MAN builds; God hallows. This co‑operation between man and God pervades all life. Man performs the outward and mechanical; God the inward and spiritual. Paul plants, Apollos waters; but God gives the increase. We elaborate our sermons and addresses, building them up with careful, eager thought; but God must work in and through them for his own glory in the salvation and upbuilding of souls. We must be careful to do our part with reverence and godly fear, remembering that God must work in realms we cannot touch, and to issues we cannot reach, before our poor exertions can avail.
May we not apply this especially to the education of a child's life? Many who read these lines are engaged in building structures which will outlive the Pyramids. The body is only the scaffolding, behind and through which the building of the soul is being upreared. The materials with which we build may be the gold, silver, and precious stones, of our example, precept, careful watching, and discipline; but God must come in to hallow. Our strenuous endeavour must be supplemented by the incoming of the Holy Spirit.
God hallows by his indwelling. Holiness is the result of his putting his Name into a place, a day, a human soul; for his Name is his nature, Himself. Each day may be a building, reared between sunrise and sunset, with our activities; but it were vain to hope to realize our ideal unless the structure become a Temple filled with God. Build what you will; but never be satisfied unless God sets his eyes and heart upon your life, hallowing and sanctifying each day and act to Himself.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The role of man in building
- The necessity of God's hallowing
- Cooperation between man and God
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II
- The significance of spiritual versus mechanical efforts
- Examples from scripture: Paul and Apollos
- The importance of divine intervention
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III
- Application to child education
- Building a lasting foundation
- The role of the Holy Spirit in development
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IV
- Understanding holiness as God's presence
- The meaning of God's name in our lives
- Daily activities as opportunities for sanctification
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V
- The importance of striving for God's approval
- Building a life that is a temple for God
- The pursuit of a God-filled existence
Key Quotes
“MAN builds; God hallows.” — F.B. Meyer
“The body is only the scaffolding, behind and through which the building of the soul is being upreared.” — F.B. Meyer
“Build what you will; but never be satisfied unless God sets his eyes and heart upon your life.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Engage in your daily tasks with a mindset of reverence, inviting God's presence into your work.
- Focus on nurturing both the physical and spiritual aspects of a child's development.
- Strive to create an environment in your life that is continuously filled with God's holiness.