Leonard Ravenhill challenges believers to examine if Christ truly dwells within them, emphasizing the transformative reality of God living inside the believer as the true temple.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of Christ living within individuals, highlighting the uniqueness of Christianity where God resides in believers. It challenges listeners to reflect on whether God truly dwells within them, contrasting this with other religions. The message underscores the significance of being a habitation of God and the need for inner cleansing and surrender to experience true joy and restoration.
Full Transcript
I don't ask people if they're saved anymore. Who isn't saved? From the White House to the jailhouse. I look a person in the eye and say, does Christ live in you? I didn't ask you that.
I'm asking you, does Christ live in you? Christianity is the only religion in the world where a man's God comes and lives inside of him. A Chinese scholar was given a copy of the New Testament. He'd read the Quran, he'd read the Vedas and all the sacred books.
The man said to him, did you read the New Testament through? He said, I did. What's the most amazing thing? He thought the man would say the most amazing thing I read was that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. That he died and physically arose again from the dead.
Instead of that, he said the most awesome thing is in Philippians chapter 2 or Ephesians chapter 2. It is? Yes. It says, in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air. And then at the end of that same chapter, it says you're the habitation of God.
He said, sir, does your God live inside of you? If so, that's the most awesome thing I've read. And I've read the Quran, I've read the Vedas, I've read all those other sacred books. But I never read where a man's God comes and makes the man the habitation of God.
I preached in a big church a few years back. I said, Martha, dearie, those trees at the entrance of the church are wonderful. I've never seen trees like that in my life.
I know what the leaves are, but look at all the little white flowers, white buds. Well, I got to church a bit late one night. Well, I mean late for me.
I usually like to get there half an hour before time. And I went in there with the boys, you know, while I draw this fleeting breath. And then sticking the cigarette stumps in the trees outside.
When I gave up my text, I said, gentlemen, I'm going to preach this night. I did on Romans eight. And while you're looking for it, get out your cigarettes and your matches.
You can all smoke. What? Deacons nudging each other. We knew this guy was a crank.
I said, smoke. This building isn't the temple of God. This is the temple of God.
You defile it till you got to the door of the church, defile it inside. Of course, if you start smoking, I'll tell you to stop. But I said, this is a temple.
He doesn't dwell in temples. He dwells in a habitation. What? Full of carnality, full of jealousy, full of pride, full of anger, full of secret lust.
David says, restore unto me the joy, I mean of pain. The bonds that you brought, this relationship that you severed. The only way that I can get my joy back is for God to come in full control.
First, he has to cleanse the habitation in which he's going to live.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Questioning if Christ truly lives in the believer
- Distinction between being saved and Christ living within
- Christianity's unique claim of God dwelling inside man
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II
- Testimony of a Chinese scholar on the New Testament
- The astonishment at God making man His habitation
- Comparison with other world religions
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III
- Illustration of the church as a temple versus the believer as the true temple
- The defilement of the body through sin versus sanctity
- Call to cleanse the habitation for Christ to dwell fully
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IV
- David's plea for restoration and joy
- Necessity of God's full control for true joy
- The process of sanctification as cleansing the inner temple
Key Quotes
“I don't ask people if they're saved anymore. Who isn't saved? From the White House to the jailhouse. I look a person in the eye and say, does Christ live in you?” — Leonard Ravenhill
“Christianity is the only religion in the world where a man's God comes and lives inside of him.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“He doesn't dwell in temples. He dwells in a habitation. What? Full of carnality, full of jealousy, full of pride, full of anger, full of secret lust.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- Examine your life to see if Christ truly dwells within you beyond mere salvation.
- Allow God to cleanse and take full control of your heart to restore joy and holiness.
- Recognize that your body is the temple of God and live accordingly, avoiding defilement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Christ to live in a person?
It means that God dwells within the believer, transforming their life and making them His temple.
Why does Leonard Ravenhill no longer ask if people are saved?
Because he believes salvation is universal, but the key question is whether Christ truly lives inside the person.
How is Christianity different from other religions according to the sermon?
Christianity uniquely teaches that God comes to live inside the believer, making them His habitation.
What must happen for Christ to fully dwell in a believer?
The believer must be cleansed from sin and allow God to take full control of their life.
What practical example does Ravenhill use to illustrate the temple concept?
He contrasts the physical church building with the believer's body as the true temple of God.
