Introduction

This week, I will share with you a remarkable passage titled "The Intention to Build a Temple for God's Name." This is what Solomon said to the people of Israel. From last week until now, we have been discussing topics related to the temple. Some of you may find certain aspects challenging to accept, but I encourage you to ponder them.

After Solomon completed the temple, he placed the Ark of the Covenant inside, and the glory of God filled it. The Israelites gathered in that place, and when God's glory filled the temple, the priests could not stand to minister because the glory of God filled the temple to such an extent that they could not stand. This event was truly extraordinary.

When we were establishing our church, I had a deep longing: to build a church filled with God's glory, where the priests could not even stand to minister. How wonderful that would be! I had such a hope in my heart. You see, once you build a church filled with God's glory, whether the priests can stand or not becomes less important. What truly matters is that people can lift their hands towards this temple built for God's name and have their prayers heard.

And because of this, thank God, you from different corners of the world, in every place, if you lift your hands towards this temple in prayer, God hears you, you are healed, you receive mercy. You know how many people we have blessed.

Because without this temple, all of life's problems can truly lead to despair. Even if God is real, without this temple, people do not know what to do because there is no presence of God. You know, our building of a glorious church for God is also like this, solving many desperate problems. I am truly grateful, how did I even have such a thought back then to build a temple for God?

At the time, I felt like I was making a huge sacrifice, but it was not. It was a generous return. Therefore, the Chinese Mingding Doctrine has a logic called "Serving is Grace." Building a glorious church for God is an immense grace.

If there is one best choice in life that you cannot miss, it is the opportunity to be used by God, or your own willingness to build a glorious church for God. You know, Solomon's temple was not Solomon's idea to build; it was David's. I will delve deeper into the story behind David's desire to build the temple with you.

In 2 Samuel chapter 7, there is such a passage. David was living in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies. He was living in peaceful and joyful days. So the king invited the prophet Nathan for tea. The prophet Nathan came to the palace, and while drinking tea, they were talking.

David said, "Look, I am living in this palace made of cedar wood." This cedar wood is equivalent to what? Not quite golden nanmu, but it must be a very precious wood. "But the Ark of God remains in a tent." Nathan said to the king, "You can do whatever is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."

But that night, God spoke to Nathan. God said to him, "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? Since the day I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt to this day, I have not dwelt in a house, but have moved from tent to tent, from one dwelling to another. In all the places I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”'"

Did everyone hear the tone of God's words? If you did not, I will explain it to you. Actually, God was very moved, to what extent? From the Exodus to David, throughout the generations, no one remembered that God was still living in a tent. The Israelites entered the land of Canaan and lived in good houses, while God lived in a tent. I tell you, God did not complain, but God told the prophet Nathan, "Did I ever speak to any of the judges of Israel about this?" No, I did not. It is not that God did not want it; it is that God did not want to actively ask for it.

Did God not have the right to ask? Yes, He did. It is that God hoped that someone would voluntarily have such a heart to offer to God, you know? In the days of David, suddenly a David emerged. David saw that the Ark of God was still in a tent, he saw that he was living in a palace, while God was still living in a tent, so he resolved to build a temple for God. After God was moved, oh, God was so happy.

That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house for me to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day, but I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’” (1 Chronicles 17:3-14)

This is the promise to David, a good promise. If you have time, you should read this passage carefully. You will possess the gates of your enemies, how powerful! Your enemies will not be able to defeat you, and not only you, but your son, your descendants will sit on this throne for generations. Nathan told David all these words. David was very grateful after hearing them.

Everyone should note that this is in 2 Samuel chapter 7. Solomon was not yet born, and Bathsheba had not yet married David. David began to intend to build a temple for God, and God gave him these promises. Then David's reaction was: "Who am I? And what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" David was stunned. I just thought about it, said a word: "I am living in a palace of cedar, but the temple of God is in a tent." I just thought about it, and I received so many benefits.

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of my family—and this is your usual way of dealing with humanity, Sovereign Lord. (2 Samuel 7:18-19)

Brothers and sisters, I am particularly touched. When it was desolate, I resolved to build a glorious church for God. I said, "God, use me." God said, "Are you willing to die for me?" I said, "I am willing." So the established Mingding Doctrine is what it is today, not because of anything else, but because when it was desolate, I just thought about it.

“What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. (2 Samuel 7:20-21)

“And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever, and people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ Then the house of your servant David will be established in your sight. (2 Samuel 7:25-26)

If you and I today intend to build a temple in God's name, that is extraordinary. Do not miss this opportunity. The story I am going to tell next, you may not agree with it so much, but I think my telling this is a bit like Yi Zhongtian telling the story of the Three Kingdoms, which may not be so suitable for everyone's ideas. This matter spread throughout the country of Israel, that David wanted to build a temple for God, but he could not build a temple for God, his son would build a temple for God.

Which son? Look at David's sons, oh, this silly son, forget it, that silly son, forget it too. Oh, this is Absalom, not enough to usurp the throne, oh, that is Amnon, who even sexually assaulted his sister. Oh, this is a bunch of nonsense.

Then David said, "Oh, my son is going to build a temple for God, this matter is determined by God." The whole of Israel knew. A woman named Bathsheba also knew. Bathsheba lived in the backyard of David's house, a neighbor. She dreamed day and night of bearing a son for David to build a temple for God. This matter is all deduced backwards.

Who is Solomon's son? Is Solomon not Bathsheba's son? Is he? Then what education did Solomon receive after he was born? Why did David choose Solomon to succeed him as king? Because this son Solomon heard something from his mother.

When he was just born and could speak, Bathsheba said, "Son, do you know how your mother gave birth to you? Do you know how Mom gave birth to you? Mom is not David's wife." Solomon said, "Then whose wife are you?" Bathsheba said, "I am Uriah's wife. But I tell you, since I knew that David's son was going to build God's temple, I dreamed every day of bearing a son for David."

You may say that this subverts our concepts too much, right? But that is why David took her into the palace and did that thing with her. This Bathsheba did not accuse David of rape, did she? Bathsheba is not an adulterous person. This story is in line with the stories of Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth.

As a result, she said to little Solomon, "I hope you will build a temple for God. You are the son who will build a temple for God. Son, you must build a temple for God." As a result, this little Solomon was extremely smart. He came to David and said, "Father, Father, how is the matter of building the temple going? Can you show me the picture?" He melted David's heart all at once.

Solomon discussed the temple with David, oh, David liked this son Solomon. Why? Influenced by his mother, do you understand? Then you need to know who has the most influence on the child? The mother has the most influence.

Do not think that Bathsheba is a simple character. When Adonijah wanted to usurp the throne and become king, Bathsheba sent someone to find David and discuss this matter. David began to announce Solomon as king and abolished Adonijah. So Bathsheba is not an ordinary person, very powerful.

Then do you say that this matter is in God's control? I tell you, our God is definitely a God who subverts the three views. Our God is not a moral God, our God is a God who saves mankind. Whoever has this heart, let the others go. As for whether she is Uriah's wife or not, forget it, you have this heart, a heart that is single-minded for God, amazing. So later Solomon became king.

Scripture

Solomon's building of God's temple was no joke. He had to overcome thousands of difficulties. Next, let us read the scriptures.

But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’ “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father, and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. I have provided a place there for the ark, which contains the covenant of the Lord that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.” (1 Kings 8:18-21)

Solomon's words, did you see them? Between the lines, they reveal the anecdote I just shared with you.

Prayer

O God, we thank You for recording this story in the Bible. O God, grant us the same heart as David to build a temple, and let us, like Solomon, build a temple for Your name before You, so that Your temple may be filled with glory. O God, let us build according to Your revelation, and though we experience many hardships, we still firmly believe that this is in accordance with Your will and pleasing to You.

O God, raise up our brothers and sisters, so that they may all have the same heart to build this glorious temple, so that Your glory may fill the whole earth, and so that all nations and peoples on this earth may be blessed by Your glory. We thank You for giving us such an opportunity in this generation. O God, we willingly offer ourselves, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Scriptural Background

You know that after Solomon built the temple, he brought the Ark of the Covenant up from the City of David. David had once moved the Ark, but when Uzzah steadied it, using an ox cart to pull it, and it looked like it was about to fall, Uzzah reached out to steady it, and he was struck down.

Ah, when we read these things, we are very perplexed. I tell you, throughout the ages, in any era, as long as you try to help God, you will be ruined. It is the same today. If you try to help God, you are a person to be killed. So when Solomon built the temple, he dared not have the mindset of helping God build the temple. Then he brought the Ark over and placed it in God's dwelling place, the Most Holy Place that had been built. After it was placed there, the entire temple was filled with glory.

When we were building the church, I had an idea in my heart: if God does not dwell in the church after it is built, who will? Ghosts? No way! The building of the church must be done according to God's revelation. If it is built according to God's revelation, then God's glory will fill it.

But do you know how difficult it is to build the temple according to God's revelation? If you have been to Jerusalem, you know that the Wailing Wall is what was built when Solomon built the temple. Those stones are incredibly huge, all drawn by God's own finger for David. When Solomon took a look at the drawings, he thought, "Oh my goodness, such big stones!" God, can we change to bricks? Do we have to use such big stones?

Those stones were several meters long, over a meter high, and over a meter thick. I ask you, can such stones be found in Jerusalem? They must have been quarried from the mountains and transported here. Solomon went through all kinds of hardships; the difficulty was extraordinary.

The temple itself was a miraculous operation, wouldn't you say? Think about it, three thousand years ago, China was still in the Shang Dynasty, it seems. Looking at the drawings, "Oh my goodness, this pillar is wrapped in gold, that pillar is wrapped in gold, this is gold, that is gold." How much would that gold cost!

Brothers and sisters, tell me, wouldn't it be better to use this money for economic development? Wouldn't it be better to do some projects for the people's livelihood? Solomon really had character. The filling of God's glory is no ordinary matter. Some people say that Solomon spent so many years building his own palace first, and then building God's temple. Some people feel that this is not quite appropriate. But I think, do you think Solomon was stupid? Do you think you are smarter than Solomon?

Why did Solomon do this? I think, when Solomon saw these stones, he thought, "Ah, let me build my own palace first to practice." Practice, right? Solomon's palace didn't use such big stones, did it? At most, it was just wood. Practice first, why? It takes so much faith to find such big stones and build such a magnificent temple in that era, with that level of science and technology. It was too difficult.

Moreover, when Solomon was building his own palace, I tell you, Solomon was still young. He might not have had the ability to manage the building of God's temple. Anyway, he was quite capable. After God's glory filled the temple, Solomon turned to bless the assembly of Israel and then explained this passage.

Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’"

“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’" (1 Kings 8:14-19)

Solomon spoke this passage. Let us analyze it bit by bit in this direction.

Intending to Build a Temple is a Great Grace

When David intended to build a temple, God's promise to him completely exceeded David's imagination. David had several unexpected things. What was the first unexpected thing? Who am I? What is my family? That you have brought me to this point?

David intended to build a temple for God, and what happened? As a result, God was very interesting. God said, "I will establish your house for you, I will build a house for you." Ah, God cares about him, cares about David's family, right? And made David like the great men of the world, and the enemies could not harass him, and also established a house for him, established a kingdom, and his son would sit on this throne forever and ever.

So David had several unexpected things. He said: I just thought about building a temple for God, how did it become like this? Brothers and sisters, you must know that if you really intend to build a temple for God, I tell you, you will also receive it. Why did I build the church back then? It was because I saw that this church was not good, that church was not good. I didn't want to kick the hall, and I didn't want to be the watchman, constantly reminding the pastor, "You didn't do this right, you didn't do that right." I didn't want to do annoying things, so I just built it myself.

As soon as I thought about building a church, ah, the road I took was difficult! Intending to build a temple, but looking back, all the way has been faith, and God's grace is extremely rich. So David's second sentence: This is a small thing in your eyes, and then you promise your servant's house to be forever. That is, building a temple is a small thing in your eyes, and then you promise your servant's house to be forever. I only considered building your temple, but you considered my house. Is this a common thing for people to encounter? Unexpected, really unexpected.

So where was David smart? David was smart, and Solomon was also smart. David said, "What more can I say to you?" Why? This is a great grace! I ask you, building a temple is not a joke! Did David face many challenges later? He did.

For all these great things You have done, to make Your servant know them, it is according to Your own heart. Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (2 Samuel 7:21-22)

Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. (2 Samuel 7:25-27)

David's attitude was that building a temple was a great grace! Were there challenges? Yes! Did he have this attitude, "God, I'm building a house for you, so you have to thank me!"? It wasn't the attitude of "You have to thank me." "I'm building a temple, wow, what virtue and ability do I have?" David had this attitude.

So the Chinese Mingding Doctrine inherits David's logic, that God will make our name great. Actually, the current name is a bit big. Many years ago, a pastor came to me and said, "Pastor Liu, you don't know how famous you are outside!" I really didn't know, and I never thought about it.

But I tell you, if you intend to build a temple for God, God will surely make your name great, God will surely make your name great! Until now, the content developed by the Chinese Mingding Doctrine has edified many people. So intending to build a temple is a great grace! Even the reward exceeds what you ask or think! You can't imagine how big it is, you can't imagine it. Thank God, this is an extremely rich grace! Your service is a grace given to you by God! In any case, He is God, a great God!

Intending to Build a Temple is an Exercise of Faith

David accumulated materials in hardship.

Indeed I have taken great pains to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them. Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all men skilled in every kind of work. Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.” (1 Chronicles 22:14-16)

**Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. And David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding; and may He cause you to rule over Israel, and to keep the law of the Lord your God. (1 Chronicles 22:10-12)

Everyone must not think that David was easily accumulating materials for God. You know how many difficult struggles there were. This money could be used to develop the economy, build high-speed railways, build roads, dig wells, and control floods. How many projects were waiting for money! It was a very difficult choice to put this money here, rather than developing the economy, just to build a temple for God. This gold was to be used to build a temple for God, not to develop the economy.

I ask you, is this an easy choice? It would be good if it were an easy choice. So David, in many difficult situations, needed money everywhere. But in the midst of difficulties, he prepared more than 100,000 tons of gold for the Lord. When we build a temple, there are also many struggles. I don't want to cut corners. Many times, I'm really putting on a brave face and holding on.

You must know that when you click on the website, we have to pay for it. You use it for free on the Internet, but we pay for it. A terabyte, a gigabyte of traffic is money. Those who use our materials for free on the Internet don't know that they think it's all free, but it's actually all burned out by us. But we are determined not to be stingy on this.

So I think in many difficulties, I can understand it too well. But we want to be a blessing to all nations and peoples. Can a small family spirit do this job? Thank God, with such a heart, in many difficulties, so much has been prepared for the temple of God. I tell you, without this kind of domineering spirit, you can't do God's work. Do you think David didn't make difficult choices? Solomon and David were all exercises of faith.

Building God's temple can solve the problem of blessing all nations and peoples on earth. Building God's temple can solve the problem of whether God is with Israel. If there is no temple of God, and it is used to develop the economy, then Old Ma will be with you.

David drew many pictures for Solomon, all of which were revealed by God on how to build. Then, looking at it, "Oh my goodness, the stones are so big!" The stones are bigger than your bed. Such big stones, Solomon said: "God, God, these stones are too big. Can I change to a long brick?" No, you have to do what God says.

Building a church according to God's instructions – is it easy? I feel there are many struggles. God says to forsake this and that; can you forsake them? I see many forsake God for their wives. With so much gold, one might think, "God, let's use this gold to develop the economy."

Solomon pondered over it, and I tell you, God gave him the wisdom to transport such large stones from the mountains to Jerusalem to build the temple. Moreover, the temple was built on a mountain, built exactly as God instructed.

The Chinese Mingding Doctrine speaks of building exactly as God instructs. If the church is meant to be built in a certain way, then build it that way. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. Facing these brothers and sisters in their sickness and suffering, each time is a difficult struggle. To speak from the heart, it is agonizing.

Gathering my inner faith, what is impossible with me is possible with God. Until now, God still delights in us having such resolve. What Solomon did was truly meticulous practice, no matter how difficult, still building according to God's revelation.

This Temple Must Be Built According to God's Revelation

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it."

David gave to Solomon his son the plan of the porch of the temple, and its buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms, and the place for the mercy seat; and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the Lord, all the surrounding chambers, the storehouses of the house of God, and the storehouses for the dedicated things; also for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of serving in the house of the Lord, and for all the articles for service in the house of the Lord. And he gave him gold by weight for the gold articles for every kind of service; also silver by weight for all the silver articles for every kind of service;

the weight for the golden lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand and its lamps; and the weight for the silver lampstands and their lamps, according to the use of each lampstand and its lamps; and gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for each table; also silver for the silver tables; and refined gold for the forks, the basins, and the pitchers; and gold for each golden bowl; and silver for each silver bowl; and refined gold for the altar of incense; and gold for the plan of the chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All this, David said, the Lord made clear to me in writing by his hand, all the details of the plan." (1 Chronicles 28:9-19)

Can everyone understand? I tell you, in the early years when we were building the church, we deeply felt that the appearance of the church must be built according to God's revelation. Jesus said, if you love me, and love your parents, wife, children more than the Lord Jesus, you are not worthy to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. I ask you, who can believe this? Who can? You must forsake parents, wife, children, houses, fields for the name of Jesus Christ, can you understand this? This is God's revelation.

If you do not have this resolve, you cannot build God's temple, you cannot build God's glorious church. According to man, this is impossible to hear, impossible to believe. The Chinese being chosen by God is often a divinely revealed election. Take the explanation of the first few chapters of Genesis, for example; that is God's revelation, completely different from the popular interpretations in the world.

I think we must know, is building the temple difficult? It is, isn't it? But even if it is difficult, it must be built according to God's revelation. Now, there are many who cut corners and use inferior materials when building God's temple. Take baptism, for example; it is eventually changed to a small bottle like the one used by Guanyin to sprinkle water. Isn't that detestable?

Why change it? Oh, such a big stone is too difficult! Change it to bricks, change it to bricks. Is that brick material what God wants? No. For baptism, let's not go to the Jordan River at first; let's just get a tank at home. But such a tank of water is too troublesome; it's all wasted after soaking. Oh, let's just get a basin, a bottle, and eventually it becomes Guanyin's small bottle. It's all like this; can God's glory fill it?

So David told Solomon, be careful. Then, because the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it. If you are not strong, you cannot do this work. Fighting against the devil, if you are not strong, you cannot do it, you cannot overcome. So, we build exactly as God instructs.

Recently, we have been preaching a lot on 1 Timothy; next week we will start preaching on 2 Timothy. Oh, I really hope that brothers and sisters do not become Timothy, definitely do not become Timothy. Timothy is not strong, lacking this kind of character.

So an old pastor said, Pastor Liu, what kind of person builds what kind of church, what kind of entrepreneur creates what kind of enterprise. This church is a reflection of your character. I think this is good. Everyone knows what kind of character I have, right? I have this kind of character.

Sometimes I tell my co-workers, if you are willing to build God's glorious church with me, let's do it well. If you are not willing, then forget it. The words are not pleasant, but that is the flavor. Building God's glorious church cannot be compromised! No matter how difficult, it must be according to God's word. No matter how trivial, it must be done carefully and with strength.

God's Glory Fills This Temple

Solomon's son Rehoboam succeeded him, and many Israelites came: "Rehoboam, your father Solomon was too bad, driving us with whips to move stones, building palaces, building the temple!" According to the people, can it be done? Isn't it? According to the members' wishes, can the temple be built? It cannot be built; it must be according to God's will.

The people did not like what Solomon did. The people just like one acre of land, two cows, and a wife and children with a warm bed. Do you understand? So does our church have democracy? No! Just do it this way. Even if it offends the people, it must be done this way.

"Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth." (2 Samuel 7:8-9)

Separated from the sheepfold means that your thinking is no longer the thinking of ordinary people; your thinking is beyond ordinary thinking! Do you understand? So this temple is filled with glory. I tell you, do not offend anyone, but especially do not offend God! This is my logic. I dare to offend anyone, but I dare not offend God. God's word cannot be spoken carelessly.

Brothers and sisters, when you choose a church, choose one that has God's presence and God's glory, not a democratic church. The members of the church cannot cast out demons, but they can cast out the pastor, one is worth two. Follow the priest who is after God's heart, the king who is after God's heart, the one who builds the temple for God, who builds the glorious temple.

Paying the price is truly paying the price! Sometimes I am in a dilemma, but I think there is no conflict between us. Why is there no conflict? God seeks our benefit, and you also seek your benefit. How can there be a conflict? I seek your benefit, and you also seek your benefit. How can there be a conflict?

But the methods are different. You think it is beneficial to yourself, but it is harmful. I think this matter is beneficial to you, but you think it is harmful. In each person's gifts and calling, God's guidance may be different. But no matter the method, God's faithfulness is unchanging. When serving, we should not compare each other, but appreciate each other.

For example, some people's gift is in preaching; they can systematically explain the truth of the Bible clearly. And some people's gift is in caring and interceding; they are especially able to comfort and support the weak. Therefore, the members of the church should cooperate with each other and manifest the body of Christ together.

We do not need to pursue the same style, but we must pursue the fruit of the same Holy Spirit in us. In this way, we can build ourselves up in love and build up others. Thank the Lord, may the Lord continue to lead us in all kinds of service, to see the richness and diversity that God has given, so that we can grow together in Christ.

I do not follow people's wishes. Some people come to my room: "Pastor, you should do this, Pastor, you should build the church this way." I said, "Silly boy, you wanted to commit suicide a few days ago, and I was still praying for you. Today you come to be my teacher?"

I am not like some people, pretending to be humble, oh, I want to be humble, thank you for the brother's suggestion. Thank you for what? You wanted to commit suicide a few days ago, and now you come to me, telling me what you read in a book. Is everything written in the book correct? Who taught you to do this? My words are a bit harsh; don't think I am not humble.

Can this kind of person build a church? Isn't it? Besides causing trouble in the church, they just cause trouble. If you want to follow me to build God's glorious church well, then let's seek God's guidance together. I tell you, God will surely reign, and He will surely govern everything among us.

God Hears Prayers Here

God hears prayers here. I think I have received great grace. Although I have paid a great price for receiving great grace, it is still grace. I think my life would have been empty and chaotic. Because of knowing God, because of being chosen by God to serve Him, because I have this kind of resolve in me, carefully examining God's word, knowing how to build God's glorious church. So God hears prayers here.

A sister had lupus. I tell you, do not be afraid. God hears prayers among us. So sometimes when you are healed, you must know that there was a person who once resolved to build a dwelling for God's name, a temple filled with God's glory. So your prayer was heard, not because of this person, but because Jesus Christ was crucified for us.

More than ten years ago, I firmly believed that all diseases could be healed. Many people came to challenge me, even members of the church: "Don't be so absolute." Oh, I said, silly child, don't be so absolute? Is one plus one equals two absolute or not? It is absolute. Can it be equal to two and also equal to three and also equal to four? You are your father's son; can you be someone else's son? Can this not be absolute?

We believe exactly what the Bible says. Did everyone who came to Jesus get healed? Yes. Then why can't we build the body of Jesus Christ so that everyone who comes here gets healed? At that time, not everyone was healed, but we believed that now everyone is truly healed.

So brothers and sisters, do not be afraid of any illness. If you really have faith like mine, you will save money and suffer less, right? Because our God is a God who hears prayers. In this glorious temple, God hears our prayers.

Because of this, you came from another church, and the problem that you may not have prayed for well for many years is healed here. Don't you owe me a favor? If you use the heart of owing me a favor, these words may not be in accordance with the truth, but it can motivate you. Are you willing to imitate those who have built God's glorious church before you?

Now, God hears prayers here. No matter how big your problem is, do not give up, turn back to God, and you will surely be healed. You say: Didn't a cancer patient die that day? He didn't die; he was healed for the first time, and then he became muddled again and died. One by one, it is all like this. Do you understand? Before, they sinned and offended God, came here to repent and pray, received grace, and then turned away from God, again incurring God's wrath. It is not that God does not hear prayers.

Conclusion

God's glorious temple is the most glorious work of this generation, and building God's glorious temple is the most glorious work. This is not sacrifice; this is gaining. I used to say that more words are just tears, but those tears are definitely not because I feel wronged by building God's temple, but because of the weakness inside during those difficult choices. But now I am becoming stronger and more victorious.

Our sermon will end here. May God bless everyone.