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Most of us have taken a variety of tours during our lifetime. Have you ever considered that every time you visit a church you are taking a tour of God’s house? There is a little rhyme with hand motions that most of learned as small children:“Here’s the church, and here’s the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people”.
Psalm 122:1Psalm 122:1
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
122
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.
WP-Bible plugin states, “I was happy when they said to me, ‘Let’s go to the house of the Lord'”. Have you ever considered the importance of each aspect of the interior of the church?
Cross – First of all, in most Christian places of worship you will find a cross in a prominent place. The cross represents the “power of God”. As recorded in I Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Because of our redemption through Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross, we can have the power of God working in and through us.
Door – Ezekiel 1:18Ezekiel 1:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.
WP-Bible plugin – “Then he brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house. And behold at the entrance to the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the Lord and their faces prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.” The entrance (door) of the sanctuary allows us to join together with persons of like faith in worshipping our Savior.
Pews – Although the Bible does not directly have a reference to the word pews, there are many instances where people are directed to sit down and hear what the master teacher, Jesus Christ, had to share. Our pastor, a servant of God, invites us to come into the house of God and sit down and hear what he has been directed to share from God’s Holy Word.
Altar – In some churches the altar is a place where our monetary offerings as well as the emblems of the sacrament of communion are placed. In many churches there is also an altar at which a worshipper may bow in prayer. The altar was a prominent item in the Old Testament on which animal sacrifices were made. The altar is a very vital part of our place of worship even today.
Pulpit – The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 8:4Nehemiah 8:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam.
WP-Bible plugin that Ezra, the scribe, stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose of reading from the book of the law. Our book of the law is the Bible. The pulpit is the place from which the minister/pastor stands to share. The pulpit is an important fixture within our place of worship.
Choir Loft & Musicians Area – Wouldn’t you miss the singing and playing instruments in your church? There are so many references in the Bible about praising God through singing and using instruments. Even though we may not be able to sing like those in the choir, God still accepts this important act of worship. I would miss the music!
I love God’s house. It is one of the most important aspects of my life. God’s house should be reverenced at all times. What would our lives be like without a place to come to sing, praise God, pray, hear God’s Word and meet with fellow believers? Be sure and tour God’s house regularly!
As the spouse of a pastor, you may feel like you do not have any rights but you will find after reading this piece that indeed you do. I have linked to the article in its entirety with permission from the publisher. Reflect on each point as you strive to become the best pastor’s spouse that you can be.
