2. THE LORD’S HOUSE IS A SPECIAL PLACE!

3. The church is poetically referred to as a building. “On this rock I will build My church” (Matt 16:18). “We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Cor 3:9).

4. ISAIAH 2:1-5

5. Reason Number One: The church is chief, v 2. The church is important: Jesus died for the church (Acts 20:28). Jesus loves the church (Eph 5:25). Jesus is the Savior of the church (Eph 5:23).

6. Reason Number Two: The church is comprehensive, vv 2- 3. In the new temple--the church of our God--anyone can come. Acts 10:34-35. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).

7. Reason Number Three: The church has code, v 3. The law would go forth from Zion. “We shall walk in His paths.” “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21). “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt 12:50).

8. Reason Number Four: The church has concord, v 4. At verse 2, Isaiah says that “all nations” would come to the new temple. Here, he says that nation would not lift up sword against nation.

9. THE LORD’S HOUSE IS A SPECIAL PLACE!

10. One: Because the church is chief, we need to give priority to the church in our lives. Do some self-examination and see what, if anything, takes priority over the church. You need to make the church a priority in your life!

11. Two: Because the church is comprehensive, we need to welcome the stranger. All nations would flow to the church. We cannot accept sin. But, the Gospel has the power to transform lives (1 Cor 6:9-11). Be welcoming of new people. If you were walking into this building for the first time, what would you like to know?

12. Three: Because the church has code, we need to know that code. We need to be a studying people. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (Jn 12:48). Spend some time this week studying what the Bible has to say about the church.

13. Four: Because the church has concord, we need to live in peace with our brethren. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor 13:11). “Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thess 5:13). We need to do everything in our power to create an environment of peace in this congregation.

14. ARE YOU PART OF THE LORD’S HOUSE THIS MORNING?