Presented, July 3, 2005 pm
“UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE”
Psalm 127:1
The above Psalm is normally quoted in association with the Lord’s church pointing to the fact that only that which is authorized by the Lord is pleasing to Him. That statement is so true as we shall see in a moment. But it is a statement worthy of consideration in other areas of our lives as well.
The point the psalmist is making is that we need God in our lives in all that we do. Everything else is vanity and will not last forever. Paul said that in ALL we do, it should be “in the Name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17).
So with that in mind, tonight we will notice 6 things that Jesus our Lord ought to be the builder of in our lives. We begin with the obvious one:
I. His Church
a. In Matthew 16:18 – Jesus said, “I will build My church”
b. It was something in God’s plans from before the foundation of the world – Ephesians 3:11. Isaiah 2:2 speaks of the Lord’s house being established “in the latter days” in Jerusalem
c. This prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 2 in the kingdom/church. 2:38-41 tells us that some 3000 souls were baptized that day and “added to them” Vs. 47 says they were added by the Lord to the church.
d. When it comes to the Lord’s church, we need to be careful that we ONLY build with what He has authorized us to build with. Otherwise, it is NOT His church.
e.
The apostles understood this as they taught.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 – no other foundation can anyone lay and still be pleasing
to God.
But in these last two verses, while they are dealing with the church primarily, there is also the general principle in other areas of our lives as well.
II. Our Homes
a. Psalm 127:3-5 - The psalm we began with quickly turns to the heritage of children being from the Lord. This obviously has implications within the home. One that the Lord has built. Obviously, this was NOT the structure of physical materials, but the family and how they are raised.
b. The importance of the home is something that cannot be stressed enough. It is the foundation of society. As the home goes, so goes the community and the government and morals and the nation. Society knows, though they will not admit it, that the standards God’s word has set for the home are BEST. They know:
i. Husbands and wives need to be close to one another. They have responsibilities that must be given some priority in their lives. Ephesians 5:22-25 bears this out as well as numerous other passages. They need to love each other and care for each other and tend to each others needs. Truly, their spouse ought to be their “soul mate” (see 1 Peter 3:7)
ii.
Parents have awesome responsibilities to raise their children properly
Ephesians 6:1-4. AND children need to obey and honor their parents. O how
society needs such.
iii.
That divorce is NOT a good thing. The ideal family is one in which a
husband and wife are joined together until death shall separate them. As Jesus
reminded the Jews in Matthew 19:5-6 – God created us male and female and in
joining them together he said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Concerning divorce, Jesus said, “What God has joined together, do not let man
separate”
We have seen the damage divorce wreaks upon a home and society. While there are
times when divorce is permitted, it is NOT what God desires – Matthew 19:7-9
c. When society tries to tamper with godly homes, the result is usually disastrous. They treat divorce as no big deal and a healthy alternative in all circumstances. Children don’t need to listen to their parents and respect authority (they don’t actually say this but they imply it). Role-reversal is considered acceptable and the traditional home is not praised as it used to be. We see the results in high divorce rates, selfish-lives, broken children (physically, mentally and spiritually), etc. TRULY, when the Lord does not build the house, it is a labor in vain.
III. Character
a. Jesus is a builder of character.
i. He set the example by the life He lived. While He was despised by many in His day, they never found anything to impugn His character. He lived in honesty, integrity and every other element of a godly character.
b. In the Bible we find numerous examples of changed lives as a result of following Him.
i.
Luke 19:1-10 records Jesus visiting with Zacchaeus. While the crowd despised
tax collectors and even criticized Jesus for making friends with them, he change
their lives.
Matthew, one of the twelve went from publican (tax-collector) to apostle (Matt.
9:9)
Zacchaeus, who possibly was corrupt now says, “I will change” vs. 8. He
completely changed who he was.
As Jesus spoke to him, He said, “the Son of Man came to seek and save that which
was lost”
ii. Onesimus, a runaway slave was returned to Philemon 11 – “now is profitable to you”
c.
When we follow God’s laws, we will have a character that is honorable and
respectable.
1 Peter 2:12 speaks of a conduct “honorable among the Gentiles”
Philippians 1:27 – our conduct needs to be “worthy of the gospel”
d. Society knows the importance of good character. The virtues they want man to have are the same virtues God wants – honesty, integrity, respect, etc. But often they seek such things from wrong sources or they fail to instill the idea of an accountable being. When the Lord is not in the picture, it is built in vain.
IV. Morals
a. One reason our society has so many problems is because of a poor moral foundation. Understand that this county was built upon morals and even today we still know that good morals are important. But society refuses to accept the source of true morality. What is lacking in the morals of society? It is not the fact that we need to flee immoral conduct. It is 1) a tolerance of the immorality in others (including mild consequences), 2) a failure to set a clear standards (believe whatever you want) and 3) a lack of REAL accountability. Society tries to ignore the fact that God exists and therefore you CAN hide while you are being immoral.
b. The morality built upon Jesus will bring you true peace. You know that what you do is good and produces what is best in society. NO one can deny that if we followed the moral standards God has set that the world would be a better place. They simply don’t want to have to answer to God and His word.
c. Jesus changed lives and made them morally better
i. John 8 speaks of the adulterous woman. How did He change her? FIRST, he forgave her sins and then he told her, “go and sin no more” (vs. 11). We can be moral in Christ, because He WILL forgive our sins.
ii. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speaks of the former conduct of some that Paul wrote to, but they were changed. Their sins were forgiven and now their lives were going in a different direction.
iii. Titus 2:11-12 – God’s grace that brings salvation teaches us to live morally.
V. Courage
a.
Jesus can build courage in our lives. He gave courage to many.
Matthew 10:5-15 as he sent out His apostles, He told them to take nothing with
them. The result was that they returned more confident and courageous.
Mark 15:43 – Joseph of Arimathea “took courage” and went to Pilate requesting
the body of Jesus. He had finally had enough and stood up for his Lord.
b. The book of Acts is filled with examples of courage as a result of Jesus.
i. Peter , who denied Him 3 times, stands up for Jesus facing persecutions. Note Acts 4:17-20, 5:28-29
c. We are called upon to exhibit courage and Jesus can give us that courage. Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7 – God has not given us a spirit of fear.
VI. Hope
a. So many in the world live without any hope. They have lives that are messed up and they see no solutions. That’s because their focus is on the physical. . Ephesians 2:12-13 speaks of those living without hope.
b. Jesus gives us hope. He will build up hope in our lives. If we cast our cares upon Him, our lives will have a direction with hope in it.
c. While on earth Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25-26
d. If we trust in Christ we know that no matter what happens in this life, we have something better waiting on the other side. That can help us deal with what we face here.
e. Hebrews 6:19 speaks of our hope being an anchor of the soul
Conclusion: Truly, if we allow Jesus into our lives, He will build many things better than before. He concluded the Sermon on the Mount with a parable of two men, one wise and the other foolish. They both built houses, but only one built on a solid foundation which withstood the fierce forces that pounded against it. (Matthew 7:24-26) Upon what foundation are we building?
Based on a Lesson by Bobby K. Thompson