June 1, 1997
Building the House of God
Parsonage Dedication Sunday
Building the House of God
By: Ron George Jr.
Text: Psalm 127:1, 1 Peter 2:1-8
Psal 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the
house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the
watchman waketh [but] in vain.
The Deal of a Lifetime.....
A contractor came to town one day from a nearby county. He went to everyone he could think of young and old alike. He gave them a fantastic offer. He said he would give them a home that had a life time guarantee. If they would just let him do the work on their house and build it the way he wanted to. For some they just needed a little remodeling, but for others they needed a complete house job. He would do all of the work if they would let him build it his way.
" Who does this guy think he is anyway? I have worked all of my life on this place and this guy wants me to give it all into his hands? He probably doesn’t have anything to give us anyway. I have all that I need . I am happy with the way things are now and I don’t want to change. I bet he can’t keep his guaranteed promise.
Who needs him? I can build my own house. No one can provide a lifetime guarantee.."
Yet, there were some that trusted him with their homes. They let him do whatever he wanted to their houses and they were very happy they did. The carpenter provided all that they needed to have a wonderful home. Although many of the houses he built weren’t mansions or gigantic structures , they were just what the families needed to live and to be happy. One of the features of his homes was the foundation that was laid underneath the structure which was made of a solid rock.
This rock foundation was very expensive but the contractor would take no less. But the best was yet to come . Many of the neighbors couldn’t believe what poor looking houses the contractor had built for the others and they were happy until ... The Storms Came...
One house after another of the self made houses crumbled under the power of the storms , but the ones that were built by the contractor withstood the storms so that those within were carried safely through until the end ..The guarantee was sure and true.. ..
What a deal of a life time...!!!! The carpenter’s name was Jesus..
Would you let Him build your house?
Would you let Him build your church?
Would you let Him build your parsonage?
1. What is the foundation of your life, family, and church?
1Pet 2:6 (KJS) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which
be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made
the head of the corner,
What do you base your life on? What position do you give the Lord in your life? Is he in it at all? Is he a small part of your life? He wants to be the corner stone..if not the precious corner stone then he will be the stone of stumbling and the rock of offence.. What does your life center around? Can the foundation of your life save you in the times of storms..?
2. What is the framework and inner structure of the house of your life
family, and house:
1Pet 2:3 (KJS) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.
4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God, [and] precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. {are:or, be ye}
a. The Holy Spirit that enables us to love one another and to become the church and people that God wants us to become. The presence of the Lord in our lives and our relationship to him that many don’t see ..
b. The scripture that God gives to lead us to Him and to know Him.
c. The Church that God has created to give to us the opportunity to be born into a family
These three are God’s gifts to us to enable to be born again, to grow up in our faith and spiritual lives.. that we may produce the fruit that is pleasing to Him..to be built up a spiritual house , an holy priesthood, and to offer up spiritual sacrifices..Are you relying on the spirit and reading and studying the scriptures and supporting the church that God has led you to ...
3. What is the exterior structure in God’s House made of?
1Pet 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
The outer sturcture is made of relationships to ourselves.. to others within the household of faith... to others without the church.. Are our earthly relationships characterized by the love of God that doesn’t seek it’s own but sacrifices to others.. Agape (love) is the glue that holds everything together..
Provide support .. Love is the nails...Love others as you love yourself..
Matt 22:37 (KJS) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Invitation:
What about your house? your life, your family , your church? Is God your foundation? Does the Holy Spirit, the Word of God , and the Church hold a high position in all of your ways? Does love characterize your relationships in all of your life?