INTRODUCTION: This verse deals with building and battling (“keep the city”). These two actions describe much of our life and they certainly describe the Christian life. Nehemiah’s builders had to keep their weapons at hand (Nehemiah 4:16-18). Jesus deals with these two aspects of discipleship in Luke 14:27-33. We build a life, a work, or a ministry. Then we have to fight in order to keep it.
This verse deals with our relationship to God in the building and battling process. We tend to take it all upon ourselves. We try to make it happen with much effort or we try to be smart in our actions. But this is the fastest way to lose it all. We must understand God’s part in it and give Him His place. This message looks at the first statement: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Let this verse sink deep into your hearts.
- THE HOUSE IS OUR LIFE AND WORK
- The Blueprint is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- The Foundation is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11)
- The Building is our Life and Works (Matthew 7:24-27)
- GOD IS THE BUILDER (Hebrews 3:4; Hebrews 11:10)
- He Chooses the House to be Built (John 15:16)
- He Guides the Construction of the House (John 15:1-6)
- He Assures the Completion of the House (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2)
- WE ARE THE LABORERS (1 Corinthians 3:9-10)
- We Must Seek the Will of the Builder (Acts 9:6)
- We Must Obey the Instructions of the Builder (Psalms 143:10; Proverbs 3:5-6)
- We Must Trust the Wisdom of the Builder (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
CONCLUSION: You can have no lasting building unless you build on the right foundation—Jesus Christ. But even then, you must be careful how you build thereon. God must choose the life you are to live; He must guide you through each step; He must bring it to completion. Stop trying to be the builder. That is not your calling. Accept your place as a laborer. That is where the blessing and fruit is to be found.
