God's Hammers

God’s Hammers

Text: Ecc 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

1st Cor 3:9, For we are laborers together, with God.

Introduction:

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of cutting trees in the forest, using them to make a house and fastening them together with nails and a hammer. There are many types and sizes of hammers, varying from the stonemason’s hammer of 15 lbs. To the jeweler’s hammer of a few ounces. The most widely used hammer is the claw hammer with head to drive the nails and a claw to extract them. When we see a hammer, we connect it with building, which reminds us of 1st Cor 3:9, “We are laborers together with God. We are God’s husbandry, we are God’s building.” and Ecc 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” As we build for Christ, we must be careful to

I. Build our house on God’s foundation.

“Other foundations can no man lay save that which is laid.” “There is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved.” Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing,” and “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

A. Not just any foundation will do. When God told Moses to make the tabernacle after the pattern shown him by God, God left no room for Moses’ ingenuity or personal ideas. We cannot build on any makeshift foundation of good works, of pride, of ambition, church membership or baptism as a foundation for salvation.

B. Jesus said, “The foolish man built his house on the sands. The wise man built his house upon the Rock.” What is the foundation on which we are building? This, after all, is the question which concerns our souls. Are we upon the rock or are we upon the sand? We profess to love the Lord but what about the foundation? Where does the house rest? ON ever side we see thousands building for eternity on mere outward profession of Christianity–striving to shelter their souls under false refuges–contenting themselves with a name to live, while they are dead, and with a form of Godliness without power. The Christianity which combines good profession and good practice is a building that will not fall. A building on the sand will not stand up in the storm.

C. The passengers were assembled on the deck of a sinking ship. Life belts were handed out and hastily adjusted. One man refused to accept his. “I’m a fine swimmer, and I’ll pick up something to hold on to before I get tired.” “Better take a life belt and be on the safe side.” “ Not a bit of use, my chances are as good as anyone else’s.”

A young Christian speaking to a friend said, “Better trust Christ for salvation and come into the church.” “NO use, my chances are as good as anyone else’s. I’m not a great sinner. I’m living a fare more decent life than many of your church members.” Well, what about it? The ship sank and the swimmer went down but he never came up. Those with life belts went down, came up, and were saved. What about the man who went to the grave trusting in his own goodness? Will he come up saved? Only those who trust in Jesus will be saved. Better be on the safe side– take a life belt. Better check your foundation.

D. Jesus is the only foundation on which to rest our hope and faith. IF your hope is built on good works, you are on the sand. If your hope is built on anything less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, you are on the sand.

E. Jesus was driving pretty hard when He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto you He that entereth not by the door of the sheepfold but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of heaven. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Verily, verily, I say unto you except ye repent ye shall likewise perish.”

A wife came to the parsonage in Tucson one night and asked if I would talk to her husband on spiritual things. She said that her husband had been drinking and would come in on the condition that he could sip a can of beer while we talked. I told her, “No beer!” He came in and told me that he and God were buddies but he would not receive God’s son as his savior. He was laying other foundations. It’s foolish to think you can be God’s buddy and reject Christ.