Who will build the house of God?
Ezra 1:1-3
Introduction: The Israelites were living in bondage. 48 years had passed since Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem because God allowed Babylon to concur the land because of the people’s disobedience. 48 years in which the Israelite people were humbled from their previous arrogance. 48 years in which the people longed for their home land. 48 years in which God molded them into a people capable of claiming the land and rebuilding the holy place. Even though these events happened in 538 years before the birth of Christ, I believe the principles are still relevant and applicable today. So, my question to you this morning is…Who will build the house of God? Before we can answer that question, we must know the how…how do you build a house for God?
1. Gather Finances:
A: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? Luke 14:28
B: Can you afford to build? Serving God takes sacrifice…
C: Money…Time…Energy
2. Purchase the Land:
A: Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of [this] threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. And Ornan said unto David, Take [it] to thee, and let my lord the king do [that which is] good in his eyes: lo, I give [thee] the oxen [also] for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all. And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take [that] which [is] thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. I Chronicles 21:22-24
B: Salvation is a gift but it IS NOT free…
C: Once you make that purchase there is no going back…dream becomes reality.
3. Clear the Land:
A: Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it. Joshua 1:10-11
B: The armies of Israel had to clear the land of the enemy before they could dwell in the promise.
C: Cleanse our hearts on anything that would keep us from God.
4. Follow the Blueprints:
A: According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it]. Exodus 25:9
B: We build using God’s criteria…not ours.
C: Sunday school = Discipleship
5. Gather your supplies.
A. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 1 Cor. 3:12-13
B: You have to build your house with the proper materials
C: Wise vs. Foolish
6. Gather workers.
A: Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matt. 9: 37-38
B: We all have different skills to bring to the table.
C: Diversity builds strength
7. BUILD
A: 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. 1 Peter 2:5
B: Story of the Taj Mahal.
C: The temple has been in disarray for far too long it’s time to build the house of God.
Conclusion:
What does it all mean Brother Besse?
Counting the cost=Repentance
Buy the Land=Salvation
Clear the Land=Sanctification
Follow the blueprints=Read your Bible
Gather Materials=Pray
Gather Workers=Join the Church Body
Build=Walk the Christian Walk
Altar Call: Who will build the house? 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. Psalms 127:1
