Psalm 127, The Lord Builds
2 Kings 6 v 8 - 23 The Lord Battles
Acts 2 v 47 The Lord Blesses Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 1. The Lord Builds v.1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: FIVE PRINCIPLES IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1.PRINCIPLE OF PROMISE
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Genesis 11:1-9 Babel v.4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. v. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
We should not attempt anything in our own strength without receiving a promise from the Lord.
2. PRINCIPLE OF PATIENCE Except the LORD
Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
After receiving a promise we should not give up at the first hint of trouble. Joseph had a dream in which he was exalted above his brothers. But the day came when God fulfilled that dream.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace,
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour.
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his works in vain.
God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
3. PRINCIPLE OF PRAISE Except the LORD
Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Acts 16:25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
4. PRINCIPLE OF PROVISION Except the LORD
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. II Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The fourth principle is the principle of provision. When we put God first in our lives He is faithful to meet all our needs. Peter and his boat. Jesus told Peter to cast the net on the right side. The principle of provision is giving before we receive.
5. PRINCIPLE OF PROMOTION Except the LORD
Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The fifth principle is the principle of promotion. In the Kingdom of God promotion comes by humility.
2. The Lord Battles v.1 Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 Kings 6 v 8 - 23 (a) The Futility of Satanic Opposition (6:13) And he said, Go and spy where he is, .
The Motivation of the Enemy is Always Wrong (6:13) that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan
The Calculation of the Enemy is Always Wrong (6:14) Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
Rom. 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(b) The Reality of Spiritual Revelation (6:16) And he answered, Fear not: The Man of God Saw Invisible Realities (6:16) for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
The Man of God Shared Invisible Realities (6:17) And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
(c) The Authority of Sovereign Vindication (6:18) And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. The Man of God was Gloriously Delivered (6:18) And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
The Foes of God Were Gloriously Defeated (6:23) And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. a). HE REDUCED THE SYRIANS TO A STATE OF HARMLESSNESS
(6:18). “… And He smote them with blindness …” John tells us that the faithful “… overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony …” (Rev. 12:11). “overcame” means “to render the enemy harmless.”
B) HE REDUCED THE SYRIANS TO A STATE OF HELPLESSNESS
(6:20). “So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, ‘Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.’ And the Lord opened their eyes …”
C) HE REDUCED THE SYRIANS TO A STATE OF HOPELESSNESS
(6:23). “… he prepared great provision for them …”
Now while Elisha was up against flesh and blood, the forces behind these Syrians were spiritual wickednesses; yet the New Testament principle of retaliation (that of leaving all vengeance to God) applies in both instances. ” Rom. 12:19–21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing
M. Luther
3. The Lord Blesses v.3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Acts 2 v 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 1. He blessed them with His Peace (Unity) - 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 2. He blessed them with His Power - 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 3. He blessed them with His Presence - 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 4. He blessed them with His Protection 47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
THE CHURCH: A. It was first, UNIFIED: vs44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; They were in agreement about the… (a) Way of Salvation (b) Way or Service (c) Way of Separation B. It was second, MAGNIFIED: vs47a Praising God, and having favour with all the people. C. It was third, MULTIPLIED: vs47b And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Because Of --Obedience to His Word
--Obedience to His Will
--Obedience to His Way…-His way is Jesus Christ alone…
