1. Our lesson is based on the statement made in the first part of Psalm 127:1. 2. If the Lord is not the builder of a house, those who build it are working in vain. 3. As we study this principle, we will examine: a. 2 building projects in the Old Testament b. how the Lord builds His house today. Discussion: I. TWO BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. The tower of Babel was built in vain (Genesis 11:1-9). 1. (vs.1-4) A plan was made to build a city and a tower. a. Brick and mortar were selected as the materials. b. The plan was to build the tower up to heaven. c. Question: Is there any mention of the Lord in this plan? 1) After the flood God wanted Noah's descendants to populate the earth. 2) The Babel project was designed to keep everyone in that area. 3) This was a vain project because the Lord's will was not followed. 2. (vs.5-9) The Lord stopped this building project. 3. Regardless of how many resources were used, regardless of how many people worked on this project, and regardless of how much time was spent, it was all in vain -- the Lord was not the builder. B. The tabernacle was not built in vain because the Lord built it. 1. The Lord gave Moses a pattern for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-9). a. The Lord selected certain materials to be used. b. He gave detailed instructions for building the tabernacle. 2. The Israelites followed the Lord's instructions (Exodus 39:32, 42-43). 3. The Lord was pleased with the tabernacle (Exodus 40:33-34). C. These building projects in the Old Testament illustrate the principle revealed in Psalm 127:1. D. On the basis of this information, let us turn our attention to . . . II. HOW THE LORD BUILDS HIS HOUSE TODAY
A. In 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is identified as God's house. B. God's house: 1. has a corner stone -- Jesus is the corner stone of God's house (Acts 4:11) 2. has a foundation -- the apostles and prophets serve as the foundation of God's house (Ephesians 2:19-22) 3. has a door a. Jesus is the door of God's house (John 10:9). b. He knocks, and He wants to come in (Revelation 3:20). 4. has keys a. Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter (Matthew 16:19). b. Peter revealed the keys for entering God's house in Acts 2:38. 5. is composed of a variety of members a. Christians are the members of God's house (Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:5). b. All members of God's house are important (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). 6. has something special that binds its members together -- love. a. The hearts of Christians are to be "knit together in love" (Colossians 2:2). b. (Colossians 3:14) Christians are to put on love "which is the bond of perfectness." Conclusion:
1. Jesus has gone to the Father's house to prepare a place for His followers (John 14:1-4). 2. His faithful followers look forward to spending eternity in that wonderful house (2 Corinthians 5:1-2). 3. Do you have David's confidence of spending eternity in the Lord's house (Psalm 23:6b)?
