BUILDING FOR THE LORD

2 Chronicles 2:1-5

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,".  Jesus, of course, meant the people, not a building.  The remarkable thing about the church is that it is a growing building, growing through the centuries, made up of people whom Peter calls "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5) who are built into this mighty temple of God.

A building, however, is a very good symbol for the church, and Scripture uses it this way. Our Lord is building his church which he started back in the first century when the foundations were laid. That building has been going on, stretching through the centuries ever since and now, perhaps, we are finishing off the roof. The building is almost complete, it seems to me, but it is one building, one church.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11  According to the commission of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (RSV)

When David reigned as King over Israel, his desire was to build a house for God.

1 Chronicles 17:1  After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent."  (NIV)

But in spite of this deep desire in David’s heart, God had other plans.

1 Chronicles 17:3-4  That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:  4  "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.  (NIV)

God promised David though that his son Solomon was going to be the one to build Him a house.

1 Chronicles 17:11-12  When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.  (NIV)

Even though God did not allow David to be the one to build His house, David helped by gathering the materials needed to build God’s house.

1 Chronicles 22:5  David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death.  (NIV)

Just before David passed away, he charged Solomon with the responsibility to build a house for God.

1 Chronicles 22:6  Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.  (NIV)

This morning I’d like us to look at what it takes to be a builder for God.  In 2 Chronicles 2:1-5 we find three essentials.