Sermon on 27 February 2022 by Ps Gaius
Introduction
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding – Romans 14:19
Message
Build On
Matthew 7:24 tells a story about building 2 houses on different types of ground – one on rock and the other on sand. Both houses met with the same situation – rain, wind and waters coming in. We will face the same situation no matter where our house is built. However, one will collapse while the other will be able to remain standing.
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. – Matthew 7:24
And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. – Matthew 7:26
God wants us to obey His word and to do His word. Then, we will not be foolish and collapse. ‘Collapse’ refers not to our material wealth but to our spiritual relationship with God.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11
A solid house requires a strong foundation, to withstand calamity. The bedrock is the foundation. We have to build on Christ.
Build In
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 20-21
Pray in the Holy Spirit. Pray unceasingly. Prayer comes from our heart. Give thanks and pray. Keep ourselves in the love of God. Don’t let other things affect our thoughts, and have hope in Him. Build ourselves in faith.
Build Up
Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:20-22
The cornerstone is the first laid stone on the ground. All other stones will be built around the cornerstone. Jesus Christ is our cornerstone. We are a group of diverse people who come together because God has touched our hearts, and we are joined together with Him.
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. – 1 Corinthians 3:9-10
The apostle Paul said that He lives in us. We have to lay the foundation carefully, so that the building will be stable. Ask yourself whether you are doing things according to the will of God, or is it only after your own desire? God wants us to take care of each other, building one another up.
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. – 1 Corinthians 14:12
Gifts are not for ourselves for the build others up for the church.
How to build up?
We know we have to build on Christ, build on our own faith, and build one another up. But how do we do it?
1. Our speech
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. – Colossians 4:6
Be gentle in your speech and be gracious. Even if others are at fault, continue to be try to be gracious. When we rebuke someone, there is no need to lose your temper. The best way is to base your speech on the word of God.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29
When it is time to rebuke, do so. We do this not to bring others down but for their good. When it is time for encouragement, also do so.
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. – Hebrews 3:13
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
2. Our service
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. – 1 Corinthians 14:26
Paul was giving encouragement to use what we have to serve.
3. Our stirring
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
When we gather, we are meant to encourage one another. We do this not merely because of a responsibility, but because of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. – Ephesians 4:11-16
Closing
We build up one another through our speech, our service, and our stirring. Let us be a vessel to share His love to others.
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding – Romans 14:19
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