Contractors for the Kingdom
Psalm 127
Verse 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
We know that God is the architect supreme but what does that make us? Solomon seems to imply that we are His workers and so we need to learn what He is wanting us to work on.
Just as in the residential building industry there is a blueprint that must be followed so that everything squares up properly, in spiritual kingdom building we also have a layout of plans to make things work out well. It only takes a five minute look at our world to see that there are consequences to living without the blueprint. Society as a whole bears the weight of these consequences. As the worldview of a society walks away from the blueprint, things go from square and straight to being fluid and unsteady.
Instructions are important in any venture but how much more when the end result is of great importance? This kingdom business that God has us attending to is of eternal importance making it of the greatest importance. Christ gave us this blueprint before He returned to heaven. We are to go into all the world making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Trinity, and teaching them everything that He has taught. This is the blueprint to building God’s kingdom.
Going into all the world is overwhelming to almost all of us but Jesus wasn’t saying that every believer was to become a missionary on a foreign soil. While that may be the call of some, the majority of us are called to reach those that we come into contact with on a regular basis. We are all called to make Christ known to the nations, starting with those in our immediate circle.
The next step of baptizing in the name of the Trinity is a symbol of our being buried and risen anew with the Lord Jesus. An outward symbol of what is being done on the inside. One thing to note is in the verse in Matthew where Jesus gave His commission, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19b). Did you notice it says “name” not “names” when talking about the Trinity? They are One not three. We are witnessing about One God not many. He is the only One worthy of our worship.
Making It Personal
How faithful are you to God’s blueprints for life? Are you busy building His kingdom or your own? What do you need to do to align your building work with Him and His blueprints?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is it best to follow the directions? What are some of Jesus’ directions? Do you follow Jesus’ directions?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know that we need to be better about building Your kingdom using Your blueprints. Give us the wisdom we need to do the work You have called us to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.