Sunday
Morning Bible Study
May 2, 2004
Ps. 127 - The Builder’s Psalm
A Song of degrees for Solomon.
It could be that this song was written for Solomon by David. It could be
that it was written by Solomon himself.
:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
This was one of Solomon’s main lessons in life, learning what things are a
waste of time.
(Eccl 1:2 KJV) Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of
vanities; all is vanity.
Solomon had tried to find happiness in so many things, but he didn’t find
fulfillment in anything apart from the Lord.
He tried to find fulfillment by furthering his education; experimenting
with sex, getting drunk, and getting more “stuff”. He concluded that the only
thing that brought fulfillment was getting his life right with God:
(Eccl 12:13 KJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty
of man.
Lesson
Empty pursuits
Illustration
Unless God is involved, it’s a waste of time.
The Tower of Babel
(Gen. 11) – There was a day when mankind wanted to make himself as high as God.
And so mankind began to build his empire.
(Gen 11:4 KJV) 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.
God had no intention of letting man do whatever his wicked
imagination wanted to. God sets limits on what man can do.
God moved to confuse man’s language, and the greatest
building project fell apart. If God is not helping you build, you’re wasting
your time.
Sometimes the “empire” we’re trying to build is a financial one. We think if
we reach a certain financial goal, then all will be well.
(Luke 12:16-21 KJV) And
he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought
forth plentifully: {17} And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do,
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? {18} And he said, This will I
do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all
my fruits and my goods. {19} And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much
goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. {20}
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of
thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? {21} So is he
that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
The wealth God wants you to work for is a different kind
of wealth than the world has to offer.
:1 except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Lesson
Working with God
He doesn’t say, “Unless God wants the
house built” but “unless God builds
the house”
He doesn’t say, “Unless God wants the
city guarded, but “unless the LORD keeps
the city”
It’s not just finding out what God wants,
but what God is doing and where God is doing it.
The 80/20 Principle. There’s a book out that deals with increasing a
person or company’s productivity. The theory is that twenty percent of your
time produces eighty percent of your results. Twenty percent of the people do
eighty percent of the work. Twenty percent of your clients produce eighty
percent of your income. You would produce more if you could isolate that
“twenty percent” and concentrate on doing that thing. You could get more done
by working on less stuff.
In the same way, I wonder if we could get a whole lot more accomplished for
God if we spent some time finding the things that God is really interested in,
the things that God is at work in, and concentrate on those things.
We need His help. Without Him we’re not going to get anything worthwhile
accomplished. Jesus said,
(John 15:5 KJV) 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.
When we work with Him, some
amazing things can happen.
(John 6:1-13 KJV) After
these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
{2} And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he
did on them that were diseased. {3} And Jesus went up into a mountain, and
there he sat with his disciples. {4} And the passover,
a feast of the Jews, was nigh. {5} When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw
a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread,
that these may eat? {6} And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what
he would do.
Jesus notices the need and gives the disciples a hint at
what He wants to do. He’s testing the fellows to see if they’ll get the hint.
{7} Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not
sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
All Philip can think of is how impossible the problem is.
{8} One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto
him, {9} There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small
fishes: but what are they among so many?
Andrew is getting a little closer. The “lad” is willing to
offer the little lunch he’s carrying.
{10} And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much
grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. {11}
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the
disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the
fishes as much as they would. {12} When they were filled, he said unto his
disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. {13}
Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the
fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them
that had eaten.
And an amazing thing happened. Five thousand people were
fed. We think of Jesus has having done this miracle, but He also made sure to
do it with the cooperation of the disciples. It was a disciple who brought the
boy and his lunch to Jesus. It was the disciples that passed out the food. It
was the disciples who collected the food. Jesus did the rest.
They worked with Jesus.
God wants to work with you as well. But you need to be
willing and offer Him what little you have.
Lesson
Calling on God
One of the chief things that God would have us be occupied in is prayer.
Prayer accomplishes many things, but one of the greatest things that prayer
does is to enlist God’s aid in directing us and helping us. God says,
(Jer 33:3 KJV) Call unto me, and I will
answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Can you guess who the following quote is from?
“In the beginning of the contest with Britain,
when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the
Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously
answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed
frequent instances of a superintending Providence
in our favour. To that kind Providence
we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of
establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten this
powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need his assistance? I have
lived for a long time [81 years]; and the longer I live the more convincing
proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow
cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can
rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly
believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall
proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: we
shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests; our prospects will be
confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to
future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate
instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to
chance, war, or conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth
prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our
deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to
business; and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to
officiate in that service.”
—Benjamin Franklin: Speech in Convention for forming a
Constitution for the United States,
1787.
We need to pray for God to guide us. We need to pray for God to use us. We
need to pray for God to work.
:2 for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
This doesn’t mean that there won’t be times when you pull an “all-nighter”.
If you’re doing the things that God wants you to do, there may be times
when you stay up all night. Several times Jesus stayed up all night praying.
But if you’re not doing the things that God wants you to do, no amount of
sleeplessness is going to get you what you want.
It does mean that God can give us rest and that God can even be at work when
we are resting.
(NAS) For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
quiver – Over the years I’ve heard people make references as to how
many arrows would fit into a quiver. I’ve heard there were thirteen arrows in a
quiver, but frankly I couldn’t find any references about how many arrows there
are to a quiver. I think it all depends on how big your quiver is.
:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD
This might have seemed like a complete change of subject, but it’s not.
In Hebrew, the word “son” (ben), “daughter” (bath),
and “house” (beth)
all come from the same root word “to build” (banah). Children are how a family
is built.
Lesson
Recognize the treasure
For some of you, it’s your kids
Perhaps your children came at a time that wasn’t the most convenient. Perhaps
you weren’t quite “ready” for having a family, but you got one anyway. Don’t
fall into the trap of thinking that your kids are a burden you are stuck with.
They are a pure treasure from God.
Illustration
Cat's in the
Cradle
by Harry Chapin (lyrics by Sandra Chapin).
My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He’d say, “I’m gonna be like you, dad.
You know I’m gonna be like you.”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
”When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when,
But we’ll get together then.
You know we’ll have a good time then.”
My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play.
Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today,
I got a lot to do.” He said, “That’s ok.”
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmmed,
Said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I’m gonna be like him.”
Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
”Son, I’m proud of you. Can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
”What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?”
I’ve long since retired and my son’s moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.”
He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job’s a hassle, and the kid’s got the flu,
But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad.
It’s been sure nice talking to you.”
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He’d grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
”When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when,
But we’ll get together then, dad.
You know we’ll have a good time then.”
Before you know it they’ll be grown and gone. Don’t miss the chance to be
with your kids. They’re your treasure.
For some it’s your spouse
Sometimes all we focus on are the negative things. Try thinking about the
positive once in a while.
For all of us, it’s the saints of God around you. Paul prays that,
(Eph 1:18
KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is
the hope of his calling, and what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
God’s treasure, His “inheritance” is in the saints – the people sitting
next to you.
Some people at church might not be the most handsomest. Others might not be
the most smartest. Others may lack in social skills. Still others can be
downright mean at times.
Yet each one is a treasure to God. They are His inheritance.
Illustration
THE ART COLLECTOR
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son,
shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world,
adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by
Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family
estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child
became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business
mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors
around the world. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young
man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector
anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within
days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had died while rushing a fellow
soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming
Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he and
his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas
morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed, old man. As he walked to
the door, the master- pieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son
was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a
large package in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was
a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in
for a few moments? I have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the
soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his
father’s, love of fine art. “I am an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to
give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to
reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it
the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking
detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang
the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had
departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went
above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task
completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift
he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized
that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on
because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued
dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the
stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and
satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon became his
most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which
museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest
gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and
passed away. The art world was in anticipation, that with the collector’s
passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at auction.
According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned
on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift. The day soon
arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the
world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day;
greatness would be achieved as many would hope to claim, “I have the greatest
collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s
list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening
bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?,” he asked.
Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, “Who
cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son.” “Let’s forget about
it and move on to the good stuff,” more voices echoed in agreement. “No, we
have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the
son?” Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke. “Will you take ten dollars for
the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.” “I
have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more
silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice, gone.” The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we
can bid on the real treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and
announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here
for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There
are millions of dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is
going on!” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all.”
Learn to value the things that the Father values.
The Father values His children – us.
Do you value the people around you?
The Father values His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on a cross to pay for your sins – to “save”
you. Do you value what Jesus has done for you?
Do you value Jesus?