Parallels Building Your Spiritual House Building A House

Parallels Building Your Spiritual House Building A House Plans Tools Materials Cost Time

Bible Use of a House Matt 7: 24 -27 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. "

Bible Use of a House Heb 3: 3 -4 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

Bible Use of Building Gal 2: 18 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. Rom 15: 20 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,

What Is Your Spiritual House? • • • Your relationship to God Your faith (build and maintain) Your spiritual condition

• Well built • Solid Construction Different Kinds of Houses “What house will you build for Me? says the Lord…” (Acts 7: 49) • Poorly built • “Shoddy” Construction • Were Good Houses • Poorly Maintained

I. Must Have A Plan

Must Have A Plan • Image starting a house – with no idea of the size, style, how arranged. • Some try to build spiritual house without a plan: – No idea of “finished product” (what want to be) – No idea what they have or what they need. – Merely go to worship – do little more about their spiritual life (cf. 2 Cor. 13: 5)

A Plan • What you want to be: Ø Strong / mature (2 Pet. 1: 5 -10) Ø Knowledgeable (Heb. 5: 11 -12) Ø An example (1 Tim. 4: 12; Tit. 2: 10) Ø More acceptable (2 Cor. 5: 9; 2 Pet. 3: 18) • Must be realistic • Flexible (willing to change where can improve)

Begin with a vision of what an “ideal” Christian would be Col. 1: 9 -12 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. • Filled with knowledge • Walk Worthy • Strong

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build

Must Know How • Imagine trying to build – No clue how to frame, hang a door, or wire, etc. – Don’t know the order – hang wallboard before insulation • Some attempt to build faith – with no idea: – How faith is built – How to make “house” strong – What should come first.

Must Know How 1. Build with the word of God (Acts 20: 32; 1 Cor. 14: 1 -5) a) Not by enthusiasm and excitement b) Not by mere association / fun 2. Regular Systematic Study (Acts 17: 11; 15: 21) a) Not random study b) Not hit and miss classes & sermons (cf. Acts 20: 28) 3. Grasp basics before deeper (Heb. 5: 11 -6: 1) a) Know before teach & help others (Jas. 3: 1) b) Some things may not be ready for… 4. How to prevent & handle problems (Heb. 2: 1; 4: 16)

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation

Good Foundation • Foundation is extremely important (Matt. 7: 24 -27) • Whole house rest upon the foundation. – If foundation is weak – house is in danger – If foundation is strong – house is solid! • Foundation of first principles must be well laid (Heb. 6: 1 -ff)

First Principles • • Inspiration (2 Tim. 3: 16 -17) Deity of Christ (Heb. 1: 8) Repentance (Acts 17: 20 -31) Divine Creation (Psa. 33: 6 -9) Bible Authority (2 Jno. 9) Fear of God (Psa. 34) Morality Moralit (Gal. 5: 19 -21)

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation IV. Must Have Good Materials

Must Have Good Materials • Poor quality materials may cause problems down the road. • Inferior materials may seem “good” at the time. • Imagine building a house with: – Crooked studs – Cracked rafters – Warped plywood • Some try to build spiritually with “cheap” materials

Quality Materials • Some drink from denominational & liberal wells (popular books, web pages, etc. ) • Some try to build with the “fluff” that is passed off as Bible preaching. • Some try to build on friendships, and local church relationship (converted to local ch)

Quality Materials • Not build with uncertain sounds (cf. 1 Cor. 14: 8) • Build with word of God (2 Tim. 3: 16 -4: 2) – Whole counsel (Acts 20: 27) – Balance (2 Tim. 4: 1 -ff) • Build upon genuine faith (2 Pet. 1: 5; 1 Pet. 1: 7) • Build without hypocrisy (Gal. 6: 7 -9)

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation IV. Must Have Good Materials V. Must Have Right Tools

Must Have Right Tools • Some things can’t do without right tool – Drive a nail – without a hammer – Dig a hole – without a shovel – Cut a board – without a saw • “Can do anything with the right tool” • Some have right tools – don’t know how to use them • Some “Specialty” tools that few have

Tools • Tools We Have: – – – Word of God (Eph. 6: 17) Prayer (Eph. 6: 18; 1 Pet. 5: 7) High Priest (Heb. 4: 16) Elders (Titus 1) Brethren (Heb. 3: 13; 10: 24) • Know How To Use Them: – 2 Tim. 2: 15 – Jas. 5: 14

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation IV. Must Have Good Materials V. Must Have Right Tools VI. Must Be Prepared For The Cost

Be Prepared For Cost • Generally – Have an idea (estimate) before start. • May (most of time does) cost you more • Some of the cost will surprise you • If going to have a house –Must pay cost: – If going to have brick – pay the cost – If going to have carpet – pay the cost – If going to have hardwood – pay the cost • Your Spiritual house has many “cost”

Cost of Your Spiritual House • Count the cost (Lk 14: 28) • The cost: – Relationships (Matt. 19; 29; 10: 35) – Money / job (Acts 8 [Simon]; 19: 19) – Pleasure (Heb. 11: 25) – Life (Rev. 2: 10) • May be some “cost” not counted on

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation IV. Must Have Good Materials V. Must Have Right Tools VI. Must Be Prepared For The Cost VII. It Will Take Time

2005 It Will Take Time • • • It will take longer than you want it to. Quality / workmanship – takes time “Quick” & “Fast” is not always good Never seem to get finished Some attempt to build spiritual – want it “overnight” – Some “quick growth” – doesn’t last (Mt. 13: 20 -21) – Some get discouraged that they are not what others are….

It Takes Time (Heb. 5: 11 -14) • • • For a workable knowledge For spiritual maturity To be strong To be a good teacher To have a strong marriage To overcome temptation Never Finished (2 Pet. 3: 18)

I. Must Have A Plan II. Must Know How To Build III. Must Have Right Foundation IV. Must Have Good Materials V. Must Have Right Tools VI. Must Be Prepared For The Cost VII. It Will Take Time