Psalms 127
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's plan and provision, rather than relying on human efforts and methods, in building His house, keeping the city, and achieving true prosperity.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the futility of relying on human effort to build the church and protect our cities, reminding us that without the Lord's involvement, all labor is in vain. He highlights the alarming statistics of declining faith and the dangers posed by modern threats, urging believers to trust in God's promise to build His house and keep His people safe. Smith reassures that true prosperity comes from seeking God rather than material pursuits, and that peace and success are gifts from God to those who trust in Him.
Text
I. THE VANITY OF SELF EFFORT.
A. In building the Lord's house.
1. Look at programs man has instituted to build the churches.
2. Methods devised to proclaim gospel.
3. World fast becoming totally heathen.
a. Catholic Bishop 16% to 12%.
b. 50, 000, 000 added annually 2,000, 000 being reached 4%.
4. Figures like these usually presented to spur men into new programs.
"If the Lord build not the house they labor in vain."
B. In keeping the city.
1. Purpose of watchman.
2. Man's reliance on flesh.
a. Today we trust in retaliatory ability.
b. Some trust in U.N.
3. Today facing greatest perils.
a. Undreamed of destructive force of modern weaponry.
b. Russia's 100 Megaton bombs and missile systems.
c. Red China's growing menace.
4. Such things usually presented to us by government to condition us to
higher taxation.
"Except the Lord keep the city."
C. To get up early or stay up late to advance our designs.
1. Success stories how little successful men sleep.
a. How little many unsuccessful men sleep.
2. He giveth His beloved sleep.
II. THE TRUE PERSPECTIVE.
A. The Lord has promised to build His house.
1. "Upon this rock I WILL BUILD my church."
2. "The Holy Spirit added daily to the church."
3. The paradox - if we would build the more, we must trust the more.
B. The Lord is our keeper.
1. "He that keepeth thee will not slumber."
2. If the Lord doesn't preserve us, all of our efforts are vain.
3. If we would be safe, we must trust.
C. The Lord has promised prosperity.
1. "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
2. True prosperity is not measured in dollars and cents.
a. "A little that a righteous man hath is more than the wealth of
many wicked."
b. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
3. Prosperity not achieved by direct pursuit.
a. God's blessed man Ps. 1.
4. If you wouId be prosperous you must seek God more.
Sermon Outline
- The Vanity of Self Effort points: null
- The True Perspective points: null
Key Quotes
“''If the Lord build not the house they labor in vain.''” — Chuck Smith
“''Except the Lord keep the city.''” — Chuck Smith
“''He that keepeth thee will not slumber.''” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must trust in God's plan and provision for His church, rather than relying on human efforts and methods.
- If we don't trust in God's preservation, all of our efforts are vain and we will face great perils.
- True prosperity is not measured in dollars and cents, but in the blessings and contentment that come from seeking God and living a righteous life.