Building God's Kingdom: Our Unique Roles and Purpose
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that each of us is called to be a builder in God's kingdom. This calling is not limited to constructing physical structures but extends to building our families, communities, and spiritual lives. We are reminded that God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us, regardless of our past or present circumstances. Just as Moses, despite his flaws, was used by God to build the tabernacle, we too can be used by God to fulfill His purposes.
The story of Solomon's Temple serves as a powerful illustration of this truth. Solomon built what David dreamed, highlighting the importance of generational collaboration in fulfilling God's vision. David, though he did not see the temple built, played a crucial role by preparing the resources and plans for Solomon. This teaches us that sometimes our role is to lay the groundwork for others to build upon.
We are encouraged to focus on what God asks of us, to give Him glory in all we do, and to fulfill our roles with excellence. This requires us to seek God's guidance and be willing to pass on the vision to the next generation. It is not about personal glory but about advancing God's kingdom and ensuring His presence is central in all we build.
As we reflect on our roles as builders, we are challenged to ask ourselves what God is calling us to build and how we can do it in a way that honors Him. By spending time with God and seeking His direction, we can receive the plans He has for us and walk in obedience, knowing that every role is significant in the grand design of His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Unique Calling for Each of Us: Every believer has a unique role in building God's kingdom, regardless of their past. Like Moses, who was used by God despite his flaws, we too can be instruments of His purpose. Our past does not define our future in God's plan. [01:00:02]
2. Generational Collaboration: The story of Solomon building what David dreamed emphasizes the importance of working across generations to fulfill God's vision. David prepared the resources and plans, showing that sometimes our role is to lay the groundwork for others. [01:10:09]
3. Focus on God's Glory: Our efforts in building should always aim to glorify God, not ourselves. This requires humility and a willingness to pass on the vision to others, ensuring that God's presence remains central in all we do. [01:19:06]
4. Excellence in Our Roles: We are called to fulfill our roles with excellence, whether we are laying the foundation, drawing the plans, or providing resources. Each role is vital, and when done with excellence, it invites God's presence into our work. [01:22:42]
5. Seeking God's Guidance: To know what God wants us to build, we must spend time with Him, seeking His guidance and direction. This intentional time with God allows us to receive His plans and walk in obedience, ensuring that our efforts align with His will. [01:30:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[43:24] - Declaration of Faith
[44:24] - Magnifying God in Our Lives
[47:29] - Personal Encounter with God
[54:00] - The New Covenant and Access to God
[56:42] - Direct Access Through Jesus
[57:42] - Vision of Access to God
[58:48] - Introduction to the Builders Series
[01:00:02] - The Call to Build
[01:01:09] - Importance of Every Role
[01:02:28] - Building the Tabernacle
[01:04:08] - Solomon's Temple
[01:05:44] - The Cost of Solomon's Temple
[01:07:45] - Purpose of the Temple
[01:09:19] - Our Role in Building God's Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Chronicles 22:14-16
2. 2 Samuel 7:1-13
3. 1 Chronicles 28:2-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did David play in the preparation for the building of Solomon's Temple, according to 1 Chronicles 22:14-16? How did he contribute to the project? [01:05:44]
2. In 2 Samuel 7:1-13, what was David's initial desire regarding the Ark of God, and how did God respond to this desire? [01:15:01]
3. How did David's actions in 1 Chronicles 28:2-11 demonstrate his commitment to God's plan, even though he was not the one to build the temple? [01:23:37]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of generational collaboration in fulfilling God's vision, as illustrated by the story of Solomon and David? [01:10:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of David and Solomon illustrate the importance of laying groundwork for future generations in God's kingdom? What can we learn from David's willingness to prepare for a vision he would not see fulfilled? [01:10:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our past does not define our future in God's plan, as seen in the example of Moses? How can this perspective change our view of our own roles in God's kingdom? [01:00:02]
3. How does the sermon emphasize the importance of seeking God's guidance in our roles as builders in His kingdom? What are some practical ways we can seek His direction in our daily lives? [01:30:06]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between humility and giving God glory in our efforts to build His kingdom? How can we ensure that our actions are focused on glorifying God rather than ourselves? [01:19:06]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current role in your family, community, or church. What is one specific way you can contribute to building God's kingdom in that area this week? [01:01:09]
2. Consider a vision or dream God has placed in your heart. How can you begin to lay the groundwork for future generations to build upon it, even if you may not see it fulfilled in your lifetime? [01:10:09]
3. Identify a past mistake or failure that you feel has held you back. How can you embrace the truth that your past does not define your future in God's plan, and what steps can you take to move forward in your calling? [01:00:02]
4. Think about a time when you sought personal glory in your efforts. How can you shift your focus to glorifying God in your actions and decisions this week? [01:19:06]
5. Spend intentional time with God this week, seeking His guidance for your role as a builder in His kingdom. What specific steps will you take to ensure you are aligning your efforts with His will? [01:30:06]
6. How can you collaborate with others across generations to fulfill God's vision in your community or church? What practical steps can you take to foster this collaboration? [01:10:09]
7. Reflect on the resources and talents God has given you. How can you use them with excellence to contribute to building His kingdom, and what changes might you need to make to do so? [01:22:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unique Calling
Each believer is uniquely called to contribute to God's kingdom, regardless of their past. This calling is not limited by previous mistakes or current circumstances. Just as Moses, despite his imperfections, was chosen to build the tabernacle, each person can be an instrument of God's purpose. The past does not dictate one's future in God's plan. Embracing this truth requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that God sees potential where we might see limitations. By understanding and accepting this unique calling, believers can step into their roles with confidence and purpose, knowing that they are part of a larger divine narrative. [01:00:02]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What past experiences or failures have you allowed to define your identity? How can you begin to see yourself through the lens of God's unique calling for you today?
Day 2: Generational Collaboration in God's Vision
The story of Solomon building the temple that David dreamed of highlights the importance of generational collaboration in fulfilling God's vision. David, though he did not see the temple completed, played a crucial role by preparing the resources and plans for Solomon. This teaches us that sometimes our role is to lay the groundwork for others to build upon. It emphasizes the value of working across generations, understanding that God's vision often transcends individual lifetimes. By embracing this collaborative approach, believers can contribute to a legacy that extends beyond their own lives, ensuring that God's purposes are fulfilled through collective effort. [01:10:09]
"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in the next generation can you invest in or mentor to help fulfill God's vision? What steps can you take this week to begin laying the groundwork for their success?
Day 3: Focusing on God's Glory
In all our efforts to build, the focus should always be on glorifying God rather than seeking personal recognition. This requires humility and a willingness to pass on the vision to others, ensuring that God's presence remains central in all we do. By prioritizing God's glory, believers can align their actions with His purposes, creating a lasting impact that honors Him. This mindset shift involves recognizing that true success is measured by how well we reflect God's character and advance His kingdom, rather than by personal achievements or accolades. [01:19:06]
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking personal glory instead of God's? How can you intentionally shift your focus to glorify God in those areas today?
Day 4: Excellence in Our Roles
Believers are called to fulfill their roles with excellence, whether they are laying the foundation, drawing the plans, or providing resources. Each role is vital, and when done with excellence, it invites God's presence into the work. This commitment to excellence reflects a deep understanding of the significance of each task in the grand design of God's kingdom. By striving for excellence, believers demonstrate their dedication to God's purposes and their desire to honor Him through their actions. This pursuit of excellence is not about perfection but about giving one's best effort in service to God. [01:22:42]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23, ESV)
Reflection: What specific role or task in your life can you approach with greater excellence this week? How can you invite God's presence into that work?
Day 5: Seeking God's Guidance
To understand what God wants us to build, it is essential to spend time with Him, seeking His guidance and direction. This intentional time with God allows believers to receive His plans and walk in obedience, ensuring that their efforts align with His will. By prioritizing this relationship, believers can gain clarity and confidence in their roles, knowing that they are following God's lead. This process involves cultivating a habit of listening to God's voice and being open to His direction, even when it challenges personal desires or plans. [01:30:06]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create more intentional time to seek God's guidance this week? What specific steps will you take to listen for His direction in your life?
Quotes
The Bible says that the veil was torn in two from top down. As a matter of fact, if you're doing the Bible reading plan in a year and you're on today's date, that was one of the things we read in Mark today, when the veil was torn in two from top down, giving access to you and you and you and you and you and you and you and you and every single one of you online, giving us access to God, direct access. [00:56:07] (32 seconds)
Our vision as a church is to have access to God. We have access to God. We have access to God. We have access to God. We have access to God. We have access to God. We have access to God. We have access Instead of we say it this way, we exist to get people to a place where they will acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. [00:58:10] (11 seconds)
And the truth is that every single one of us has a call from God to build. We're all builders and we're all building. Physical buildings, not necessarily, but we're all building a family. Some of you perhaps are building a business. Some of you perhaps are actually doing a building project. But we're all building. Or at least, we're all called to be building. [00:59:44] (29 seconds)
And there's a purpose and a call in every single one of us. One of the things we said last week is that regardless of your story, regardless of our story, God has a plan. We spoke about Moses last week and being used by God to build the tabernacle. And Moses, dude, the guy had issues. To the point that he was even a murderer, but he was, made righteous in God, through God, and used by God. [01:00:13] (33 seconds)
And your role in the building and advancing the kingdom of God is important. Every single one of us has a role. It wasn't just Moses, but God had equipped people for the building of it. He had equipped people with the financing for it. He had equipped people for every single aspect of the job. [01:02:55] (24 seconds)
God will not only give you the provision, but he will give the specific people. The giftings to get the job done. Because there's many of us that as believers, we feel, well, I don't have a call from God because I'm not called to pastor, or I'm not an evangelist, or I'm not a prophet, or a teacher, or an apostle. But you and I and every single believer is a workman for the building of the glory of God. [01:08:44] (34 seconds)
David didn't see the temple. David didn't even see the construction begin of the temple. But David received the blueprint for the temple. Watch, I want you to go with me. We've got to base it with the word. Go to 2 Samuel chapter number 7. [01:13:24] (20 seconds)
Many of us, we want to build for God without asking God, God, what do you want me to build? God, what is it that pleases you? God, what is it that you want? He continues to tell him, therefore, verse eight. Shall you say this to my servant David? [01:16:34] (24 seconds)
And it's what God says to David through Nathan. And when he builds the house, if he does what I say to do, my presence will come. Come and be there. Solomon's temple was built in seven years. It was destroyed about 500 years later. It was rebuilt. We're going to talk about that at another point in time. [01:20:23] (22 seconds)
You're asking, how do I know God's will for my life? What does God want me to do? Church, go spend time with him. Daily encounter God, and he will talk to you through his word, in time of worship, through other people. But we've got to intentionally spend time with him, and he will give us the download, and then we've got to be willing to obey, even if what he says to do is not what you wanted to do originally. [01:28:42] (44 seconds)
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