Building on God's Foundation: A Celebration of Faith

Clap your hands, all you people, and shout with the voice of triumph, for this is the day the Lord has made! Today, we gather in gratitude for God’s presence, for the faithfulness of this church, and for the unity and strength that has brought us to this moment. As we celebrate 133 years of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, we are reminded that every milestone, every victory, and every step forward is only possible because the Lord is at the center of it all. Psalm 127 declares, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” This is not just a word of wisdom, but a word of warning—a call to ensure that God is the foundation of all we do.

Psalm 127 is medicine for the anxious heart, reminding us that our efforts, no matter how diligent, are empty if God is not involved. It is not a license for laziness or irresponsibility, but a summons to faithful partnership with God. We are called to co-labor with the Lord, to invite His presence, power, and purpose into every endeavor—whether it’s building a church, starting a family, making life decisions, or simply living day by day. The psalmist’s words echo through history, from David’s longing to build a house for God, to Solomon’s wisdom in constructing the temple, to our own lives today. The church is not a monument to human achievement, but a sacred space where God’s people gather, where burdens are lifted, and where God is glorified.

The house of the Lord is more than a building; it is a gathering place for all, a hospital for the sick, a lighthouse for the lost, and a center for worship and transformation. The building, the preacher, the music—all are aids to worship, but only the Lord is worthy of our praise. Our part is to serve, to give, to witness, to worship, to love, and to praise God for His grace and mercy. God’s part is sovereign and salvific—He wakes us up, sustains us, delivers us, and redeems us. We could never repay God for His part, for He has done what money cannot buy and what our efforts could never achieve. Because God has done the hard part—sending His Son, conquering death, and granting us new life—we are called to do our part: to praise, to serve, and to build our lives and our church on the foundation of the Lord.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True success and lasting impact are only possible when God is at the center. No matter how skilled or dedicated we are, our efforts are ultimately in vain if we do not invite the Lord’s presence and guidance into our work. This applies to every area of life—our families, our careers, our ministries, and our dreams. We must continually ask, “Is the Lord in this?” and be willing to wait for His direction before moving forward. [64:09]
• 2. Psalm 127 is both a comfort and a caution. It soothes the anxious heart by reminding us that we are not meant to carry the weight of life alone, but it also warns us against self-reliance and pride. God’s involvement is not optional; it is essential. When we try to build without Him, we exhaust ourselves and miss the blessing that comes from partnership with the Divine. [65:00]
• 3. The church is not a social club or a monument to human achievement, but a sacred house where God’s presence dwells and all are welcome. It is a place of healing, transformation, and hope—a hospital for the sick, a lighthouse for the lost, and a sanctuary for the weary. We must never confuse the building or the leaders with the One who is truly worthy of worship. [76:00]
• 4. Our part and God’s part are distinct, and we must not get them mixed up. God’s part is sovereign—He gives life, sustains us, and redeems us through Christ. Our part is to serve, to love, to witness, to worship, and to live faithfully. We can never repay God for His part, but we can respond with gratitude and obedience, doing our part with joy and humility. [82:00]
• 5. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate demonstration that God has done the hard part. Christ’s victory over death is the foundation of our hope and the reason we can face every challenge with confidence. Because He lives, we are empowered to do our part—to praise, to serve, and to build our lives on the unshakable foundation of God’s love and grace. [88:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [59:58] - Honoring Leadership and Community
• [61:51] - Opening Prayer
• [62:35] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 127
• [64:09] - Medicine for the Anxious Heart
• [65:00] - The Necessity of God’s Involvement
• [68:00] - David’s Legacy and the Value of Sacred Space
• [71:43] - The Songs and Worship of David
• [74:30] - Solomon’s Wisdom and Building the Temple
• [76:00] - The Church as God’s House
• [78:30] - The True Object of Worship
• [80:00] - Mount Moriah’s History and Blessing
• [82:00] - God’s Part and Our Part
• [85:00] - The Incomparable Grace of God
• [88:16] - Christ’s Sacrifice and Our Response

Bible Reading

Psalm 127:1 (ESV) — Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 127:1, what happens when people try to build something without the Lord’s involvement?
2. The sermon described the church as more than just a building. What are some of the ways the church was described? ([01:16:00])
3. What distinction did the preacher make between “God’s part” and “our part” in building the house? ([01:22:00])
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of things we should not do unless the Lord is in it? ([01:04:09])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist say that labor is “in vain” if the Lord is not involved? What does this reveal about our dependence on God? ([01:02:35])
2. The preacher called Psalm 127 “medicine for the anxious heart.” In what ways can this passage bring comfort to someone who is feeling overwhelmed or worried? ([01:04:09])
3. The sermon emphasized that the church is not a monument to human achievement. Why is it important to keep this perspective, and what dangers might arise if we forget it? ([01:16:00])
4. The preacher talked about the resurrection of Jesus as “the hard part” that God has already done. How does this truth shape the way we approach our own responsibilities? ([01:28:16])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Is the Lord in this?” before making decisions. Think of a recent or upcoming decision in your life—how can you intentionally seek God’s guidance before moving forward? ([01:04:09])
2. The preacher listed many areas—like starting a family, changing jobs, or even going on a date—where we should invite the Lord’s presence. Is there an area in your life right now where you’ve been acting on your own strength? What would it look like to invite God into that area? ([01:04:09])
3. The church was described as a hospital for the sick, a lighthouse for the lost, and a sanctuary for the weary. How can you personally help make our church more welcoming and supportive to those who are hurting or searching? ([01:16:00])
4. The sermon made a clear distinction between God’s part and our part. Are there ways you’ve been trying to do God’s part—carrying burdens or trying to control outcomes that only God can handle? What would it look like to let go and trust God more? ([01:22:00])
5. The preacher said we can never repay God for what He’s done, but we can respond with gratitude and obedience. What is one specific way you can show gratitude to God this week—through service, worship, or loving others? ([01:22:00])
6. The resurrection of Jesus was described as the foundation of our hope. How does remembering Christ’s victory over death give you confidence to face challenges in your own life? ([01:28:16])
7. The sermon reminded us not to confuse the building or the leaders with the One who is truly worthy of worship. Are there ways you’ve been focusing more on the “aids to worship” (like music, leaders, or the building) than on God Himself? How can you refocus your heart in worship? ([01:16:00])