I Chronicles 29:1-14, Supporting God's Work

Date: November 8, 2017

Text: I Chronicles 29:1-14

Title: Supporting Our King

 

Introduction:

1) King David had a great burden to build a house for God. (The temple)

I Chronicles 17

a) David shared his burden with Nathan the prophet.

1  Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

2  Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

b) God postponed David's desire to the next generation. (Solomon)

3  And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

4  Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

11  And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12  He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

c) God wanted a man of peace not a man of war to build the Temple.

I Chronicles 22:7  And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:

8  But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

9  Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

10  He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

11  Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

 

2) King David felt an awful responsability to prepare God's people to build the house of God that would reflect God's great glory.

1 Chronicles 29:1  Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

1 Chronicles 22:5  And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries:

 

note: Our King, also a Son prepared of His Father for a great and glorious work, is also building a house for God's great glory.

 

I Corinthians 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

We need to fullly support the work of our King Jesus! Can we not say of our King's church ....

1 Chronicles 29:1  ...and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

1 Chronicles 22:5  .... the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries:

How are you supporting His work today? Do you want to participate in building something that will bring great glory to God?

 

Support this work with all your might.

A. Give your brain a work out in God's work.

exp. Have you ever been exhausted because of having to think through a difficulty? (The brain cramp.) Young people know how tiresome school can be when you have had to really think to understand something.)

note: God's Word takes some mighty thinking.

I Chronicles 22:

3  And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

4  Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

5  And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

ill. B and Q and Screwfix have both profited by our move to Auchendinny. Screwfix in particular is very convenient as it is close enough it is like having a hardward next door. On Thursdays we are studying Genesis - and this week we get to the Ark. Did you know that Noah didn't have a hardware store. He had to make everything that he needed. (David didn't have a hardware store either.) In order for this project to be accomplished they would need to lay up supplies ahead of time.

 saying: "Rome wasn't built in a day." What does that mean? Don't expect the project to be finished the day you start it. Why? BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE MUCH BRAIN POWER AND BRAUN POWER TO GET IT DONE.

app. As Pastor - I have to think about our finances, providing for our guest speakers, missionaries, future building project, ministry needs, need for souls to be saved, need to develop leadership within our ministry etc. Afterall, I'm a church planter. BUT AREN'T WE ALL RESPONSABLE TO HELP OUR LORD BUILD HIS CHURCH. How much do you think about it OR ARE YOU CONTENT TO NOT BE BOTHERED? (NOTE: Part of that thought process is begging God for wisdom to do His work.)

B. Give your body a work out in God's work.

 I Chronicles 22: ....So David prepared abundantly before his death.

I Chron. 29:2  Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

ill. His words remind me of words we saw in SS this morning from the mouth of the Apostle Paul

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 exp. Paul wasn't content to watch a contest, he was a participant.

ill. Helping a family who had nearly become homeless. We found a home for them and helped them move. As we were moving their things the husband would hardly lift a finger but just watched as we worked.

exp. What a lazy man! I wondered as a teenager how he could be content to let others do his work while he sat and watched?

ill. Like the lazy man helping carry something by putting a finger under it to look like a participant but while feeling no strain on his lazy life.

 question: Are you enjoying watching others do the work of God while you sit on the sidelines? Or are you ready to get into the work of the ministry? Jesus was not content to be served. 

Mark 10:42  But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

app. David wasn't allowed to build the house - but he prepared WITH ALL HIS MIGHT. Can we say this morning that we are putting GREAT EFFORT into building God's church - or "yawn" are we bored watching others work for God?

 

II. Support this work with all your heart!

3  Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, 

exp. David wanted to build a house for God, because he LOVED HIS GOD.

 ill. Jacob's deal with Laban - Work 7 years and I'll give you Rachel for a wife.

Gen 29:20  And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

exp. WORK ISN'T WORK - WHEN YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT.

app. How is your affection for God's work? (Has your love grown cold?)

Jesus words to the church at Ephesus Rev. 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

A. Let your heart give a personal offering for God's house.

3  Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

4  Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

5  The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. 

 exp. David didn't offer God what was left over. He took of His best and put it out as an offering to the Lord.

ill. Being at Gospel Baptist - Pastor Lytel - announcing that he was going to sell his Harley and give the proceeds to the Lord. (now before saying that is unbiblical because you aren't supposed to give to be seen of men (pride) Barnabus did the same thing. Ananias and Saphira were judged not for doing that - but for lying.

 app. If you are giving to be seen of men, you are wrong. But, what sacrifice have you made for God's work? How consistently have you given to provide for God's building?

B. Let your heart challenge others to consecrate themselves unto the Lord.

And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

exp. David was giving with all his heart and he could challenge others to go and do likewise.

 ill. In the States - our churches do faith promise for missions giving. We pray about what God wants us to give to missions and then fill out a pledge card. The church is then able to set a missions budget based on those pledges. People are challenged every year to pray about increasing their investment in God's Work.

exp. This assumes that a person is already tithing to support the local church. 

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 app. Can you challenge others to give, because you know the joy of giving yourself?

C. Let your heart be inspired by your King's giving.

6  Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,

7  And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

8  And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9  Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD:

exp. They saw the heart of the king for God's work and it inspired them to give FROM THEIR HEART. How inspired are you to invest in God's work because of your King's investment in God's work?

ill. Isaiah Bird - born without legs - doesn't quit - he's playing american football for his school. That is inspiring. THAT INSPIRES US TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHO GOD MADE US TO BE AND TO GIVE EVERYTHING TO BE OUR BEST. It is a moving story!

app. Does the cross move you at all? There is no more inspiring story OF GIVING IT ALL than the love of our Lord that brought him to earth to die on the cross for our sin. IT OUGHT TO INSPIRE US TO GIVE.

1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

2 Corithians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 ill. Hymn - I Gave My Life for Thee

I gave My life for thee,

My precious blood I shed,

That thou might ransomed be,

And raised up from the dead;

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou giv’n for Me?

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou giv’n for Me?

My Father’s house of light,

My glory-circled throne

I left for earthly night,

For wand’rings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,

More than thy tongue can tell,

Of bitt’rest agony,

To rescue thee from hell;

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee,

Down from My home above,

Salvation full and free,

My pardon and My love;

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,

What hast thou brought to Me?

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,

What hast thou brought to Me?

 

III. Support this work with all your soul!

exp. The soul is where your "will" gets involved. It is where you chose what you are going to do.

 chorus: I Have DECIDED to Follow Jesus - is a soul chorus.

question: If you have not chosen to follow Jesus, what have you chosen to do? To not follow Jesus.

ill. That is why everytime someone does not accept Jesus THEY ARE MAKING A DECISION TO REJECT JESUS.

 app. Your soul (chooser) is either involved in building God's church or IT HAS CHOSEN not to be involved.

A. Because there is a need that must be met by God's people.

6  Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly 7  And gave for the service of the house of God...

question: Could the temple which God wanted to be built and God's people wanted to build - be built without God's people giving?

ill. We can pray all we want to about God helping our church get a permanent church location - but if we aren't willing to participate by giving - WE MAY AS WELL STOP PRAYING.

app. There are needs that God has GIVEN US THE MEANS TO MEET. We must chose to do so. We need workers (BUT IF WERE NOT WILLING TO WORK IT IS VAIN TO PRAY.)

Ill. There are a couple specific instances where I have prayed for God's provision for someone else's need and God has used our family to meet that need? 

App. IF WE ARE GOING TO PRAY WE HAD BETTER BE READY TO GIVE - BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED TO BE MET BY GOD'S PEOPLE.

B. Because God only wants a willing offering.

9  Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: 

exp. Their King didn't charge them taxes to build the house of God. IT WAS A FREEWILL OFFERING. If you think God demands to have it - you are wrong. IF YOU FEEL GOD IS THAT WAY - JUST KEEP YOUR OFFERING TO YOURSELF.

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity....

app. Even though the need is OURS TO MEET we are to meet it WILLINGLY OR NOT AT ALL. GOD wants us to give with all our soul - OUR FREE CHOICE TO HONOR HIM.

 

IV. Support this work with all your spirit!

exp. The other three aspects of giving are all tied into this right here - You give by Might, by Heart and by Choice - AND IT MAKES GIVING A GREAT JOY (YOUR SPIRIT.)

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

A. Rejoice in your offering.

9  Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: 

Exp. The people were excited because their heart, might, and will were being exercised in GIVING UNTO THE LORD.

 question: Have you ever gotten excited because God so worked in your heart that you put something significant on the altar?

2 Cor. 81  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 app. There is joy in BEING GENEROUS TO GOD'S WORK.

B. Rejoice in the offering of others.

and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

exp. The temple would indeed be built - BECAUSE GOD'S PEOPLE HAD RESPONDED AND THE KING'S DREAM WOULD BE REALIZED!

exp. If this was a church, they would be excited to see everything coming together for a strong missions program or a church building program or hiring church staff, etc.

 ill. We have found in the 100's of churches which we have been in - that the churches with strong missions giving were the vibrant churches. IT IS EXCITING BECAUSE GOD'S WORK IS GOING FORWARD FOR GOD'S GLORY.

 app. We don' thave a poverty excuse - "their deep poverty" - But, when we respond to God and give - there is great excitement about what people are doing for God's glory.

C. Rejoice because God is glorified.

10  Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

Exp. Praise God - He was being glorified in the response of His people in MIGHT, HEART, WILL AND SPIRIT. 

conclusion: How are you supporting the work of King Jesus in building His church.

Might? How hard are you working to build God's church?

Heart? How much do you care for God's church?

Will? How have you decided to be involved in God's church work?

Spirit? How excited are you about participating in God's church work?

 

(to be continued)

V. Support this work with all your mind!

A. Think about it - God is everything.

11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:

B. Think about it - God owns everything. 

for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;

C. Think about it - God rules over everything.

thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

D. Think about it - God bestows everything.

12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

E. Think about it - everything we give to God was given by Him to us first.

13  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.