Church, Sunday’s Word felt like one of those messages that doesn’t just give us something to think about; it asks us to look at our lives and decide what we’re going to do next.
Ps Larry continued our Standing Strong journey in Psalm 127, reminding us that if we’re going to build the house of God, we can’t do it in our own strength.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” — Psalm 127:1
God is not asking us to build something for Him while He stands at a distance. He wants to build in us, with us and through us.
Let God Be the Builder
Ps Larry put it simply: God is the Master Builder.
We can work hard, plan well and stay busy, but if we’re trying to build our lives apart from God, we can still end up exhausted and empty. Our pastor reminded us that “vain” appears three times in the opening verses of Psalm 127. Human effort without God eventually runs out.
But when God builds, He builds differently.
“When we allow God to build in us, He builds for eternity.”
God is interested in more than what looks good on the outside. He is building character, faith, obedience and something in us that can last.
And yes, Ps Larry gave us the South African version too: God is the boss.
That means we’re not trying to get God to bless our blueprint. We are learning His.
Jesus Is Still the Blueprint
God gave Moses a pattern for the tabernacle, and Jesus showed us the pattern for life.
Ps Larry took us to John 5:19, where Jesus said that He did what He saw the Father doing. Then came one of the simplest descriptions of discipleship from Sunday:
“What I see Jesus do is what I must do.”
That is discipleship. We follow Jesus with the intention of becoming like Him.
It also connects with what we’ve been hearing as a church. In our message on standing strong in faith, we were reminded not to let pressure move us away from God’s Word. This week the call went further: don’t only stand; let God shape you into someone He can use.
Culture, circumstances, and our feelings change. Jesus does not. He remains the foundation.
“Where Are Your Kids?”
Then Psalm 127 moved from building houses to children, and the message became very personal.
Children are described as “arrows in the hand of a warrior.” Ps Larry spoke about our natural children, but then widened the picture to our spiritual children.
And suddenly the question came:
“Where are your kids?”
Who are we praying for? Are we helping others to follow Jesus? Most importantly, who are we encouraging, discipling and walking with?
That question isn’t only for pastors, cell leaders or people with a title. It belongs to all of us.
An arrow has to be shaped, straightened, prepared and aimed. When it is released, it can reach somewhere the person holding the bow cannot go.
That is a beautiful picture of discipleship. We pour into people knowing that God may send them into places, families, workplaces and communities we may never reach ourselves.
We’re also part of the greater 3C family, carrying the heart to win people, make disciples and build lives around Jesus.
Don’t Be a Loose Arrow
Sunday was also a loving challenge.
An arrow lying on the ground isn’t very useful.
Ps Larry called it being a “loose arrow” — disconnected, untrained and without clear direction. If we want to become accurate in God’s hands, we need people around us who can help shape us.
That means allowing ourselves to be taught. It means accountability and being part of church life rather than only attending a service.
For some of us, the next step may be joining a small group. For someone else, it may be discipleship training, serving, or simply deciding to stop standing at the edge and become part of the family.
If you’re asking what that could look like, explore our ministries and discipleship opportunities. There is room to grow, serve and walk with others.
Learn to Use What God Has Given You
The warriors in 1 Chronicles 5 knew how to carry a shield, use a sword and shoot a bow. They were effective because they had been trained.
Ps Larry connected that picture to Ephesians 6. We have the shield of faith, but we need to learn how to live by faith. Faith grows as we hear God’s Word and keep our relationship with Jesus alive. It works with patience, love and action.
Then there is the sword of the Spirit: the Word of God.
And this part came close to home:
“The first place you use the Word of God on is on yourself.”
It’s easy to know which Scripture somebody else needs. It’s much harder to sit before God and let His Word search our own motives, attitudes and choices.
But that is how the Builder works.
He doesn’t correct us to shame us. He shapes us because He loves us and wants to make us sharp, accurate and useful in His hands.
This Week, Let’s Put It Into Practice
We don’t have to make this complicated.
- Open the Word every day and ask, “Lord, what are You building in me?”
- Choose one person to pray for consistently.
- Encourage someone who is younger in faith than you.
- Let someone disciple you. Don’t resist correction or accountability.
- Find a place to serve. If you need help getting connected, explore church life at 3C South Coast.
And when God gives you an opportunity at work, school, the shops or in your neighbourhood, don’t keep the arrow in the quiver. Pray. Speak. Encourage. Invite. Love.
Ps Larry said it simply:
“You become the revival.”
Revival isn’t only something we wait for in a meeting. It begins when ordinary believers say yes to Jesus and carry Him into ordinary places.
Let Him Build the House
Ps Larry closed with this invitation:
“Let’s allow God to build our lives, to build our house, to build our church, to build our community, and to build our nation.”
That is our prayer too.
We don’t want to be loose arrows. We want to be shaped, trained, accountable and ready to become disciples who make disciples.
If Sunday stirred something in you, don’t leave it there. Take one next step this week: get connected, join a group, start serving, or reach out to someone you can walk with.
Let’s build the house together.
A Short Prayer
Father, build Your house in us.
Shape our hearts, strengthen our faith and make us useful in Your hands. Show us who to love, who to disciple and where to serve. Help us follow Jesus faithfully and carry Him into our world this week.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
