Sermon Short: You Have a Purpose in Life
Short clip from the morning sermon at Providence Presbyterian Church on July 27, 2025
Full Sermon: https://youtu.be/DDSLtESKd68
A New Series of Articles: Church Issues
For the last few months, I have posted several short and fictional back-and-forth posts on the topic of the Christian life, the church, membership, and other subjects. The following is an example:
Member: I am sorry, but I am leaving. I’m letting you know that I won’t tell you why. I am simply disappearing. I will continue ghosting you if you send me a letter asking why and where I am going.Pastor: That’s fine. But if you behave that way, you should ask if you have any semblance of maturity. Indeed, your parents taught you to be kind, didn’t they? I know the apostle Paul does.Walking away from a church without communicating your reasons isn’t kind. Is it that you are rude? Maybe you know your reasons will get debunked. Whatever the reasons, the apostle Paul says, “Be kind to one another.”
Member: 🤔Walking away from a church without communicating your reasons isn’t kind. Is it that you are rude? Maybe you know your reasons will get debunked. Whatever the reasons, the apostle Paul says, “Be kind to one another.”
I thought it might be helpful to write these here on my website and elaborate further on the subject matter. Please note that I do not necessarily have anyone in mind. If you see yourself in these fictional posts, maybe you should ask yourself why. I am writing these from my experience as a pastor (nine years) and a ruling elder (3 years before being a pastor). I am also writing them out of my experience as a church member. My goal is to write one a week covering a host of topics. I know many pastors. I know that we sometimes discuss these topics. I also know that pastors often think these things but are fearful to say them. The goal is not to embarrass or shame anyone. The goal is to get us to think more carefully and deeply about the subjects presented.
Reading Plans 2025
The following are my reading goals for 2025.
Not listed: Daily Bible Reading (I use a 90-day plan) and my doctoral reading.
Categories: Theology, Christian-General, Pastoral-Preaching, Church History, Sermons, Booklets
Theology
1 The Institutes of the Christian Religion (Calvin)
2 Reformed Systematic Theology, Vol. 1 (Beeke)
3 Reformed Systematic Theology, Vol. 2 (Beeke)
4 The Works of John Owen, Vol. 1
5 The Works of John Owen, Vol. 2
6 The Holy Trinity (Letham)
7 The Christ of the Prophets (Robertson)
8 Serving with Calvin (Johnson)
9 Christ of the Consummation (Robertson)
10 The Triune God (Sanders)
11 In the Fullness of Time (Gaffin)
12 The Law and the Gospel (Colquhoun)
13 Heaven on Earth (Alexander)
Christian – General (additions likely throughout the year)
1 Christianity and Liberalism (Machen)
Pastoral – Preaching
1 Shepherding God’s Flock (Adams)
2 The Preacher’s Catechism (Allen)
3 Concerning the True Care of Souls (Bucer)
4 Princeton and Preaching (Garretson)
5 Grace and Glory (Vos)
Puritan
1 The Heart of Christ (Goodwin)
2 Christ Set Forth (Goodwin)
3 All Things for Good (Watson)
4 The Work of the Holy Spirit (Winslow)
5 The Mystery of Providence (Flavel)
6 Prayer (Bunyan)
7 The Love of Christ (Sibbes)
8 An Ark for All God’s Noahs (Brooks)
9 The Sinfulness of Sin (Venning)
10 All Things Made New (Flavel)
11 The Secret Key to Heaven (Brooks)
Church History
1 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power, Vol. 1 (Needham)
2 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power, Vol. 2 (Needham)
3 Early Christianity (Bainton)
4 John Calvin: Revolutionary, Theologian, Pastor (Walker)
5 John Calvin: Tracts and Letters, Vol. 1
Sermons (additions likely throughout the year)
1 The Christ-Centered Preaching of M.L. Jones
Booklets (Cultivating Biblical Godliness series)
1 Why Should I Fast? (Hyde)
2 How Can I Serve God at Work? (Pennings)
3 How Can I Benefit from My Baptism? (MacLeod)
4 How Should Men Lead Their Families? (Beeke)
5 How Should I Manage Time? (McGraw)
6 How Should We Consider Christ in Affliction? (Beeke)
7 Why Must We Forgive? (Gale)
8 How Can I Have Peace in Life’s Storms? (Vos)
9 Why Should You Deny Yourself? (McGraw)
10 How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer? (Beeke)
11 How Can I Benefit from the Lord’s Supper? (Beeke & Lanning))
12 How Can I Practice Christian Meditation? (Beeke)
13 How Can We Build a Godly Marriage? (Beeke)
14 Is the Lord’s Day for You? (Pipa)
15 How Can I Do All Things for God’s Glory? (Pipa)
16 How Should We Develop Biblical Friendships? (Beeke & Haykin))
17 Is the Trinity Practical? (McGraw)
18 How Should We Get Ready for Christ’s Return? (McGraw)
19 What is Experiential Calvinism? (Hamilton)
20 How Can I Stop from Worrying? (Bilkes)
21 How Do Preaching and Corporate Prayer Work Together? (McGraw)
22 What are the Benefits of Biblical Stewardship and Tithing? (Pipa)
23 How Can Justification Make Me Joyful? (Hyde)
24 What is True Religion? (Thomas)
25 What is True Repentance? (Walker)
26 How Can I Please God in Everything? (Thomas)
27 How Can I Grieve to God’s Glory? (McGraw)
28 How Do I Kill Remaining Sin? (Thomas)
29 How Do We Plant Godly Convictions in our Children? (Beeke)
30 How Should I Exercise Hospitality? (Vandoodewaard)
31 How Can I Remember and Practice the Bible? (McGraw)
32 Whart is a Christian? (McGraw)
33 How Can I Overcome Lust? (McGraw)
34 How Should the Sovereignty of God Strengthen Me? (McWilliams)
35 What Does it Mean to Love God? (Roberts)
36 How Can I Grow in Holiness Through Reading the OT? (Barrett)
37 How Should Teens Read the Bible? (Beeke)
38 How Can I Honor Christ in Fighting Cancer? (Blackburn)
39 How Should We View Our Children in the Church? (Beeke)
40 Why Should I Be Interested in Church History? (Beeke & Haykin)
41 How Do I Cultivate Heavenly-Mindedness and Spiritual Conversation? (Roberts)
42 How Should I Live as a Single? (Beeke & Smalley)
43 How Can I Feel Productive as a Mom? (Englesma)
44 How Should We Pray at Prayer Meetings? (McGraw)
45 Why Does Infant Baptism Matter? (McGraw)
Unless the Lord Builds the House (Part One)
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.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:1-2, ESV
Introduction
A few observations, by way of introduction, are essential. First, it is a song sung by the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem. Second, and of importance, it is written by Solomon. The first item may be related to the house of the LORD, the Temple. The second item may carry a double meaning. First, it may mean the very house Solomon built as his palace (see 1 Kings 7). Second, it may refer to the Temple built by Solomon (see 1 Kings 6). The inscription that heads this Psalm is helpful, though it does not give as much information as we might want. The ESV translation, “Of Solomon,” may also be translated as “For Solomon.” If the latter is true, it could be an exhortation from David to his son, knowing that he will build the house of the LORD. The words of 1 Chronicles 28:9-21 come into view if this observation is correct. In that passage, the words of 28:9-10 are striking and relevant:
9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”
The argument regarding the author is not unimportant. Still, whether David wrote it for Solomon or Solomon wrote it as a memorial of the words of 1 Chronicles 28 does not change the message (see also 1 Chronicles 29:19). Some observations are in order as we work through this Psalm verse by verse.
Psalm 127:1
The author of the Psalm begins with a negative. He states, “If Jehovah does not build, ” The focus is on the labors of Jehovah, on the LORD himself. If we state it positively, it would be, “If Jehovah builds, the labor is not in vain.” What is important to note is that the building project is all of the LORD. As God’s people, we must work, but we depend on the LORD. He alone is the architect. We are the laborers. We follow the building plan of the Great Architect. We are obligated to follow the plans as given by the LORD. We cannot deviate from them according to our wants and wishes. If the house is to be built, it must follow the plans of the Lord. The labor is in vain if God’s people do not follow the building plans.
The question of this verse is the identity of the house. What house is in view? Is a specific house in mind? I am strongly inclined to think that Solomon, reflecting on the words of 1 Chronicles 28, is thinking about the house of the LORD, the Temple. He may also be thinking of his house, the palace in Jerusalem. The words of this opening verse can be broadened to other things and labors, but the specific application seems to be the kingdom of God, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Psalm reminds me of the building project that occurred during the post-exilic days of the church of old. Ezra was tasked with rebuilding the Temple. Nehemiah was tasked with rebuilding the walls around the holy city. Though the walls were rebuilt in record time, the work still belonged to the LORD. They worked, but it was God who was ultimately working. Yet, if the LORD does not build, our labors will be in vain.
That raises another aspect worth pondering. Sometimes, God’s people follow the plans as given by the LORD, but God chooses not to bless the labor. Those times are hard to discern, hard to understand, and very painful to face. It is possible to do what is right, according to God’s plan, and see no fruit or blessing. In those times, we must defer to the wisdom of the LORD. However, we must not jump to conclusions merely because we don’t see immediate fruit or blessing. Sometimes, the building project takes many years of toil. It is not necessarily true that if we do not see the LORD working, he isn’t blessing. It is also true that retraction in the building project or hindrances to it does not mean God is angry with the workers or that he is not a blessing. Nehemiah faced obstacles and hindrances to the building program but completed it in 52 days.
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. The plan is the LORD’s. We are his servants. We build according to his design and depend on him. In the next edition, I will explore those means God has given as we labor to build the house according to God’s plans.
I Shall Not Die, But Live: Psalm 118:17
In recent days, I have seen my share of dark providences. I have witnessed betrayal and the abandonment of friends I thought would never leave me. I have been subjected to comments declaring that the work of the church I pastor is dead merely because some have left. I have experienced an unusual uptick in health struggles. This morning, as I lamented these things to the Lord. I came across the following quote. I don’t say these things to virtue signal or draw sympathy. I report it because the context matters. Shortly after praying, I continued reading the book I Shall Not Die, But Live. The background of the book is significant. The author began to blog through his journey as one suffering from inoperable liver cancer. He experienced his share of dark providences. As I read, I came across the following quote from C.H. Spurgeon. As it turns out, I took it as a direct answer from the Lord about my current circumstances.
Perhaps you are struggling. Perhaps you are a pastor wrestling through a period of dark providences. Perhaps you feel like I do. Whatever the case, perhaps the following from Spurgeon will encourage you as it did for me.
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Psa. 118:17). A fair assurance this! It was no doubt based upon a promise, inwardly whispered in the psalmist’s heart, which he seized upon and enjoyed. Is my case like that of David? Am I depressed because the enemy affronts me? Are there multitudes against me and few on my side? Does unbelief bid me lie down and die in despair– a defeated, dishonoured man? Do my enemies begin to dig my grave? What then? Shall I yield to the whisper of fear, and give up the battle, and with it give up all hope? Far from it. There is life in me yet: ‘I shall not die.’ Vigour will return and remove my weakness: ‘I shall live.’ The Lord lives, and I shall live also. My mouth shall again be opened: ‘I shall declare the works of Jehovah.’ Yes, and I shall speak of the present trouble as another instance of the wonder-working faithfulness and love of the Lord my God. Those who would gladly measure me for my coffin had better wait a bit, for ‘the Lord chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death.’ Glory be to his name forever! I am immortal till my work is done. Till the Lord wills it, no vault can close upon me.”“The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith”, 31 October, Charles Spurgeon, as quoted in the book “I Shall Not Die, but Live,” by Douglas Taylor, p. 2
Praying for Worship
Over the summer, I started a brief time of prayer before the morning worship service. It is a time for the church to gather and pray specifically for the worship service. The following are some suggestions about praying for worship that others may use and be blessed by. It is not an exhaustive list by any means. I suspect I will add to this list as time goes on. I am certain you will have other items to add.
Some topic suggestions:
- Pray for the conversion of souls to the glorious hope and truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:1-7)
- Pray for God to bless us with his presence as we worship him today. (Psa. 100)
- Pray for God to show his majesty and beauty. (Psa. 2; 34)
- Pray for attentive hearts and minds in every aspect of the worship service. (Psa. 19:14)
- Pray for a spirit of unity as we gather in worship. (Psa. 133)
- Pray for the hindrance of the Evil One as we worship God. (Matt. 6:13)
- Pray for the preaching of the Word of God. (2 Tim. 4:1-5)
- Pray for the preached Word to bear fruit in the lives of his people. (Lk. 8:15; Jas. 1:25)
- Pray for the hearts and minds of God’s people as the Word of God is preached.
- Pray for the pastor as he preaches God’s Word.
- Pray that God will bless us with joyful singing. (Psa. 100; Ex. 15)
- Pray for fruit to come through the means of grace: prayer and the Lord’s Supper.
- Pray for the saints of the Lord to be edified, encouraged, and, where necessary, convicted of sin.
- Pray for the Lord Jesus Christ to be exalted in song and the reading and preaching of the Word of God.
- Pray for faithful worship in Spirit and truth. (Jn. 4:24)
- Pray for a joyful and reverent worship hour.
- Pray for the struggling and downcast: that the hope of the Gospel will encourage them. (Psa. 42)
