I. THE VANITY OF SELF EFFORT.
A. In building the Lord's house.
1. Look at programs man has instituted to build the churches.
2. Methods devised to proclaim gospel.
3. World fast becoming totally heathen.
a. Catholic Bishop 16% to 12%.
b. 50, 000, 000 added annually 2,000, 000 being reached 4%.
4. Figures like these usually presented to spur men into new programs.
"If the Lord build not the house they labor in vain."
B. In keeping the city.
1. Purpose of watchman.
2. Man's reliance on flesh.
a. Today we trust in retaliatory ability.
b. Some trust in U.N.
3. Today facing greatest perils.
a. Undreamed of destructive force of modern weaponry.
b. Russia's 100 Megaton bombs and missile systems.
c. Red China's growing menace.
4. Such things usually presented to us by government to condition us to
higher taxation.
"Except the Lord keep the city."
C. To get up early or stay up late to advance our designs.
1. Success stories how little successful men sleep.
a. How little many unsuccessful men sleep.
2. He giveth His beloved sleep.
II. THE TRUE PERSPECTIVE.
A. The Lord has promised to build His house.
1. "Upon this rock I WILL BUILD my church."
2. "The Holy Spirit added daily to the church."
3. The paradox - if we would build the more, we must trust the more.
B. The Lord is our keeper.
1. "He that keepeth thee will not slumber."
2. If the Lord doesn't preserve us, all of our efforts are vain.
3. If we would be safe, we must trust.
C. The Lord has promised prosperity.
1. "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
2. True prosperity is not measured in dollars and cents.
a. "A little that a righteous man hath is more than the wealth of
many wicked."
b. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
3. Prosperity not achieved by direct pursuit.
a. God's blessed man Ps. 1.
4. If you wouId be prosperous you must seek God more.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.