Originally by Greg Thomas

The awesome Creator God obviously has a lot of marvelous qualities and traits. I would like to discuss one today that is predominant throughout Scripture. It is a trait that sets Him apart, and it is one that mankind has inherited from Him. One could say we humans are just like our Dad—“a chip off the old block.” It is the very essence of who and what God is, and it is the purpose that motivates God to do the things He does. The quality I am referring to is also the title God is a Builder American Heritage Dictionary: One that builds, especially a person who contracts for and supervises the construction of a building. Ephesians 3:9 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; Genesis 1:26-27 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Ephesians 4:24 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. God is a Builder.

He is the Builder of planets and the universe, He builds people and families. We were created in His image, and this means that we, too, are builders. Just look at our civilizations and you will see that this is true. Since ancient times mankind has continuously built homes, temples, palaces and unique cultures around the world. You might say we are just like all of the other animals that make homes for ourselves but if you look at it, Birds have been making the same kind of nests for all time, they do so out of instinct put into them by God. We have God’s creativity so we can build yes, but we can design and build better structures and improve upon them with the creativity that God has given us. We are always striving for perfection in our buildings aren’t we? If a building or bridge collapses we try again to make it better. But these talents and abilities can be used for good or for evil as we read in Genesis 11. Man is a builder both Good and Bad Genesis 11:1-9 NKJ Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly."

They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." I read a commentary about this building effort as it related to the post flood period. Remember that God had changed the nature of the animals when they came off the ark and that predator animals can be very dangerous. Nimrod, a mighty hunter could have served as protector instead of God, a provider instead of God. He brought them into cities where he could both look after and be exalted by the people. 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

When People tell me that God knows all things and that there is nothing that He can’t know I think about Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac and I think about this passage. If God did this to slow things down and prevent the fact that nothing will be withheld from them, then why didn’t he do this from the beginning? True to our heritage, man is a builder of cities, empires, kingdoms, governments and organizations. We are “wired” to have an uncontrollable need to create and build. Look at small children at play. Give them three or four small square blocks, and they will put them on top of each other. As they grow watch them with Legos and see what they build. Where do they get the ability to create new structures that never before existed? The desire to build is in our DNA. In this scriptural example, the building program was not for a good cause, but intended to confront God and His sovereignty. In John 5 we read the story about a man that Jesus healed that had been afflicted for 38 years. It was the Sabbath and Jesus healed him. John 5:15-16 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

John 5:1-8 NKJ After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." John 5:13-17 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." So this healing was a gift and this gift came with a warning. If the warning was not heeded “Sin no more” then worse things would follow. When we are called we are given a great gift as well and we are also required to turn our lives around and allow God to build in us a new heart. 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."

So what kind of work are the Father and Jesus Christ doing? What kind of work was Christ admitting to? I have had people say that Ministers are allowed to work almost as if we have a special exemption. The question is work but rather what Kind of Work. Among other things, they are builders! Jesus was a Carpenter but this is not the work He was referring to when He said that the Father and He are working. In this case it was not physical but spiritual building they were doing. He was working to build a family in us for His Father. They are building people, building a Family and building a spiritual Kingdom. We can read how Paul participated in this process in 1 Cor. 3: and starting in verse 6 1 Corinthians 3:6-15 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. The foundation analogy Paul tells the brethren they are God’s field and building.

First let’s look at the foundation analogy. If the foundation is sound, the building will not be totally destroyed—only the superstructure will suffer loss. This structure can be re-built on the solid foundation—newer and better than ever! If you think about it, a farmer is building underground. He or she prepares the soil, plants a seed, provides the right environment and watches it break through the earth and grow skyward. God is indeed building us up into something useful and magnificent in His sight. However, the foundation we need to have is a sound and solid relationship with Jesus Christ. If our spiritual foundation is in Him we can face any personal trial or tragedy and still be standing tall. We may not understand why we face the things we do, or why God allows them to happen to us, but we will endure and our foundation will be reinforced through our struggles!

Hebrews 11:7-10 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. [Comment on years of building a ark and being mocked for building this ridiculous creation for no reason at all. ] 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. This is an example of someone who had the right foundation. He lived by faith. Remember, faith is believing and knowing something even though you can’t prove it with any of your five senses.

NKJ Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is something hoped for that has no tangible or visible proof or evidence. If you could only see it, or taste it, or hear it, or smell it or touch it—it wouldn’t require faith because you would have proof or evidence of it. NLT Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. Abraham lived his life by faith simply because God promised it. His attitude was that if God promises it, then it is as good as done. Can we say that of our lives? God is building a creation from us so we believe and are convinced just like Abraham? NLT Romans 4:20-22 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. 22 And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous. Because of Abraham’s faith and his foundation, he will dwell in the New Jerusalem to be built by God. Let’s see part of Paul’s message from Miletus to the elders and brethren before he left for Jerusalem (Miletus was the port city for Ephesus).

In trying to Build up the flock in Ephesus, Paul cautions the congregation and at the same time gives a stern warning to the Elders about the limits of their power and Paul reminds the elders of their responsibility toward the flock: Acts 20:28-32 28 "And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God's flock-- his church, purchased with his blood-- over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. 29 I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you-- my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace-- his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. Mr. Thomas gave three warnings to the Ministry as it relates to taking care of the congregation.

1. The sheep don’t belong to people or any group. They belong to Jesus Christ, who purchased them with His own shed blood. He is the Good Shepherd. Elders are simply “overseers,” who are expected to nurture and love the flock as a protector and trustee.

2. Elders need to take heed and examine themselves and their own motives. For any man to draw people toward himself or his own personal agenda is called a “perverse thing” and should never be done. The task of an elder is to build up, not destroy or scatter the flock.

3. An elder should point the flock toward God and His Word. When this is done faithfully, God grants His favor and is able to build up His people. A healthy Church culture is about building up the brethren and helping them grow, not controlling them. So Paul understood that Congregations need to be on guard for wolves in sheep’s clothing. At one point he was looked at as a wolf as we read in Acts 9 speaking about when Paul, then named Saul, tried to join the others.

Acts 9:26-31 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. 31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

3618 oivkodome,w oikodomeo {oy-kod-om-eh'-o} Meaning: 1) to build a house, erect a building 1a) to build (up from the foundation) 1b) to restore by building, to rebuild, repair 2) metaph. 2a) to found, establish 2b) to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness Usage: AV - build 24, edify 7, builder 5, build up 1, be in building 1, embolden 1; 39 The churches had peace and were being built up through the Holy Spirit. The end result was growth in their love and in their numbers. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Edify = same Greek word “oikodomeo” [oy-kod-om-eh’-o]. Instead of judging and competing with one another, we should be comforting and building up one another. However, we must realize that there is another spirit in the world—one that is contrary to what the Master Builder is doing. Satan is a destroyer Revelation 9:11 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. What do these names mean?

Believer’s Study Bible: “The ‘king’ or angel who rules over these dissident spirits is also assigned a name which is characteristic of his work. The Hebrew word abaddon and the Greek term apollyon both signify ‘destruction.’ However, this should not be understood as annihilation. God is a builder and has called us to be builders. Satan is a destroyer and he tries to get us to destroy one another. Satan is also a deceiver so he can make people think they are taking care of themselves when they are really destroying themselves. Curt Cobain from the Band Nirvana was from the class of 1985 at Aberdeen High School in Washington State: I was in the class of 84. When you read his biography you see the tragedy unfold that lead to his taking his own life in 1994. His life had happy moments of music and family but problems at home spun his life out of control. For a while he happily went to church and participated in school but problems at home started to spin his life out of control. In his suicide note he stated that his life was no longer about creating music and that was too much take. Satan and His spirits are not builders, but destroyers, and their goal is complete destruction of the family unit and of humankind. They desire to tear down relationships. They seek to cause alienation, frustration and brokenness in human lives.

What are some of the ways we can be a Builder like God and not a destroyer? 1. Encourage and comfort one another. 2 Corinthians 1:21-24 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. We are all “fellow workers” together. On a construction site all the tradesmen work together and coordinate their skills to get the building construction completed. We know the “blueprint” or drawings. It is God’s plan revealed through the Holy Days. 2. Pray and fast for one another.

James 5:16-20 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Prayer is powerful and can literally change the course of history. We need to pray for one another so that we can be healed spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Psalm 35:11-14 11 Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know. 12 They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. 14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. This is an incredible example of love by King David. When his enemies were sick, he fasted and prayed that they would be healed as if they were his physical brothers, or even as his own mother! If he was willing to do this, how much more should we pray and fast for brethren going through a terrible trial? 3. Offer to help one another and care for one another.

James 2:14-24 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Faith and works are not in contrast or competition to each other. They work together to achieve great things, and that includes helping others.

Especially when we see others who have physical needs, if we are financially able, we should help them physically along with our encouragement, prayers and fasting. Conclusion Our Great God is a Master Builder! He designed and built the physical world we live in. He made man- kind in His own image with the desire to construct and build. God is building character in us and He is building a family. I encourage you to be a people-builder. Become the answer to someone’s prayer. Make it your life mission to build up everything and everyone around you! Will it always be appreciated or respected? No—but that isn’t our problem. God continues to love and build us even though we often take it for granted. I have worked on many construction sites, and I have observed that throughout construction and even just a few weeks before the “grand opening” of any magnificent building, there is usually trash and scattered construction parts everywhere. You may feel like your life is a mess right now, but don’t get discouraged or question the wisdom of the Builder. Have faith that He will bring it all together before your “grand opening” in His Kingdom. Be patient with yourself and with others. Please don’t ever forget that you are the building of God.