Writing the Next Chapter

Ezra 3:10-11

Theme:  God shows us how Israel wrote the next chapter.

Welcome to an historic day here at Mountain View Baptist Church.  In May, forty five years ago God started a story and the story is not finished. God has big plans for MVBC and you are a part of this story. This is a great moment and today we will write a new chapter in the ministry.  In your church program today, you will see pictures of our history, where we started, the progress along the way, including the purchase of this property.  The modular unit which has been used for many years has been a tremendous blessing for holding services.  It is getting rather old and in need of replacement. The space is limited and now is the time to move forward into a permanent structure. 

There are two phases to this building project.  Phase I will concentrate on the parking lot.  The entire project is by no means a small undertaking.  In meeting building codes through the planning department, getting all the necessary engineer drawings, and meeting requirements for permit.  We do want to comply to all the reasonable guidelines so we can move forward. Phase II will be to build the auditorium itself. 

God wants us to move forward.  If you look in your church program, notice God provided an additional 12 thousand beyond what He provided at the banquet.   As business leaders and others are watching, some have stepped up to give towards this worthy endeavor. What a blessing to see God moving. Over the years, I am thankful for the members of MVBC for their faithfulness in giving and asking God to provide for the future.  You have been faithful in your service and commitment to the ministry of MVBC. I am also thankful for several of you who have committed to be a part of the 124 Foundation. God blesses a church who has a vision for the future.  We must keep thinking towards the future just as those who went before us. have been thinking of us. Having Sunday Schools and running a bus ministry are two examples of thinking towards the next generations.

In the passage we just read, we learn the Israelites were called to rebuild the house of God.  Notice they stopped to celebrate here in the building of the foundation.  A foundation is critically important any time you build.  The foundation will be to establish the stability for the future.

This is true not only for a building but also for our individual lives, our families, our community, and our nation.  We must, we must have the right foundation and it gives us a reason to celebrate.  “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lordkeep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) It is my heart that our community will be built on the right foundation.

Jesus spoke of right foundations when He uses two examples: A rock and sand. The rock is a solid, stable foundation. The sand shifts and is weak. The choice is what do we build our lives on?

We are asking God to be in this next chapter of MVBC to not only to provide but to guide us.  To show us what He wants to accomplish in our walk of faith.  Please notice here for Israel there were several components they included in their celebration.  I am completely convinced God wants us to celebrate. 

There is a great recognition of this important time in their history just as today this is an important moment in our history.  It is recorded in sacred Scripture for us.  They had made a decision, drove a stake of commitment to move forward in their call by God.  The visibility of a parking lot and building is a landmark, a standing structure to the community of who God is and what He is doing.  This is a turning point as we break ground, the land will take on a new look, there will be a new curb appeal to the community. 

Please notice there are four elements of celebration to God.

I. Praise

They gave praise to God because He is the One who brought them to this point.  He is the One who gave them the opportunity and the call to accomplish the foundation.

God deserves every imaginable praise from his creatures, whether heathens or Christians, and the more men praise him the greater will be their happiness.

Charles Simeon (Leader of the Evangelical Revival)

In the passage, it has not been easy for Israel.  They had to pay a price to be at this point in their history and God is going to use this to establish a spiritual witness in their community. The property here that we are standing on has been bought and paid for by those who have gone before us. There was sacrifice and commitment to see MVBC make an impact, play important role in this community for the cause of Christ.

Praise means to transfer our allegiance and our provision to God who provided this for us.

I cannot help but think of the spiritual witness a new parking lot and one day a new building will be as a standing witness to our community.  I cannot help but think of that young couple who just had a new baby and they are thinking about its future.  Not just about college but about the baby’s spiritual life.  They look for a safe place to bring their child where they feel comfortable to park and walk up to the auditorium.  A clean, well-kept nursery and children’s ministry. A parking lot is more than just asphalt and spaces, it is about souls. The parking lot is about families and grandparents. It is about souls.

We can praise God for the family.    You may also think of the couple whose children have reached the teen years.  Teen years are hard with social media and peer pressures of society to conform. God gives us hope for a better life.  True life is found in knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Do you know Him today?  Not just about Him, but know Him personally. 

We can praise God for the wonderful blessings He gives as we consider His goodness, His protection, His kindness, His peace.  As a family gather for daily meals, social events, weekend traditions, and holidays throughout the year, it gives us something to rejoice about. 

As the nation of Israel comes together, they pause from their daily life to focus on God and give Him praise.  Today, we want to focus on God and give praise to Him as we break ground on this parking lot and then ultimately the building, we recognize Him for His goodness.

II. Singing

The temple employed professional musicians to sing unto the Lord.  Why? Because music is a to be a regular and normal part of music. Here they all sang to the Lord. They sang in course means all in harmony together.  Singing is not intended to be a spectator event but a participation event.  Israel is a very singing nation as we are taught all through Scripture.  They lifted up their voices to honor God. 

1415 One of the advantages of pure congregational singing is that you can join in the singing whether you have a voice or not. The disadvantage is that your neighbor can do the same.

Charles Dudley Warner

God is pleased when we sing to Him.  Unfortunately, much of so called Christian music is outward focused. Our music should have an upward focus.  We want to please God and in celebration to Him, we sing to Him for a special event like this today.  This is a celebration time and God is pleased as we celebrate His goodness.  Unfortunately, much of Christian music focuses too much on us, our feelings, and ourself rather than on God.

 III. Giving thanks

A believer should give gratitude to God.  He is the One who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again. He is the One that paid the price for our sins.  He is the One who gives eternal life. 

Because of this we have a church where we can attend and worship Him.  We are to give our gratitude to God for our church.  Forty-six years ago, there was not a Mountain View Baptist Church.  Oh yes, there were other churches and I am sure a gospel witness, but there was no MVBC.   We would not be meeting here today forty-six years ago. 

However, God in His mercy and grace sent a pastor and a group of people, who thought not only for themselves, but also for the future.   A group of people who wanted the future generations to know of Christ.  They were concerned for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Today as we break ground, we are given the exact same opportunity.  A parking lot may not be as glamorous as a new building.  But if you were here last week, you would be thankful for new parking lot.  The dirt lot was filled with cars and as God continues to bless, the need will be greater.  I am thinking about guest parking spots, single mother parking spots, and speakers with Christian music playing as people drive on the property. 

We will have places for teens to play basketball or hockey.  This will be a gateway to a church who cares for people.

IV. Testifying

They testified of the goodness of God.  God is always good but it is always great to stop and testify to His goodness.  Right after lunch, we will have a testimony service.  There should be a longing in our heart to brag on Jesus and what He has done in our lives.  Today, we see the opportunity to testify of His goodness. 

I think of the countless number of lives who have been saved, baptized, and their life has been changed by Jesus right here at MVBC.  You may be one of those and this is a wonderful time to testify of His goodness.  We need to talk more about Jesus and less about this world.  Your friends, your family, your work companions will take note when you talk about Jesus.  The reason why we see fewer converts than we would like is because we don’t talk about Him and His goodness enough. 

Notice here, He is also merciful.  Have you ever noticed how much mercy God gives to us?   His mercy is everlasting.  God has been merciful to us with this modular unit for our auditorium.  It has lasted a long time and thank God there has been few repairs.  There have been few people hurt on this property over the years.  God has been merciful to guide this ministry for 45 years and it is the mercy of God it is still here.  We want to God to work for another 45 years.

This parking lot and this building will be a standing testimony to the community to God and what He is doing in our world today.

What about you today?  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?  Is He your Savior?  If not, we would love the opportunity to talk with you and share with you how you can know Him today. 

Christian will you engage in the next chapter.  We need more people who are engaged in working on the bus, teaching classes, VBS workers, SS teachers, and teen helpers.  The future of our church is here today.  Will you pray, will you support, and will you be a part of the 124 Foundation.  This a group of engaged believers who give monthly 124 or $1500 yearly to the building fund for the furtherance of the gospel.  For the furtherance of MVBC new auditorium.  It is no secret that the need for parking and new auditorium is apparent.  We must make space to accommodate those who God is bringing to the ministry. As we break ground, please pray for God to make clear His will for the future.

Prayer…

We gather here today with hearts filled with gratitude to God for the vision He has given us and the opportunity to break ground on this new parking lot  This project represents not just bricks and mortar, but a testament to the unwavering faith and dedication of our church family. May God's blessing rest upon this place as we build this parking lot and a church auditorium for worship as a beacon of hope for our community.