It Is Time to Build

Nehemiah 2:17 NKJV

17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

1 Peter 2:4–5 NKJV

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to build up what had been broken down.

The “broken down” state of Jerusalem was, ultimately, the result of sin.

Are there things in the church, the Holy City (Rev. 21:2), that have become “broken down” and need to be built back?

It is Time to Build Up the Temple of God

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

It is Time to Build Up Unity in the Church

1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Psalm 133:1 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Ephesians 4:3 NKJV

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Corinthians 12:24 NKJV

24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

Ephesians 2:21–22 NKJV

21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Colossians 2:2 NKJV

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

Colossians 2:19 NKJV

19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

It is Time to Build Up Love in the Church

John 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:12 NKJV

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:17 NKJV

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Romans 13:8 NKJV

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 NKJV

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Peter 1:22 NKJV

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 John 3:11 NKJV

11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

1 John 3:23 NKJV

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7 NKJV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11–12 NKJV

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

2 John 5 NKJV

5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

Hebrews 13:1 NKJV

1 Let brotherly love continue.

It is Time to Build Up Discipline in the Church

2 Thessalonians 3:6 NKJV

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

Romans 16:17 NKJV

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 6:9 NKJV

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,