INTRODUCTION: This verse deals with building and battling (“keep the city”). These two actions describe much of our life and they certainly describe the Christian life. Nehemiah’s builders had to keep their weapons at hand (Nehemiah 4:16-18 [16] And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. [17] They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. [18] For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
See All...). Jesus deals with these two aspects of discipleship in Luke 14:27-33 [27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? [29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. [31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
See All.... We build a life, a work, or a ministry. Then we have to fight in order to keep it.

This verse deals with our relationship to God in the building and battling process. We tend to take it all upon ourselves. We try to make it happen with much effort or we try to be smart in our actions. But this is the fastest way to lose it all. We must understand God’s part in it and give Him His place. This message looks at the first statement: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Let this verse sink deep into your hearts.

1. THE HOUSE IS OUR LIFE AND WORK
1. The Blueprint is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17 [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
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2. The Foundation is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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3. The Building is our Life and Works (Matthew 7:24-27 [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
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2. GOD IS THE BUILDER (Hebrews 3:4For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
   See All...; Hebrews 11:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
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1. He Chooses the House to be Built (John 15:16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
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2. He Guides the Construction of the House (John 15:1-6 [1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
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3. He Assures the Completion of the House (Philippians 1:6For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's.
   See All...; Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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3. WE ARE THE LABORERS (1 Corinthians 3:9-10 [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
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1. We Must Seek the Will of the Builder (Acts 9:6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
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2. We Must Obey the Instructions of the Builder (Psalms 143:10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
   See All...; Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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3. We Must Trust the Wisdom of the Builder (1 Thessalonians 5:24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
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CONCLUSION: You can have no lasting building unless you build on the right foundation—Jesus Christ. But even then, you must be careful how you build thereon. God must choose the life you are to live; He must guide you through each step; He must bring it to completion. Stop trying to be the builder. That is not your calling. Accept your place as a laborer. That is where the blessing and fruit is to be found.