09-23-26 | 12NOON Bible Class | Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III

Main message: The sermon teaches that unless God is involved in building and keeping our lives, work, relationships and possessions, our efforts are in vain; therefore we must give everything back to God, trust him as our keeper, and find true rest in him.

Key points:

• Psalm 127:1 frames the sermon: we need the Lord both to build and to keep what we have—without him efforts and protections are ultimately futile.
• Human success and security are fragile (money, houses, careers, health); blessings can be lost if we rely on ourselves instead of God.
• We are stewards, not owners; dedicate your possessions, plans and relationships to God and invite him into decisions so he can preserve them.
• God is our protector and watcher (so we can rest), and he provides a way of escape; trust him in both good and bad seasons.
• Biblical examples and exhortations (Elijah, the Hebrew boys in the furnace, Job’s trust) illustrate radical trust in God even if outcomes differ.

Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Acts 17:28, Psalm 121 (implied), Luke 22:42, John 14:1 (paraphrase), Job 13:15, Daniel 3 (Hebrew boys), 1 Kings 19:18, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 19:6