Building the Kingdom
Psalm 127:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Matthew 7:24-27

A sermon preached at the new Presbytery facility Dedication Service
Presbytery of Tampa Bay
April 22, 2007

Once a man visited the New York City Public Library. As he approached the neo-classical edifice, he was impressed by the Corinthian columns which lined the facade of the building. He walked up the tall set of steps. It achieved the designed result of inspiring awe in the visitor. He passed the twin lion sculptures guarding the front door. As he went through the main entrance, he noticed the marble inlaid tile floor which seemed to go on forever in the massive lobby. Over-stuffed reading chairs were formed in groups around the mahogany walled room resembling an English gentlemen’s country club. He saw a panel of elevators which promised to lead to floors yet unexplored. He even encountered a Starbucks coffee shop just off the main lobby. Somewhat bewildered he went to the front desk, and in hushed tones asked the librarian, "Where do you keep the books?"

Visitors entering this new facility, pass through a porte-cochere, enter a reception area and resource center, see meeting rooms and offices, but they may well ask, "Where do you keep the faith?"

The New York City public library is of little use except for the books. A Presbytery office, resource center and meeting facility is of little use except for the faith found in those who work here, who serve on committees here, who seek to advance the mission of Christ here, who come to browse the resource center in order to equip themselves or others along the journey of faith.

The scriptures say a lot about buildings. The first reference to dedicating a structure is Nebuchadnezzar’s dedication of the great image on the plain of Dura, described in Daniel 3. The setting apart of sacred spaces is prominent in Biblical accounts of the tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, and the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem after the exile. So, it is very appropriate that we gather here today to dedicate this space as sacred to God, remembering that the original meaning of the Biblical word "holy" is "set apart for a sacred use." Today we gather to set this space apart for a sacred use.

The building itself is a testimony to the purpose of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay. As you enter, you encounter the Resource Center. This conveys the message that the Presbytery is a resource to the congregations – not a regulatory agency or bureaucratic organization. Here are books, videos, DVDs, curricula and computer-based resources to equip leaders and members of churches to be more effective in their ministries. The staff who have offices here are extensions of the Resource Center, living resources for the congregations.

The meeting and conference wing of this building provides a place for groups to gather, make plans to strengthen the Presbyterian church in this region, and to organize for mission in the Tampa Bay community and throughout the world. The conference rooms will be used to provide continuing education events to help church leaders call, equip and send forth disciples of Jesus Christ. This space will be used to host new congregations (especially non-English speaking churches) until they are able to move to their own facilities after being nurtured here. The first will be Igreja Nova Vida. It is in the DNA of this Presbytery to launch new congregations, and this facility will assist this key mission.

Some have suggested that we refer to this building as simply the Presbytery Resource Center. Others have suggested the Presbytery Mission Center. Somehow Presbytery Office just doesn’t convey the whole story about what this space is design to do. Perhaps the best term would be the Presbytery Faith Center. Because all that takes place here is for the purpose of furthering and deepening faith in Jesus Christ.

I have learned a lot about construction in the last three years – far more than I ever cared to know! After all, I learned that what you drive under at the main door is not a drive thru, it is a porte-cochere. The architect tells me that a drive thru is what you find at a fast food restaurant – not at a facility such as this one. Also, I could have lived a long and happy life without ever knowing what a lift station is. For those of you who may not know, a lift station has something to do with the sanitary system – enough said.

Somehow, throughout the entire building process, I believe God was teaching us a lesson about faith, using the building process as an extended parable. Here’s what I mean: St. Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" If you and I are God’s spiritual temples, then the construction of a physical building can be an extended parable about our construction as a temple of God.

For instance, every building needs an architect, someone who has a vision of what can be created. Alberto Portela began his architectural work here by discerning what purpose and mission God has given to this Presbytery, in order to design an appropriate structure. Similarly, God has already given each one of us a purpose – a mission, if you will. And God will design an appropriate temple for you and me in order for us to fulfill our personal, unique missions. The key question is, Who is the architect of your life? Your temple?

Every building needs a construction team, people who do the heavy work of fashioning brick and mortar into a finished facility. J. O. DeLotto and Sons tended to every detail of construction using teams of craftsmen to get the job completed. Similarly, God will provide each of us with helpers to build our individual temples. We do not need to labor alone in the construction of our lives. Christ calls us to be part of a community of faith, not disciples on our own, without co-workers in the kingdom. This building will be a gathering place for teams of disciples to work together as we fulfill the mission given to us by God. In Christ’s church there are no Lone Rangers. Who are your co-workers in the kingdom – your construction team – as you build your life? Your temple?

Most construction or reconstruction begins with demolition. When this building was begun, trees were uprooted, sod was removed, and a parking lot was demolished. When construction begins in our lives, some demolition may also be required. What needs to be broken down and swept away in your life before God can begin building a temple within you?

Due to new Florida building codes, this building needed to be lifted from the original grade level to a higher level. We had to bring in fill dirt to do the job. It was then I discovered the phrase "dirt cheap" does not apply to fill dirt. The dirt was more expensive than I ever would have imagined! Perhaps the temple you and I are building needs to be similarly raised to a higher level. What is in your life that keeps you from rising to the heights God intends for you? What is holding you down? Who is helping you rise?

The first step of actual construction was the laying of the foundation. Christ said our individual temples need a good foundation. He said, "Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25.) Some found their lives upon the security of family ... some upon a good job ... some upon a good income ... some upon their own wits, work, and talent. The rock which Jesus talked about is the rock of faith. On what is your foundation set?

Faith is believing what cannot be seen. It’s like having confidence that this building is real, even when it was just a twinkle in the architect’s eye. None of us could fully grasp the reality of what this facility would be when we first looked at the architect’s floor plans and elevations. Even as the foundation was poured and walls went up, we slowly came to know what the final building would be. So it is with God’s design for us. We need to start work on our lives (in faith) believing that the end product will be good and beautiful, even – and perhaps especially – if we cannot see God’s vision clearly at the beginning.

God will never send us on a mission without our being fully equipped. An example of this truth comes from the history of baseball. When Cy Young was near retirement, the legendary pitcher was interviewed by a sports reporter, "What has changed most in baseball during your long career?" "That’s easy," Young replied. "It’s the relief pitcher. When I started in baseball, we had to work the entire game, even if we got tired. Occasionally, the manager would come out to the mound, but usually he would say something like, ‘Well Cy, there’s a man on first, second and third; there are no outs; it’s time for you to pitch your way out of this trouble!’" You see, Cy Young had the on-board ability to do just that.

Similarly, God has given us the on-board ability to undertake whatever mission we have been assigned. God would never send us forth without provisions and sometimes relief pitchers. At first we may not recognize the provisions. And God usually gives only what we need for now – later provision will be given along the way. This building is a good example of this truth.

When we first came to know that we needed a new place for the Presbytery office, none of us had a clue about where we were going. So, we turned to God. We went through a lengthy discernment process. We did lots of research. We asked for suggestions from pastors and sessions. We prayed a lot!

Over time, God’s direction became clear. My primary worry in the early days was how we could afford any new facility. However, throughout it all God had a plan, which was only slowly revealed to us. You see, from the time this Presbytery was formed in 1990 until the time we learned of our need for a new location, no church had closed. However, during this time of transition, four congregations (which had declined in membership) asked the Presbytery to be dissolved. The sale of those properties provided the funds not only to build this building, but also to help start a new church – not a single dollar had to be raised from member churches within the Presbytery. Now if that is not the hand of Providence, I don’t know what is!

When Jesus talked about building a foundation, did you notice that he said in Matthew 7:24-27, "Every one who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock." It is not simply enough to listen to God. It is not even enough to believe in God. It is necessary to act, to put into deeds the words of Christ.

Or as the Psalmist said, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it, labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1) If you build your house on the pursuit of wealth, you labor in vain. If you build your house on the pursuit of worldly happiness, you labor in vain. If you build your house on the strength of your own wisdom, you labor in vain. If you build your house with only lip service to God, you labor in vain. On the other hand, if God is your architect ... if you join a team of other kingdom builders ... if you set your foundation on the bedrock of faith, your temple will be holy. You will be set apart by God for a sacred purpose.

This new building offers a resource for you and me to discover the mission God has given to each of us. And together we can build up the kingdom of God in this community, and beyond Tampa Bay to the farthest parts the world. Amen.

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