Dear Christian friends:

1 Chronicles 27:20, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you."

We are very happy to see many of our members gathered in Church today, our Loyalty Sunday for the Building Fund Canvass. Many members were present at the 8:30 am service.

Now, tomorrow our lay visitors (canvassers) will begin to visit the homes of our members. And I know they are shaking in their shoes. It is not easy to go to another persons home and talk to him about giving and pledging. Anyone who does that needs courage and good cheer.

Also you who stay home when the visitors come and talk to you about giving and pledging for the new building you will be afraid to pledge a percentage of your income. I was afraid also before I pledged as are all our visitors. Yes, when we want to go ahead and build a new Center we are tempted easily to give up and drop such a large work.

The devil doesn't want us to build that new building. Our greed and sinful heart doesn't want to sacrifice and give for it. So we need the comfort and encouragement of our text here. "Be strong and of good courage, and do it."

King David said these words to his son Solomon when he was old and dying. He wanted Solomon not to be afraid to go ahead and build the new and large Temple in Jerusalem. David knew that was a hard and long job. It took twenty years to finish it. He knew also that Solomon may become tired and give up that large project, so He says the words of our text.

Now as Solomon we also need to hear these good comforting words of David. Let us hear them and not be afraid. Also David tells why we should not be afraid to build for God's glory. He says, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished."

We are building for God's work and glory therefore we can be sure that He will not fail us. If you now with prayer and faith obey Jesus and pledge a good right share of your income for God's work, you can be sure that He will not leave you or forsake you. He will be with you, and bless you, protect you and help you to continue through.

Solomon says in Psalm 37:25, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." If we believe and obey God's Word and give and build we will not get left poor and broke. That's God promise, he never lies.

So be strong and of good courage and do it. Lay visitors, members, and friends be strong and of good courage and good cheer.

Amen.