Sunday, May 23, 2004
Dr. Kevin Harrison, Pastor

Preface:  I want you to take your Bible this morning and turn to Nehemiah 1. 
When I was a kid I used to like to build things: Forts, tree houses, soapbox derby cars, pieces of wood put together that made no sense, but they did have a lot of nails in them.  I liked to build things.  But of all the things I built as a kid, none of those things are still around today because I built them the way I thought they should be built, not the way they really should have been built.  I chose inferior, temporary materials and put them together hoping they would last. 

Here we are today starting a new chapter in life and, guess what, its time to start building again…the right way with the right materials.  However, this building project is not about building temporary structures that will rot away, but people who have eternal souls.  It’s the ultimate building project: Ministry to people.

(Reach back and get the blocks)  This building project is going to require building blocks for the future.   Everyone is this room understands the concept that you can’t put the roof on the building until you have the walls and you can’t have the walls until you have a foundation to build upon.  Over the next several weeks, we are going to be building this wall, from the ground up, with the building blocks for the future for The Gospel Tabernacle of Baltimore. 

Why do we need to lay the building blocks for the future?  Because every great thing God builds has a clear starting point and foundation.  These are the building blocks of direction, purpose, and meaning.

Below is a statement that was written by the third of Pastor Antonio Carlos’ daughters in recognition of the fruit she witnessed and as a testimony of the work her father was called to.

“What can I say about a father so lovely and preserving as this my beloved father.  A man of God who lives his life with such an open heart, totally dedicated to bringing the love of Jesus Christ to Brazil; giving all his love, and care, and dedication to this ministry which is called Casa do Oleiro.
Daddy, I feel honored to work at your side for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ thank you for the opportunity.”

                                                                                                                                                -Anne Gabrielle