June 2021

 in Newsletter by

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone.…a costly cornerstone for the foundation.” Isa. 28:16

1 Peter 2:4-8 (NASB)
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,”
8 and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
Have you ever wondered why the Bible calls believers “living stones?” It’s because as Christians we are under construction. We are being built into a spiritual house, the Church. We’re the only building program Jesus has going right now, and He’s intensely interested in how construction is progressing.
Peter’s message here is that Jesus Christ is accomplishing today exactly what He said He would accomplish back in Matthew 16:18: He is building His Church. And there is absolutely no doubt in Peter’s mind as to who is the most valuable stone in the project. It’s Jesus Himself, the “Living Stone,” (v.4) “the choice and precious corner stone”, (v.6) “the very cornerstone” (v. 7) and the “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”, (v.8). Talk about having the right perspective on the Church. Peter is saying that no matter from what angle you view the spiritual building that is the Church, Jesus is holding the whole thing together.
Now, not everyone wants Jesus to be their Cornerstone. There are plenty of folk who will tell you, “I don’t need the church. I don’t need what the church is offering. I’ll come to God my own way.”
No you won’t. See, God has only one program. He’s committed to His church the word of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:19-21) If you aren’t into that, then your unbelief means that Jesus is not your Cornerstone but your headstone! Jesus said, (referring to Himself) “On whomever this stone falls, it will scatter Him like dust. (Mt. 21:44) That’s the doom Peter is talking about in verse 8.
Now let me explain why we are individual stones in God’s building need to grow up spiritually. If one side of the building goes up faster than the other side, you’ve got a lop-sided building. If you and I are weak and cannot hold up our part, the building will be out of kilter. And you can’t blame the Cornerstone. He’s solid for all eternity.
Just think about that…..If you are not growing, you’re jeopardizing the stability of the whole church. It won’t fit together right. That’s why we encourage and provide so many avenues for spiritual growth here. Because we want God’s church here to be able to reach it’s max potential.
Are you on board?