Christ Wesleyan Church
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Psalm 118:22 ESV
A. A cornerstone...
Isaiah 28:16 NLT
1. “The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure”. - Wikipedia
2. "In relation to architecture, a cornerstone is traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, with all other stones laid in reference. A cornerstone marks the geographical location by orienting a building in a specific direction. Cornerstones have been around for millennia, in some shape or form.”
3. "The cornerstone, or foundation stone, of an edifice in ancient times was a perfectly squared stone from which the remainder of the building could be plumbed, squared, and leveled. It provided the builder a point of departure, or reference, which insured that the structure would be properly built."
4. “Historically, the cornerstone was the most important part of any building. The total weight of an edifice rested on this particular stone, which, if removed, would collapse the whole structure. The cornerstone was also the key to keeping the walls straight. The builders would take sightings along the edges of this part of the building. If the cornerstone was set properly, the stonemasons could be assured that all the other corners of the building would be at the appropriate angles as well. Thus, the cornerstone became a symbol for that which held life together.” – Back to the Bible
Job 38:2-11 MSG
Isaiah 28:16 NLT
B. When building into your spiritual journey, start with the Cornerstone...
Ephesians 2:20 NLT
1. We begin our spiritual lives by inviting Christ into our hearts and giving Him control of our lives!
2. We know who Jesus is by knowing His Word. We can trust the Bible!
3. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we are now part of a family – a family with similar characteristics and a common goal!
4. As we grow in our understanding, we grow in our likeness to Jesus!
Ephesians 4:15 NLT
Romans 8:29 NLT
C. Little stones building on the Cornerstone...
1 Peter 2:5 NLT
1. Begin by preparing yourself as a pure stone.
1 Peter 2:1 NLT
2. Crave pure spiritual milk as newborn babies and grow up!
1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT
3. Don't stumble or make others stumble.
1 Peter 2:8 NLT
4. You are part of a building...relationally connected and a place where God dwells.
1 Peter 2:5 NLT
5. Treasure your new identity and protect it.
1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT
6. Keep away from worldly desires that will destroy you.
1 Peter 2:11 NLT
7. Live your life carefully before unbelievers.
1 Peter 2:12 NLT
D. So, what do you need to do to make your life a better stone...to build on the Cornerstone?
1 Peter 1:1-17 The Message
So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.
Is God speaking to your heart about cleaning house?
You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
Have you been immature in your spiritual journey?
Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.
Maybe you need a fresh surrender of yourself to God!
The Scriptures provide precedent:
Look! I’m setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor.
Whoever trusts in this Stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. To you who trust Him, He’s a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust Him, the Stone the workmen threw out is now the Chief Foundation Stone.
For the untrusting it’s. . . a Stone to trip over, a Boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.
Is there an area of disobedience that you have indulged in…way too long?
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
When was the last time you shared with an unbeliever the difference Jesus has made in your life?
Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
Have you become too comfortable in your life and your surroundings?
Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when He arrives.
How do others see your life? Is it the kind of life that makes others thirsty for God in theirs?
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens.
Will God say “Well done!” or are there areas of your life that need to be cleaned up?
Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order.
God has placed all authority in our lives to teach us how to submit. Is your respect for authority evident?
It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.
Is God prompting you to find a place to serve?
Treat everyone you meet with dignity.
Do you treat all people with respect? Or are you selective in your good treatment?
Love your spiritual family.
Do you evidence your love for fellow believers in how you live your life?
Revere God.
Are you conscious of your reverence for God...in your speech, your daily life, in your worship?
Respect the government.
Romans 13:1-5 NLT