Welcome to Waymaker Church! We are so excited to have you join us today! We exist to Encounter, Live for, and Advance the Kingdom of God!

For the past few weeks, we have been in a series entitled Grit where we have looked at how to have courage, resolve, and strength of character.
In the opener of the series we talked about how the Christian life is not a punch list. Christ must be central to our lives.

We must learn to invite Jesus into every moment of our life by choosing to maintain an intentional awareness of His presence.
We know that according to Philippians 1:6 that if Christ is central, He will complete a good work in our life.

Victory for the believer begins and ends with the word of God, because what God has spoken in His word concerning our lives carries the needed strength to help us persevere no matter the situation or season, we find ourselves in.

Courage, Resolve, and Strength of Character begin in the mind. We know that in life we are going to endure hardships and trials, but our secret weapon to overcome is the power to choose to Joy. When we choose Joy, it changes our perspective and trajectory. It moves us from conquered to conquerors!

A major pillar that undergirds joy is contentment. Remember that Contentment is an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances. Discontentment arises due to hardness of heart, trials, persecutions, the worries of this life, and the lure of wealth.

Joy and contentment are a result of knowing that God really is in control. When we understand this, it gives us grit to endure!

This passage tells us that Christ is the chief cornerstone. What does that mean? The cornerstone of a large building gives it a reliable and firm foundation, leading to the cohesion and stability of the whole building. In scripture, the cornerstone is symbolic of Jesus and the Church.

So, we see in both passages of scripture that intent of our relationship with Christ is to be built into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. What began with the tabernacle of meeting during the Exodus of Israel has now shifted to God dwelling in our hearts by faith.
The Cornerstone is Christ.

What we must understand is that confession of faith in Christ is a launch pad for kingdom living. He is our reliable and firm foundation, but we must be mindful to press on. Jesus wants to do a good work in our lives, and far too many stop short of stepping into deeper relationship with Jesus.
Punch list Christianity will rob you of purpose. Going to church is not the goal, becoming the church is. If we become a dwelling place for God ministry to others will be a natural byproduct. Your cup will run over.

How then do we grow into dwelling place for God?

This passage reveals the process of change necessary for the life of a believer.
Faith in Christ is the Cornerstone, but it says to add to faith virtue. Virtue is Moral Goodness (this comes when we align our thinking with God’s word.).
We are to add to Virtue- Knowledge (Knowledge is a deeper understanding of the ways of God-gaining wisdom).
We add to Knowledge- Self Control (this is one who masters sensual appetites. A fruit of the spirit)
We add to Self-Control- Perseverance (steadfastness, constancy, endurance).
We add to Perseverance - Godliness (reverence, respect towards God) the more you learn of Him this comes naturally. When you discover the greatness of his wisdom it shifts the posture of your heart. You can’t help but have reverence and respect towards Him.
We add to Godliness- Brotherly Kindness (love of brothers or sisters). The internal transformation of the Gospel and surrender to Jesus now begins to show externally towards others.
We add to Brotherly Kindness- Love (the Greek word used here is AGAPE. this is the God kind of Love. no conditions, he loves because he loves. It is who He is.)

The Christian life is progression. God draws us to Christ by His kindness. Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” But after we have a responsibility to pursue the Kingdom. Christ brings us into the family, but we must both learn and walk in the nature of the family.

The cross reference of this passage is the parable of the wise and foolish Virgin's in Matthew 25:11-12 where the groom came for the bride and only half were ready. In Matthew 7:21-23 they did not do the will of the Father (Follow His Word). In Matthew 25:11-12 they did not have oil in their lamps. Oil in scripture is always representative of the Holy Spirit.

The totality of this thought is that both were rejected because they practiced lawlessness. They had made the decision to consistently reject what God had said and not put it into practice. Jesus took it a little further by saying, why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?

We have the potential to become the dwelling place of God if we will listen to and obey His word. When we obey, we choose to build upon Christ the chief cornerstone. If we choose to reject His word, he tells us that destruction awaits.

How then do we know if we are wise or foolish?
The storms of life will reveal it. If you continue in Matthew 7:24-27 you will see that storms reveal the foundation of our life. Storms for the believer are uncomfortable for sure, but not stressful because our life is established on God's word. The believer continues to mature over time and has developed grit.

However, storms for those who hear the word, but do not do it are extremely stressful and costly. Jesus said, that when the storms came that house fell, and great was its fall.

Today, let’s decide to be a people who read and obey the word of God. Let’s choose to go on to maturity receiving the Spirit and Power.