Building God's Church: Living Stones in Unity
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of the church that God is building, a church not made of bricks and mortar but of living stones—us, His people. We began by reflecting on some of the world's most famous church buildings, marveling at their beauty and history. Yet, these structures pale in comparison to the spiritual house God is constructing with His followers. This divine construction is not about physical edifices but about a community of believers coming together in faith and purpose.
We delved into 1 Peter 2:4-8, which reveals the blueprint of God's church. The passage emphasizes that God builds His church as we come to Jesus, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God's sight. As we draw near to Christ, we are transformed into living stones, being built into a spiritual house. This process is not just about individual growth but about the collective maturity and unity of the church.
God's church is built with us, and He uses each of us, despite our imperfections, to create something beautiful and holy. This construction is not our doing but God's, as He is the master builder. Our role is to come to Jesus continually, both corporately and individually, allowing Him to shape us into His holy priesthood.
The purpose of this divine construction is to create a community that dwells in God's presence, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him. Our lives, in every aspect, are to glorify God, whether in mundane tasks or significant decisions. We are called to be holy priests, not only enjoying God's presence but also inviting others to experience it.
The significance of being part of God's church is profound. It offers us security and purpose, contrasting with the insecurity and stumbling of those who reject the cornerstone, Jesus. As we commit to being part of this spiritual house, we find our true identity and mission in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Builds His Church as We Come to Jesus: The church grows not just in numbers but in spiritual maturity as we continually come to Jesus. This is a collective journey, emphasizing the importance of community in our faith walk. [44:05]
2. We Are Living Stones in God's Spiritual House: Each believer is a vital part of the church, chosen by God to be part of His divine construction. Despite our flaws, God uses us to build His holy community. [47:21]
3. God Himself is the Master Builder: While we participate in the church's growth, it is ultimately God who builds His church. Our role is to seek Him in prayer and align with His purposes. [49:29]
4. The Church Exists to Dwell in God's Presence: Our calling as a holy priesthood is to live in God's presence and help others experience it. This is the essence of our spiritual sacrifices, glorifying God in all we do. [54:26]
5. The Significance of Being Part of God's Church: Belonging to God's church provides security and purpose, contrasting with the instability of rejecting Christ. Our faith in Jesus ensures we will not be put to shame. [01:02:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction of Kes
- [02:30] - Living on Mission
- [04:15] - The Power of God's Word
- [06:00] - Famous Churches Around the World
- [10:30] - God's Church vs. Man's Buildings
- [13:45] - 1 Peter 2:4-8: The Blueprint
- [17:00] - Coming to Jesus
- [20:00] - Living Stones and Spiritual House
- [23:30] - God as the Master Builder
- [26:00] - Purpose of the Church: Holiness
- [30:00] - Offering Spiritual Sacrifices
- [34:00] - The Significance of Belonging
- [38:00] - Invitation to Respond
- [41:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:4-8
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 2:4-8, what is the significance of Jesus being referred to as the "living stone"? How does this relate to the concept of believers being "living stones"? [44:05]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned several famous church buildings. What point was he making by comparing these structures to the spiritual house God is building? [06:00]
3. How does the sermon describe the process by which God builds His church? What role do believers play in this process? [49:29]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that God is the "master builder" of the church? How does this influence the way we view our role in the church? [47:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of coming to Jesus both corporately and individually. How does this practice contribute to the growth and maturity of the church? [44:05]
2. The pastor mentioned that God's church is built with us, despite our imperfections. What does this reveal about God's grace and purpose for each believer? [47:21]
3. The sermon discusses the idea of offering spiritual sacrifices. What might these sacrifices look like in the context of a believer's daily life? [54:26]
4. The pastor contrasts the security found in being part of God's church with the instability of rejecting Christ. How does this contrast impact a believer's sense of identity and purpose? [01:02:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal journey of coming to Jesus. How can you make this a more intentional and regular practice in your daily life? [44:05]
2. Consider the idea of being a "living stone" in God's spiritual house. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and growth of your church community? [47:21]
3. The sermon encourages believers to offer their lives as spiritual sacrifices. Identify one area of your life where you can more intentionally glorify God. What steps will you take to make this change? [57:12]
4. How can you actively participate in helping others experience God's presence, as part of your role in the holy priesthood? [54:26]
5. The pastor shared a story about inviting people to Jesus rather than just to church. How can you apply this approach in your interactions with friends and neighbors? [44:05]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt insecure or rejected. How does being part of God's church provide you with security and purpose? [01:02:41]
7. The sermon highlights the importance of prayer in building God's church. How can you incorporate more prayer into your life, specifically praying for your church and its growth? [49:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church Grows Through Our Collective Journey to Jesus
As believers, we are called to continually come to Jesus, the living stone, who is the foundation of God's spiritual house. This journey is not just an individual pursuit but a collective one, where the church grows in spiritual maturity as a community. The emphasis is on the importance of unity and fellowship in our faith walk, as we support and encourage one another in our relationship with Christ. By coming together, we reflect the beauty of God's divine construction, where each member plays a vital role in the growth and maturity of the church. [44:05]
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 (ESV): "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your church community this week? What steps can you take to encourage and support others in their journey to Jesus?
Day 2: We Are Chosen to Be Living Stones
Each believer is a living stone, chosen by God to be part of His spiritual house. Despite our imperfections, God uses us to build His holy community. This divine construction is not about our abilities but about God's grace and purpose for our lives. As living stones, we are called to be active participants in the church, allowing God to shape us and use us for His glory. Our identity and purpose are found in being part of this spiritual house, where we are transformed and united in Christ. [47:21]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: In what ways do you see yourself as a living stone in God's spiritual house? How can you embrace your role and contribute to the unity and growth of your church?
Day 3: God is the Master Builder of His Church
While we participate in the growth of the church, it is ultimately God who is the master builder. Our role is to seek Him in prayer and align with His purposes, trusting that He is in control of the construction of His spiritual house. This requires humility and surrender, recognizing that our efforts are not enough without God's guidance and power. As we align ourselves with His will, we become instruments in His hands, used to build a community that reflects His love and grace. [49:29]
Psalm 127:1 (ESV): "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are trying to build without seeking God's guidance? How can you surrender these areas to Him and trust in His role as the master builder?
Day 4: Dwelling in God's Presence as a Holy Priesthood
The church exists to dwell in God's presence, and as believers, we are called to be a holy priesthood. This means living in a way that glorifies God in all we do, offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to Him. Our lives should be a reflection of His holiness, inviting others to experience His presence and love. This calling is not just about personal holiness but about creating a community that embodies God's presence and extends His grace to the world. [54:26]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: How can you live as a holy priesthood in your daily life? What spiritual sacrifices can you offer to God today that reflect His presence and love?
Day 5: Finding Security and Purpose in God's Church
Belonging to God's church provides us with security and purpose, contrasting with the instability of rejecting Christ. As we commit to being part of this spiritual house, we find our true identity and mission in Christ. Our faith in Jesus ensures that we will not be put to shame, as we are anchored in the cornerstone that is unshakable. This security allows us to live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves—a community that reflects God's kingdom on earth. [01:02:41]
Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
Reflection: In what ways do you find security and purpose in being part of God's church? How can you live out your identity and mission in Christ with confidence and boldness today?
Quotes
Thank you for your detailed instructions. Here are the 12 selected quotes:
"Well, hey, our hope and prayer is that this summer, every person in our church fam would say, I'm going to live on mission this summer. There's lots of opportunities to do that. Whether that's living as an everyday missionary right here in San Marcos, just in your ordinary life, or serving with our kids camp that we're doing here the first week of June, or even going to Tucson with us that last week of June, our hope and prayer is that all of us would participate in some way in the beautiful mission of God that he's invited all of us to be a part of. So I would encourage you to pray about that. Ask God, hey, what would it look like for me to live on mission this summer for your glory? And, yeah, I think it'd be awesome if we all just said, Jesus, I'm all yours. So let's continue to worship." [00:17:08]
"God, we thank you so much for your word God, we thank you that your word is always true And we never have to guess If you're telling the truth or trying to fool us God, we thank you We thank you that your word is profitable For teaching, for correction, for proof And for training in righteousness That we might be equipped for what you've created us to do God, we thank you that your word is the sword of the spirit That it's sharper than any man -made sword And so God, would you come do a sanctifying surgery in us this morning By the power of your spirit Through your word, Lord God Father, we thank you for the gift it is To be in your presence this morning God, would you move in us To move through us That you might be more glorified In our lives and in this city For your glory and our joy In Jesus' name Amen Amen, amen Well, you may take a seat If you've got kiddos In between the ages of Six weeks and sixth grade You can dismiss them now Off to Kids Church Gonna have a blast And we will miss y 'all Well, hey, I've got some pictures That are gonna be up on the screen Of famous churches around the world So this is a little bit of a pop quiz If you're a college student That stresses you out There's no grade this morning Okay We love you regardless The first service Honestly, I was a little surprised If it was for a grade They did not do great So, you've got an opportunity here I'll report back to them Okay, so Picture number one Okay, anyone know What church this is? Almost Okay Alright, the first service Is looking great right now Okay It's Notre Dame Notre Dame in France Okay That's okay Maybe y 'all are just so Knowledgeable of Of what we're gonna talk about today That you just I don't even see buildings All I see is Jesus Alright So Notre Dame in France Notre Dame in France It took over 180 years To build this church Started in 1163 And didn't finish until 1345 Anyone ever been to Notre Dame? Anyone? Okay Okay, a few of y 'all Okay Yeah, part of its design Was made for Just almost perfection in acoustics So that when a choir was singing I mean I mean It just reverberated Sound like heaven On earth And so Let's go to this next one Okay This is where they started to struggle So Honestly I'm not that hopeful Someone in the first service Said the Capitol I hope They were joking The Vatican Yes St. Peter's Basilica St. Peter's Basilica In the Vatican Certainly For many in the world One of the most famous churches In the world Took over 120 years to complete Began in 1506 And wasn't completed until 1626 For Catholics This is one of the most prominent churches In all the world Being held in kind of the holy city Right next to some of the most famous artwork In all the world An incredible, incredible building Let's look at this next one It's one of my favorites Anybody?" [00:30:05]
"My girl Let's go Alright Westminster Abbey Okay A lot of British history Around here Actually the original structure Built in 1042 Only took 25 years To build But the structure That you and I see today Was a rebuild And took over 500 years To complete Think about millions And millions And millions Of dollars People giving their lives To building these buildings And never seeing the end Hundreds of thousands If not millions Of people Visit these churches Every single year Some for tourism Some for worship But these are some Of the most famous churches In all the world Gorgeous Awe -inspiring churches And they don't Hold a candle To the church That God himself Wants to build They don't come Anywhere close To the church That God Himself Wants to build And there might be A day in the future Where God calls The well Out of Travis Elementary And into a building But there There will never Be a building That matters To God Or to people If you and I Don't prioritize The church That God wants To build I I hope That this church Never spends A dollar" [00:34:34]
"But God is Building a church That is far More beautiful Has far more Glory Has far more Splendor Than any building We've ever seen And that's exactly What we're talking About this morning What kind of church Is God Himself Building So if you have Your Bibles And I hope you do Open them with me To 1 Peter Chapter 2 1 Peter Chapter 2 We're going to be In verses 4 Through 8 We're going to be Talking about What kind of church Is God Wanting to build Really in a sense We're looking at The blueprints Of God's church Building How does God Build his church That's big idea Number one How does God Build his church Why does God Build his church Point number two And then lastly The significance Of you and I Being a part Of his church The significance Of you and I Being a part Of his church Let's start In verse 4 The text says As you come To him A living stone Rejected by men But in the sight Of God Chosen and precious You yourselves Like living stones Are being built up As a spiritual House How does God Build his church How does God Build his church The text says As you come To him As you come To Jesus God builds His church How does God Build his church He builds it As we come To Jesus I confess to you The first draft Of this sermon Actually was a sermon About what kind of House are you building It was very individualistic About hey What kind of house If someone were to Walk into your house What's the vibe What's the atmosphere Like would someone Experience Jesus In that kind of house And then I was Studying the text And realized That that you Is not singular It's plural That Peter's not Addressing you As an individual He's addressing us As the church He's saying As you The church Come to Jesus God will build His church God will Mature His church We could Understand this In a part As well sure God builds His church He grows His church As people Come to faith In Christ When Kess Was baptized Our church Grew By Kess And we thank God for that Two weeks ago Baptizing nine people And we're celebrating How God's growing Our church But the text Is actually Not so much Growing in width As it is growing Upwards towards God Look again At verses one Through three It says So put away All malice And all deceit And hypocrisy And envy And all slander Like newborn infants Long for the pure Spiritual milk That by it You may grow up Into salvation If indeed You have tasted That the Lord Is good And now he says To the church As you come To him You ever heard The phrase We need to have A little Come to Jesus Meeting I've had the Opportunity To do a little Coaching here In San Marcos I've coached Some basketball Which is not Awesome Same for Coach Carey Who led our team This season But coached Some baseball I really get into it Sometimes a little Too into it And every now and then I'll tell our team Hey team We need to have A little Come to Jesus Meeting Okay And what I mean By that Is hey We've gotten Off base Or we are not Understanding how The game's meant To be played And we need To get together And we need To straighten Things out God says I will build My church As you Come To Jesus Guys I pray This For our church I pray That you And I Don't Don't Invite People To church We invite Them To Jesus I pray That as long As God Puts life In this church We will be About the business Of not saying Hey Come to the well Come to the well Come to the well We will be We will be About the business Of saying Hey Come to Jesus Come to Jesus I've got a neighbor That I love And I've prayed For for years And probably Three maybe Four years ago Now Took him out To lunch Had the opportunity To share the gospel He was not following Jesus His family Didn't go to church And I shared the gospel With him at Ivers Right by the river And he looks at me And he says Man you mean to tell me That Jesus is the son of God I say Yeah Yeah That's what we believe That kind of sounds crazy But that is what we believe And he says Man I've never heard that Before in my life This is my neighbor Okay Don't assume your neighbors Are Christians Just as a side note Some of y 'all are like Oh Chris They ain't You haven't met my neighbors And then I texted him He's come to a few Block parties of ours He's hung out A few things we've done I've" [00:36:14]
"shared the gospel with him. I've talked to him about following Jesus, kind of discipled him from a distance. And then just a few months ago, he texted me. He says, hey, Chris, my boys are getting baptized. I said, what? Can I be really? Not at the well?" [00:41:32]
"And I'm over here sharing the gospel and your boys are getting baptized. He sends me a picture and they're getting baptized at this church. And here's why I can celebrate. Because here's a man who says, I'm going to bring my kids to Jesus." [00:41:55]
"And my role in his life is not, hey, come to church. It's, hey, come to Jesus." [00:42:32]
"I'm not overly concerned about what church my neighbors go to. I am very concerned about if they go to Jesus." [00:42:37]
"How does God build his church? He builds it as you and I come to Jesus." [00:42:45]
"What does that look like for us? That looks like in part a Sunday morning. We gather week after week after week to sing songs that remind us of the truths of God, to stir our affections for the glory of God. We gather around the word to be reminded of the gospel." [00:42:53]
"What are we doing Sunday after Sunday? We're not just coming to church. We're coming to Jesus." [00:43:08]
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