Faithful Stewardship: Christ as Our Cornerstone

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound parable from Mark 12, where Jesus speaks of a landowner, tenants, and the vineyard. This parable, set in the final week of Jesus' life, is a poignant message to the religious leaders of His time, and it holds significant lessons for us today. The landowner represents God, the vineyard symbolizes Israel, and the tenants are the religious leaders who have failed in their stewardship. Despite God's repeated attempts to reach out through prophets, the leaders rejected and mistreated them, culminating in the ultimate rejection of His Son, Jesus. This parable serves as a stark warning about the consequences of failing to recognize and respect God's authority.

As we reflect on this story, it becomes clear that the judgment that befell the religious leaders can also fall upon us if we neglect our responsibilities as stewards of God's church. Leadership is not a position of pride but one of humility and service. We are reminded that God has appointed us to our roles, not based on our merit, but as an opportunity to serve and lead with faithfulness. Our calling is to be faithful stewards, cultivating what God has entrusted to us, and ensuring that our actions align with His will.

The cornerstone of our faith and our lives must be Jesus Christ. He is the foundation upon which everything else is built. Our relationship with Him is irreplaceable, and we must continually seek His guidance, allowing Him to direct our paths. This requires us to pray, wait, and listen, trusting that His plans are greater than our own. As we abide in Him, we find strength, direction, and the ability to bear fruit in our lives.

Ultimately, the parable challenges us to examine our own lives and leadership. Are we building our own kingdoms, or are we advancing God's kingdom? Are we faithful stewards, or are we seeking control? Let us strive to be faithful servants, allowing Christ to be our cornerstone, and trusting in His providence and love.

Key Takeaways:

- Faithful Stewardship: Leadership is a divine appointment, not a position of pride. We are called to be faithful stewards, cultivating what God has entrusted to us, and aligning our actions with His will. Our leadership should reflect humility and service, recognizing that we are not the owners but caretakers of God's vineyard. [14:26]

- Christ as the Cornerstone: Jesus is the foundation of our faith and lives. Our relationship with Him is irreplaceable, and we must continually seek His guidance. By making Him our cornerstone, we ensure that our lives are built on a solid foundation, allowing us to withstand challenges and bear fruit. [29:03]

- Listening to the Word: We must be attentive to God's Word, allowing it to guide and shape our lives. This involves not only hearing sermons but also engaging with the Bible personally. The Word of God is food for our hearts and salvation for our souls, providing direction and correction. [22:01]

- Prayer and Patience: Praying, waiting, and listening are essential practices for discerning God's will. By seeking His guidance, we align our plans with His purposes, ensuring that we are building His kingdom rather than our own. This requires patience and trust in His timing and wisdom. [32:19]

- Abiding in Christ: Our ability to bear fruit is dependent on our connection to Jesus. As we abide in Him, we find strength, direction, and the ability to fulfill our calling. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, but through Him, we can accomplish all that He has planned for us. [25:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:14] - Introduction to the Parable
- [09:09] - The Religious Leaders' Response
- [14:26] - Leadership and Stewardship
- [17:10] - Christ as the Cornerstone
- [22:01] - Listening to the Word
- [25:11] - Faithfulness Over Success
- [29:03] - Building on the Cornerstone
- [32:19] - Prayer, Waiting, and Listening
- [35:00] - Abiding in Christ
- [38:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Mark 12:1-12
- Psalm 118:22-23

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable from Mark 12, who do the landowner, vineyard, and tenants represent, and what actions do the tenants take against the landowner's servants and son? [05:14]

2. How do the religious leaders react to Jesus' parable, and why do they want to arrest Him? [09:09]

3. What is the significance of the cornerstone mentioned in Psalm 118:22-23, and how does Jesus use this reference in His teaching? [09:09]

4. According to the sermon, what is the role of leaders in the church, and how should they view their position? [14:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the parable in Mark 12 serve as a warning to the religious leaders of Jesus' time, and what implications does it have for modern-day church leaders? [09:09]

2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the cornerstone of our faith, and how does this concept challenge the way we build our lives and ministries? [17:10]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that failing to listen to God's Word can lead to spiritual downfall, and how can individuals and churches guard against this? [22:01]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between prayer, patience, and discerning God's will, and why are these practices essential for faithful stewardship? [32:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current leadership roles, whether in church, work, or family. How can you ensure that your leadership reflects humility and service rather than pride and control? [14:26]

2. Consider your personal relationship with Jesus. In what ways can you make Him the cornerstone of your life, ensuring that your actions and decisions are aligned with His will? [29:03]

3. How often do you engage with God's Word outside of church services? What steps can you take to make Bible reading a more integral part of your daily routine? [22:01]

4. Think about a recent decision you made without consulting God. How might prayer, waiting, and listening have changed the outcome? What can you do to incorporate these practices into future decisions? [32:19]

5. Identify an area in your life where you are seeking control rather than being a faithful steward. How can you surrender this area to God and trust in His providence? [25:11]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What specific actions can you take to abide in Christ and strengthen your connection with Him? [25:11]

7. How can you actively participate in building God's kingdom rather than your own? What practical steps can you take this week to advance His purposes in your community? [17:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Faithful Stewardship as Divine Appointment
Leadership is not about personal pride or achievement; it is a divine appointment that calls for humility and service. As stewards of God's vineyard, we are entrusted with responsibilities that require us to align our actions with His will. This means recognizing that we are caretakers, not owners, of what God has given us. Our leadership should reflect a commitment to cultivating and nurturing what has been entrusted to us, ensuring that our actions are guided by faithfulness and service. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking personal success to being faithful in our roles, understanding that our ultimate accountability is to God. [14:26]

Isaiah 5:1-2 (ESV): "Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate humility and service in your current role or responsibility, recognizing it as a divine appointment rather than a personal achievement?


Day 2: Christ as the Cornerstone of Our Lives
Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which our faith and lives are built. Our relationship with Him is irreplaceable, and it is essential to continually seek His guidance. By making Christ our cornerstone, we ensure that our lives are constructed on a solid foundation, enabling us to withstand challenges and bear fruit. This involves a conscious effort to prioritize our relationship with Him, allowing His teachings and presence to shape our decisions and actions. As we build our lives on this cornerstone, we find stability and purpose, knowing that our foundation is secure in Him. [29:03]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (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."

Reflection: How can you intentionally make Christ the cornerstone of your daily decisions and actions, ensuring that your life is built on a solid foundation?


Day 3: Listening to the Word for Guidance
Being attentive to God's Word is crucial for guiding and shaping our lives. This involves more than just hearing sermons; it requires engaging with the Bible personally and allowing it to influence our thoughts and actions. The Word of God is nourishment for our hearts and salvation for our souls, providing direction and correction. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's truth, enabling us to live lives that reflect His will and purpose. [22:01]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to engage more deeply with God's Word, allowing it to guide and shape your daily life?


Day 4: Prayer and Patience in Seeking God's Will
Praying, waiting, and listening are essential practices for discerning God's will. By seeking His guidance, we align our plans with His purposes, ensuring that we are building His kingdom rather than our own. This requires patience and trust in His timing and wisdom, recognizing that His plans are greater than our own. As we cultivate a posture of prayer and patience, we learn to trust in God's providence, allowing Him to direct our paths and fulfill His purposes in our lives. [32:19]

James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice patience and trust in God's timing, and how can you actively seek His guidance through prayer?


Day 5: Abiding in Christ for Fruitful Living
Our ability to bear fruit is dependent on our connection to Jesus. As we abide in Him, we find strength, direction, and the ability to fulfill our calling. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, but through Him, we can accomplish all that He has planned for us. This abiding relationship requires intentionality, as we seek to remain in His presence and draw from His strength. By staying connected to Christ, we are empowered to live lives that reflect His love and purpose, bearing fruit that glorifies God. [25:11]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a deeper connection with Christ this week, ensuring that you are abiding in Him and bearing fruit in your life?

Quotes

"We are thankful that you give us everything that we have. Everything good comes from you. You are amazing. You are loving, and you are marvelous in our eyes. Lord Jesus, I pray that any of the words that I speak that are not of you, that they'd fall on deaf ears today, but that your word would go forth and not return void, that would produce fruit in our hearts, God." [00:02:58] (30 seconds)


"God planted a vineyard. And Israel in all the Old Testament is referred to as a vineyard. God planted this vineyard. He called them out of Egypt. He set them free to be in a promised land flowing with milk and honey. He called them to be a blessing to the nations. And what do the leaders of Israel do? They keep showing the people to worship other gods, to blaspheme, to worship in addition, to craft golden calves, to sacrifice their children in the fire." [00:09:20] (38 seconds)


"The stone that the religious leaders rejected became the cornerstone. It is the cornerstone, if you don't know. It is the first stone that is put down on the ground in a building. It's the foundation stone. And Jesus, rejected by the leaders of Jerusalem, became the cornerstone of a new building, God's church. And the authority of the Jewish religious establishment was taken away from them and given to the most unlikely ragtag group of people, fishermen, tax collectors, and religious violent extremists." [00:12:09] (37 seconds)


"The judgment that fell on them can fall on us. If you have gone to church for a while, if you've been walking with Jesus, you know God is slow to anger. He's not the stereotypical Old Testament God that wants to smite people and sense his wrath immediately. All throughout the Old Testament, there is this phrase. It's what God tells Moses on Mount Sinai. The Lord, the Lord is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. He's merciful. He will forgive." [00:13:34] (30 seconds)


"You are not in your position of leadership by accident. I want you to know that. God has appointed you. Paul makes it very clear in Romans 13. Every ruler and authority God has appointed for a reason, even if we don't like them. But our calling to a place of leadership should not be a cause for pride, as if God has called us to this leadership position based on our merit and based on how good we are." [00:14:17] (28 seconds)


"None of it is for us to ultimately control. What we're meant to do with what God has given us is to cultivate it. We're supposed to watch it grow. We're supposed to delight in this thing that God has given us, and we get to see that it's going somewhere. We get to receive it and grow it and delight in it because we're not owners. We're just supposed to take care of this little plot of land, these people that God has placed in our lives." [00:22:29] (27 seconds)

"God is calling us to surrender control. He's calling us to enjoy the cultivating. He's calling us to enjoy the growth, enjoy. I mean, I'm talking to leaders, right? So we're doing the planning. We're doing the gritty work. We're getting our nails dirty. We're doing the heavy lifting. We're managing people. We're doing really difficult tasks. We've got to make decisions. And this is all true, but this is all cultivating something for God's glory." [00:25:35] (30 seconds)


"The psalm that Jesus quotes says that the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. So let me ask you, is Jesus marvelous to you? Does he amaze you? Each time you come to the scripture, each time you hear something more about him, each time you go into prayer, and you talk to him, and you consult him, and you see the amazing things that he's doing in your life, does he amaze you?" [00:26:37] (35 seconds)


"Are you allowing him to speak into your life at the moment, at the critical point? It doesn't mean that when you pray and wait and listen that you'll become a pastor and everyone says, praise the Lord. But I am so thankful that I'm walking in God's calling for my life. Maybe that seems like big headed of me to say, but I feel a peace that surpasses all understanding. I know where I am and who I am. I know that the Lord has called me to this work." [00:35:06] (30 seconds)


"All my life he's been faithful, so why would I turn from his Lordship now? Pray, wait, and listen. This doesn't come naturally. This only comes when we go to Jesus daily. He renews our mind. He restores our soul. He gives us the peace again and again and again. He gives us the direction. Let Christ be your cornerstone. Build on him. Let him determine the direction of your life. Make him first and then watch what he will do when you put him first." [00:35:36] (37 seconds)

"You can't replace it and say, you know, I'm going to do this myself because I think I got this now. It's irreplaceable. Jesus uses another vineyard analogy. He says, I am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him. He bears much fruit. But apart from me, you can do nothing. Not less. Not less. Nothing. But abiding in him, he can do everything through you." [00:36:23] (36 seconds)


"Do you need Jesus today? He is waiting with arms wide open to embrace you, to give you a love like you've never known before, to give you a peace and a joy that surpasses anything that you've ever come to understand, which means that today is the day of salvation for somebody. Watching online, here in person, somebody today. Today, it's time to come to Jesus." [00:37:17] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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