Fifth Sunday of Easter - Living Stones

We are called to be living stones, holy and pure, in order to protect ourselves from evil.

There was a small village nestled in the rolling hills of a distant land. The people who lived in this village were simple folk, hardworking and honest, but they were also beset by troubles. Bandits roamed the countryside, stealing their crops and livestock, and wicked spirits plagued their dreams with nightmares and visions of terror.

In the midst of all this fear and uncertainty, there was a small group of believers who had put their faith in Jesus Christ. They knew that they had a great responsibility to live a holy life, trusting in God to protect them from evil. They gathered together regularly to pray, to study the scriptures, and to encourage one another to stay strong in their faith.

One day, a great storm swept across the land, bringing with it winds so fierce that they tore trees from the ground and sent houses tumbling. The villagers huddled together in fear, wondering if they would survive the night. But the believers had a different response. They gathered together in a small chapel, singing hymns and praying for protection.

As the storm raged on, something miraculous happened. The winds seemed to part around the chapel, leaving it untouched even as everything else was destroyed. The villagers were amazed, and they came to see the believers, asking how they had been able to survive.

The believers told them that it was their faith in Jesus Christ that had protected them. They explained that they had accepted Jesus as their savior and had become living stones in God's kingdom. They had committed themselves to living holy lives, trusting in God's protection and provision. The villagers were amazed by what they heard, and many of them decided to put their faith in Jesus too. They began to gather together with the believers, learning from them and growing in their understanding of God's love and grace.

Over time, the village changed. The bandits stopped raiding, and the wicked spirits no longer haunted their dreams. The people of the village began to live in peace and prosperity, thanks to their trust in God and their commitment to holy living.

In the end, the village became known as a place of hope and faith, a testimony to the power of God to protect and provide for those who put their trust in Him. And the believers who had started it all continued to live their lives as living stones, a testament to the divine protection that comes from living a holy life and trusting in God alone. We are called to be living stones, holy and pure, in order to protect ourselves from evil. This passage from 1 Peter 2:5-9 speaks of our identity as followers of Jesus Christ and the importance of living a holy life.

We must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior to be protected from evil. In John 10:10, Jesus himself declares that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus came to save us from the power of sin and death, and through faith in him, we are given eternal life. As we accept Jesus into our lives, we are transformed and given the power to resist the temptations of evil.

However, we must not stop at merely accepting Jesus as our Savior. We must also live a holy life in order to be kept from the hands of our enemies. In 1 Peter 1:16, we are commanded to be holy because God is holy. This means that we must strive to live in accordance with God's will, avoiding sin and pursuing righteousness. Living a holy life requires us to be intentional in our thoughts, words, and actions, and to continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we are called to be living stones in order to receive divine protection. In the ancient world, stones were used to build strong and durable structures, and in the same way, we are called to be the building blocks of God's kingdom. As living stones, we are joined together with Christ, our cornerstone, and with one another as members of his body. We are called to support and encourage one another as we pursue a life of holiness.

We are called to be living stones, holy and pure, in order to protect ourselves from evil. This message is a reminder that we must accept Jesus in order to be protected from evil. For He is the way, the truth, and the life, and our shelter in times of danger.

As Christians, we are called to live holy and pure lives, to be examples of God's love and righteousness in a world that is filled with evil and darkness. This is not an easy task, but we must remember that we are not alone in our journey. We have the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and most importantly, we have the protection of Jesus.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to salvation and the only way to protect ourselves from the evils of this world. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we become living stones, united with Him and with one another, forming a strong and unbreakable foundation that protects us from the forces of darkness.

In times of danger, we can find refuge in Jesus. He is our shelter, our stronghold, and our fortress. When we face trials and tribulations, we can turn to Him for strength and guidance, and He will protect us from harm. However, we must also remember that being a living stone is not just about protecting ourselves. It is also about being a beacon of hope and light to others. As living stones, we are called to share the love of Jesus with those around us, to be a shining example of His grace and mercy, and to bring others into the safety and protection of His love.

So let us embrace our calling as living stones, holy and pure, and let us hold fast to Jesus as our way, our truth, and our life. Let us find shelter in Him and be a beacon of hope to those around us. And let us always remember that with Jesus as our foundation, we are protected from all the evils of this world.

we are called to be living stones, in order to protect ourselves from evil. The Bible tells us that we must be holy and pure in order to be saved from the hands of our enemies.

In Psalm 31:1-5, we see that God is our rock and our fortress. When we put our trust in Him, we can be sure that He will protect us from our enemies. Verse 15-16 says, “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” When we trust in God and live a life of holiness and purity, we can be confident that He will protect us from those who seek to harm us.

As living stones, we are called to be a part of God’s holy temple. In 1 Peter 2:5, it says, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This means that we must embrace a life of holiness and purity. We must be set apart from the world and live according to God’s standards. We cannot allow sin to have a foothold in our lives, because it opens the door for the enemy to come in and attack us.

Living a holy and pure life is not always easy. We will face persecution and opposition from the world. But we must remember that we are not alone. God is with us, and He will protect us. In fact, in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, it says, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” We can take comfort in knowing that God is faithful and will protect us from the evil one.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts and grateful spirits. We thank you for your love, grace, and mercy that have kept us safe and protected us from harm. We acknowledge that we are called to be living stones, holy and pure, in order to protect ourselves from evil.

Lord, we recognize that Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life. We thank you for sending him to be our shelter in times of danger and to save us from our sins. Help us to accept him as our savior and to trust in his protection.

We pray that you would help us to live a holy life, to be set apart from the world and its ways. We ask that you would give us the strength and courage to resist temptation and to follow your commands. May we always be guided by your word and your Spirit.

Father, we take comfort in the promise of Psalm 31:1-5 and 15-16, which shows us your protection for those who put their trust in you. We pray that you would keep us safe from our enemies and deliver us from their hands. We ask that you would help us to be living stones, bold and steadfast in our faith, just as Stephen was. May we never be afraid to speak the truth and share the gospel, even in the face of persecution and death.

Lord, we thank you for the reminder in 1 Peter 2:2-10 that we must commit to a life of holiness if we are to receive your protection. Help us to grow in our faith and to become more like Jesus every day.

We pray that you would continue to guide us, protect us, and lead us on the path of righteousness. May we always be living stones, holy and pure, shining your light in the darkness. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.