01 Built By God

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard and paper connect Card

Text keyword “ConnectCard” to 217-583-1112

Giving: box, web, app, mail

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

People Think the Church Is Something They Attend, Not Something God Is Building

Many believers see church as:

A service to attend

A program to evaluate

A place to receive spiritual input

Problem: That mindset leads to spectators, not a spiritual household.

This message reframes the church as God’s construction project, not our consumption experience.

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: The church is not something we build for God, it is something God builds for Himself, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.

Opening Scripture:

Ephesians 2:19–20 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”

We Belong to God’s Household (v. 19)

Ephesians 2:19 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Our primary identity is not attendee, volunteer, or member but family

You belong

God’s work begins with invitation, not performance

Prayer and fasting reminded us that we don’t earn our place, we receive it by grace.

Reflection Question: Do I live as someone who belongs to God’s family, or as a spiritual outsider trying to earn my place?

We Are Built on God’s Revealed Truth (v. 20a)

Ephesians 2:20 “20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets

The foundation of the church is not culture, personality, or preference

Apostles gave us the message of Christ; prophets called God’s people to faithfulness

Scripture anchors belief, direction, and correction

A praying church must also be a grounded church: spiritual passion shaped by biblical truth.

Reflection Question: What voices are shaping my faith more than God’s Word?

Christ Jesus Is the Cornerstone (v. 20b)

Ephesians 2:20 Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”

The cornerstone determines alignment, strength, and direction

Structural Support (Source: Logos Factbook)

The cornerstone functions as the supportive stone that holds all other stones in place through its preeminent position and power1. Christ anchors the building and aligns all the walls2, meaning believers derive both their stability and their proper orientation from Him. Each believer fits into the structure with all pieces aligned according to the cornerstone2, suggesting that spiritual maturity and community cohesion depend on maintaining proper relationship to Christ.

Everything in the church rises or falls on its relationship to Christ

Misalignment with Jesus eventually leads to instability

Fasting realigns our lives around Jesus, not adding Him in, but centering everything on Him.

Reflection Question: Is Jesus truly the reference point for my decisions, priorities, and relationships?

Built by God, Not by Us

CORNERSTONE

Hold a brick

Place it slightly crooked on a table

Stack two or three books or blocks on top

People will instantly see how small misalignment leads to instability.

“God is building something in us—and among us, but He builds by alignment, not addition.”

When a building is constructed, the cornerstone is set first. It’s not the biggest stone—but it’s the most important one.

Every wall, every line, every angle is measured from that stone.

If the cornerstone is off by just one inch, the farther the building goes up, the more unstable it becomes.

If Christ is the cornerstone, alignment brings strength

If preferences are the cornerstone, cracks appear

If comfort is the cornerstone, mission drifts

The question is not ‘Is Jesus in the building?’ The question is ‘Is everything lined up with Him?’

Summary Truth:

God does the building

We align to His design

Our alignment is surrender, obedience, and trust

Conclusion/Reflection:

You are not a loose brick trying to find a place. You are part of God’s household—placed, aligned, and built by Him.

Reflection Question: Am I trusting God’s work in His church, or trying to control the outcome?

Closing Declaration (Read Together):

I BELONG IN God’s household

Built by God, anchored in His truth, and centered on Christ.

Talk It Over