Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Guy at wedding - Doesn’t know his pastor’s name!

For you this morning:

1.

I want you to know my name.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/endangered-site-church-of-the-nativity-bethlehem-51647344/

2.

More importantly, I want you to understand the significance of belonging to a local church.

· “I’m not ready.”

That’s probably how this early church felt as they considered living for Jesus.

Peter reminding them that they are more than ready – they had received Christ, and inheritance, told them what they needed to do – set hope fully on Christ by living holy lives and grow in love toward each other.

Now, know who you are so you will be confident in your faith as you live in this fallen world.

What do you think when you think of the word “church?” 2200 Greenridge Road?

Early Christians had no concept of church buildings - church buildings not built until the third century!

Over 200 year after the church was established!

Excitement of building projects at Northwood.

What would early Christians think if they saw our churches?

While we enjoy modern facilities, great music, media, programs, etc.

This is not what defines the church!

· You are a part of the greatest building project that the world has ever known: the church.

You need to know that you are a part of the greatest organization in the world that has more potential to change the world than any other organization.

If true, why are 80% of churches plat.

or declining?

The greatest building project in Christianity is not a physical structure but what God is building in the hearts of His people.

You are a part of the greatest building project that the world has ever known: the church.

The greatest building project in Christianity is not a physical structure that houses a buffet of programs but what God is building in the hearts of His people.

You are a part of the greatest building project that the world has ever known: the church.

On covenant Sunday, two simple realities that we cannot forget if we are going to be the church that God has called us to be.

Church is not where you go; it’s who you are.

Church is not where you go; it’s who you are.

Church is not where you go; it’s who you are.

Peter writes from Rome, where he would die for his faith, to believers living all over the Roman empire who are beginning to experience persecution because of their faith.

Christianity was weird - completely unlike other religions.

Refused to acknowledge Caesar as Lord and refused to worship the other gods of Rome.

Christian faith had no temple, no priests, no sacrifices, no rituals.

They didn’t need those things because Christ was the ultimate fulfillment of all those things.

Early church completely unique to the religious world around it.

No temple, no priests, no sacrifices, no rituals.

Christ was the ultimate fulfillment of all those things.

· Unique way of describing Christ: living stone.

Or, living cornerstone.

Why? Church is built on the living Jesus Christ!

Not a dead prophet or a dead religious leader – but a living, eternal Messiah!

· Cornerstone – most important and strongest stone of building.

Every other stone set in reference to cornerstone.

We are invited by Jesus to build our lives and our church on Him.

If you choose anything else as a cornerstone, your life will crumble and fall.

(hobbies, preferences, etc.)

Peter: “You’re surrounded by religion - but religions that are leading people to an eternity apart from God.

Those earthly temples don’t compare to what God is really building.

He’s not building a temple out of stone.

He’s building a temple out of people.”

Startling!

All religions had a temple AND the Jews - God’s people - had a temple that was central to their worship, but God was building a different kind of temple.

The temple God is building has Jesus; the eternal, indestructible God-man, as the cornerstone.

Church is built on the living Christ!

Not on stones!

Cornerstone – most important and strongest stone of building.

Every other stone set in reference to cornerstone.

We are invited by Jesus to build our lives and our church on Him.

If you choose anything else as a cornerstone, your life will crumble and fall.

(hobbies, preferences, etc.)

· Many reject the cornerstone, but for those who choose to build on the cornerstone, we become living stones alongside of Christ built on Him into a spiritual house.

The greatest building project in human history is not built with brick and mortar but with hearts and souls of people redeemed by Jesus.

Peter: “The prophets told you this day was coming!

The prophets told you that the temple in Jersualem was temporary.

God is doing something new!” and .

Builders reject the cornerstone (specifically referring to religious leaders who rejected Jesus as Messiah), but for those who choose to build on the cornerstone, we become living stones alongside of Christ built on Him into a spiritual house.

The greatest building project in human history is not built with brick and mortar but with hearts and souls of people redeemed by Jesus.

· What you need to know: the church is not where you go; it’s who you are.

This is your identity – a spiritual house indwelt by the God of all creation.

And, a spiritual house built on Jesus – we don’t build our lives or our church on preferences, desires, or anything else but Him.

So what?

What Peter is saying, “You’re not a part of a lifeless religion that inhabits man-made temples.

You are the church!”

The church is not where you go; it’s who you are – a spiritual house indwelt by the God of all creation built on Jesus – we don’t build our lives or our church on preferences, desires, or anything else but Him.

So what?

· We’re always connected.

We need each other to accomplish God’s will for the church.

And, we need each other for spiritual growth.

We’ll always be family.

Makes no sense to try and walk away from people who you are always connected to.

The people you sit beside this morning will forever be your brothers and sisters in Christ.

(You might not be able to say that of your blood family.

We don’t cease to be the church when we leave or cease to be connected)

We’re always connected.

We need each other to accomplish God’s will for the church.

And, we need each other for spiritual growth.

We’ll always be family.

Sometimes we might not agree, but it makes no sense to try and walk away from people who you are always connected to.

The people you sit beside this morning will forever be your brothers and sisters in Christ.

(You might not be able to say that of your blood family.

We don’t cease to be the church when we leave or cease to be connected)

· We’re never destroyed.

“Beloved, if it had been possible to destroy the church of God on earth, it would have been destroyed long ago.”

(Charles Spurgeon) Good news when it seems as if the world is silencing the church.

The world will not silence God’s church – it will last and be victorious.

(Buildings destroyed, not the church) (China)

We’re never destroyed.

Not one ancient temple is standing - but the church is! Good news when it seems as if the world is silencing the church.

The world will not silence God’s church – it will last and be victorious.

· We’re never alone.