2021-8-8, VBS Sunday, We are Part of God's Building!

God is building something!

God is building His temple, and we get to be a part of it!

This building is His heavenly temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19

God’s temple is for the praise of His glory (His worship). God is the architect and builder. This building is going to be His masterpiece, and we get to be a part of it. It’s not made with wood and stone, it’s made of God, His people, His Word, our good works. As we are a part of it, we discover that we become what God made us to do- worship Him. In this purpose, we become as happy as we can be.

So, let’s see how God is building it...

Foundation

This is where the building comes into contact with the ground.

This is the most important part of any building. The foundation has to be solid, level, and square. It has to be perfect.

If it isn’t, then you are going to run into all sorts of problems later in the project. You will have gaps, incorrect angles, and inclined walls (instead of plumb).

If God’s building is for His glory, do you think it’s okay for it to look askew? No. It has to be perfect as God is perfect.

Since the foundation has to be perfect, God placed Jesus in that position.

1. We learn from the Bible that Jesus’ teachings serve as the rock below the building.

Matthew 7:24 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

2. Jesus is the chief cornerstone.

Acts 4:10–12 ESV

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

and...

1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The cornerstone was always the first stone laid during construction, and every other stone in the building was measured by the standard of the cornerstone to ensure a proper fit.

All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

3. We learn that the Word of God, given to the apostles and the prophets by the Holy Spirit have become the rest of the foundation with Christ.

Ephesians 2:20–21 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.

This is consistent, because Jesus is called the Word of God in...

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

and...

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The walls of the temple are you and me and every other Christian from all time!

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

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, 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.

and...

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are the stones which go into the vertical sides of God’s building.

How are we stones in God’s temple?

This has to do with all that we are (Heart, minds, soul, and strength:

A. This has to do with our hearts of worship (v. 5).

B. This has to do with our good deeds as believers (v. 5).

When we obey God, we are compared to gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:12)

C. This refers to are our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19). Therefore we glorify God with our bodies

If the temple is going to remain perfectly level, square, and plumb, then the Lord is going to have to knock off some of our rough edges.

In calling Jesus the cornerstone, Paul explains that those who want to form the stones in the household of God must be conformed to the image of Christ.

The mortar that holds the stones together is our love for one another and our shared faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

and...

Jude 20 ESV

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

God has a great plan for you.

You want to be a part of something that matters right?

You want to live a life-well-lived?

It all starts with having a good foundation

Foundation of Christ

Justifies your

God works to refine you to for the