Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. It's a joy to gather together in this sacred assembly, where we are united in the love of Christ, bound by the ties of shared faith, and drawn together in the pursuit of spiritual growth. We are here to seek wisdom, to find comfort, to offer praise, and to learn how to live as Christ would have us live. We are here to build bridges, to strengthen bonds, and to become builders in the Kingdom of God.

Bridging Beliefs

As we gather here today, we find ourselves drawn into a profound and transformative exploration of our faith. We are not just passive observers, but active participants in this spiritual journey. We are builders, each of us, shaping and molding our spiritual lives, brick by brick, stone by stone. And just as a builder uses a cornerstone to ensure the building is straight and true, we too have a cornerstone in our spiritual lives. That cornerstone is Christ.

Being a living stone means to be active in our faith, to be constantly growing and changing, being shaped and molded by the hand of God. It means to be a part of a community, a fellowship of believers, each one unique, each one valuable, each one contributing to the strength and beauty of the whole.

But being a living stone also means to be a part of a holy priesthood. Now, this might seem a bit strange to us. After all, we're not priests, are we? But in a spiritual sense, we are. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve God, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to Him. We are called to worship Him, to praise Him, to thank Him for His love and grace. We are called to share His love with others, to be His hands and feet in the world.

This brings us to the idea of spiritual sacrifices. What are these sacrifices? They are not the burnt offerings of the Old Testament, but the offerings of a heart that is surrendered to God. They are the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, of time and talent, of service and love. They are the sacrifices that we make when we choose to put God first in our lives, when we choose to love others as He has loved us.

And finally, let's consider the cornerstone. Christ, the chosen and precious cornerstone. The one who gives our spiritual house its shape, its strength, its purpose. The one who guides us in our spiritual journey, leading us towards a deeper understanding of God's love and grace. The one who, through His life, death, and resurrection, has shown us the way to eternal life.

Building Bonds

As we continue to reflect on the words of 1 Peter, we find ourselves drawn to the imagery of building bonds ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO