Explore the parable of the tenants, emphasizing the importance of consciously choosing to have Christ as the cornerstone and foundation of our lives.
Good morning, family! I've got a special message to share with you today, one that's grounded in the solid rock of our faith. We're going to delve into the powerful parable of the tenants in Matthew 21:33-46, and explore the transformative power of having Christ, our Cornerstone, as the foundation of our lives.
As Leslie Ludy once said, "It is time that we allow the Word of God, not the glamorized lies of Hollywood to become the cornerstone of our convictions, thoughts, and attitude. It is time we trade the emptiness of pop culture entertainment for the real-life adventure of a Christ-built existence. Only then will truth reign and rule in our lives. Only then will our lives make an eternal impact for His glory." What a beautiful reminder that our faith in Christ isn't about obligation, but about choice, about consciously choosing to build our lives around Him. We’re going to talk about how we can choose what the world wants us to choose, as Ludy said, or we can choose Christ.
The concept of Christ being the cornerstone of our faith is a metaphor that originates from the world of architecture, where the cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones are set in reference to this stone, determining the position of the entire structure. In the same way, Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, the reference point from which all other aspects of our lives should be aligned.
When we accept Christ as our cornerstone: We are acknowledging that He is the foundation of our lives, the reference point from which we draw our values, our decisions, our actions, and our very identities. This means that every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our careers, from our finances to our personal growth, should be aligned with Christ and His teachings.
An active process: It requires us to constantly check our alignment with Christ, to ensure that we are not drifting away from Him. It requires us to make conscious decisions that reflect our commitment to Christ, even when these decisions are difficult or unpopular. It requires us to be willing to let go of anything that does not align with Christ, no matter how much we may desire it.
Doesn’t mean we’ll never face challenges/difficulties: On the contrary, it means that we will face these challenges with the confidence that comes from knowing that we are anchored in Christ, that He is with us in every situation, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
We accept His love, His grace, and His forgiveness: We accept that we are not perfect, and that we will make mistakes. But we also accept that Christ's love for us is greater than our mistakes, that His grace is sufficient for us, and that His forgiveness is available to us whenever we repent and turn back to Him.
Accepting His mission for us: Christ did not call us to live comfortable, self-centered lives. He called us to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. He called us to be His hands and feet in the world, to serve others, to care for the poor and the marginalized, and to share His love with everyone we meet.
A challenging mission: It’s one that requires us to step out of our comfort zones and to take risks. But it is also a rewarding mission, one that brings us closer to Christ, deepens our faith, and gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment that nothing else can.
Accepting His promise of eternal life: This is not just a future promise, but a present reality. Even now, as we live our lives on earth, we are already participating in the eternal life that Christ has promised us. We experience this eternal life every time we choose to love instead of hate, to forgive instead of hold grudges, to serve instead of being served, and to live according to God's will instead of our own.
The Parable of the Tenants is an illustration of God's generosity and patience, the persistent rebellion of His people, and the ultimate triumph of His Son, Jesus Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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