You can hear the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/3178456
Intro:
• T&C reaction to COVID-19 quarantine.
o Levels of disruption to our lives.
o National polls reflect the same: stress levels are higher than any time since the Great Recession in 2008. 70% report the virus outbreak as the source.
• The foundations of “normal” life have been knocked off of center.
o Ex. of how life is very different for us.
o We’re all geared to social touch. The huggers are having a really hard time right now. All kidding aside, our desire for connection is curtailed right now.
o Related - social isolation. not eating together, going out, running into friends. School cancelled.
? Having to stay at home with the family is creating stress and pressure. 75% of respondents say being all together all the time is stressful. Most call it “serious.”
o The 70% are worried they’ll catch the disease.
o Changes in work structure or worse, no work at all.
• Makes us anxious, fearful, unsure,. Cranky, even.
• Whether we’re largely at peace during this time or feeling shaky about it, we all need the reminder that our foundation is rock solid.
• We can all be more strengthened and aligned with Jesus Christ.
• This week’s Core 52 memory verse:
Psalm 118:22 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
We will look at how Peter uses this verse to guide us into alignment with Christ.
The Living Cornerstone
• Here’s an excellent paraphrase from The Message:
1 Peter 2:4–8 The Message
4 Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. 5 Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. 6 The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I’m setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. 7 To you who trust him, he’s a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. 8 For the untrusting it’s … a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way. They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.
Building on the Cornerstone
1 Peter 2:4–8 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
• Highlights about God:
o (V. 4) Jesus is the aligning, foundational key to life. Not everybody gets this.
o (V.5) God chose to make us a part of his “structure.” He didn’t have to. He wanted to.
• Highlights about us:
o (v. 5) We chose to accept our part in building up the “sanctuary.” We are the ones who provide, through our words and deeds, a safe place in the world for lost folks.
o (v. 6) We’ll never regret being a part of what Jesus is making.
• The “I will” part in the Coronavirus age:
• “I will” use this time to grow spiritually. (personal)
Ephesians 4:15–16 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
o Q: How aligned are you with the Cornerstone?
o To Do: “I will” Read the “words in red” this week.
• “I will” build my house spiritually. (community)
o take Paul’s admonition on how to interact seriously.
Ephesians 4:1–3 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
• “I will” intercede for others. (prayer)
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
o Wednesday night virtual prayer circle.
• What’s your “I will __________”?
Conclusion:
• there’s no doubt that life is disrupted to some degree for all of us.
• When Christ is the Cornerstone, we’re aligned with God, with others and in ourselves.
