Sermon Central
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A House Of Stone, Not Of Straw
Contributed by Andrew Rogers on Aug 12, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: — 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
A house of stone not of straw
I. Introduction
a. Three little pigs each build a house
i. Straw
ii. Stick
iii. Stone
b. Which one held up against the wolf?
i. The one made of Stone
c. What I hope to do today is paint a picture in your mind of strong house that can withstand the attaches of the wolf and fulfill its divine purpose.
i. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1. Jesus was rejected by men
2. The world will always find some reason to reject you:
a. Age.
b. Physical or mental differences
c. Economic status
d. Gender – race
3. You are not rejected by God – you are precious to him
a. He made you
b. He Loves you
c. He rejoices over you with singing
d. He wants you to be with Him for eternity
II. Reaching up to God (house on the rock Matthew 7:24-27)
a. A house if it is going to last a long time needs a sure foundation
i. Isaiah 28:16
ii. Isaiah 33:6 - 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
b. Jesus is our sure foundation and if we are wise we will build our house on the Rock.
i. House on the rock – Matthew 7:24-27
c. We are living our lives as spiritual worship
i. Romans 12:1,2
1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will
d. We should do everything as if we were doing it for God
1. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
a. William Booth walked among the poor, hungry, sick, and lonely people of London, England. The people were crammed into crumbling buildings that were full of rats. They had no jobs. There was no one to help them. Worst of all, there was no one to tell them that Jesus cared. They did not know that Jesus died to be their Savior and lives again to be their Lord. William Booth told his wife, "I have given myself to work for God among those sick souls." The work that was begun at that time is today known as the Salvation Army. Years later when someone asked General Booth the secret of his success, he said, "God has had all there was of me to have! From the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ would do for them, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth. “God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life." William Booth gave Jesus complete charge of his life. He made Jesus Lord of all.
b. I have a sign in my offices that says “I am not a human being having a temporary spiritual experience but a spiritual being having a temporary human experience”
i. It’s all about perspective!!!
e. Why should we worship?
i. We want to passionately embrace our relationship with God
