Living Stones

(Psalm 65:11 NLT) You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. 


(Matthew 5:14 NLT) You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.



(1 Corinthians 3:9-11) For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 


By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. 


But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 




(Ephesians 2:19-22 Message) God is building a home. He's using us all— irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. 


He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. 


We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. 



LIVING STONES 


(1 Peter 2:5) 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. 



1. Do what I should do. 


(Luke 16:10-11) Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?



Faithfulness. 


2. Do what I could do. 


(2 Corinthians 8:3-4) They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service. 



Sacrifice. 


3. Do what I would do. 



(2 Corinthians 9:10-11) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 


You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 



Faith. 



(Psalm 112:9) They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. 



(1 Timothy 6:18-19) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 


In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.   


Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands


https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/living-stones