WEBVTT

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 It is good to be with you all this morning, both those of you who are here in person and

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 those of us who are joining us on the live stream.

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 Before we come to God's Word this morning, there's one more thank you that needs to be

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 given.

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 Pastor Nick has spearheaded from a staff and elders point of view this process the whole

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 time, and we just want to acknowledge him and Beth for the many late nights and extra

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 meetings that it took for this project to happen.

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 And so we just want to give thanks especially to Pastor Nick for his leadership in the building.

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 So let's...

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 It's...

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 I've had the privilege of being around Trinity for long enough to know what it was like when

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 we were moving out of the Humphrey Street building, that we were renting and looking for a spot

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 and seeing God provide and seeing God continue to provide as we looked and prayed that the

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 God would give us the right spaces in the right places to continue the ministry that he's

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 called us to.

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 And it's taken a long time to get here, to address needs that we saw from the very start

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 of moving into this building to actually get to this place.

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 And it's exciting.

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 But you know, buildings are not the point of the church as God defines it.

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 They're useful tools.

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 They're important markers for the presence of God's people in a community.

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 They can be wonderful aesthetic pointers to the beauty and grandeur of God.

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 They serve an important role in providing a place for the church to function in a community.

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 And they have served as architectural centers for towns and cities and mark the spiritual presence

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 here on earth in important ways.

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 But as we turn to God's word this morning and we look at 1 Peter chapter 2, we're taking

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 a break from our series in the Psalms to look at 1 Peter chapter 2 if you want to look there

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 on your phone or in your Bible.

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 God is building something better than just a building.

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 God is building something better than just edifices.

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 And that's what we're going to see as we look at this passage this morning.

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 So we're going to read and I'm going to pray and then we'll look at this for just a few minutes this morning.

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 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 4 says this.

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 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God, chosen and precious,

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 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,

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 to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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 For it stands in Scripture,

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 Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious.

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 Whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.

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 So the honor is for you who believe, but to those who do not believe,

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 the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

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 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.

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 They stumble because they disobey the word as they were destined to do.

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 But you, you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

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 a people for his own possession,

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 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness

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 into his marvelous light.

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 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people.

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 Once you have not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord, we thank you for this word.

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 Lord, we thank you for the gathering that we are able to do this morning

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 to celebrate your faithfulness and goodness to us.

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 Lord, we pray that as you speak to us through your word this morning by your spirit,

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 Lord, that you would give us receptive hearts

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 and that we would be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving

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 for all that you have done and are doing and will do

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 in and through your church for your glory.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 God is building a better building.

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 It's not a building made out of stones,

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 but it's a building made out of people.

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 People who will last forever

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 and a people that God has called to display his glory here on earth.

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 What does God say about this building?

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 This passage gives us three ideas.

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 This is a rich passage.

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 We're not going to do deep exegesis of all of it,

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 but simply three quick thoughts

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 as we reflect on our thanksgiving for this morning.

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 What does God say about this building that he is building?

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 The first thing is that you see in the very beginning of verse 4,

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 he says,

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 As you come to him,

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 come to whom?

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 Come to Jesus Christ,

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 a living stone rejected by man,

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 but in the sight of God,

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 chosen and precious.

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 This is the one we come to.

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 And then in verses 6 through 8,

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 we see Peter unfolding from the Old Testament,

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 who he is,

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 quoting from Isaiah 28 and Psalm 118,

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 to say,

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 This is the cornerstone.

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 Now, what is a cornerstone?

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 We didn't lay a cornerstone next door.

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 They used laser levels

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 and some really cool technology

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 to pour concrete instead.

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 But in the old days,

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 they would put in a cornerstone.

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 And what a cornerstone would be,

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 the first stone that was laid

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 that would set the frame of the building.

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 It would make it plumb by being level.

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 It would create the right angles of the walls

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 by its shape.

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 And it would be heavy.

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 It would be weighty, typically,

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 so that it would not be moved easily.

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 And on this cornerstone,

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 all the other building blocks,

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 all the other stones that were added on top of it,

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 found their place and their lines

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 in order that they might build

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 a solid building that would stand and withstand.

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 And Peter says,

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 God has laid the cornerstone of his building

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 in Jesus Christ.

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 Jesus Christ,

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 the one rejected by man

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 as he came to earth,

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 and yet chosen and precious to God.

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 chosen as the one before the foundations of the earth

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 that God would send to be the architect

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 of his salvation and his plan.

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 Chosen because he is the son of God,

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 precious and loved by the Father.

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 Chosen to be the one through whom,

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 as we see at the very end of verse 6,

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 whoever believes in him

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 will not be put to shame.

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 Pastor Nick laid out earlier

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 the truths of the gospel.

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 Jesus' life,

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 his death and his resurrection

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 have done all that we need

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 for our salvation

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 so that we might be able to come

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 to God

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 and be a part of his building

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 that he is building.

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 It is Jesus' work

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 that is his salvation

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 that builds this building.

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 And not only is Jesus

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 chosen for this purpose,

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 but he is also precious.

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 He is precious in the sight of God.

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 And he is precious

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 in the sight of God's people.

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 Because he is the one

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 we are called to adore

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 and to worship,

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 to serve,

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 and to cherish.

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 He is the one

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 precious

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 because he has shed

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 the ultimate price

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 for us.

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 He came and gave up

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 his very own life.

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 He shed his own blood

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 for us.

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 And this is why

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 he is precious

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 to us.

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 As he has come,

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 as we enter into

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 the first week of Advent

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 and as we think

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 about Christmas,

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 we think this is the one

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 who has come,

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 this precious child

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 who will be the Savior

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 of the world

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 and bring joy

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 to all people.

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 And he didn't just die,

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 but he rose from the dead

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 so that he might be

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 the first of many

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 living stones.

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 This cornerstone

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 is the one

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 on whom we,

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 his church,

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 stand.

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 And even if this building

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 and the brand new one

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 next door

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 falls apart,

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 which it probably will

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 at some point,

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 even if those

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 crumble and fall,

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 the church that God

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 is building

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 will stand.

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 That's why we're

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 going to sing

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 after the sermon

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 the church's

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 one foundation.

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 The church's

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 one foundation

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 is Jesus Christ

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 her Lord.

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 She is his new creation

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 by water

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 and the word.

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 From heaven

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 he came and sought her

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 to be his holy bride.

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 With his own blood

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 he bought her

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 and for her life

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 he died.

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 So God is laid

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 for the church broadly

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 and for the church

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 individually.

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 Jesus Christ

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 is the cornerstone,

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 the basis upon which

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 he's building something.

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 But he is building

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 something on top of that.

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 He is building

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 people.

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 People made

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 in his image.

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 People called

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 by his grace.

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 People who have come

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 to experience him.

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 And so this is what

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 we see in verse 5

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 as Peter outlays this.

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 You yourselves,

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 he says,

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 you,

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 you the church,

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 you who are

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 following Christ,

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 you are being built up

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 as a spiritual house.

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 And this is God's

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 plan A.

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 The church is not

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 about programs.

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 It's not about policies.

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 It's not about

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 aesthetics.

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 All of those things

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 can be good and helpful

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 parts of church life.

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 But that's not the point.

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 The point is people.

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 People.

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 And God wants

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 to make a people.

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 A people who are

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 a royal priesthood

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 offering spiritual sacrifices

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 as Peter goes on

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 in verse 5.

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 He's bringing up

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 temple imagery.

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 And remember what the temple

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 was in the Old Testament.

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 The temple was

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 the meeting place

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 of God

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 where God manifested

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 his presence

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 on the earth.

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 The place where

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 God and man

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 could meet.

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 The place where

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 sacrifices were given

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 so that

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 unholy people

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 could approach

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 a holy God

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 and actually know

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 the God of this universe.

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 And this is what

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 the temple represented

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 in the Old Testament.

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 And the amazing thing

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 that Peter says

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 is now in the New Testament

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 with Jesus Christ

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 this cornerstone

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 the new building

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 is not a place

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 where you have to go

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 in Jerusalem

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 but the new building

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 is the people of God

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 scattered throughout

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 the earth

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 and this is the presence

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 of God

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 among his people.

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 And this is what

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 he calls us to be.

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 And not only that

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 but he reminds us

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 as you look down

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 to verse 9

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 and he has these

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 this list of titles

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 almost

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 of chosen race

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 a royal priesthood

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 a holy nation

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 a people

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 for his own possession.

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 This is all language

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 that comes from

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 the other great story

00:11:22.400 --> 00:11:23.120
 of the Old Testament

00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:25.259
 that every believer

00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.080
 would know

00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.399
 the Exodus

00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:29.559
 as God delivered

00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:30.240
 his people

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:30.840
 the Hebrews

00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:31.799
 from slavery

00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.319
 in Egypt

00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:33.120
 and brought them

00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:35.240
 through the Red Sea

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.879
 and to the

00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.679
 to the brink

00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.399
 of Mount Sinai

00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.799
 he spoke these words

00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:39.659
 to his people there

00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.960
 out of all the peoples

00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.379
 of the earth

00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.580
 I have chosen you

00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.200
 and I will be your God

00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.740
 and you will be my people

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.679
 and you will be

00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:48.139
 all of these things

00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:49.819
 in this covenant

00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:51.439
 relationship with me.

00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:55.460
 And now we know

00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.040
 that Jesus

00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:59.320
 worked a greater salvation

00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.060
 for us

00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:00.800
 and is building

00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.720
 a greater people.

00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:02.900
 The fulfillment

00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:03.940
 of those promises

00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.920
 in Exodus 19

00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:05.940
 are fulfilled

00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:06.960
 in the church

00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.900
 and the salvation

00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:09.480
 that we have

00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:09.960
 is greater

00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:10.660
 it's not just

00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.320
 from slavery

00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:12.260
 in Egypt

00:12:12.260 --> 00:12:13.420
 but it's from

00:12:13.420 --> 00:12:13.980
 the slavery

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:14.600
 and bondage

00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:15.660
 of sin and death.

00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.480
 And what God

00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.380
 is calling his people

00:12:20.380 --> 00:12:20.800
 to be

00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.399
 is to be

00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.479
 a distinct people

00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:24.139
 a people who will be

00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.899
 fully his

00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:27.159
 in every way

00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:28.699
 and this is what

00:12:28.699 --> 00:12:29.659
 we get to participate

00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.799
 this is why we gather

00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:31.699
 and this is why

00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.879
 we scatter every week

00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.699
 as God's people

00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:35.219
 so that we can be

00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.059
 distinctively

00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:38.039
 and fully his people

00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.099
 in this world.

00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.379
 You see God

00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.139
 is not impressed

00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.919
 with buildings

00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.779
 that stand

00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.659
 empty

00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.139
 and beautiful.

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:46.979
 He's looking

00:12:46.979 --> 00:12:48.259
 for living stones

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.979
 people

00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:52.399
 who will carry out

00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.840
 his purposes

00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.920
 in the world.

00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.659
 Friends,

00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.220
 we hope

00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.659
 that this is what

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.019
 Trinity

00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.840
 will always be about

00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.460
 and I think

00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.039
 I can speak

00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:05.580
 for the elders

00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.220
 to say

00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.580
 we want you

00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.220
 to hold us

00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:08.720
 accountable

00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.759
 if we ever

00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.800
 get too caught up

00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:11.519
 in buildings

00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.480
 and programs

00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.259
 and we forget

00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.000
 about people

00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.100
 remind us

00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:15.980
 rebuke us

00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:17.440
 call us back

00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.920
 to what 1 Peter

00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.700
 tells us

00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.879
 God is building

00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.480
 this building

00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.019
 of people

00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.980
 for his glory

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.759
 but even now

00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.720
 Peter's not done

00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.300
 he said

00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.200
 God has laid

00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.480
 a cornerstone

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.460
 of Jesus Christ

00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.320
 and now he's building

00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:32.960
 this edifice

00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:33.639
 this building

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.060
 of people

00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:34.980
 but this people

00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.779
 now has a purpose

00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.980
 this is what

00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:39.039
 we see in verse 9

00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.199
 in the second half

00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:42.720
 you are all

00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.500
 these wonderful

00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.240
 things

00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.299
 so that

00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.419
 that might be

00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:48.000
 a clear translation

00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.600
 that you may

00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.959
 proclaim the excellencies

00:13:50.959 --> 00:13:51.459
 of him

00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:52.039
 who called you

00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.699
 out of darkness

00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:54.419
 into his

00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:56.199
 wonderful light

00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:57.620
 friends

00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.600
 the living stones

00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.980
 that God raises up

00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:00.980
 have a story

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.500
 to tell

00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.839
 each one

00:14:02.839 --> 00:14:03.459
 of us

00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:04.679
 in his church

00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.459
 have a story

00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:05.980
 to tell

00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.840
 of how God

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.660
 has met us

00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.480
 and how God

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.360
 has shown us

00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.200
 the darkness

00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.340
 of our own sin

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.519
 and the lostness

00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.080
 that we have

00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.960
 apart from him

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.180
 and he has brought

00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:15.860
 us into his

00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.980
 marvelous light

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.940
 the marvelous light

00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:18.480
 of his son

00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.560
 and we have

00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.139
 this story

00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.639
 to tell

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.780
 and this is what

00:14:22.780 --> 00:14:23.820
 his purpose is

00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.900
 for us in this world

00:14:24.900 --> 00:14:26.300
 is to be a place

00:14:26.300 --> 00:14:26.639
 where

00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.200
 we now have

00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:28.680
 a mission

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:29.600
 to broadcast

00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.720
 the good news

00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.259
 of what God

00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:31.660
 has done

00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.340
 in Jesus

00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.820
 to all people

00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.500
 we who have

00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.200
 experiences

00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.920
 deliverance

00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:36.560
 are now

00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.720
 to be a clarion

00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.140
 bell

00:14:38.140 --> 00:14:39.300
 ringing out

00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.100
 resounding

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.620
 across the city

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.340
 of New Haven

00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.360
 and the region

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:43.980
 of New Haven

00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:44.400
 County

00:14:44.400 --> 00:14:45.220
 and the state

00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:45.780
 of Connecticut

00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:46.660
 and to the ends

00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:47.460
 of the earth

00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:50.920
 stones

00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.620
 and boards

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.600
 and drywall

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:55.200
 cannot speak

00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:57.780
 but living stones

00:14:57.780 --> 00:14:58.160
 can

00:14:58.160 --> 00:15:00.600
 and we must

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.140
 this is God's

00:15:02.140 --> 00:15:02.580
 purpose

00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.759
 and we pray

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.220
 that it might

00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.600
 be true

00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.000
 we pray

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.860
 that this pulpit

00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.700
 every Sunday

00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.600
 would proclaim

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.320
 the good news

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.120
 of Jesus Christ

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.000
 we pray

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.040
 that as we gather

00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:11.600
 we would be

00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.139
 strengthened

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.200
 and deepened

00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.259
 in our experience

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.120
 and our richness

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.620
 and our appropriation

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:16.960
 of that

00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.899
 and then as we get

00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.560
 sent out

00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.980
 to live our lives

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.500
 in schools

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.240
 and homes

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:23.100
 in workplaces

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:25.060
 and in leisure times

00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.220
 in everything we do

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.460
 that the living stones

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.560
 might then be scattered

00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:30.100
 and not only

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.660
 would the message

00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:31.759
 be proclaimed here

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.399
 but it would be

00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.159
 proclaimed as we

00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.220
 as my seminary

00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.919
 professor would call

00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.679
 we would gossip

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.299
 the gospel

00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.279
 have you heard

00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:37.899
 about this

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.620
 have you heard

00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.580
 the latest news

00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.879
 Jesus Christ

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.659
 died on the cross

00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.299
 and rose again

00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:42.779
 from the dead

00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.659
 this is the most

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.179
 important thing

00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.039
 you'll ever know

00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.580
 better than

00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.319
 People magazine

00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:50.460
 that we would be

00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.379
 so captured

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.139
 by this

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:55.439
 that we would be

00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.100
 gossiping it

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.639
 for others

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.580
 because we know

00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.240
 that as God

00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.819
 has called us

00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.640
 on this mission

00:15:59.640 --> 00:16:00.700
 he is building

00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.180
 a building

00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:01.879
 that one day

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.360
 will have

00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.080
 its completion

00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:04.400
 and the vision

00:16:04.400 --> 00:16:04.920
 that we see

00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:05.540
 in Revelation

00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:06.480
 chapter 5

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.420
 where God

00:16:07.420 --> 00:16:08.440
 gathers his people

00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:10.100
 from every tongue

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.000
 and tribe

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.760
 and nation

00:16:11.760 --> 00:16:13.660
 across the globe

00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:14.640
 that he's going

00:16:14.640 --> 00:16:15.420
 to gather people

00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:16.780
 from every people

00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:17.240
 group

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:19.140
 because he is

00:16:19.140 --> 00:16:19.680
 the creator

00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.379
 of all things

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.560
 deserves the worship

00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.340
 of all

00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.660
 of his creation

00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:26.160
 and as he gathers

00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:27.360
 this incredible

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.379
 collection

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.139
 of people

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.620
 the living stones

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:34.740
 they will worship

00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.120
 him

00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:37.500
 and glorify him

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.500
 and that's why

00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.080
 he has us

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:40.779
 on this mission

00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.779
 because that's

00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:42.399
 where we're headed

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.399
 and that's where

00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.980
 we're going

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.600
 we're on this mission

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.300
 so that God

00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:46.960
 would be rightly

00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.539
 worshipped

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.460
 by all of his

00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:48.919
 creation

00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.960
 we're on this

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.300
 mission

00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.279
 so that more

00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.860
 may know

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.480
 his saving

00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.259
 power and grace

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.139
 we're on this

00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.420
 mission

00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.159
 so that God

00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.100
 may be glorified

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.259
 and so that Jesus

00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.200
 the cornerstone

00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.080
 might also be

00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.800
 lifted up

00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:00.680
 as the capstone

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.740
 so that he might

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.200
 be seen

00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:03.259
 in all of his

00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:03.680
 glory

00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:06.180
 and so as we

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.940
 come this morning

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.120
 to dedicate a

00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:08.420
 building

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:11.140
 we remember

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:11.700
 that God

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.180
 is building

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.220
 a bigger building

00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:15.079
 this

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.599
 physical space

00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.240
 is not for

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.880
 our glory

00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:19.120
 it's not so

00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.759
 that we can have

00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.460
 a bigger footprint

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.220
 in the city

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.500
 but it's

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.039
 that in this

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.200
 in the halls

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:26.440
 of this building

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:28.039
 the people of God

00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.860
 may be built up

00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.480
 that children

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.059
 and adults

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.839
 will be trained

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.480
 and equipped

00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.920
 to know

00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.680
 more deeply

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.680
 the grace of God

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.200
 in Jesus

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.440
 and sent out

00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.539
 on the mission

00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.079
 that God has

00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.700
 called us to

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.480
 as his church

00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.799
 this

00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:44.759
 is our prayer

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.360
 and our hope

00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.200
 that this building

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.000
 might be a place

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.960
 where the song

00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.660
 of the gospel

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.960
 would be so

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.779
 deeply planted

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.320
 in our heart

00:17:51.320 --> 00:17:51.740
 that it would

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.680
 burst forth

00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:55.000
 in all that we

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.320
 do

00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.480
 for his glory

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:58.100
 amen

00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.840
 let's pray

00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:01.720
 Lord we thank you

00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.640
 for

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.860
 calling us

00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:05.360
 to this

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:07.000
 and we thank you

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.700
 for the amazing

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.320
 work that you

00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:08.720
 have done

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.160
 in Jesus

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.880
 for us

00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:11.980
 Lord we pray

00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.740
 that as we

00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.279
 continue to

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.019
 give thanks

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.380
 to you

00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.000
 this morning

00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.080
 Lord that our

00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:17.700
 hearts would be

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.040
 full

00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:18.980
 of gratitude

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.799
 for the work

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.200
 that you

00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.759
 have done

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.559
 and are doing

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:23.000
 and Lord we pray

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.659
 that we would be

00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.119
 fervent

00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.319
 both in prayer

00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.319
 and in service

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:28.059
 to continue the work

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.920
 that you are doing

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:31.099
 in this church

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.159
 and through this church

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.480
 for your glory

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.859
 we pray this

00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.639
 in Jesus name

00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.480
 amen