Stones That Breathe

Stones That Breathe

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. 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.

1 Peter 2:4-5

Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.

Isaiah 28:16

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

Ephesians 2:20

Have you ever noticed a large stone set in a prominent location on the outside of a building that is inscribed with the construction date of the building and the names of people who built it? This stone is a cornerstone, set in an important place in the building’s structure. Cornerstones are important since all other stones will be set in reference to these stones, which determine the position of the entire building.

This is what it means when we read that Jesus is the cornerstone of the building God is working on. God is building his temple, not with rocks or cement, but with living stones—you and me and everyone else who loves Jesus. We are being fit together on the foundation of Jesus. It is Jesus who determines everything about this building.

As living stones, we are part of something God is doing that is bigger than we are as individuals, more important than our own agendas and preferences. Christianity is not so much about God saving a large number of individuals (although he will!). It is about what he is building us into together—his church. We are living stones that God is using to build his spiritual house—the people he wants to live inside.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

Have you ever seen a building under construction? What parts of the process did you find interesting?

What false cornerstones do some people try to build their lives on?

Based on the idea of Jesus as our cornerstone, what would you say to someone who believes in Jesus but doesn’t see the need to be connected to other Christians?