"As you come to him, a living stone.."

We are just coming out of the series “What Child is This?”. This week we will actually see that this Child is One whom you cannot ignore and be unaffected by. Jesus is compared to (and called) 4 different types of stones in 1 Peter 2:1-10. Two of these stones bring life and growth while the others are rejected and cause stumbling. We all will either come to Him or reject Him. He doesn’t change! For those that do “come to Him”, we will be changed. We are given new life and purpose.

We are called as living stones to Exalt, Equip, Express. We hear it often and can get so used to a phrase that it loses its meaning. As we begin the new year may we be reminded of our mission statement.

Exalt God means to hold Him in high regard or to view Him rightly. He is God and is the Sovereign, all wise, all powerful, eternal God. There is none like Him. As we come to Him, we will start to see Him for who He truly is and worship Him.

Equip the saints means to be built up for the furthering of His kingdom. It is our growing in maturity and being unified in Christ for the sake of the Gospel being proclaimed.

Express the love of God is an overflow of coming to Christ. It just happens as we continually come to Christ. We “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Please read 1 Peter 2:1-10, Matthew 21:42-44, and John 4 and ask God to reveal the answers to the following questions:

In your relationship to Christ are you finding Him to be a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" or a "living stone" and "cornerstone" in whom you "will not be put to shame"? Is God exalted in your life? What changes need to be made in your life so that He might be? Are you involved in a Sunday school class or smaller gospel centered group where you are being challenged and encouraged in Christ? What are areas that you desire to grow spiritually this year? How is God expressing His love through you?