Extending the Kingdom

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 2/19/12 Peter reveals the two fold meaning of Jesus’ statement “Upon this rock I will build my church.”  First, Peter calls us “living stones.” We are the building materials that Jesus is using to build His church. Secondly, Jesus is the chief cornerstone that God has laid. A cornerstone was originally the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation.  It was very important since all other stones would be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position and strength of the entire structure. Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built, that means that the church is shaped and defined by the character and mission of Christ. And that means that New Life must be shaped and defined by the character and mission of Christ. What does that look like?  What does it mean to be the church?  What are we suppose to doing as the church?  Why do are we to do it? These are all questions that we need to consider the morning, because we must understand our identity if we are to function properly.