Living Stones in a Spiritual House

It seems every day we hear news of terrible events happening in our world. We have to wonder where the church is in all this. We’ll talk about the community of faith in this week’s sermon.


Scripture: I Peter 2:4-8
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – 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. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone.”

and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Is This a Description of Your Church? delivered on Christian Crusaders March 13, 2005.

Is your congregation the kind of church that wants to be involved in the lives of its members? Take the first step in seeing what your congregation has to offer. Take the initiative to make your congregation one that reaches out to the hurting and introduces others to Christ, who offers genuine happiness. Try to make your church the kind of congregation that others need.


The Crusader Newsletter
Christian Crusaders’ quarterly newsletter, the Crusader, is available now. The topic for this issue is “Celebrate.”

If you would like to receive a copy of this printed newsletter with special articles written by Rev. Larsen and Rev. Kramer, call us at 888-693-2484 or email us at crusaderweekly@gmail.com.


On the Light Side
A clergyman walking down a country lane sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.

“You look hot, my son,” said the cleric. “Why don’t you rest a moment, and I’ll give you a hand.”

“No thanks,” said the young man. “My father wouldn’t like it.”

“Don’t be silly,” the minister said. “Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water.”

Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, “Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him, and I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”

“Well,” replied the young farmer, “he’s under the load of hay.”