22nd May - Reverend Jo Jones

Sermon 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-10   Living Stones

I’ve never tried it but I’m told that the ancient craft of dry stone wall building can’t be hurried – the stones are selected with care, they’re all shapes and sizes, some stones are broken, maybe a bit fragile even, some thin ones, that only just fit between the gaps in two more robust other stones. They’re not held together by cement, but by each other, each stone interlocking into a vital part of the whole wall, each stone giving strength to its neighbouring stones just by being there, being itself – the builder works gradually and patiently to fit each stone together so that the whole structure is stable and can withstand the elements in every season. You can build not just walls but whole buildings using this construction method.

Our great cathedrals and churches won’t have been built in this way – the magnificent arches and cloisters and soaring ceilings such as we saw recently in Westminster Abbey use a lot more straight lines and precise geometry in their construction. And they’ll include a cornerstone – the corner or foundation stone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation; it’s important because all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other significant individuals.

So what’s all this architectural info got to do with us?

Petertells us that we are like living stones and that Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. And in John’s gospel Jesus himself assures us – he is the one who shows us the way to God. And he doesn’t just give directions, instructions and then leave us to it, but he actively accompanies us on the way, his own Spirit builds us up, reshapes us. He is the cornerstone around which our individual and communal lives are set. He is not a ceremonial figurehead, a replica stone with a date from the distant past that no-one’s ever met, he is the living spiritual power which cements our relationship with God and holds us all together in the bonds of love. We are to let ourselves be built by him into a spiritual house in which he is pleased to dwell.

For a good while we’ve had to concentrate our time, money and energy on our church building. As well as bringing us the joy of new facilities, certainly it’s also been a source of strain, not just on our finances, at times draining our physical and spiritual energy. But however much we need our church building and love and treasure it, it isn’t at the heart of our Christian faith. Jesusis. Jesus is the foundation of our faith, the cornerstone of our lives. Peter wants us to see that our spiritual development is the vital if we are to be a transformed and transforming Christian community. We are called to be living stones – let’s think about that image for a moment - stones give us a solid base which we can build on, they suggest permanence, strength, solid walls which can give us much-needed protection from stormy weather….. being alive means the excitement of change and growth, the opportunity for a deepening of faith and trust in God through joining him in living creatively. The Cook of Common Prayer speaks of God’s true and lively word – something which touches and changes us. So if we’re to be living stones, then we’re building on our foundations in worship, tradition and fellowship to become a community of people who are always on the way to a closer relationship with God, always alive to the Spirit and enlivened by the Spirit, working in the power of the Spirit.

So as we wander around our church on a Sunday before or after worship or perhaps when it’s quiet during the week, maybe we can use the building itself to inspire our questions about what God’s vision is for us, his living stones... what is God seeking to build us into?

Our building is big– are we a spacious community with room for those who aren’t like us, room for those we don’t get on with as well as those we like, a sanctuary for the lost and the seekers, a safe haven for those who have been bruised or battered by life?

Our building is traditional– what do we value and hold dear in our traditions and what would we like to develop? What has been given to us already that we can build upon? And what might need to die so that something new can come to birth? What if we had a disaster and had to worship in a school hall? What makes us the church?

Our building is beautiful- even though its paint is peeling on the ceiling and there are stains on the new carpets – do we see only our imperfections or can we glimpse our own inner beauty – see ourselves and others as God sees us – with a beauty which comes from Christ’s image seen alive in us? 

Our building needs maintaining– that is costly and it takes time and effort and is a shared responsibility for all of us – what are those things we need to sustain us in faith? How do we drink our spiritual milk so that we are able to taste and see that the Lord is good?

If we are to flourish and grow as a community of Christians who can share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are longing to find meaning and purpose and peace in their lives, then we need to return again and again in prayer and worship to align ourselves with Jesus, the cornerstone and foundation of our faith. And we need to nourish our faith together so that together we are built into a living temple of God’s love, in true communion with him and each other.  And as we continue to open ourselves to his Spirit, who knows what greater works of mission and ministry he will give us the grace to do in his name.