Reminder: Scriptures advise on doing a building project ‘right’ The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Psalm 118v22 “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things? (Acts7v49) And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” (Isaiah 57v14) J

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans 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.” 1 Peter2v4-6 Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7v24 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6 v38) Unless the Lord build the house those who build it labour in vain. Psalm 127v1 J

Church members: Colossians 3 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Corinthians 16 read by Emma 1Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. Thank God for his written Word to us which continues today…. J

500 years ago…. J

Before he built His church, Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone with God, to get himself focused correctly. Part of that was to deal with temptations he would face as he carried out his task J

 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” J

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘“He will command his angels concerning you,     and they will lift you up in their hands,     so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”  Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”   J

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.  ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. J