He Must Be the Cornerstone! by Pastor Dave

“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line…” Isaiah 28:16-17

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…” Mark 12:10

In Isaiah 28, God speaks through the prophet to announce that amid the chaos and brokenness of the world, God is setting a cornerstone, a sure foundation. This is a Messianic promise from God.  He will send a Savior, and Jesus is the cornerstone promised here.  In fact, the Apostle Paul will tell us in Ephesians 2:20 that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”  In 1 Peter 2:6-8 Peter tells us that “Jesus is the “chosen and precious cornerstone” for those who believe, but a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” for those who reject him.  And it is Jesus himself, speaking in Mark when He says; “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…” Jesus is pointing to himself as that cornerstone.

The metaphor of Jesus being the cornerstone for us, for our lives and for our churches, is an apt and good image.  You see, Cornerstones are essential.  They are a crucial part of historic masonry buildings.  The cornerstone of those buildings served as the foundational stone that was the basis for the entire building’s position, alignment, and dimensions.  All other elements of the building were referenced off that stone.  It is foundational.  It anchors and directs the builders, along with that, the cornerstone was needed for the structural integrity of the building.  If you removed it, the building could collapse.  When we understand the importance of the cornerstone in a stone building, it’s easy to see why God used that imagery of the cornerstone to represent the promised Messiah, Jesus!  Without Jesus, we lose the proper perspective and alignment needed to build a God-honoring, God-empowered life and ministry.  Plus, it is Jesus who holds it all together!  He is the cornerstone of faith and life!  We can NEVER lose sight of this truth!

We have our 2026 Annual Meeting coming up on February 1 between services at 9:15. It’s a VERY important meeting.  We will hear updates on the past year, including some great news on our budget.  On the agenda will be many important items to discuss, but probably the most important item that we need your discernment and input on is whether to move forward with the second phase of the building project.  It’s a big decision and we want to hear everyone’s thoughts.  Obviously, we will need to look at all the financial implications.  As it is ready, we will be sending out material, including financials, before the meeting so that we can have informed discussions and be able to make an informed decision.

Thankfully, Design Arc Group has been great to work with!  They have been very helpful in developing the plans alongside our building committee.  A huge shout out and thank you needs to be said to the Building Committee!  They were essential in bringing the cost of the first phase, the education wing, down from $2.4 million to $700,000.  That was HUGE!  It is exactly the sort of stewardship and due diligence that we needed, and their faithful work has built up a lot of trust within the staff and church members.  That has been such a great blessing!

That being said, Jesus must the reason, the cornerstone, of all we do.  If we move forward with the second phase, it will be for His glory.  It will be by His directing. He must be the cornerstone!  He is the hope, the future, the life, and the salvation that all people need.  If we move forward, it must be for Jesus’ sake, and it must be done in His timing, and for His purposes to glorify Him now and for generations to come.  Is now the time?  Do we have what is needed?  Can we step out in faith?  Or is Jesus needing us to be patient?  All of us may have opinions and thoughts on what to do, but it will be decided together as we discuss, discern, and pray together.  It is in the fellowship of believers, in the community that the Holy Spirit creates, that we discern and come together to do God’s work.  That takes all of us sharing out thoughts and praying together.  I hope you will join us to do just that at the Annual Meeting.  

In Christ,
Pastor David A. Christensen