The Bible describes the church as a building made up not of bricks and stone, but of living Christians. Ephesians 2:20 explains that the foundation for this temple being built for the glory of God is the teaching and examples of the apostles and prophets and that Jesus is the Cornerstone. That makes him the most important of course.

We don’t use Cornerstones in many of our buildings today. Everything is wood frames or steel beams and we don’t really build the way they did. The cornerstone is the most important, usually largest and always the first stone laid and with good reason. That large stone will affect everything that comes after it. The orientation of the corner stone will affect which direction the building is facing. If it is not level you could easily wind up with the leaning tower of Piza when you are finished.

Jesus is our cornerstone so that as we are built around and on top of him we will face the right direction as well as being stable and upright. The image of Christ the cornerstone was prophesied all the way back in Psalm 118. In verse 22 of that Psalm he is pictured as a stone that the builders rejected, but that became the cornerstone. This verse is quoted 5 times in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, and 1 Peter. The builders are the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and they rejected him. They wanted to build according to their own plan and not God’s.

What about you and me? Will we be like them and reject Jesus? Or will we accept him as the cornerstone God made him and allow God to build us on Christ as he sees fit? Peter says this cornerstone is chosen and precious and if we will believe in him we will not be put to shame. Let’s trust the master builder and build our lives and be built in his church the way he wants us to be.

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In 1 Peter 5:4, as Peter addresses the shepherds of the church refers to Jesus as the Chief Shepherd. He gives the elders teachings on how to lead the church and promises that they will be rewarded if they do so faithfully. Christ will give a crown to those who, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” 

Christ left a perfect example and expects the shepherds of the local congregation to follow his example and be examples to the flock. The other members of the church should follow their example as they are following Christ’s. We often fail in this. We see the godly way that faithful leaders live and we admit that they are good godly leaders to be admired, but we don’t take the next step and follow them in the speech and behavior that we find honorable. 

Christ as the Chief Shepherd doesn’t force the shepherds and he doesn’t force us. The shepherds also are told not to be domineering over the flock. How can they get us to follow without being domineering? Only by showing the example, encouraging us to follow them, and warning us of the dangers that we face if we don’t. We must willingly follow. We can’t say that we love Christ and are followers of him and fail to follow those who are tasked with overseeing us. 

How can we claim Christ as Chief Shepherd while disregarding the shepherds that he is the chief over? We can’t, at least not with any level of believability. Are you following those shepherding your soul so that they can give answer on the day of judgment with joy and not with sorrow. Are there areas of your life that you have refused to turn over to the Chief Shepherd? Are we waiting for someone to tell us what to do or are we following the examples of those who are following Christ or following Christ ourselves?

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When something is being built there are a great many things that are important. What is being built? Whose will it be when it is built? Where is it being built? What materials are being used in building it? Who is paying for it to be built? Who is building it? There are probably more, but this gives us the picture. Of course the answers to these questions will vary by the project. In Matthew 16:18 we read Jesus saying, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” From this verse we learn the answers to some of those questions. Jesus is the builder. The church is what is being built. There is only one being built. It is built on the rock of the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. It will belong to him when it is built. 

From other passages we can find out the answers to more questions. God paid for it with his own blood -Acts 20:28. Christians are the materials he uses to build it - 1 Peter 2:5. Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the foundation with the apostles and prophets helping complete the foundation - Ephesians 2:20. He began building in Jerusalem, but has continued to make additions to it through the ages - Acts 2:47

There’s more, but let’s focus back on Christ: the builder, owner, and purchaser. He will decide who is and who is not in his church. He will decide where each stone is placed and what function it will serve. In any building there are different purposes for different parts. We sometimes are guilty of thinking like the apostles, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom (church)?’. We must remember that Jesus is the greatest and we are created for him - Colossians 1:15-18. We should be content to be part of what he is building and do our best to bring him glory and honor no matter the place he puts us or the way he chooses for us to be used. To use a concept from scripture with a different example: Shall the brick say to the builder why did you put me here? Or, Why didn’t you use me in a more prominent position? 

We answer to the Builder. Are you doing your best to fit into God’s building where the builder has placed you?

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The word ‘Bishop’ can bring up many different thoughts. Some may think of the game of chess, some may think of someone who is a church leader or remember that it is another title for elders in the church. What we sometimes don’t think about is what the word means. A bishop is one who watches over something, an overseer, a superintendent. 

So in 1 Peter 2:25 when Peter says, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” What he is saying is that Jesus is the one who is watching over our souls. Are you allowing him to watch over your soul?

The idea of an overseer sometimes brings up bad feelings for some because someone who was supposed to be their overseer at some point abused their position or failed to protect the one under their care. Maybe the overseer hurt the person they were charged with watching over, or maybe they neglected them. Neither of these things is going to happen with Jesus as our overseer.

Sometimes people also may think that this is going to be someone watching over them to catch them in a mistake or to point out all of their flaws and shortcomings, but that is also far from what Jesus is doing as the Bishop of our souls. He is watching over us in a protective way not a harsh and judgmental way to defend our souls from the destructive power of Satan. Just as Satan accused God of building a hedge or wall around Job to protect him, Jesus is protecting us. Remember though that this protection is not a defense against all physical harm or even sickness or death, but against things that would destroy our soul. And if you think about it we need that so much more because we don’t always recognize the things that can destroy our souls. Won’t you let Jesus watch over your soul as your Bishop?

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IT HURTS
It hurts to know you're hurting;
because you’re so special in my heart
The pain that you are feeling;
is tearing me apart.
But know that love has a way;
of easing all that’s wrong
Together we can make it;
if we hold on and just be strong.
Know that you’re not alone;
in all your adversity.
For by your side through and through;
is where I'll always be.
The above poem illustrates the attitude we in the church should have for one-another.
We are to weep with those who weep and feel the pain of our brethren. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 
We are to love one-another and that love eases the problems of life. 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 
There is strength in numbers and knowing that our brethren are with us in our troubles gives us strength and encouragement. 
Many hands not only make for light work but also for light hearts that are burdened with care. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 
May we all strive this year to be there for each other when help and comfort is needed. - LP