Creekside Church Sermon of January 23, 2005 "Building a House for God's People" Ephesians 2:19-22	Rev. David Bibbee
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Someone said, "We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us." A new building won't house our mission; it will help us fulfill it. A new building tells all who see it and enter it something about us. The building will be placed on the land in an inviting way. Before visitors walk through the door and receive your welcome, the land and building will have already expressed it. The building will be flexible and adaptable, which makes a statement about our flexibility, our openness to change, and our optimism about the future. The sanctuary will be beautiful because worship that is beautiful doesn't happen in a dull and dreary setting. When visitors walk through the doors, the space they enter must be open, warm, and welcoming, and a reflection of Jesus' hospitality. If the church isn't hospitable, it doesn't reflect the true Christian faith. Roofs do more than cover buildings. Rooflines express the belief of the people. When the lines point "in" and "up", it says that our orientation to God is everything.

In our passage from Ephesians, Paul uses architectural images to describe the building of Christ's body, the church. God's building materials don't include brick, mortar, or wooden trusses. He builds upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets who bore witness to the faith in ages past, and everyone has a part in building upon that foundation. It doesn't matter who you are or how you got here. The brick and stone God uses isn't the same size, shape, or color, just as none of us are the same. God builds with people. It isn't always clear what God is making of us, but we know that it will achieve his purposes in the world.

The most important structural feature of the church Paul describes is the cornerstone. The cornerstone holds all of the components together. Without the cornerstone, the entire structure is compromised and eventually collapses. Jesus Christ is our cornerstone. The Psalms say it this way: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, labor in vain."

What we have done thus far hasn't been in vain because we know we aren't building for ourselves. We're allowing ourselves to be built into a project that is God's doing. We will give shape to a new building, but more importantly, God will use it to give shape to us, and make of us something beautiful for him.

Now let me leave you with a story. A wealthy California real estate magnate called his long-time builder into his office and directed him to construct a magnificent house on top of a hill overlooking the San Fernando Valley. As the builder began the project, he thought about how he could make a greater profit for himself. He decided to use cheaper grade building materials, substandard mechanical equipment, and piping taken from another house. "No one will know," he thought, "especially Mr. Big."

On the day the project was completed, he took the keys to the wealthy developer who broke into a broad smile. He said, "Ted, you've been such a good builder for me for so many years. To show my appreciation for all you've done, I want you to keep the keys. I built the house for you."

We are not building God's house. God doesn't need a house. The people of God do.

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