Building lives upon Jesus Christ
I Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Intro: If you are saved you are a precious stone to Jesus Christ

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Christ has come to give joy in building us

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I. Jesus wants us to enjoy the work of God and his Church

Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

II. The devil wants you to have misery and pain
He wants to steal rob your joy
He wants to kill your life
He wants to destroy you testimony and the Church
Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

III. Jesus will put you on the shelf before he will let you destroy his church.
1 Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

IV. We hurt the Church with our failure to give:
A. Money
B. Time
C. Service
D. Love
E. Sacrifice

V. When we are saved we are free from the bonds of sin but not to willfully continue to sin
Ro 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
1 Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock
to them that are weak.

Conclusion: We have to be on guard to the devices of the devil
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

A. By fellowship with the church
B. Prayer
C. Bible study
D. Service