Advent-ure 2020 December 14: Chief Cornerstone (Real Estate and Real Change)

Jesus is described in Scripture as the Chief Cornerstone, whom some so-called "builder" rejected. We can strive to build our lives on His principles and His presence, as 2nd Timothy 2 directs:
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

We have to consider how we are building our lives, how we are allowing God to govern our steps, our activities, and our desires. Jesus talked about two men - one built his house on the rock, the other on the sand.  The same stormy circumstances came, and the house built on the rock stand, the other collapsed. We have to avoid collapse by trust in the Lord Most High and making sure that the decisions we make and the direction we pursue are rooted in God's Word.

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On this day following the third Sunday of Advent, we continue our 25-day Christmas Advent-ure from Faith Radio - this year, entitled, "Call His Name."  We are exploring some of the names of Jesus, based on the free Advent Guide available through our website at FaithRadio.org and found in the latest Faith Radio Ministry Magazine.

The name of Chief Cornerstone is our focus today. This is a term that is used several places in Scripture, and in the guide, Ephesians 2:20 is one of the Scripture references - it is found in this passage:
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Another reference is found in 1st Peter 2, verse 6, which says in part, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." That is a quote from the 28th chapter of the book of Isaiah.

We have the opportunity to build our lives on the firm foundation of that Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.  And, a church in Oklahoma has undertaken a real estate project that can lead to more lives being transformed by the Savior.

It is Transformation Church in Tulsa.  ChristianHeadlines.com states that "in the news last year for buying a huge event center for 10 million dollars, has now reportedly bought the entire retail center surrounding it for 20.5 million dollars."  The event center, by the way, was called the SpiritBank Center, and the church is apparently dedicated to allowing the Spirit flow.

For one thing, the church doesn't appear to be evicting the businesses; the article says that Pastor Michael Todd told News On 6: "This has been an unbelievable journey for us...There's over 34 businesses that function out of this area, and we get the opportunity to have great relationships with them and see the future grow in this community," adding, "We wanted this to be an investment for the long term of our church, that we could be able to get revenue to bless our community."

Christian Headlines reports that:

The hope is to use the funds from the retail center's profits to help the poor and do other philanthropic work. The retail center, called Post Rock Plaza, has 34 businesses in it and could be a serious source of revenue for the church.

And, one of the tenants seems to be happy with the new arrangement:

...Oklahoma Hand and Physical Therapy, was quite happy about the purchase. Business owner Rhonda Millet told News On 6 that, while the new owners will have no bearing on her day-to-day business dealings, she is happy the church bought the plaza. "They're going to do a lot of goodwill and the things we supply through paying our rent, I'm excited to see what they do," Millet told the news station.

I have to admit, this is a rather creative means to expand ministry - to raise funds by becoming an owner of real estate. As we consider Christ, our Chief Cornerstone, today, we can ask ourselves, "What are you building?"  We may not be called to be real estate investors or building contractors, but we each have something with which we have been entrusted, as stewards from the Father. So, what are we doing with it?  In the parable of the talents, Jesus taught about three individuals - one was given 5 units of currency and doubled it, and it was the case with one given 2.  But the person given one hid it in the ground, and was chastised for it.  We have to make sure that we are using what God has entrusted and are investing in Kingdom activities. 

We can also consider how we are attempting to build - we can either do it God's way or our own way. If we don't build it right, the whole work could collapse.  We have to remain obedient to the Lord and rely on Him to show us the way, rather than depend on our ideas.  We can be confident that God will inspire creative ideas through which we can spread His truth.