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The Lord is Good

Today we're continuing our theme of "build," exploring what it means to build our lives on Jesus Christ. I’ve always been the family photographer, capturing moments so we can remember the great story of our lives. These pictures serve as highlights, reminders of God’s blessing and His constant presence on our journey.

Just as photos help us remember, the Bible tells us to remember what God has done. We don't live in the past, but we look back to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness so we can walk forward in what He has for us. The Psalmist says, "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations".

Building and Fighting

Our church is named Cornerstone because Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives. Ephesians 2:20 says we are "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone".

We see this idea of building and fighting in the life of Joshua. As he prepared to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, the Lord told him, "Be strong and courageous". God promised He would not leave or forsake them, but they had to be willing to fight for what was theirs. The first thing Joshua commanded the people to do was not to sharpen their swords but to consecrate themselves and cleanse their hearts before God. Our actions follow from the condition of our hearts.

Dry Ground and Holy Places

When the people were ready, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the Jordan River, and the water was pulled back, allowing all of Israel to cross on dry ground. To remember this incredible miracle, Joshua told the leaders to take 12 stones from the middle of the river and build a monument. These stones were a sign for their children, so that when they asked what the stones meant, the parents could say, "Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground… so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of God is mighty".

When Joshua later met a man with a drawn sword, he asked, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?". The man, who was the commander of the Lord's army, replied, "No... I am the commander of the army of the Lord". Joshua immediately fell to the ground in worship, and the commander said, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy".

Friends, if we realize that God is with us, then wherever we place our feet is holy ground.

If you have never made the decision to follow Jesus, I challenge you to make that decision today. As the apostle Paul wrote, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved".

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The question that opens this powerful message cuts straight to the heart: "If everything completely goes away, how do you want to be remembered?" For Charlie Kirk, moments before his life was tragically taken, he was answering questions about his faith in Jesus—the legacy he most wanted to leave behind.

This shocking loss, alongside other recent acts of violence against believers worldwide, serves as a sobering backdrop for exploring what it truly means to build something lasting while fighting for what matters. Drawing from Nehemiah's powerful example of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls while facing opposition, we discover a timeless truth: our battle isn't against other people but against spiritual darkness.

"We have never been a political house," the message clarifies, "but what we are is someone who stands for the values that our faith is based on." This distinction reshapes how we approach cultural challenges—not with hatred toward those who disagree, but with spiritual weapons focused on the darkness behind division and destruction.

The workers rebuilding Jerusalem's walls labored "with one hand and held a weapon with the other." Similarly, we're called to build our lives on God's word while fighting spiritual battles through prayer, worship, and unwavering commitment to truth. As Nehemiah encouraged his people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome."

What breaks your heart? Unless something moves you deeply, you'll never take action to change it. When our hearts break for those who don't know Jesus—our neighbors, coworkers, even those we struggle to like—we become motivated to share God's love. Our worship becomes a weapon against darkness, and "the joy of the Lord is your strength" even in life's most challenging seasons.

Ready to build something that lasts? Join a life group this semester and discover how connecting with others can strengthen your faith journey as we build and fight together.

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

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https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

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The cornerstone sets everything else in alignment. Without it, the entire structure becomes unstable. In our lives, Jesus stands as that cornerstone - the only foundation worthy of building upon.

Pastor J kicks off the new "Build" series by examining what it means to construct our lives as dwelling places for God. Through the compelling narrative of Solomon's temple, we discover how God has always desired to dwell among His people - first in physical structures, and now within us.

Drawing from Ephesians 2, we learn that believers are "being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." This revolutionary concept transforms our understanding of both worship and identity. No longer are we strangers to God's presence; we're citizens of heaven with full access to our King.

The blood moon serves as a powerful backdrop, reminding us that Christ will return for His church. This urgency calls us to build intentionally, ensuring our lives are aligned with the cornerstone. Like Solomon, who was chosen despite being born from scandal, our past doesn't determine our potential in God's kingdom.

Perhaps most profound is the revelation about the temple veil. When Christ died, that barrier was torn, symbolizing our direct access to God's presence. No longer do we need priests with bells and ropes to approach the Holy of Holies - Christ has made us the temple where God's Spirit dwells.

Whether you're building for the first time or reconstructing after life's storms, this message offers both the blueprint and the invitation.

Connect with a Life Group this semester to continue building alongside others who share your foundation.

Cornerstone
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/

Follow Jesus
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesus

Life Groups
https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groups

Giving
https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/giving

Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZ

iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter

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Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneaz

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Twitter
https://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org