Living Among the gifted and talented there are a very small few who actually live out the full potential of what they’ve been given. There may be some brief glimmering moments when that life is breathed, but living it continually will require significant development. Whenever this does happen, though, there is a great difference made, not only in the life of the gifted but also in every life their gift touches. Every Seal Team member accesses the military with specific mental and physical gifts, but it isn’t until they are developed through intense training both mentally and physically that what they came with can effectively defend the lives of our citizens. Also, it is not just living out their own individual gift that makes this possible, but it is as they are developed within a team where each member is dependent on the others. When born into the kingdom of God we are gifted with the very nature and likeness of God, but each with a unique part to play in His building. For those God-given giftings to be lived out for His purpose, though, there is necessary growth and development. From the beginning, there is a powerful effect of a transformed life as a testimony, but with every discovery of truth from the Word about who we are in Christ, we are enabled to live it out to its fullest potential. In each revelation, there is an opportunity for who He is to be living in and through us, for us to live and move and have our being in Him. As God is building a people-house to carry and show His glory to a world in darkness, it is with stones that are actually living their new life that His designed purpose will be fulfilled. So many that He longs to gather into His kingdom are yet in need of stones to not only be gifted with new life but really living it. Just as Jesus rose from the grave to not just declare victory, but live it, so we who have been joined with Him as the Cornerstone should not just be risen with Him, but actively living with Him. The greater we can be given to what we’ve received without being diverted and distracted, the more we will respond to God’s working in us to want and do what pleases Him. Notes Living Having breath/heartbeat/brainwaves Gaining understanding/developing Producing in gifting LIVING Stones 1 Peter 2:5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. Living Stone: Born again - conceived Grow – developing identity Produce – Showing Glory Live, Move, Exist Acts 17:28 28 For it is in closest union with Him that we live and move and have our being; as in fact some of the poets in repute among yourselves have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Born – Gifted with life John 3:5-7 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ Growing as living stones – Ephesians 4:14-15 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Productive for His glory 1 Peter 2:8-9 8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Threats to living Sin Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Strife James 3:16 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Doubt James 2:17 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Our Living Defenses – Walk/Live For sin – Walk/Live in the Spirit Galatians 5:16 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. For Strife – Walk/Live in Love Ephesians 5:2 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 1 Peter 4:8 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Needs His life in us to be revealed so that it can be chosen by others. For Doubt – Walk in the Word Colossians 2:7 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Incredible Significance of a Living Stone 2 Corinthians 2:14 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. Overview: We are given the free gift of life in Christ when born again. It’s when that gift is living that it is useful as a stone in God’s building. Living requires overcoming the opposition of sin, strife, and doubt. A walk/living in the Spirit overcomes sin. A walk/living in love overcomes strife. A walk/living in the Word overcomes doubt. God's purpose for us is to be living stones showing the world what it smells like to know Him. Prayer: Father, fill me with the fulness of knowing you so this gift that You’ve given me can grow to be a vibrant and living stone in the work You’re doing in the world today. Let my living in You be a great display everywhere I go of how wonderful it is to know and be one with You. Declarations: I have been born again to new life in Christ and am fully gifted for kingdom purpose in Him. I overcome every whim of sinful nature by walking/living in the Spirit. The love and mercy I’ve received rise up from my forgiven heart and spread all around me, covering any bitterness or strife. All faith destructive doubt is removed as I am walking/living in the revelation of God’s Word. My gift of life is living and moving and breathing as a stone in the temple where God’s glory is transforming.