From guest blogger Pastor Keith Albert, Pastor of Missions for Family Church, formerly Pastor of Jog Road Baptist Church for 26 years.

This is the outline of my last message at Jog Road Baptist Church, given on January 11, 2015. On the platform, I had white rocks piled high in each offering plate. These rocks were used when Jog Road dedicated the Worship Center in 1996.

“And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I Peter 2:4-5

“What do these stones mean to you?” These are stones of remembrance. (Joshua 4:6)

  • I have had the joy of shepherding hundreds of families.
  • We have been a place to heal and send into ministry.
  • We have been on mission around the world.
  • My family has been blessed.

 “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone…” (John 8:7)

  • Making this kind of transition can make it easy to blame others and point fingers.
  • We have sought God the best we know how.
  • We have finished well at Jog Road.
  • Stones are not for throwing.

 “You are also like living stones being built up into a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:4-10)

  • As a living stone, we build something with others.
  • As a living stone, we “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” This is the privilege and responsibility of every follower of Christ.

 Jesus is our cornerstone of salvation. Repent and believe the gospel!

At the end of my message, our ushers passed the offering plates to the congregation so everyone could take a stone out. Once everyone had a stone in his or her hand I asked this question:

What will you do with your stone?

  • Will you ask Jesus to be your cornerstone?
  • Will you remember God’s work through the people of Jog Road?
  • Will you throw your stone in anger as you blame others?
  • Or…will you join me, take your stone, and next week go to Family Church, or any other gospel-centered church, and say, “I am going to help build God’s Kingdom in this place…at this time!”