Stone Tablets

This is the final sermon in the What Mean These Stones? series. I preached this sermon June 28, 2009.

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:3

Introduction: One of the greatest monuments in our nation is the Washington Monument standing in the District of Columbia. Standing at just over 555 feet tall, it is an impressive structure and the tallest stone monument in the world, and when it was built was the tallest building in the world. Graffiti from the 1800s discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument has quite a different tone from that usually found today on the sides of buildings and subway cars."Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduing (sic) than this," reads the inscription which can now be viewed by visitors to the monument.It is signed BFB. No one knows who that is, or who left the small drawings and 19th century dates on other walls.The markings in the lobby of the monument were covered over when it was decorated at the turn of the century. They were found when workers removed marble wainscoting as part of a year-long $500,000 renovation which was just completed. As we consider the memorial we are now erecting. We realize that no one may ever build a memorial to any of us, but our memorial will stand just the same. What will our memorial say of us? Paul speaks of something written on our hearts, and there is actually a dual meaning here that we will see more in a minute. But he contrasts something written on tables of stone verses tables of the heart.The reference of tables of stone that comes to mind is that of the 10 commandments. We remember how that Moses ascended the mountain of Sinai and there received the commandments of God written on tables of stone. We remember how that when Moses confronted the Israelites when they sinned by worshiping the golden calf and he threw down the tablets and they shattered. He later rewrote the commandments on stone tablets. Why stone? Papyrus and parchment were available. But to write in stone tells us several things. To write the commandments on stone tells us that what is written is important, it tells us that what is written is lasting, or permanent. And it tells us that what is written in stone is unchangeable. You didn’t write just anything on stone. But Paul says that what is written is on the heart, not on stone. Why, even with stone, time and elements will wear it away. Eventually this world will be destroyed along with stone. But what is written on the heart is eternal. And what is written on the heart is eternal. So what is written on the heart is important, it is lasting and it is unchangeable. While the law was written on stone, the gospel is written on the heart.There are three types of stones, if you will, that we must write on. Three things that are written on the heart that are important, everlasting and unchangeable.

The Keystone of Your Testimony
A keystone is the stone at the top of a stone arch and it is the stone that keeps the whole arch from falling. It is something on which everything else depends.

1. The gospel is written on the heart, a testimony of salvation. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
2. Testimony of obedience 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
3. Testimony of faithfulness – 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

When the cornerstone was laid some said this "No more Washingtons shall come in our time ... But his virtues are stamped on the heart of mankind. He who is great in the battlefield looks upward to the generalship of Washington. He who grows wise in counsel feels that he is imitating Washington. He who can resign power against the wishes of a people, has in his eye the bright example of Washington." While this monument was built in memorial to George Washington our first president, Washington built his own memorial as is evident in these words. And if that 555 tall obelisk were not standing, a monument of George Washington exists in the hearts and minds of Americans.

Do you have a testimony? Can you tell your testimony? Does your life demonstrate a testimony?

Milestones of a Walk of Faith
Events in life indicating significant progress
1. Time of trial and testing Ps 23 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
2. Times of victory 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5: Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
3. Times of growth – 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
-1 Peter 2:2-3 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.

Capstone of a legacy of faith
-finishing stone of a structure, it is the crowning achievement,
On the western face of the capstone is inscribed the message Laus Deo – latin for Praise be to God.
-Paul is speaking of the Corinthian Christians themselves being a letter written on his heart. (the problem of letters of commendation). This is his praise to God!
1. Legacy of spiritual children – Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they're in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But How? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the unbelieving world is made up of a variety of people: young, old, rich, poor, educated, uneducated, urban, rural, with different race, personalities, values, politics, and religious backgrounds. It's going to take more than one style of evangelism to reach such a diverse population!
So what is your style?
Confrontational? (Acts 2)When Peter preached – and he pointed out they were responsible for crucifying Jesus. Repent and be baptized, save yourselves from this corrupt generation. (one style of confronting with 10 commandments)
Intellectual? (Acts 17) Paul debated with the philosophers on Mars Hill to convince them.
Testimonial? (John 9) One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!
Relational? (Mark 5) –the man at the tombs possessed by demons. Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.
Invitational? (John 4) The Samaritan woman at the well begged the people of the city to come and hear Jesus for themselves.
Serving? (Acts 9) Dorcas impacted her city by doing deeds of kindness.
Don't ever think you're a second class Christian because you don't proclaim Christ like Peter or Paul. Discover your own method. Then get out of your chair and use it, for the Glory of God. Live by faith, not fear!!!