00:00:00.000 - 00:00:46.200

War which believes is precious, but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. There is a story told about Valentine Burke, who was a notorious burglar. And as he sat in a jail cell in St. Louis awaiting trial, he saw the headlines of a

00:00:46.200 - 00:01:30.920

newspaper with the headlines "Captured Jailer at Philippi Caught." This paper was being read by another prisoner and he asked to read it and then he fumed with rage as he realized that it was the subject of a sermon which had been preached in that city. But during the course of reading this paper he had noticed the often repeated words

00:01:30.920 - 00:02:13.260

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." And at that moment, Valentine Burke got down on his knees and asked forgiveness. And from that night on, he was a changed man. Going to New York he sought to earn an honest living, but he failed.

00:02:13.260 - 00:03:02.580

Upon returning to St. Louis, an officer of the law seized him and brought him to the police headquarters. There he was informed that New York police had shouted him and reported that he had proved himself straight and honest. And he was then given a position as a deputy sheriff. Later he was visited in this position and Valentine Burke, a once

00:03:02.580 - 00:03:47.460

notorious burglar, showed his visitors some of the treasured jewels that had entrusted to him for keeping. "Look," he said, "they trust me to guard these jewels. See what the grace of God has done for a burglar." Jesus Christ, who is the living foundation of rock upon which God builds men, though men have spurned him. But

00:03:47.460 - 00:04:29.120

Jesus is very precious to God, who has chosen him above all others. Yet men rejected Christ. During the time in which he lived among us, they lay in wait for him and pursued him at every juncture. His earthly ministry was not one of ease.

00:04:29.120 - 00:05:01.020

They sought every opportunity to slay him. There were constant conspiracies and conspirators who sought to entrap him for the words he spoke were just too much for men to accept.

00:05:01.020 - 00:05:23.020

They were confounded. Many bore false witnesses against him. And the lies that they told about him contradicted each other.

00:05:23.020 - 00:06:05.020

"Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?" And Jesus said, "I am." The high priest who asked this question tore at his clothes and said, "What more do we we need? Why wait for witnesses? You've heard his blasphemy? What is your verdict?

00:06:05.020 - 00:06:50.060

And the vote for the death sentence was unanimous. Can you imagine the Son of God being rejected by mortal man. There's something about man in his quest who often finds that his aims are not part of God's plan.

00:06:50.060 - 00:07:40.220

Man finds himself often in a position where he feels that perhaps God should do what man would want done, rather than what has happened for all eternity. Disallowed stone. Can you for a moment recall a time when you sought to do that which was right and found

00:07:40.220 - 00:08:13.060

yourself ridiculed, found yourself in a situation where you were required to feel uncomfortable that because you chose to do the proper and the right thing that your peers and your friends no longer looked upon you in the same light.

00:08:13.060 - 00:08:43.880

As we look at the life of Christ, we know that he was spat upon, blindfolded, and beaten without mercy, and ultimately crucified. And finally, he was counted among evil men

00:08:43.880 - 00:09:06.620

so that the scripture be fulfilled. Once upon a time, we were less than nothing. Our way was darkened. We knew not which way to turn.

00:09:06.620 - 00:09:46.220

We needed someone on whom to hang our trust, Someone who would be consistent and would be available at our call and at our need. Now we are God's own children because we have accepted Jesus Christ. You know

00:09:46.620 - 00:10:21.500

Today as never before, people, both men and women, are turning to Jesus Christ. Because in him there is a fountain of life. In him there is stability. In him there is light. In him there is salvation.

00:10:21.500 - 00:11:07.640

In him we find ourselves. And what greater gift can man receive than finding himself aligned with that which is of the everlasting. It is too risky to hang our hopes and our aims on anything other than Jesus Christ. As we go through this life, we find ourselves confronted

00:11:07.640 - 00:11:43.440

with all manners of rejection, both personally and on a class scale. As a people, we know what it is out of our heritage and our experiences to have been rejected, to have been cast aside in the long-range plans for the building of this great nation.

00:11:43.440 - 00:12:24.440

But this morning, there is hope. Because we know and believe that the life which Christ lived among us was a life in which men rejected and would not hear and would not listen. and would not believe that he was the Son of God. But yet, God in his infinite wisdom knew whom he sent.

00:12:24.440 - 00:12:52.320

He sent Christ to us to lead us back home. And even though we rejected him, this had no influence as to whether he was the true Son of God. Once we knew very little of God's kindness, now today we realize and know

00:12:52.320 - 00:13:29.880

that our very lives have been changed only by God's kindness. God never disappoints those who trust in him. No, ask of him what you will and he'll give it to you. All you need to do is ask because he sets a door before you and it's up to you to enter therein. So as we come to a close this morning and as the

00:13:29.880 - 00:14:11.880

The choir sings, "Let's not forget that the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the cornerstone." If there's one this morning who has been rejected, who finds himself out in the cold, with no place to go, no one to look to, we ask that you come at this time and give your life to one who offers a solid foundation.

00:14:11.880 - 00:14:34.480

[MUSIC PLAYING] [CHOIR SINGING] ♪ No nothing less ♪ ♪ Than Jesus' blood and righteousness ♪

00:14:34.480 - 00:14:57.780

♪ I dare not trust the sweetest flame ♪ ♪ But only lean on him and pray ♪ ♪ One price of God is all I share ♪ ♪ All around is sinking sand ♪

00:14:57.780 - 00:15:22.980

♪ All around is sinking sand ♪ ♪ But it has been built in perfect place ♪ ♪ High as the hills of changing grace ♪ ♪ In every bright and starry glen ♪

00:15:22.980 - 00:15:47.300

♪ Flying for hope within the glen ♪ ♪ One person's child in one's eyes can ♪ ♪ All other crowd is seeking sand ♪ ♪ All other crowd is seeking sand ♪

00:15:47.300 - 00:16:12.900

[MUSIC] ♪ Away as it did in the first ♪ ♪ Rest in his righteousness above ♪ ♪ All this to death he will come ♪

00:16:12.900 - 00:16:43.200

♪ On Christ's love in heart I stand ♪ ♪ All else around is sinking sand ♪ ♪ All by the ground he's singing sad ♪ - All there, those this morning who will not be

00:16:43.200 - 00:16:58.680

worshiping with us at 11 o'clock service, if so, we'd like for you to come forward at this time to receive communion. (dramatic music)

00:16:58.680 - 00:17:08.940

(baby crying) (baby crying) (dramatic music) (baby crying)

00:17:08.940 - 00:17:19.600

(baby crying) (baby crying) (baby crying) (soft dramatic music)

00:17:19.600 - 00:18:05.140

[music] Are these all that will not be back at 11 o'clock service? Would you mind sitting in your seats? We hadn't anticipated this many and the the beacons will serve you in your seat if you please. Thank you.

00:18:05.140 - 00:18:32.140

[music] The cup of blessing which we bless, [music] is it not a participation in the blood of Christ,

00:18:32.140 - 00:19:13.380

The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? And the broken bread Christ offered to share with us his life. [Music] [inaudible]

00:19:13.380 - 00:19:59.740

[music] The Christian who comes to the Lord's table receives a share in the sinless and holy life of Christ which helps to redeem the lives of all. This bread of the communion service is a means of participation in Christ's body the

00:19:59.740 - 00:20:30.180

church. And as they were eating, he took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them and said, "Take, this is my body." And he took a cup.

00:20:32.180 - 00:21:06.600

And when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many." (ominous music) (dramatic music)

00:21:06.600 - 00:21:18.360

(dramatic music) (dramatic music) [MUSIC PLAYING] (dramatic music)

00:21:18.360 - 00:21:33.640

(dramatic music) (dramatic music) (dramatic music) [Music]

00:21:33.640 - 00:22:17.340

[Music] For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

00:22:27.340 - 00:22:56.260

Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. It is by God's grace that we are forgiven and justified. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:22:56.260 - 00:23:19.700

May we pray? [Bell tolls] [Bell tolls] [Bell tolls]

00:23:19.700 - 00:23:27.700

[Bell tolls] [Bell tolls] [Bell tolls] Dear Lord and Father of us all,

00:23:27.700 - 00:24:04.700

we thank thee for this bread and cup which remind us of thy great love for us, as expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior. We draw near to thee in humility and reverence, confessing our sins, knowing that in thee we will find forgiveness, refuge, hope, and salvation, now and forever.

00:24:04.700 - 00:24:37.600

Amen. May we commune together. May we stand for the benediction please. On him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us as

00:24:37.600 - 00:24:53.600

kings and priests, unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [music] [Music]

00:24:53.600 - 00:25:03.600

[BLANK_AUDIO]