There are at least two ways of building homes and lives: on the Rock and on the sand. The first is secure, resistant, long-lasting, reliable. The second is vulnerable, deceiving, short-lasting, unreliable. More than obvious, you might say. However, lots of people are building their lives on moveable sand. What happens? Personal crisis, loses, illnesses, financial breakdowns and the like shake the sandy ground. It seems that the whole world collapses and life is shattered into pieces.
Alternatively there is a way around, that is, to build on the Rock and consequently stand firm in spite of stormy situations which may appear on the way. Holy Scriptures lead us to the Rock - Jesus Christ. No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each one's work will become manifest (1Corinthians 3:11-13). Jesus Christ, God's firm foundation, is the Rock to build on. His love is great enough to welcome and accept you on board. On the Rock Jesus Christ there is plenty of room on which you can build with confidence. You won't be deceived. On the Rock Jesus you find shelter when your heart is bleeding, your hope is fading, and storms are raging.
In the original Greek language the name Peter means rock. Peter was one of the men in early days of Christianity who found out that the secure rock to build on was not himself, but Jesus Christ. Therefore Peter wrote: "As you come to him [Jesus Christ], a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." (1Peter 2:4-6).
This Christian congregation adopted the name St. Peter's not for the purpose of building on the man Peter (rock), but to serve as a constant reminder of the sure and divine foundation Jesus Christ - on which we can securely build for this life and the life to come.
Welcome to build on the Rock. St. Peter's Lutheran Church could help you.
Pastor Arno Bessel