Sabbath, is to them the pledge of Divine
favor and the visible sign of their sure protection.
Assistant Builder. All of you no doubt are familiar with the words of
the poet, Longfellow:
"All are architects of fate
Building on the walls of time;
Some with massive deeds and great,
Others with the ornaments of rhyme.
For the structures that we raise
God's Word is with materials filled;
And our todays and yesterdays
Reveal the materials with which we build."
"We have planned today to build
A temple--on earth, a heaven;
A temple on rocks so solid,
And with materials divinely given,
That all who hear the Master's call
To service and an endless life,
May of this be sure, whatever befall
They have builded for time aright."
Life is what we make it out of what God puts within our reach, and every
act is a foundation stone for the next one. Walking in the truth, adding
to our faith and building a temple all mean advancing one step or stone
at a time.
Master Builder. The white stone referred to in Revelation was an emblem
of pardon and a badge of friendship.
The stone ordinarily is an emblem of solidity and enduring strength. In
this sense it is an emblem of an eternal truth, or principle. When Peter
confessed, "Thou art the Christ," Jesus said in regard to his
confession, "Thou art Peter, and on this rock" or fundamental truth, "I
am Christ," "I will build my church; and the gates of hell (hades) shall
not prevail against it."
David tells us "The Lord set his feet upon a rock." He calls the Lord a
rock, a fortress and a high tower; and entreats the Lord to "lead him to
the rock that is higher than I." Peter speaks of Jesus as a living
stone, and of believers as lively stones that form a spiritual house, an
holy priesthood.
We are now ready for the foundation.
"And as we build, let each one pray,
That we may build aright;
That all we do on earth may be
Well pleasing in God's sight."
Chorus. "We're building up the temple,
Building up the temple
Building up the temple of the Lord."
Bearer: We bring the corner stone on which our temple rests.
Master Builder: This stone represents our Lord Jesus, the sure
foundation. Let us hear of this stone, the Rock of Ages, what the Bible
may tell.
Bearer: "Behold I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, prec
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