Resource Detail

2025 NASC Opening Message Juan Seo (New York UBF)

WE ARE LIVING STONES

1 Peter 2:4-5

Do you know the nickname of New York? It is “the city that never sleeps.” That’s why I want to call New York “the living city.” Welcome to New York, the city that never sleeps–the living city! I appreciate your effort in coming to the North America Staff Conference from the U.S., Canada, Korea, and Belize. Let’s give a round of applause to warmly welcome everyone here. I am Juan Seo, serving New York UBF. It is truly an honor for me to deliver the opening message before you, such precious servants of the Lord.

Please look at the stones on the screen. Do you know the difference between the stones on the left and the stones on the right? The stones on the left are dead stones, while those on the right are living stones. “Living stones? Do such things really exist?” Actually, the stones on the right are plants called Lithops, which look like stones, so they are known as living stones. Dead stones have no life while living stones have life. Having a life means it grows. Lithops sprout leaves, grow, and even bloom flowers.

I believe you are all very familiar with this passage. So, I do not intend to give an expository sermon. Instead, I would like to share three key points with you.

Number one, we are living stones. This is about our identity. Verse 5a says, “You also, like living stones.” The apostle Peter seems to love the word “living.” In his letter, he uses expressions like living hope (1:3), living word (1:23), and living stone (2:4). He also seems to have a clear identity as a stone. His original name was Simon, but Jesus called him Peter, which means rock. So, he liked stones. Therefore, he calls believers in Jesus ‘living stones,’ which is a metaphor.

But the term “living stones” itself is a paradox. Stones do not have life. On the contrary, ‘living stones’ means that stones are alive. How could dead stones come to have a life? Let’s think about our lives. Before we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we were spiritually dead. We were destined to face God’s eternal judgment. We were like dead stones. But how did we become living stones?

We can find the answer in verse 4: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.” We were dead stones but have been transformed into living stones by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Stone. “The living Stone,” with the definite article “the” and a capital “S,” is not only a stone that is alive but also a stone that gives life. The living Stone breathes life into dead stones, making them living stones. How is that possible? It is possible because the living Stone was rejected by humans but chosen by God.

Jesus, the Son of God, came to the world, but he was rejected by humans. He was spat on, struck in the face, and flogged. In the end, Jesus was crucified on the cross and put to death. However, Jesus was chosen by God and precious to Him. Jesus was raised from the dead and destroyed the power of sin and death. Jesus was given the authority and power to bring all who believe in Him from death to life. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Through Jesus, the living Stone, we who were once dead stones have received new life and become living stones. Praise Jesus, the living Stone!

Number two, we are being built into a spiritual house. Verse 5 says, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The apostle Peter envisions living stones being joined and connected together to be built into a spiritual house. The verb here “are being built” is in the present continuous tense, emphasizing the dynamic process of building a spiritual house. The passive voice is also used to show that it is not the living stones themselves but Jesus Christ who designs and builds the spiritual house.

“A spiritual house” refers to the Church of Christ, the community of believers who follow Jesus Christ. The Bible uses several metaphors to describe the Church, including the Body of Christ, the Household of God, and the Temple of God. The apostle Peter uses the building metaphor to explain the Church.

At that time, the main material used for building houses was stone. Likewise, the main material used for building a spiritual house, which is the invisible and universal Church of Jesus Christ, is the living stones. The most important stone in building the spiritual house of God is Jesus, the Cornerstone. Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The stone the builders rejected refers to Jesus Christ, who was rejected by humans. Therefore, Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church. As living stones, we are joined and connected to one another centered on Jesus, the Cornerstone, to be built into the Church of God.

Then, what kind of church is God building with the living stones of UBF? We are part of the invisible Universal Church of Jesus Christ while also forming visible local churches. If we were to discuss UBF’s ecclesiology, we would need a lot of time. However, one thing is clear—God is building the beautiful church of Jesus Christ using the living stones of UBF.

In April of last year, when I began to serve God as the pastor of New York UBF, I prayed about what kind of church God desires to build New York UBF into. To understand this, I needed to look back at how God has historically shaped New York UBF up to the present. I also had to examine the current situation of New York UBF. Additionally, I needed to remember the context of the city of New York and UBF’s calling, which focuses on campus mission.

With this in mind, I presented three visions for New York UBF.

Vision One: To become a Spirit-Filled Community.

Vision Two: To become a Campus Mission-Centered Church.

Vision Three: To become a Multicultural and Multigenerational Congregation.

Our New York UBF members are earnestly praying for God’s vision to be fulfilled among us. Please remember New York UBF in your prayers. I pray that each UBF chapter and house church will continue to grow into healthy and fruitful churches that please our God.

Number three, we must come to Jesus both personally and as a community. If we look closely at verses 4 and 5, we can see how we, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house of God. The key is found in the phrase, “As you come to him.” What does it mean to come to Jesus, the living Stone? It means fixing our eyes and thoughts on Jesus Christ. It means pursuing Jesus through a deep and personal relationship with Him. It means seeking him and finding him through the word of God and prayer. It means growing in Christ and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

At times, we are weak and fall into Satan’s temptation and sin. Sometimes, while serving as self-supporting missionaries, we become weary and discouraged, feeling as though we can do nothing. At other times, we blame ourselves and feel frustrated due to a lack of visible growth in our ministry. In those moments, we must come to Jesus. We must repent before Him, receive His forgiveness, and restore our relationship with God. We must be strengthened in the grace of Jesus and grow stronger. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we must carry out God’s mission through His power. Let’s come to Jesus.

We must also come to Jesus together as a community. Each of us is a precious living stone that makes up the Church of Jesus Christ. Look at the person in front of you, beside you, and behind you—how precious are these living stones! Please say to one another, “You are a precious living stone.” But can we say, “There are so many stones; if one is missing, it won’t matter”? Imagine a house built with stones, and the stones start to be removed one by one. Imagine if the stones become weak or begin to break. Wouldn’t that house become fragile and eventually collapse?

We must love, care for, pray for, and practically help our brothers and sisters around us. When they are spiritually healthy, God’s spiritual house will also be strong and healthy. However, if they become sick and weak, we, too, will become sick and weak together.

When I was working as an International Coordinator at the Chicago headquarters, I visited a house church in another state. Although it was our first time meeting, they welcomed me warmly. We shared a meal together and had a casual conversation. But at one point, our conversation touched on a sensitive topic for them. Suddenly, the wife of the house church started weeping. She then poured out her feelings of disappointment, expressing how hurt she was that the headquarters leaders had not reached out to them or shown any concern for a long time. At that moment, I felt deeply ashamed. I had not realized how much they were struggling in their spiritual battle. And worse, I had not prayed for them. I had to ask for their forgiveness.

We all live busy and challenging lives, and because of that, we often don’t have the time or energy to pay attention to our precious coworkers. But let us remember that we are all organically connected. The pain and struggles of our coworkers are not just theirs alone—they are also ours.

Today, the leaders of our church from across North America have gathered here. We have already met and will continue to meet many familiar faces. At the same time, there may be some among us whom we do not know well. This staff conference is a great opportunity for us to get to know one another, show care for each other, and pray for one another. While we are here, I pray that we may have a beautiful fellowship in the Lord and grow in love for one another. May God bless this staff conference with the presence of the Holy Spirit so that we can meditate on the word of God, pray together, and build up one another. Who are we? We are living stones!