Phillip Martin’s mother refused to buy him cheap relics on vacations. Instead she suggested he pick up rocks. He did so, but years later, he could not remember where each stone came from and which memory he was supposed to associate with each rock. Martin, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches from Isaiah 51:1-6 and Matthew 16:13-20. Both passages remind us to remember from which rocks we were hewn. We may forget about our rock collections, but we should never forget what we are made of and what that means to our lives as Christians.

This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.

For more sermon preparation help, check out Pulpit Resource, Will Willimon's weekly lectionary-based sermon resource, available online and through a print subscription.