"Built On The Foundation Of Christ.” 1 Peter Series

1 Peter Series Part 9

Sub Series C: Second teaching section (2:4-10).

A description of the people of God

Title: “Built on the Foundation of Christ.”

Text: 1 Peter 2:6-8

INTRO: A home is built on a foundation. When one starts a home, after the pouring of a base of cement. One starts with the first primary cement block. This first block is what all the other blocks or bricks aligns itself to. IF this block is off center, or crooked, then the rest will be impacted.

Today, we will continue to discover Apostle Peter’s first epistle regarding the description of the people of God as referenced to the Chief Cornerstone, or Head stone who is the Rock of our salvation into His eternal kingdom.

Transition: Previously we looked at:

1. First teaching section (1:3-12). The method and nature of salvation

a. A salvation based on the hope inspired by Christ’s resurrection (1:3-5)

b. A salvation secured through a faith deepened in trial (1:6-9)

c. A salvation reported by the prophets who described its grace and glory (1:10-12)

2. First preaching section (1:13-2:3). A demand for holiness

a. A holiness demanded by God’s own character (1:13-16)

b. A holiness demanded by the costly experience of Christ’s passion (1:17-21)

c. A holiness expressed in genuine love responding to the gospel (1:22-25)

d. A holiness expressed by the new life received from a gracious God (2:1-3)

3. Second teaching section (2:4-10). A description of the people of God

1. A living spiritual body serving God sacrificially (2:4-5)

2. A building founded on Christ as the foundation stone (2:6-8)

3. A chosen group reflecting the excellencies of their deliverer (2:9-10)

TEXT:

1 Peter 2:6–8 (ESV)

6For 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.”

7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

8and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

I. There is No Shame in Believing in Christ.

a. Have you ever been ashamed of something or someone?

i. How about the expression: “You should be ashamed of yourself!”

b. Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)

i. 16therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

1. Psalm 118:20–23 (ESV)

2. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

3. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

4. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

5. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

ii.

c. Shame: ‘to humiliate, to disgrace, to put to shame.

d. Haste: In the Hebrew text of Isaiah 28:16; “haste” - To be dismayed, stricken to panic. Not be disturbed or in a hurry.

e. So, Peter references Isaiah to establish a premise of wisdom that whoever believes in Christ, the Cornerstone will not be dismayed, hurried with panic, not disturbed.

f. Why?

g. Because the Lord Jesus is chosen and precious by God the Father!

h. Believers can rest assured on the Chief Cornerstone of the Lord’s drawn and chosen people. Whoever believes has no reason to be dismayed, no shame in being a disciple of Jesus.

i. Romans 1:16 (ESV)

ii. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

iii. Romans 9:33 (ESV)

iv. 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

II. There is Honor for Those Who Believe in Christ.

a. How many of us understand what it is to honor?

i. Integrity, decency, morality, uprightness.

b. 7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

c. Honor: worth—‘valuable, precious.’

i. Peter tells the believers in Christ they are worthy, valuable, and precious as well because of Jesus!

d. Because of Jesus, His sheep, His sheepfold is worthy, valuable, not of our own merits, but the merits of Jesus!

III. There is Only Stumbling for Those who Disbelieve.

a. How many of us have friends, even family who are not believers of Christ?

b. A rejection of truth of Crist?

c. How many times have you mentioned Jesus or brought up your faith and a person or group becomes offended and they stumble over the truth of Christ?