Christ Is Our Cornerstone

CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE (Outline)

May 6, 2007 - EASTER 5 - 1 Peter 2:4-10

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INTRO: A solid foundation is absolutely essential for the building to stand. The cornerstone is positively critical for the rest of the building to be square and true. How important these two elements are for any building. Today’s text reminds every believer how absolutely essential and positively critical are the solid foundation that begins with the cornerstone. "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone"(EPHESIANS 2:19,20). You and I and believers everywhere begin with Christ the chief cornerstone. Our spiritual growth and life continues built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets – the Old and the New Testaments.

CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE.

I. On Him alone we build; II. For Him above we serve.

I. ON HIM ALONE WE BUILD

A. It seemed to the believers at this time as if they had nowhere to turn for help.

1. The government actively persecuted believers. The church rejected followers of the Way.

2. Verse 4 reminded these believers they could always come to Christ, the living Stone.

3. Some rejected Christ. God still chose Christ and this Stone was precious to him!

B. Peter re-emphasizes this important thought in verse 6. Christ is the chosen, precious cornerstone.

1. These believers put their trust in Christ and would never be put to shame.

2. Verse 7a again, now to you who believe, this stone is precious. Precious is used 3 times.

C. BUT not everyone looks at Christ the living Stone as precious or chosen by God. Verse 7b.

1. Verse 8 describes how this Cornerstone becomes a stumbling block to the disobedient.

2. The unbeliever, the disobedient stumble and fall. Destruction now becomes their destiny.

a. Destruction is their choice.

b. Consider Pharaoh.

c. Consider Judas

D. This may seem and sound strange to our ears and hearts that anyone would stumble and fall because Christ is the chief cornerstone. Scripture reminds us that there are those who willingly disobey and defiantly deny that Christ is the true Son of God. The message is too simple. Consider: "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles"(1 CORINTHIANS 1:22,23). Today, thank God that you are able to hear and concentrate and believe in the simple message of truth: Christ crucified! All too often, all too many miss the very simple gospel message that Christ died for the sins of the world. How very sad.

E. Why would anyone stumble, disobey and turn away from God’s truth? This happens as man puts more confidence in himself than God. What is false is considered to be true and what is true is considered to be false. Think of Jesus’ resurrection. The Roman government tried to cover up Jesus’ resurrection by spreading the rumor that the disciples stole the body. Paul warned the Corinthian congregation not to believe anyone who taught differently than Christ’s resurrection. Still it happens -- mankind stumbles, disobeys, turns away and even rejects God’s truth. "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths"(2 TIMOTHY 4:4).

F. Christ is our cornerstone. On Christ alone we build. When we place our hope or confidence in anything or anyone else we will always certainly, sorely be disappointed. Christ is our cornerstone, we trust in him alone. The house on sand does not stand. The house built on the rock withstands the winds and waves of temptations and difficulties. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock"(MATTHEW 7:24).

CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE.

On Christ alone we build.

II. FOR HIM ABOVE WE SERVE

A. These believers were under persecuted by the government and rejected by the church.

1. These believers could still come to Christ the living Stone, verse 4.

2. Though rejected by the world, these believers were still part of God’s kingdom.

B. Listen to the hope and great encouragement God provides through Peter in verse 10.

1. They were now God’s people who had received God’s mercy.

2. Verse 9a lists the titles that God gives to these believers: chosen, royal, and holy.

3. These Gentiles rejoiced at being called these names, once reserved only for Jews.

C. Verse 9b tells of the purpose for which these believers had been called and chosen.

1. Now knowing, believing, and confessing God’s great love they were God’s lights.

2. Verse 5 repeats the high calling of believers. They were the new priesthood.