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.
3. Now, because of Christ’s perfect sacrifice their lives of worship and praise are acceptable.
D. We are not rejected by everyone because of our faith as these believers were. Yet, at times, we might feel our faith challenged by the routine or drudgery of this life. It seems like each day is just like any other day. We can easily go through all the motions just to get through the day or just to earn a living. As believers our lives reflect the influence of Christ and faith in our lives. Believers strive to be faithful in all things. We strive to do the best that we can with the gifts God has given to each of us. By faith we know that we are not on earth just serving ourselves or even others. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"(COLOSSIANS 3:23). For Christ above we live and serve.
E. Make no mistake our lives of worship and service cannot be limited to an hour on Sunday. Our lives of worship and service are more than singing hymns, saying prayers, and being generous when the offering plate is passed. Our lives of worship, service, and faith expand far beyond the walls of the church into the lives of those around us – everyday. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name"(HEBREWS 13:15). We live and serve Christ above as we continually confess his holy name in this world to those who need to hear of salvation.
F. Our world is a very dark place. Our world is continually getting darker as the love of many grows cold. Wickedness, evil, and sin are alive and well. Too, too many react to Christ crucified as a stumbling block rather than the chief, precious cornerstone. Praise God that he has saved you by faith through grace. Our eyes are opened and our hearts believe freely, purely by God’s divine grace. We belong to God and have been shown his mercy. We are the light of the world for those who sit in the darkness. "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ’I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’"(ACTS 13:47). We live and serve Christ above as living lights. Our gracious God has entrusted to us, believers the spreading of the gospel message of Christ, not angels.
CONC.: CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE. Without Christ we are like the building on shifting sand. With Christ we have the firm foundation that stands every test of time. On Christ alone we build. For Christ above we serve. Peter quoted Psalm 118 in our text. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"(PSALM 118:22-24). NOTE: The Lord has done all this. It is truly marvelous in our eyes. Certainly we can and ought to rejoice and be glad for every day that the Lord has made. CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE. May we always, only build on Christ alone. May we al-ways, only serve Christ above. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
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EASTER 5 readings: ACTS 13:44-52; REVELATION 21:1-6; JOHN 13:31-35
