Introduction: Peter use the text from Psalm 34:8 as he writes to the Christian "you have tasted that the Lords is gracious" in the previous verse (2:3). Then Peter states that we have tasted the milk of Word as he refers to Jesus Christ. After believers have purged their lives from the unwholesome foods (desires) and begin to desire the wholesome spiritual food "milk of the Word" that begins the process of spiritual growth. However, we must remember that the very foundation of our spiritual growth is not built on the apostles and their teaching but, it built upon the solid rock of Jesus. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Peter that the foundation of the church would be built upon the "Rock" that is Jesus. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus said that a wise man will build upon the "rock" for solid foundation and the foolish man would build upon the "sand" and the foolish man house would not stand. We as "living stones" must build upon "Rock" for our spiritual house to stand. This "Rock" is a stone that the world rejected and stumbles over. (see illustration)
Text Illustration: THE PRECIOUS STONE NO ONE SAW
Back when the Old West was being settled, pioneers flocked across the country to California and Oregon. In one particular spot on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies there was a large, dirt covered rock protruding in the middle of the trail. Wagon wheels were broken on it and men tripped over it. Finally someone dug up the odd stone and rolled it off trail into a nearby stream. The stream was too wide to jump over, but people used the stone as a step to cross the cold creek. It was used for years, until finally one settler built his cabin near the stream. He moved the odd stone out of the stream and placed it in his cabin to serve as a doorstop.
As years passed, railroads were built and towns sprang up. The old settler’s grandson went East to study geology. On a visit to his grandfather’s cabin, the grandson happened to examine the old lump of stone and discovered within that lump of dirt and rock was the largest pure gold nugget ever discovered on the Eastern slope of the Rockies. It had been there for three generations, and people never recognized its value. To some it was a stumbling stone to be removed. To others it was a stepping-stone, and to others it was just a heavy rock. But only the grandson saw it for what it really was--a lump of pure gold.
Jesus is the precious rock God has given us to be the both the cornerstone and the capstone of our lives. Will you come to the rock today? (See The Rest of the Story) (From a sermon by David Dykes, The Rejected Stone, 8/20/2012)
Read Sermon Text:
1 Peter 2:4-10 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
"Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
"The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,"
8 and
"A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense."
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
NKJV
1. A Stone Chosen and Living (vs. 4-5)
2. A Stone Rejected (vs. 7)
3. A Stone of Stumbling (vs.8)
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1. A Stones Chosen and Living (vs. 4-5)
1 Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. NKJV
a. Living Stones: Peter's statement in verse 4 "Coming to Him" is not directed to a lost person as he/she as if he/she is coming to Jesus for salvation but, to all who believe. This statement implies a personal and habitual approach to Jesus. Just as a baby has a desire for milk (v.1) yet, that desire for "milk" should lead us to the meat of the word. Peter identifies Jesus as a living stone, Peter new firsthand the reality of the resurrected Jesus. As a personal witness of seeing Jesus by the sea of Galilee but, Jesus personal appearance to the disciples. Matthew 16 Jesus told stated to Peter that the foundation of Church would built upon the "rock" which is Jesus therefore in verse 4 he (Peter) identifies Jesus as a "living stone". In Numbers 20:8 Moses is told by God to "Speak to the Rock" it would bring forth abundant waste and in John 7 Jesus told the people that anyone who believes in Him out of this heart would flow rivers of "living" water.
i. The Living Stone Rejected-(vs.4)The living stone Jesus, was rejected by men but, "chosen by God". For He is the only Son of God. Yet the world is unwilling to believe in Him. God the Father stated at the baptism of Jesus "this is My Son, whom I am well Pleased (Matt 3:17). What a paradox; the Creator of Heaven and Earth identified Jesus as the Son of the Most High, yet the God's crowing creation, man rejects Gods' Son.
ii. We are Living Stones (vs.5) As a Christian we have chosen the "living stone" Jesus and have entered in to a everlasting and personal relationship with Him. The relationship we have with the rejected by men living stone brings life all who would receive Him. We are not a living stone for the life in not in us but in Him, but "lively stones" who have received the "living hope" (vs.1:3). As lively stones we are built up into a "spiritual temple" The relationship we have with Jesus brings all who will come to Jesus to the "holy priesthood" of believers (vs.9). Believers are the priest in this spiritual temple not the "High Priest" but priest that we may offer up to spiritual sacrifices or praises that are acceptable to God. In Genesis 4 speaks of the unacceptable sacrifice of Cane and the acceptable sacrifices of Able. Today the offering is not that of blood, because it is no longer required, it has been offered and accepted by God the Father as a permanent sacarfice, by the atoning blood of Jesus (Heb 9:12). Christian "lively stones, holy priesthood" are to offer up praises to God with our hearts, our voices and our lives.
2. A Stone Rejected (vs. 7)
1 Peter 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," NKJV
Chief Cornerstone- "Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia" Defines "The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other significant individuals. Just as the Revelation states that believers will have the name of Jesus written on our forehead the capstone of our spiritual life. Revelation also states the Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega" the beginning and the end , Jesus is the foundation and the capstone for each believer each one a "living stone" built up to be a spiritual house and Jesus as our High Priest. He is our foundation, capstone, High Priest our sacrifice, redeemer and our God.
1. Peter using Isa 28:16 states that the "stone is chosen and precious":
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. NKJV
The "cornerstone" provides visible support to the building which rest upon it. Every step of construction is dependent upon the cornerstone. A building strength, alignment, and sustainability is determined by the cornerstone. Believers who rest on the cornerstone of Jesus will never be put to shame. Jesus stated in Matthew that the church would be built on the "rock" (stone) and the "gates of hell would not stand against it."
2. "Never be put to shame"-(vs.5) Peter uses a double negative which asserting that even in the future we will not be a shame for our faith in Jesus.
Text Illustration: "Titles of Jesus Christ
1. To the architect, He is the chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6)
2. To the bride, He is the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1)
3. To the carpenter, He is the door. (John 10:9)
4. To the engineer, He is the new and living way. (Hebrews 10:20)
5. To the farmer, He is the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38)
6. To the horticulturist, He is the true vine (John 15:1)
7. To the jurist, He is the righteous judge. ((2 Timothy 4:8)
8. To the philanthropist, He is the unspeakable gift (2 Cor. 9:15)
9. To the philosopher, He is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
10. To the preacher, He is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13)
11. To the soldier, He is the captain of his salvation (Hebrews 2:10)
12. To the statesman, He is the desire of the nations (Haggai 2:7)
13. To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29)" (Sermon Central)
3. A Stone of Stumbling (vs.8)
1 Peter 2:8 and "A stone of stumbling-And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. NKJV
1. The stone of stumbling in contrast to the believer cornerstone is very sharp. To the believer the 'lively stone' is precious but, to the lost person this stone is that which cause men to fall. Israel's religious leader could not acceptant Jesus as the "Messiah". Psa 118:22 ".. states that the builders rejected". The Pharisees the builders rejected any idea relating to Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah of the world. Peter again quotes from Isa 18:14 that the rejection of the Cornerstone, the Stone of stumbling brings them into a sharp disobedience to God's Word. To disobey the message is to reject it and to obey is to believe that Jesus it is the "rock" of our salvation.
2. Peter clearly states that for all who do not receive Christ as their Savior will one day face Him as their Judge. All who are disobedient, which includes the whole world (Rom 3:23), all disobedient unbelievers are destined for a "stumbling," which will lead to eternal condemnation.
Text Illustration: RESCUE EFFORT
On August 30, 2005 Coast Guard Lieutenant Iain McConnell was ordered to fly his H46 helicopter to New Orleans and to keep that machine flying around the clock for what would turn out to be a heroic rescue effort. None of his crew were prepared for what they were about to see. They were ahead of every news crew in the nation. The entire city of New Orleans was under water. On their first three missions that day they saved 89 people, three dogs and two cats.
In Luke 13.31-35 we come face to face with the Son of God and with the greatest rescue effort of all time. All of Scripture points to this – Jesus would go to Jerusalem despite all obstacles in His way. He would go to suffer and die in order to save. The majority of His own people would reject Him. But that was also predicted long ago in Psalm 118: “The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”
Lt. McConnell had a fourth mission that day. On the fourth mission, despite twelve different flights to New Orleans, he and his crew were able to save no one. None! They all refused to board the helicopter. Instead they told the Coast Guard to bring them food and water. Yet they were warned that this extremely dangerous. The waters were not going to go away soon. Sadly, many of those people perished because of their refusal to be rescued. (Michael P Walther)
Rest of the Story: Will you come to the rock today? Will you build your life upon Him? One day, you will discover Jesus will either be a stepping-stone that gives you access to God, or He will be a rock over which you stumble…so close and yet so far. The choice is yours. (From a sermon by David Dykes, The Rejected Stone, 8/20/2012)
