The Rejected One
Pentecost • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,”
8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
When we come to the Lord we must renounce and purge sin from us at all times.
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
One of the biggest signs of a Healthy Christian is their thirst and groan for more of God, more of His nourishing Word (milk).
Have you tasted what the Lord has to feed us?
At our salvation moment we taste the goodness of God, and it should drive us to hunger for more.
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Some of us know the feeling of being a rejected stone, unable to fit in with the rest of the wall.
The Lord has called us to three jobs here:
To be His dwelling
To be His Holy priesthood
To be a living sacrifice to Him
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
a holy priesthood. OT priests and NT believer-priests share a number of characteristics:
1) priesthood is an elect privilege (Ex 28:1; Jn 15:16);
2) priests are cleansed of sins (Lv 8:6–36; Tit 2:14);
3) priests are clothed for service (5:5; Ex 28:42; Lv 8:7ff.; Ps 132:9, 16);
4) priests are anointed for service (Lv 8:12, 30; 1Jn 2:20, 27);
5) priests are prepared for service (Lv 8:33; 9:4, 23; Gal 1:16; 1Ti 3:6);
6) priests are ordained to obedience (v. 4; Lv 10:1ff.);
7) priests are to honor the Word of God (v. 2; Mal 2:7);
8) priests are to walk with God (Mal 2:6; Gal 5:16, 25);
9) priests are to impact sinners (Mal 2:6; Gal 6:1); and
10) priests are messengers of God (Mal 2:7; Mt 28:19, 20).
The main privilege of a priest, however, is access to God
We have been chosen for this day in age, for this very role.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
Those who believe and submit to Jesus will not be disappointed
Note though it says nothing about the easy life
16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
We as believers will have a solid rock to stand upon, when storms hit and rains come we will not sink, we will not be washed away.
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
{The Stone was taken when they built the temple, but they rolled it down the hill…}
Those who reject Jesus doom themselves to eternal punishment.
Sadly we have some in the church who do not believe this…
They believe that unsaved souls just cease to exist rather than tormented forever in hell (annihilationist)
Another closely related view is called Christian Universalism, which teaches that all human beings will eventually be saved and brought into God's love, rather than experiencing eternal punishment.
But we don’t see that anywhere in the Bible. (not to scare anyone)
So what does Jesus say about those who believe in the cornerstone?
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Dr Dondi Costin mentioned about the “Hello My Name Is…” tag.
Instead of worrying about being rejected and what others think of us we need to think of who God says we are.
We are a chosen people, royal, holy, God’s own possession
Here’s what else God calls us:
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
We now have an Identity
1 Peter 2:10 (NASB95)
10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Take Home?
Have You Accepted or Rejected the Chief Cornerstone?
If you have spent your life rejecting Jesus, let today be the day you say Yes!
