(1 Peter 2:4, 6-8) The Cornerstone of the NT Temple.

Washington D.C. is an iconic city for many Americans and much of the World.

The city is often used as a symbol for America itself. This is why a news anchor can say, Washington, and everybody knows they are not talking about the city.

Why is that?

Washington is home to the White House where the Commander and Chief conducts His business.

Washington is home to congress where laws are passed.

Washington is home to the Pentagon where our military leaders coordinate worldwide military operations.

When our country meets foreign dignitaries it is done in Washington.

When the President addresses the nation, it is done in Washington.

Because our nations offices are located there,

the city has become more than a city,

but a symbol for America.

We may not always in agreement with our government leaders,

but for most of us it is place that reminds us of our freedoms,

our heroes such as the Lincoln Memorial,

and our sacrifices such as our fallen military.

Like the Whitehouse for the American,

For the Jew, nothing more precious than Jerusalem.

Psalm 147:12 ESV

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

Ps 14:

Using the term Jerusalem to speak of the entire nation of Israel.

Why was Jerusalem so important?

It was where the temple was.

By the time of Jesus the political power for much of Israel was divided into major sections. It was no longer centered in Jerusalem.

Yet, Jerusalem was still iconic for Israel.

It was iconic because it was the place of the Jewish temple.

The temple was the center of social and religious life for the Jew.

The daily and annual sacrifices were conducted at the temple.

There were major feasts that friends and families would gather around, all around the temple in Jerusalem.

Yet, Jerusalem still iconic for Israel.

Understand, it was one thing to be in Synagogue hearing the teaching and reading of the Torah.

It was another thing to be in the temple, the place where Israel worshipped Yahweh.

ILLUSTRATION:

It was iconic because it was the

Probably the closest comparison would be the difference between

a. looking at the declaration of independence in a textbook in a school.

b. And standing before the original document in the National Archives in Washington D.C.

The temple was the pride and joy of Israel.

The temple was the pride and joy of Israel. It was the center of the nations social and religious culture.

Perhaps you are wondering, what does this have to do with the text this morning.

In our text,

- Peter is going to make profound statements about who we are as NT believers and the reality of unbelief.

- And he is going to do so by using the image of the temple that every Jew was familiar with.

Look down at your text this morning, let’s begin by reading .

As you do that, look for the references to the temple in our text this morning.

1 Peter 2:4–8 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For 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.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

1 Peter 2:4-8

Peter makes a bold claim that Christ is the cornerstone of the NT Temple.

In many places, Scripture describes the church as the Temple of the NT era.

Paul does this in .

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 ESV

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

1 Cor

Peter, also describes the church as the temple of the NT era.

And as we understand the imagery of the temple that Peter is using here,

we will understand how Peter views Christ role in the church.

From this text,

Proposition: We ought to be believers in Christ.

Proposition: We ought to be believers in Christ faithfully serving Him.

we often use thsi metao, built your life upon a solid career in the navy.

Proposition: We ought to be believers in Christ faithfully serving Him.

Transition: and This text gives us three descriptions of Christ for why we should believe.

The First description, Christ is the

1) The Chief Cornerstone of the temple.

1 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

1 Peter

Our text began with saying as you come to a living stone.

a. What is the cornerstone?

This causes the to ask the first question of the text?

What stone?

The only stone I remember is the stone Jesus rolled away, so what stone is he talking about?

a. What is the cornerstone?

What is the cornerstone?

Who is the cornerstone?

What is the cornerstone like?

How do the OT quotations relate to this verse?

Is there a relationship between the stones and the Temple?

What does it mean that Christ is the cornerstone?

This causes us to ask the first question of the text.

What stone?

The only stone I remember is the stone Jesus rolled away, so what stone is he talking about?

Let’s begin by concentrating on .

The Stone is:

1. Christ.

Our first clue about what the stone is; is the reference to the pronoun, “him”.

What stone?

The only stone I remember is the stone Jesus rolled away, so what stone is he talking about?

Let’s begin by concentrating on .

Our first clue asked about what the stone is; is the reference to him.

Who are we coming to as believers?

And of course the natural answer is Jesus Christ.

Much of the 1st chapter introduces us to the stone, but I would like us to read as reminder this morning.

1 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:34

Our entire salvation is summed up in us coming to the Salvation found in Jesus Christ.

So as believers who are we coming to?

Jesus Christ.

2. Living.

Also, Notice the emphasis on Christ the living God.

In chapter 1,

Peter made the point Christ the living hope. We read that in .

The Word of God is the living word.

1 Peter 1:23 ESV

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter

In our text today, he is now the living stone.

ILLUSTRATION:

In our text today, he is now the living stone.

In many religions, blessings from God depend on your ability to seek His favor.

In-ether words, do enough Good stuff for God so that he decides to bless you.

Sometimes that is righteousness, inner-peace, or some great act like the martyrdom of Islam.

The Ancient world was much like this.

So a fair question is, what value is a God who died for you.

Because he is also a God who is living.

The fact that Christ is living is great truth to why we can believe in Christ.

Peter is emphasizing that Christ is the resurrected hope and champion of believers.

We do not worship a dead martyr,

but a living God:

which means our fate is sure and reliable.

Peter is settle telling us that we can be confident in Christ because he is the living God.

We are also told told that this stone, Christ, was

3. Rejected by men.

Many have accused the Gospel of being a false because he was rejected as the Messiah by Jews?

The first quality, he is rejected.

Many have accused the Gospel of being a false because he was rejected as the Messiah by Jews?

ILLUSTRATION:

Their rejection Goes like this,

If Christ was the son of God, then he would have truly been magnificent.

We get this. I mean, as Christians, haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to walk with Jesus. To see his miracles. To hear his teachings. To be one of his close disciples.

We believe in a truly magnificent Christ.

So the unbelievers logic continues like this,

So, If Christ was the son of God, then why did no one believe him?

This is an accusation against the gospel that we find today, but is not a new accusation.

Christian in the early New Testament dealt with the same accusation.

And it is fair accusation.

In-ether words, do enough Good stuff for God so that he decides to bless you.

Sometimes that is righteousness, inner-peace, or some great act like the martyrdom of Islam.

The Ancient world was much like this.

So a fair question is, what value is a God who died for you.

Because he is also a God who is living.

The fact that Christ is living is great truth to why we can believe in Christ.

Peter's point about Christ being rejected is that his rejection does not necessarily mean false. Nor does it mean that he is not really the son of God.

How do we know that?

Though Christ is rejected,

Because Christ is the chosen and precious stone of God.

he is chosen and precious in God.

4. Chosen of God.

Chosen is a special word for Israel because Israel was chosen among the nations.

Further going back, Abraham was chosen among the people.

Jacob was chosen over his brother Esau.

To say that Christ is chosen is to say that he is one the true people of God.

Christ is also,

5. Precious to God.

To say that Christ is precious to God, is to say that he is valuable to God.

Think, of Christ as being the crown Jewel, the great big Ruby, in the Royal collection of the Queen of England.

He is the valuable Jewel.

ILLUSTRATION:

We understand the meaning of value.

Why do we put locks on our house, and in our shed, and on our car. Because they are valuable to us and so we protect them.

Peter is making the same point here.

Christ has God's blessing because he valuable.

Because Christ is valuable, God is on his side providing for him.

Peter is making the same point here. Christ has God's blessing because he valuable. Because Christ is valuable God is on his side providing for him.

We often speak boldly about Christ being God.

about Christ being God.

We often speak boldly about Christ being God.

So the point of this text is a little odd to us.

Why would Christ need God’s protection and provision?

This text emphasizes an important part of Christ, His humanity.

Certainly, Christ is fully God.

Peter is making the same point here. Christ has God's blessing because he valuable. Because Christ is valuable God is on his side providing for him..

But Christ is also fully man. He is the God-Man.

As part of the Perfect Trinity,

Christ is equal in power with God the Father, but he submits to the father as the Son.

So it is rightful to make the point, Christ is the chosen and precious son of the Father.

So it is rightful to make the point, Christ is the chosen and precious son of the Father.

The point, God is on Christ side. He is one of the true people of God.

And may I say this was a question among the Jews.

Is he really from God or just a man?

After the death and Resurrection of Christ, this question came up among the Jewish leaders.

Acts 2:34–39 ESV

34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Acts 5:34–39 ESV

34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

So Peter is making the point, Christ is precious and chosen people of God.

Now there is more to understand about this living stone, but we have jump to .

CAVEAT/ILLUSTRATION:

It is my pattern to work through a text in the order it was Inspired. But we have in our text what is equivalent to a 1st Century Footnote.

Your remember what a footnote is.

When I have extra information that I want to include, I put a number at the end of my word or sentence. And I put all that extra information at the bottom of the page with that number.

Remember, they did not have Microsoft office in this day. So how do I emphasize my point and get the extra information out of the way.

I put it in the letter after my point.

Peter’s full point is in , but his extra supporting information.

A footnote.

is essentially extra supporting information for what Peter said verse 4.

We are going to save v. 5 until next.

Let’s look at that extra information that is found in 1 Peter 2:6-8.

1 Peter 2:6–8 ESV

6 For 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.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Peter begins this section with the words, “For it stands in Scripture”. That is to say, these references are how Peter know this.

How do we know that Christ is the living, precious, chosen stone?

His first proof -

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

16 therefore 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.’

Isaiah 28:16

In Isaiah’s day Israel was being attacked by the Assyrians.

The northern Kingdom had already been taken captive by the Assyrian armies.

And now that Army was coming down upon the southern Kingdom of Judah. The people of the southern Kingdom were naturally afraid for their lives.

Some thought they should make a treaty with Egypt.

But God made the point in Isaiah that, trusting in Egypt was the same as Idolatry. They were instead to trust in the stone that God was sending.

Notice, who laid the stone in Jerusalem? God did.

ILLUSTRATION:

Now there are many stones in world. There are siding stones, and decorative stones, and brick stones, and masonry blocks and the list goes on.

What kind of stone was this to be?

6. A Saving Cornerstone.

This probably doesn’t mean a lot to us, but in the Ancient World the greater cornerstone you had, the more prestige you had.

>>>>>>>>SHOW PPT.

Why did Isaiah call the stone a cornerstone?

The cornerstone is the chief stone of a buildings foundation.

The strength of all the other stones that made up the foundation, was based on how reliable the cornerstone was. Therefore, it was often referred to as the Chief stone.

Because Christ is the cornerstone, he is also the head of the Faith.

He is the one we all are to look and depend on.

Further, this stone was meant to save Israel.

They are under attack, and they wonder if they should go and seek a treaty to save themselves.

But Isaiah tells them that to do so is Idolatry.

Instead, they are to trust in the stone that God laid to save them.

The coming stone was to be a reminder that God would preserve Israel, but the actual stone was not revealed until Christ.

Christ is the long awaited stone that would save Israel.

We ought to believe in Christ because he is the living, precious, chosen, saving, cornerstone sent by God.

In fact, Peter makes a point about the importance of believing in that Cornerstone.

, the quotation of , describes.

b. The blessing of the Living, Precious, Chosen, Saving cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:6 ESV

6 For 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.”

2. The blessing of the cornerstone.

In other words, we can trust in the cornerstone.

The cornerstone is a blessing to those who believe because it is there salvation.

Isaiah was giving this truth to Israel so that they would know God would save them from the Assyrian, but that chief salvation that this stone brought was in the gospel.

Christ being the chief cornerstone,

saved his people from their sin,

by dying on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.

In that way, the stone brings great blessing.

The final line,

Peter says that stone will not bring us shame.

Just like God protected the Jews from the Assyrians in Isaiah's day, we can be confident that we will be saved from our sins. We can be confident that we will not be shamed in the day of judgment.

Peter makes the point that the stone is a blessing for those who believe in Christ, but it is also the:

Peter makes the point that the stone is a blessing for those who believe in Christ, but it is also Judgement.

c. The Judgement of the Living, Precious, Chosen, Saving cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:7–8 ESV

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

The stone is a blessing and honor to those who believe in Christ, but those who reject Christ is another story.

The

Peter first in verse 7, , and in verse 8, .

1 Peter 2:7 ESV

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

1

The fact is men have rejected Christ, but he has still become the cornerstone.

Peter makes the point that though men have rejected Christ, he has still become the cournerstone.

describes the cornerstone of God as one of the examples of God’s great love for Israel.

describes the cornerstone of God as one of the examples of God’s great love for Israel.

Peter’s point, Christ rejection should not surprise us or discourage us because it was promised in .

The rejection of the stone, was apart of God’s great plan of redemption, promised in the scriptures.

Peter reminds us of the judgement that comes with rejecting God’s stone.

He also reminds us of the judgement that comes with rejecting God’s stone.

Peter quotes .

1 Peter 2:8 ESV

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

Isaiah 8:14 ESV

14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

1 Peter

ILLUSTRATION:

Peter describes this stone as a rock that causes unbelievers to stumble.

We all have been walking up steps, only to catch your foot on one of the steps, and stumble over the step.

This is what Peter is describing.

Christ became a point of stumbling for many unbelieving Jews.

Like in the day Isaiah,

the promised stone was a blessing of salvation for those who trust God.

But for those who reject the promise, it was sin of idolatry, bringing judgment.

It was a rock of offence.

Likewise,

Christ can either be

- a great hope of salvation, a rock which you can rely on for your eternal life.

- Or he can be a great judgement, a rock that brings judgement for rejection and rebellion against God.

Conclusion:

If you are sitting here today,

One of the questions Peter is driving us towards is whether you are a believer of Christ or a rejector of Christ.

Understand,

Understand,

there is a day coming when God will judge and the only hope anyone has is trust the Living, Precious, Chosen, Saving cornerstone that God sent.

If you are a person rejecting Christ today,

The Second building component,

2) The little stones of the temple.

a. Who are the little stones.

publicly, >>>>>or privately in your heart,

b. What are the little stones for?

Trust in Christ as the stone that God sent to save his people.

Recognize what rejection is?

We often look at rejection as being the person who is scoffing against God, a hater of God, a lover of sin.

But may I suggest that most scoffers of God and lovers of sin do not look like the enemy.

ILLUSTRATION:

Just ask anybody if they are a good person.

And you will find the most hardened criminal declaring, yah, but I am not as bad as that guy.

It is ironic that the prison system has an unwritten ethic code.

You can murder someone and be alright, but if you are a child molester than you are the scum of the earth.

Isn’t that ironic?

May I suggest scoffers do not look like scoffers.

So how do I know if I am rejecting the stone of God?

So how do I know if I am rejecting the stone of God.

In Isaiah’s day,

rejection was trusting in a treaty with Egypt rather than God.

and Likewise, we reject God when we look for other ways for salvation.

Examples of rejecting the stone might include:

When I trust in accomplishing more good works than bad works.

When I trust in accomplishing more good works than bad works.

- (This can include works for others [such as giving to the poor, feeding the hungry]

- or works for God [such as praying long enough or hard enough, being at church, serving at church, praising God)

- or it can be satisfaction with your sinfulness (I am generally a good person. )

Ultimately, the problem with these is I trust in my not-so-perfect sinful righteousness rather than Christ’s perfect sinless righteousness.

It also might include, When I deny an essential doctrine of God’s Word.

In a sense, every denial is a denial of the sufficiency and truth of God’s Word, Because God’s Word tells us everything we need and any denial of it is a rejection of it’s truth.

In terms the stone, this is any denial of the Gospel

This might include:

The denial of Christ as being fully and completely God.

The denial of Christ as being fully and completely man.

The denial of the three seperate, but equal persons of the Trinity.

The denial of the Resurrection of Christ and denial of the future resurrection.

This also might include adding any truth that is not found in God’s Word.

The fact is, the stone, that is Christ, has everything we need.

Therefore we ought not to add to it, or take away from it, because that would be rejecting the stone.

This is the point of Fundamentalism- There are essentials of the Gospel that make you believers in Christ. And denial of those truths means you have rejected the stone.

Now Peter has challenged us with a choice,

Do we go to Christ, or do we reject Christ.

For believers,

That is those who believe in the Gospel, we also need to take this warning to heart.

An implied question that we need to answer is whether we make Christ chief in our lives.

Peter has just told us that Christ is the chief cornerstone of a foundation. To reject him is to be judged. But also tells us about his place in our life.

Is Christ the beginning or the after thought of our life.

That is, do you pattern life after Christ,

Or is he like the salt and pepper you add to make your life good.

Oft

There is a lie we as Christians sometimes believe.

We think it is better to enjoy the sinful pleasures of sinners than to purposely choose to live a life of purity before God.

Let us not be mistaken,

Christ has come to save us from the wretchedness of sin.

It is always better to be a saved believer dead to the power of sin engaged in a struggle with our flesh,

then to be an unbeliever completely controlled by the impulses of the wickedness of our heart the lusts of our flesh.

Christ should be the chief cornerstone of our lives.

This means he is chiefly what we live for.

He is the pattern we base all our goals, desires, and work off of.

Our lives reflect him because he is the cornerstone of of our live.

Many people have wondered what the meaning of life is.

For the Christian, he is the chief cornerstone and the reason we get up in the morning.

Why should we live, because he is the cornerstone of our lives.

What should we do with our lives, point people to him.

This text tells us two truths for every person.

a. We must examine if we have rejected the stone by disbelief or ran to the cornerstone in belief.

b. We also must examine our hearts whether Christ has the proper place in our hearts.

Is he the chief cornerstone of our lives?

These are the chiefly, the two truths we should mediate on from this text.