Jesus, the Cornerstone

Main Theme

Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone.

Welcome

Welcome to House of Bethany. My name is Samuel Teka, I serve as the pastor here. 

If it’s your first time, I’m are glad you are here. And if you’re already part of the family, happy to see you guys again. 

Our what and why is very simple here: We create a space for people to encounter Jesus and be transformed. 

Regardless of who are or whatever your beliefs or background is, I believe one encounter with Jesus can change everything.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to have a place here.

My/our hope is that you would experience the love and presence of Jesus in a real way as you keep on coming. 

Main Passage

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

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.’

Title

Jesus, the Cornerstone

Prayer

Introduction

Story

Explanation

Illustration

Application

Context

Historical Background

Author:

Peter, the disciple and apostle of Jesus, is the author of this letter.

Place:

Peter is writing from Rome

Time:

He most likely wrote the letter before or little after 60 AD, just before he was killed in Rome around 64 AD under Emperor Nero.

Audience:

Stated in chapter 1 of verses 1-2, Peter is writing to believers who are dispersed or scattered though out Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, which are regions through out Asia Minor, modern day Turkey.

Background:

The Christians in these regions are marginalized and facing persecution because of their faith in Christ. It wasn’t legal persecution, under Roman government, yet until emperor Nero in 64AD. Instead, it was primarily social and religious persecution.

Purpose:

Peter, with the knowledge that persecution was present and would soon arise in a greater degree, writes this letter to comfort and encourage Christians to face suffering with hope.

Transitional Sentence

Our hope in the midst of hardship is that Christ is our Cornerstone.

So what does it actually mean that Christ is the Cornerstone? And why does it matter for us today?

Points

1: Salvation

1 Peter 2:4–7 ESV

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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. 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.” So the honor is for you who believe…

Explanation

Cornerstone is the stone laid for the foundation of a building.

In the same ways, Christ is the foundation of our salvation and righteousness.

The word cornerstone could also be translated to Capstone.

If a cornerstone is the first foundational stone laid in a building, capstone is the final finishing stone placed at the top of a structure.

It speaks of Christ as the summit and consummation, the ultimate victor.

Illustration

Romans 9:30–33 NLT

What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (ESV)

Application

ME:

WE:

2: Offence/Stumbling

1 Peter 2:7–8 ESV

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

Explanation

Just as a stone could be a reason for stumbling, Jesus is an offence to those that don’t trust Him.

Illustration

1 Corinthians 1:20–25 ESV

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Application

ME:

WE:

3: Identity

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Explanation

The Cornerstone is used for positioning: every subsequent stone is measured and laid in reference to this single stone so the building stays straight and square.

In the same way, our identity in Christ is always in reference to Christ.

Illustration

Application

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4: Light

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Explanation

When the building is established with Christ as the Cornerstone, the church becomes the place where God spirit dwells and becomes a light for all to see.

Illustration

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Application

ME:

WE:

Call to Action

Unbeliever:

Believer:

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen!