Sermons on Isaiah 28:16

Isaiah 28:16 Interpretation:

Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone (Forest Community Church) interprets Isaiah 28:16 by emphasizing the role of Jesus as the cornerstone in the construction of a spiritual house. The sermon highlights that Jesus is the foundational stone upon which believers are built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices. The cornerstone is described as precious and chosen by God, and believers are encouraged to align their lives around this cornerstone, allowing Christ to build them up. The sermon uses the analogy of a building project to illustrate how believers are being shaped and molded by Christ, the master builder.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) interprets Isaiah 28:16 by emphasizing the centrality of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of faith. The sermon highlights that the relationship to God is determined solely by one's attitude towards Jesus Christ. The preacher uses the original Hebrew text to explain that the cornerstone is a "tried stone," emphasizing its reliability and strength. The analogy of Jesus as the "acid test" of belief in God is used to illustrate that faith in Christ is the ultimate measure of one's relationship with God.

Salvation for All: Faith in Christ's Universality (MLJTrust) interprets Isaiah 28:16 by focusing on the universality of salvation through faith in Christ. The sermon explains that the passage underscores the certainty of salvation for those who believe in Jesus, using the original Hebrew phrase "shall not make haste" to convey the assurance and security found in Christ. The preacher uses the metaphor of a "tried precious stone" to emphasize the sufficiency and reliability of Jesus as the foundation of faith.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) interprets Isaiah 28:16 by emphasizing the uniqueness and centrality of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone laid by God. The sermon highlights the original Hebrew text, noting the terms "tried" and "precious," which underscore Jesus' tested and invaluable nature. The preacher uses the analogy of a cornerstone in a building, explaining that without this cornerstone, the entire structure collapses, symbolizing the essential role of Christ in salvation. The sermon also delves into the linguistic detail of "elect" and "precious," portraying Jesus as chosen by God before the foundation of the world to fulfill this role.

Universal Salvation: Faith in Christ for All (MLJTrust) interprets Isaiah 28:16 by focusing on the inclusivity of the promise, emphasizing that "whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." The sermon uses the metaphor of a cornerstone to illustrate the stability and reliability of faith in Christ. It highlights the linguistic detail of "tried" and "precious," suggesting that Jesus has been tested and proven capable of bearing the weight of humanity's sins. The preacher distinguishes this interpretation by stressing the universal applicability of the promise, applicable to both Jews and Gentiles.

Isaiah 28:16 Theological Themes:

Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone (Forest Community Church) presents the theme of Jesus as the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, contrasting it with the physical temple in Jerusalem. The sermon emphasizes the inclusivity of the new temple, where all believers, regardless of race or gender, have access to God. This theme highlights the radical nature of the gospel, which breaks down barriers and unites believers as a holy nation and royal priesthood.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) presents the theme that Jesus Christ is the sole determinant of one's relationship with God. The sermon emphasizes that all human efforts, beliefs, and moral standings are irrelevant without faith in Christ. This theme is distinct in its focus on the exclusivity of Christ as the foundation of faith and salvation.

Salvation for All: Faith in Christ's Universality (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the universality of salvation, emphasizing that it is available to all who believe in Christ, regardless of their background. The sermon highlights the inclusivity of the gospel, asserting that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the context of salvation.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) presents the theme of predestination and divine election, emphasizing that Jesus was chosen by God before the world's foundation to be the cornerstone. This theme is distinct in its focus on God's foreknowledge and the predetermined plan for salvation through Christ.

Universal Salvation: Faith in Christ for All (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, highlighting that Jesus' role as the cornerstone is sufficient for the salvation of all who believe, regardless of their background. This theme is unique in its emphasis on the all-encompassing nature of Christ's redemptive work.

Isaiah 28:16 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone (Forest Community Church) provides historical context by comparing the temple in Jerusalem to a modern airplane with different classes, illustrating the limited access people had to God based on their status. The sermon explains how Jesus' death and resurrection tore the veil separating the Holy of Holies, granting believers unlimited access to God. This context helps listeners understand the significance of Jesus as the cornerstone in the new spiritual temple.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the Jewish expectation of the Messiah as a political and military leader, which led to their stumbling over Jesus' humble and sacrificial role. The sermon details how the Jews' misunderstanding of the Messiah's nature contributed to their rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone.

Salvation for All: Faith in Christ's Universality (MLJTrust) offers insights into the cultural context of the early church, highlighting the tension between Jewish and Gentile believers. The sermon explains how the early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles and the shift from the law to faith in Christ as the basis of salvation.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the cultural significance of a cornerstone in ancient architecture, which was essential for the stability and integrity of a building. This insight helps the audience understand the metaphor's weight in Isaiah 28:16.

Universal Salvation: Faith in Christ for All (MLJTrust) offers contextual insights into the Jewish understanding of the Messiah and the expectations of a deliverer, explaining how Isaiah's prophecy challenged these expectations by presenting a spiritual rather than a political savior.

Isaiah 28:16 Cross-References in the Bible:

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Boldness (Journey Sherwood) references Psalm 118, which speaks of the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone. This passage is used to illustrate how Jesus, though rejected by religious leaders, became the foundation of the church. The sermon also connects this to Acts 4, where Peter and John proclaim Jesus as the cornerstone before the Sanhedrin, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuation of Jesus' work through his followers.

Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone (Forest Community Church) references several Old Testament passages, including Isaiah and Psalms, to support the idea of Jesus as the cornerstone. The sermon also mentions Daniel's vision of a rock not cut by human hands, which crushes earthly kingdoms and becomes a mountain filling the earth, symbolizing the establishment of God's kingdom through Christ.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Isaiah 28:16, including Isaiah 8:14, Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11-12, and 1 Corinthians 1:22-23. These passages are used to illustrate the consistent biblical theme of Jesus as the cornerstone and the stumbling block for those who reject him.

Salvation for All: Faith in Christ's Universality (MLJTrust) references Romans 10:11-13, John 6:37, and Luke 12:8-9 to expand on the meaning of Isaiah 28:16. These passages emphasize the assurance of salvation for those who believe in Christ and the importance of confessing faith in him.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages, including 1 Peter 2:6-8, which echoes Isaiah 28:16 by describing Jesus as the cornerstone rejected by men but chosen by God. The sermon also cites Genesis 3, highlighting the promise of a deliverer, and Isaiah 9, which prophesies the coming of a child who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God." These references support the interpretation of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Universal Salvation: Faith in Christ for All (MLJTrust) references Romans 10:11-13, which quotes Isaiah 28:16 to emphasize the universality of salvation through faith in Christ. The sermon also cites Ephesians 2, which discusses the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, reinforcing the theme of inclusivity.

Isaiah 28:16 Christian References outside the Bible:

Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone (Forest Community Church) references New Testament scholar Scott McKnight, who comments on the passage's association of Old Testament terms for Israel with the New Testament church. This reference highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and the fulfillment of God's promises through the church.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) explicitly references the teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly his handling of Old Testament quotations, to support the interpretation of Isaiah 28:16. The sermon highlights Paul's inspired approach to scripture as evidence of the divine authority of his message.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) references the writings of the Apostle Peter, particularly his sermon on the day of Pentecost, as a model for preaching Christ as the cornerstone. The sermon emphasizes Peter's focus on the person of Jesus rather than his teachings, highlighting the centrality of Christ in the Christian message.

Isaiah 28:16 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Unashamed: Embracing the Transformative Power of the Gospel (Kings Church) uses the story of James Howells, who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 7,500 Bitcoin, to illustrate the human tendency to overlook valuable things. This story serves as a metaphor for how people can dismiss the gospel, not recognizing its true value. The sermon contrasts this with the treasure of the gospel, which, though rejected by some, is a priceless gift for those who believe.

Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of a building's cornerstone to illustrate the foundational role of Jesus in faith and salvation. The sermon explains that just as a cornerstone determines the alignment and stability of a building, faith in Christ determines one's relationship with God.

Jesus Christ: The Only Way to God (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of a building's cornerstone to illustrate the indispensable role of Christ in the structure of salvation. The sermon explains that just as a building cannot stand without its cornerstone, so too can humanity not find salvation without Christ. This metaphor is detailed and helps the audience grasp the critical nature of Jesus' role as described in Isaiah 28:16.