Sermons on Psalm 118:22
The various sermons below interpret Psalm 118:22 by focusing on the metaphor of Jesus as the cornerstone, a foundational element in ancient construction. Both sermons emphasize the critical role of the cornerstone, which must be perfectly aligned to ensure the stability and integrity of the entire structure. This metaphor is used to illustrate Jesus' foundational role in the spiritual lives of believers. An interesting nuance is the linguistic detail noted in one sermon, where the word for "cornerstone" in Aramaic or Hebrew sounds similar to "son," suggesting a wordplay that would have resonated with Jesus' original audience. Additionally, both sermons highlight the rejection of Jesus by the religious authorities, drawing a parallel to the builders who rejected the cornerstone, thus fulfilling the prophecy.
While both sermons share common themes, they diverge in their focus and application. One sermon emphasizes the stability and longevity that Jesus as the cornerstone provides to believers' lives, warning that rejecting Him leads to spiritual ruin. In contrast, the other sermon focuses on the futility of human wisdom and self-reliance, arguing that attempts to build a perfect understanding or society without Jesus are ultimately doomed. This sermon underscores the folly of the religious leaders' rejection of Jesus, portraying it as a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of their inability to recognize true wisdom.
Psalm 118:22 Interpretation:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) interprets Psalm 118:22 by emphasizing the role of the cornerstone in ancient construction, explaining that the cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a building and must be level, straight, and set in the right direction. This interpretation highlights the importance of Jesus as the cornerstone, suggesting that He is the foundation upon which everything else is built. The sermon also notes a linguistic detail, mentioning that the word for "cornerstone" in Aramaic or Hebrew sounds similar to the word for "son," which would have been a wordplay understood by Jesus' audience.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) interprets Psalm 118:22 by emphasizing the folly and futility of unbelief. The sermon highlights how the builders, representing the religious authorities, rejected Jesus, the cornerstone, due to their self-deception and overestimation of their own understanding. The sermon uses the original context of the Psalm to illustrate how the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders was a fulfillment of the prophecy, showing their inability to recognize the true cornerstone.
Psalm 118:22 Theological Themes:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) presents the theme that Jesus as the cornerstone provides stability, structural integrity, and longevity to the spiritual building of believers' lives. The sermon emphasizes that rejecting Jesus as the cornerstone leads to spiritual destruction, while accepting Him leads to a fruitful and stable life.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the futility of human wisdom and self-reliance. The sermon argues that human attempts to build a perfect society or understanding without acknowledging Jesus as the cornerstone are ultimately futile. It emphasizes that true wisdom and salvation come only through recognizing Jesus as the cornerstone, as foretold in Psalm 118:22.
Psalm 118:22 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) provides historical context by explaining that Psalm 118 was traditionally sung during Passover as the lamb was being slaughtered. This context would have made Jesus' reference to the cornerstone particularly poignant to His listeners, as it connected His role as the cornerstone to the sacrificial lamb of Passover.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the role of the religious leaders, such as the Sadducees and Pharisees, during the time of Jesus. The sermon describes how these groups, despite their differences, united in their opposition to Jesus and the early Christian message. This context helps to understand the significance of the rejection of the cornerstone in Psalm 118:22.
Psalm 118:22 Cross-References in the Bible:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) references Matthew 21:33-42, where Jesus tells the parable of the tenants and concludes with the mention of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. This parable is used to illustrate the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and the subsequent establishment of a new people who will produce fruit. The sermon also notes that Psalm 118:22 is frequently quoted in the New Testament, including by Paul in Ephesians 2:20 and Peter in Acts 4 and 1 Peter 2:6-7, highlighting its significance in early Christian theology.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) references Acts 4, where Peter and John are on trial before the Sanhedrin. The sermon connects this event to Psalm 118:22 by showing how Peter uses the Psalm to explain that Jesus, whom the leaders rejected, has become the cornerstone. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul speaks of the wisdom of God being hidden from the rulers of the age, further illustrating the theme of rejection and fulfillment of prophecy.
Psalm 118:22 Christian References outside the Bible:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Psalm 118:22.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Psalm 118:22.
Psalm 118:22 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Finding God’s Hand in Life’s Chaos (cegracelife) uses an illustration from filmmaker Ray Comfort, describing a scenario where a person on a plane is offered a parachute. Initially, the parachute is seen as uncomfortable and unnecessary, but when the plane is in danger, the parachute becomes essential for survival. This analogy is used to illustrate the necessity of accepting Jesus as the cornerstone for spiritual survival, even if it seems burdensome at first.
The Power of the Gospel Amidst Unbelief (MLJTrust) does not provide any illustrations from secular sources specifically related to Psalm 118:22.