Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Boldness
Summary
In the sermon delivered on December 17th by the pastor of Journey Church, the focus is on the power of God's work through the apostles Peter and John, as seen in the book of Acts. The sermon begins with the aftermath of a miraculous healing performed by Peter and John, which leads to their imprisonment. Despite this, the number of believers grows to about five thousand, not including women and children. The speaker draws from Psalm 139 to illustrate God's omnipresence and foreknowledge in the unfolding events.
The sermon then transitions to the story of Daniel and the command to stop praying to God, paralleling it with Peter and John's refusal to stop speaking about Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the importance of sharing personal faith stories, especially during the Christmas and Advent season, and the significance of Jesus' birth and the fulfillment of prophecy.
Praise and worship are central themes, with the speaker calling for rejoicing in the Lord's marvelous works. Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone of faith, a concept that is further explored through the speaker's family tradition of using an Advent calendar to discuss the names of Jesus, including "cornerstone."
The narrative of Acts 4 is examined, where Peter and John, after performing a miracle, are brought before the Sanhedrin. The religious leaders are disturbed by the healing and the message of Jesus' resurrection. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaims Jesus as the cornerstone and the sole source of salvation, challenging the authority of the religious leaders.
The sermon also reflects on the angel's message to Mary about Jesus' greatness and kingdom, and Mary's prophetic response. The speaker invites the congregation to worship and proclaim the good news of Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, reading from Psalm 118, which acknowledges Jesus as the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone.
The healing of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful is highlighted as a foundational event that astonishes the people and serves as a sign of the power of the Holy Spirit. The speaker draws parallels between this healing and the healings performed by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
Finally, the sermon discusses the parable of the tenants, where Jesus refers to himself as the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone. The religious leaders, recognizing that Jesus is speaking against them, seek to arrest him but are afraid of the people's reaction. Peter and John, now before the Sanhedrin, follow in Jesus' footsteps, with Peter addressing the leaders with courage and conviction.
Key Takeaways:
- The growth of the early church, despite opposition and imprisonment, demonstrates the unstoppable nature of God's work and the power of the Holy Spirit to draw people to faith. The inclusion of thousands of believers signifies a movement that transcends human barriers and is guided by divine purpose. [59:06]
- The act of sharing one's faith, particularly during significant seasons like Christmas and Advent, is a powerful testament to the living truth of Jesus Christ. Personal stories of faith, along with the recounting of biblical prophecies and miracles, serve to strengthen the community of believers and challenge the distractions of the holiday season. [01:09:45]
- Jesus as the cornerstone is a central metaphor that encapsulates His role as the foundation and guiding force of the Christian faith. This concept is not only a theological truth but also a personal anchor that provides stability and direction in the lives of believers. [48:54]
- The courage displayed by Peter and John in the face of the Sanhedrin is a model for Christian boldness and conviction. Their unwavering stance in proclaiming Jesus as the source of healing and salvation, even under threat, challenges believers to stand firm in their faith regardless of societal pressures. [01:06:32]
- The parable of the tenants and the subsequent actions of the religious leaders reveal the human tendency to reject God's messengers and attempt to thwart His plans. However, Jesus' role as the cornerstone, despite being rejected, affirms that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, and those who trust in Him will not be shaken. [01:03:20]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:1-22 - The story of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
2. Psalm 118:22-24 - "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
3. Isaiah 28:16 - "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to the healing performed by Peter and John? ([56:57])
2. How did Peter and John respond when commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus? ([01:09:22])
3. What is the significance of Jesus being referred to as the "cornerstone" in both the Old and New Testaments? ([46:40])
4. How did the number of believers grow despite Peter and John being imprisoned? ([59:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the religious leaders were so disturbed by the apostles' teaching and the miracle they performed? ([56:57])
2. How does the concept of Jesus as the cornerstone provide stability and direction for believers? ([49:42])
3. What does Peter's bold proclamation before the Sanhedrin teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers? ([01:06:21])
4. How does the story of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin parallel the story of Jesus before the same group? ([01:01:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Peter and John displayed great courage in the face of opposition. How can you cultivate similar boldness in sharing your faith, especially during the Christmas season? ([01:09:22])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of sharing personal faith stories. Can you think of a recent experience where you saw God's work in your life? How can you share this story with others this week? ([01:10:18])
3. Reflect on the metaphor of Jesus as the cornerstone. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus as your foundation? ([49:42])
4. The early church grew despite significant opposition. What challenges do you face in your faith journey, and how can you trust in God's unstoppable work in your life? ([59:17])
5. The religious leaders tried to silence Peter and John, but they couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. What are some ways you can ensure that your faith remains vocal and active in your daily life? ([01:10:18])
6. The sermon mentioned the distractions of the holiday season. What specific steps can you take to keep your focus on Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas amidst the busyness? ([01:12:24])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of recounting biblical prophecies and miracles into your family traditions during Advent, similar to the speaker's use of the Advent calendar? ([45:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Unstoppable Divine Movement
Despite opposition and imprisonment, the early church's growth exemplifies the unstoppable nature of God's work. Thousands came to faith, showcasing the Holy Spirit's power to transcend human barriers and fulfill divine purposes. [59:06]
Acts 5:14 - "And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unstoppable movement of God's work in your community today?
Day 2: Testimony as a Beacon of Truth
Sharing personal faith stories during significant seasons reinforces the living truth of Jesus Christ. These narratives, coupled with biblical prophecies and miracles, fortify the believer's community and challenge secular holiday distractions. [01:09:45]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 - "Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."
Reflection: What is one personal faith story you can share this week to encourage someone in their spiritual journey?
Day 3: Christ, the Cornerstone of Faith
Jesus, as the cornerstone, is the foundation and guiding force of the Christian faith, providing stability and direction for believers. This metaphor is a personal anchor and a theological truth. [48:54]
Ephesians 2:20-22 - "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
Reflection: In what ways can you align your life more closely with Jesus, the cornerstone of your faith?
Day 4: Boldness in Proclaiming Salvation
Peter and John's courage before the Sanhedrin is a model for Christian boldness. Their unwavering proclamation of Jesus as the source of salvation challenges believers to stand firm in faith against societal pressures. [01:06:32]
Acts 4:13 - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Reflection: When have you faced pressure to be silent about your faith, and how can you find the courage to speak out?
Day 5: The Rejected Stone Prevails
The parable of the tenants illustrates the human tendency to reject God's messengers. Yet, Jesus, the cornerstone, prevails, affirming that God's purposes will triumph and those who trust in Him will not be shaken. [01:03:20]
Psalm 118:22-23 - "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you've resisted God's direction, and how can you begin to embrace His will for you?
Quotes
"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. This is what we're doing at Christmas time. This is what we're doing at Advent. We are recounting the stories of our faith." [01:10:46] (Download)
"This legacy, this power of the Holy Spirit continues on. And so how does this matter for us? What does this mean for us today? What does this mean for Advent? Why does this matter?" [01:11:58] (Download)
"During Advent, we can kind of become fixated with all the things that we have to do to make Christmas marvelous for all of our loved ones. But this is our real task is just to tell the story, just to keep telling the story." [01:13:21] (Download)
"We are being built together as a temple, a dwelling place for the spirit of God. This is what we're doing. And Jesus is our chief cornerstone, the one who gives us direction, the one who gives us a firm foundation, the one who is our support, who helps us to know exactly how to go, how to build, how to remain steady, how to be firm." [01:16:54] (Download)
"The whole building would use this cornerstone, this bigger, most steady, most perfectly shaped stone would guide the rest of the building. This was the one that was strong enough to hold the weight of the others." [49:33] (Download)
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to humankind by which we must be saved." [01:07:37] (Download)
"The power of the Holy Spirit is making things happen—things that are kind, yes, but also things that are scary to the religious leaders. Things that remind them of the trouble they had with Jesus." [01:08:44] (Download)
"When we trust in the cornerstone, we will not be dismayed. We will not be troubled. We will not be stricken with panic." [48:04] (Download)
"God can work behind us. We're faithful to God and God can work on the back end of things. So Peter and John have just done this miraculous healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. They've given this sermon. They have no idea what the result will be because they're ushered off to jail. But God is still at work." [59:06] (Download)
"And Jesus looks directly at them and says, then what is the meaning of that which is written? The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." [01:05:33] (Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?