Jesus: The Cornerstone of Faith and Salvation
Summary
In this message, I explored the profound and often misunderstood role of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our faith. The central theme is that our relationship with God is determined solely by our attitude toward Jesus Christ. This is a crucial point because it challenges the notion that any other belief or action can substitute for faith in Christ. The cross was not an afterthought or a plan B due to the Jews' rejection of the kingdom; it was God's eternal plan, prophesied throughout the Old Testament. The cross is the foundation of salvation, and Jesus is the cornerstone upon which our faith is built.
I also addressed why Jesus is a stumbling block to many, particularly the Jews and Greeks of His time, and even to many today. His humble birth, His claims of divinity, and His death on the cross were all points of offense. The Jews expected a Messiah who would be a political and military leader, not one who would die a shameful death. The Greeks, on the other hand, found the idea of a crucified savior foolish. Yet, it is precisely through His death and resurrection that Jesus offers salvation, exposing the futility of human pride and self-righteousness.
The tragedy of rejecting Christ is immense. The Jews, who had the scriptures and were waiting for the Messiah, stumbled over Him. This rejection is not just a historical event but a present reality, as many today still find Jesus to be a rock of offense. This rejection is a rejection of God's most glorious act of love and salvation. The message of the cross is one of free grace, offering forgiveness and justification by faith alone. It is a call to abandon self-reliance and pride and to embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Centrality of Christ: Our relationship with God hinges entirely on our attitude toward Jesus Christ. Belief in God or good deeds is meaningless without faith in Christ, who is the cornerstone of our faith. This truth challenges us to examine the foundation of our beliefs and to ensure that Christ is at the center. [12:45]
2. The Eternal Plan of the Cross: The cross was not a contingency plan but was foreordained by God. It was prophesied throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating that God's plan for salvation through Jesus was always the intended path. This understanding should deepen our appreciation for the continuity and purpose of God's redemptive work. [09:17]
3. Jesus as a Stumbling Block: Many stumble over Jesus because He defies human expectations and challenges our pride. His humble birth, claims of divinity, and sacrificial death confront our notions of power and wisdom. Recognizing this can help us understand why faith in Christ requires humility and a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions. [23:38]
4. The Tragedy of Rejection: The rejection of Christ is the greatest tragedy, as it is a rejection of God's ultimate act of love and salvation. This rejection is not just historical but continues today, even within the church. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accepting Christ's offer of salvation. [35:09]
5. The Gift of Free Grace: The message of the cross is one of free grace, offering salvation to all who believe. It calls us to abandon self-reliance and pride, embracing the gift of justification by faith alone. This is a powerful reminder of the simplicity and depth of the gospel, inviting us to rest in the finished work of Christ. [45:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:48] - Misunderstandings of the Kingdom
- [09:17] - The Eternal Plan of the Cross
- [11:13] - The Centrality of Christ
- [12:45] - The Test of True Belief
- [14:58] - Old Testament Prophecies
- [17:33] - Jesus as the Cornerstone
- [19:27] - The Foundation of Salvation
- [22:00] - Attitudes Toward Christ
- [23:38] - Jesus as a Stumbling Block
- [26:06] - Offense at Jesus' Claims
- [29:00] - The Message of the Cross
- [32:29] - The Condemnation of Pride
- [35:09] - The Tragedy of Rejection
- [39:12] - God's Way of Salvation
- [45:59] - The Gift of Free Grace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 8:14
2. Isaiah 28:16
3. 1 Peter 2:6-8
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Isaiah 8:14, what dual role does the stone play for the people of Israel?
2. In Isaiah 28:16, what characteristics are attributed to the cornerstone laid in Zion?
3. How does 1 Peter 2:6-8 describe the reaction of those who believe versus those who do not believe in the cornerstone?
4. What reasons were given in the sermon for why Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jews and Greeks? [23:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be the cornerstone of our faith, and how does this concept challenge the idea of self-reliance in spiritual matters? [11:32]
2. How does the sermon explain the eternal plan of the cross, and why is it significant that the cross was not a contingency plan? [09:17]
3. Why might the message of the cross be considered foolishness to some, and how does this perception affect one's acceptance of the gospel? [29:14]
4. What are the implications of rejecting Jesus as the cornerstone, both historically for the Jews and in contemporary contexts? [35:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal attitude toward Jesus Christ. Is He truly the cornerstone of your faith, or are there other beliefs or actions you rely on for your relationship with God? [12:45]
2. The sermon emphasizes the eternal plan of the cross. How does understanding this plan affect your appreciation for God's redemptive work in your life? [09:17]
3. Consider a time when you found Jesus' teachings challenging or offensive. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [23:38]
4. The tragedy of rejecting Christ is highlighted in the sermon. How can you ensure that you are not rejecting God's ultimate act of love and salvation in your daily life? [35:09]
5. The message of the cross calls us to abandon self-reliance and pride. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with pride. What steps can you take to embrace humility and rely more on Christ? [45:59]
6. How can you share the message of free grace with someone who finds the concept of a crucified savior foolish or offensive? [29:14]
7. Reflect on the role of Jesus as a stumbling block. How can you help others see Him as the cornerstone rather than a rock of offense? [23:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ as the Cornerstone of Faith
Our relationship with God is fundamentally anchored in our attitude toward Jesus Christ. This central truth challenges the notion that belief in God or good deeds can substitute for faith in Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone upon which our faith is built, and without Him, our spiritual foundation is unstable. This understanding calls us to examine the core of our beliefs and ensure that Christ is at the center. It is a call to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, recognizing that He is the key to our connection with God. [12:45]
Ephesians 2:19-20 (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."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that Christ is the cornerstone of your faith and daily life?
Day 2: The Cross as God's Eternal Plan
The cross was not a contingency plan but was foreordained by God, prophesied throughout the Old Testament. This demonstrates that God's plan for salvation through Jesus was always the intended path. Understanding this should deepen our appreciation for the continuity and purpose of God's redemptive work. It reveals the depth of God's love and the intentionality behind the sacrifice of Jesus, inviting us to trust in His divine plan and wisdom. [09:17]
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: How does knowing that the cross was part of God's eternal plan change your perspective on your own life's challenges and God's purpose for you?
Day 3: Jesus as a Stumbling Block
Many stumble over Jesus because He defies human expectations and challenges our pride. His humble birth, claims of divinity, and sacrificial death confront our notions of power and wisdom. Recognizing this can help us understand why faith in Christ requires humility and a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions. It is a call to embrace the unexpected ways God works and to trust in His wisdom over our own understanding. [23:38]
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself stumbling over Jesus' teachings, and how can you approach these areas with humility and openness?
Day 4: The Tragedy of Rejecting Christ
The rejection of Christ is the greatest tragedy, as it is a rejection of God's ultimate act of love and salvation. This rejection is not just historical but continues today, even within the church. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accepting Christ's offer of salvation. Embracing Jesus means accepting God's love and grace, and it calls us to share this message with others who may be struggling with doubt or rejection. [35:09]
Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Reflection: Who in your life might be struggling with accepting Christ, and how can you lovingly share the message of His love and salvation with them today?
Day 5: Embracing the Gift of Free Grace
The message of the cross is one of free grace, offering salvation to all who believe. It calls us to abandon self-reliance and pride, embracing the gift of justification by faith alone. This is a powerful reminder of the simplicity and depth of the gospel, inviting us to rest in the finished work of Christ. It encourages us to live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing we are saved by grace, not by our own efforts. [45:59]
Titus 3:5-7 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than resting in God's grace, and how can you shift your focus to trust in His finished work?
Quotes
The cross was something that had been planned before the foundation of the world. There was no change in God's program as the result of what happened to our Lord when he was here in the days of his flesh. This notion that the prophetic clock was stopped them and that the whole plan to be rearranged because of the rejection of the Jew seems to me to be a sheer denial of what we read here and in so many other places. [00:09:15]
Our relationship to God is determined solely and entirely by our attitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me repeat it: our relationship to God is determined solely, exclusively, and entirely by our attitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the stone; he is the test. It all comes to this. That's what the Apostle is saying. Why are the Jews outside? Because they stumbled at this person. He determines everything. Nothing else finally matters. [00:11:26]
That a man says he believes in God is of no value whatsoever unless he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. That a man may have very exalted views about life and living doesn't matter at all unless he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. That a man doesn't believe in war or that a man does believe in doing good doesn't make the slightest difference if he doesn't believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:12:42]
The Lord Jesus Christ himself, his life, his teaching, but especially his death upon the cross and his resurrection and Ascension are the foundation, the only foundation whereon a man can be right with God and righteous in the sight of God. This is the message of the Christian Proclamation: that there is none other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved. [00:19:30]
The Jews are lost; they're outside; they're reprobate. Why? Because they stumbled at him. The Gentiles are in. Why? They believed in him. But it's all determined using by the attitude to the Lord Jesus Christ himself and what he has done. Very well, there's our first principle. [00:22:18]
Why the Lord Jesus Christ is a stumbling Stone to some. He was a stumbling stone and a rock of offense to the Jews. He was a stumbling Stone under a rock of offense to many of the Greeks. He has continued throughout the running centuries to be a stumbling Stone to many people. He is still tonight a stumbling stone and a rock of offense to the vast majority of people in this country. [00:22:56]
His very person has been a stumbling Stone under Rock of offense. It was to the Jews. The very way in which he came was an offense to them. The very character of his birth. They were waiting and looking for the Messiah, but they didn't expect the Messiah to be born in a stable. They didn't expect him to be born in abject poverty in a lowly humble condition. [00:23:56]
They stumbled likewise at his claims for himself. He kept on saying that he'd come from God. He claimed equality with God. He claimed to speak with authority. He said, "You have heard it said, I say unto you," and this was something that infuriated the Pharisees, his arrogating unto himself, as they thought, this authoritative teaching. [00:26:10]
The preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness. The preaching of the Cross is a stumbling block to the Jew and its foolishness to the Greeks. Why? Ah, it's because of the implication. It's because of the message of that cross, and this is the thing that really got them on the raw and made them finally hate him and dismiss him. [00:29:09]
The tragedy of it all. Now this tragedy is the greatest tragedy in the world, and it is seen at its height, of course, in the case of these very Jews. The nation of the Jews is the tragedy of the world, the tragedy of the ages. But it's not confined to them. It is true of all who reject the Lord Jesus Christ or to whom he becomes a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. [00:35:06]
The Jews who claimed that they alone believed in God, unlike these pagans and Gentiles who were worshiping dumb idols and Veni, is they, the Believers in God, are rejecting God's Own Way of salvation. But the tragedy is still worse. They are not only rejecting God's purpose and plan and way of Salvation; they are rejecting God's most glorious act. [00:41:00]
They are rejecting the most wonderful thing that God has ever done. It's a terrible thing to reject anything that God has done, but when you reject the most wonderful thing of all, what can be said concerning it? Listen to what God said as he announced all this. I've already read it to you in the 28th chapter of Isaiah, verse 16. [00:41:59]
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