Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

THREE ETERNAL STONES
1 Pet 2:4-8

Introduction

Are stones alive? The scripture obviously makes a contrast in calling these stone living.   These stones ar so alive they can be refered to as eternal stones.  They are:

1. The Eternal . . Foundation Stone.

2. The Eternal . . Building Stones.

3. The Eternal . . Corner Stone.
 
 

A.    The . . Presence of the Eternal Foundation Stone. V 4 a
                "And coming to Him as to a living stone, . . . "

This word in the GREEK in present Tense.
ATR Vol, 6, p 95 (|proserchomenoi|). Present middle participle masculine plural of |proserchomai

Let me just relat some experiences of the past week.
Monday I went to the hospital in Springfield Auda Richardson had a stroke. Jesus was real there.

Tuesday I went to Springfield Marie Hockman had a new scan related to her cancer. Jesus was there.

Wednesday I went to the Baccarlate and Jesus was there.

Friday I went to two diferent doctor appointments for my self. Jesus was there.

Then I took Christa to St. Louis to the airport and Jesus was there.

We can keep coming to HIM whereever we are for He is always and eternally there.
 

B.    The. .Prohibition of the Eternal Foundation Stone. v 4 b
            ". . . rejected by men, . . . "

Some try to put a prohibition on Jesus.

ATR Vol. 6 p 95 Perfect passive participle of |apodokimazô|, old verb to repudiate after test.

Luke 9:22
"Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain,    and be raised the third day."

    1.    Reject His Name.
    2.    Reject the Person of Jesus.
    3.    Reject Symbols of Christianity.
 

Illustration
This week one of our teenagers was watching the 10:00 PM News with his deacon dad. The story concerning the fish symbol on the town of Republic's Logo was talked about. This teenager said "the
deacons ought to do something to help the town of Republic.

So the deacon came to me and asked what can we do? I told him I would check with the pastor at Calvary Baptist in Republic who is a friend of mine. I had lunch with this pastor Tuesday and he said "Jim the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, the first thing you need to do is to pray for us."
Then he said if you want to send money we will appreciate any thing you can do. We would rather have a thousands of small donations than a few large ones.

C.    The. .Preciousness of the Eternal Foundation Stone. v 4 c
        ". . . but choice and precious in the sight of God, . . . "

    1.    Note the . . Contrast.
            a.    Rejected by men v 4 b,
            b.    Precious to God v 4 c.

ATR Vo; 6 p 95 {But with God} (|para de theôi|). "By the side of God," as he looks at it, in contrast with the rejection "by men"

    2.    Note the . . Compliment.
            a.    Choice and Precious.
 

Application

Jesus is the Eternal Foundation Stone.    Have you recognized Him as Lord in your life?
 
 

A.    The Building Stones are A . . Heavenly Palace. v 5 a
            " you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house . . ."
 

B.    The Building Stones are A . . Holy Priesthood. v 5 b
         ". . . for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Illustration
As a boy I remember a neighborhood project to build a club house. We really got involved, But the first summer storm just laided our building flat. One of the Fathers said "boys you didn't have your house anchor on a foundation."
 

Application

It is sad but true. Many people are trying to build their own  heavenly house. But this construction can only be done by the Lord.
 
 

A.    Precepts . . Related to the Corner Stone. v 6 a
            " For {this} is contained in Scripture: . . . "

Isa 28:16
16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone {for} the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes {in it} will not be disturbed. (NAS)
 

B.    Preciousness . . Related to the Corner Stone. v 6 b
                ". . . a choice stone, a precious corner {stone} . . . "
 

C.    Promises . . Related to the Corner Stone. v 6 c
            ". . . and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."

Isa 50:7
7 For the Lord GOD helps me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (NAS)
 

Illustration FAITH SUNDAY SCHOOL EMPHASIS
In Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston, 120 people are participating in 40 FAITH teams. According to minister of evangelism Lane Dyke, one team not only played a role in saving two souls, they may have saved a family as well. "A young girl in our Christian day care program was crying and when one of our workers talked with her, she told them she was upset because her Mom and Dad were leaving each other
hat day," Dyke reported. "

One of our FAITH teams made a visit to the home and the moving van with the woman's things pulled away right as they arrived. But the team members talked and counseled with the couple, and they were able to lead them both to Christ." The couple is now in counseling and attempting to reconcile,
Dyke said.
 

Application

From the corner stone every thign must check out,  it is the place to make sure the building is in proper allignment.   Jesus is the:

The Eternal . . Foundation Stone,    and The Eternal . . Corner Stone.

We become,   in Him the The Eternal . . Building Stones.
 

How's your spiritual building doing?   Check it out at the Cornerstone.