June 26, 2002
CHRIST THE STONE, THE ROCK OF THE LORD. The message of Peter was Christ the rejected stone. A declaration of this kind and at this time would strike home in the heart of those who heard it. The crucifixion of the Lord and the condemnation of their wrong doing would still have been very fresh in their memory and hearts. Acts 4:11 Peter was quoting from Ps. 118:22 In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is established. The esteem, the value of the stone is to be found in the words of Peter. The establishment, the laying of the stone is the work of the Lord. <I, lay>, the Lords doing. The stone is to originate and be found in Zion, the people of the Lord to whom Christ came to minister. He was to be and is to the church, <the chief corner stone>. That which is of prime importance. 1 Pet. 2:6 The spiritual Temple of the Lord is founded on the WORD. The prophets <the Old Testament> and the Apostles <the New Testament> with Jesus Christ being that all important <Chief Corner Stone>. Eph. 2:20 He is also called < the head of the corner> or the capstone. He is of prime importance to the establishment of the House of the Lord. Mt. 21:42
THE CHARACTER AND CALLING OF THE STONE. The Lord Jesus is the ELECT of his Father. The one selected to do His will. The chosen, the choice on, the one most favored. None could have been closer to the heart of the Father. 1 Pet. 2:4,6 How will we ever comprehend the depth of the sacrifice made by Christ for our salvation or the emotions of the Father as He forsook Jesus at Calvary. Mt. 27:46 The stone most PRECIOUS. Of greatest value. Honored and exalted above all beings or stones. The only stone of salvation. Fall upon it and be broken or it will break you. An either or decision must be made. Lk. 20:18 Those who believe are saved. The doubter, the disobedient stumble on the stone, why, because it is the WORD. They therefore are judged, having been appointed to such a condemnation. 1 Pet. 2:7-8
THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS. A proper foundation is a must, a necessity for any building. How much more a spiritual building. The man reading the blue print and properly founding the house on <THE ROCK> is the man of wisdom. He is the one who hears the Word and acts upon it. Rains, winds and floods cannot move that house, it is built upon the ROCK. He took the time and the effort to do that which his instructions told him to do. The man who refuses to build properly, who does his own thing, refusing to hear the instructions of the Word, will lose his house when the tempest comes. Everything is swept away. Mt. 7:24-27 The ways of the Lord are so simple. What He requires and desires of us is not hidden. Meet His requirements and gain eternal life. Disregard, refuse them and perish. That stone, today, is a stone of salvation. Tomorrow, it could be the stone of judgment. What is it to you?