Christ As The Chief Cornerstone

by Pastor Mark
December 15, 2016

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The chief cornerstone of the church

Last Sunday, we learnt from Pastor Charles about how the Lord Jesus went from being in the cradle, to being our crown of glory and to become the chief cornerstone of the church. (Isa 28:16)

The Apostle Peter wrote further concerning Christ as our chief cornerstone, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,”  (1 Peter 2:4)

The Lord is seen as “a living stone”. He is alive and real. He is the chief cornerstone that the whole spiritual building of the church will align itself to. He will determine what the church should be. All of us should follow Christ and His ways. Let us appreciate Christ as the living chief cornerstone.

The contrast between man’s rejection and God’s regard for Christ

In the Greek, there is a “men…de” construction. This is usually translated as “on the one hand” and “on the other hand”. This brings out the contrast more significantly. On the one hand, Christ was rejected by men. On the other hand, He was chosen by God.

1. Men’s rejection

There will be many who will not appreciate Christ, His life and ministry. They will reject Him. He will be like a rock that the builders rejected. They would reject Him as they did not believe in Him as the Messiah…the Son of God.

2. God’s regard

In contrast, we have God’s special regard for His Son. Christ was lovingly chosen by God to be the chief cornerstone. He was dearly regarded as precious in the sight of God. Let us appreciate how the Father would specially regard His Son.

Living stones of a spiritual house

Furthermore, Peter gave an insightful perspective concerning us as a church, “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house,” (1 Peter 2:5)

When we believe in Christ, we become like Christ as living stones of a spiritual house. We should become alive as He is alive. There is a greater sense of connectedness in becoming part of the church. We want to understand our place and do our part in the Lord’s house.

Together, we are being built into a spiritual building. To those of us who are baptised, this is significant as we become part of the house of Bethany….as living stones of Bethany and not dead ones. Let us appreciate what it means for us to be part of the spiritual house of God.

Drawing near to Christ

“Coming to Him as to a living stone,” (1 Peter 2:4)

Each Christmas, we want to find ourselves drawing nearer to Christ. There should be a desire and a search to know Him more deeply and to approach Him in a far closer manner.

This Christmas, let us be challenged to draw near to Christ as our living stone…the chief cornerstone and to appreciate our place as living stones of the church.

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