TEXT: 1 Pet. 2:1-8

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL PROPHECY.

          1.       Prophecies referred to continually by the apostles.

          2.       Psa. 118:22;  Isa. 28:16;  8:14.

B.      JESUS THE CORNERSTONE OF A GREAT BUILDING - THE CHURCH.

C.      LET'S LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THIS FIGURE & OUR PART IN IT.

I.      CHRIST, THE LIVING STONE.

A.      AN EXPRESSION OF STRENGTH AND POWER.

          1.       The power of God seen in Jesus( Eph. 1:19-20 ).

                   a.       Demonstrated in his authority( Eph. 1:20-23;  Matt. 28:18 ).

                   b.       in his works( John 3:2;  Acts 2:22 ).  i.e. Lazarus, blind man, the sea.

                   c.       in the church( Matt. 16:18 ).

          2.       The implications of that power.

                   a.       Luke 21:33.  Power of his word to judge( John 12:48 ).

                   b.       John 11:25.  The resurrection and the life( John 5:21-22, 24-29 ).

B.      CHRIST THE LIVING STONE( Heb. 4:15;  7:25;  9:27-28 ).

C.      THE FOUNDATION STONE.

          1.       The church built on him( 1 Pet. 2:4, 6-7, Matt. 16:16-18 ).

          2.       We also as living stones( vs. 5 ).

                   a.       spiritual house( Eph. 2:20-22 ).

                   b.       holy priesthood( Rom. 12:1 ).

II.     "REJECTED INDEED OF MEN."

A.      HIS OWN PEOPLE RECEIVED HIM NOT( John 1:11 ).

B.      THEY FINALLY PUT HIM TO DEATH( Acts 2:22-23, 36 ).

C.      WHY? ( John 6:15;  18:26;  6:26-27, 35, 63 ).

D.      JESUS IS REJECTED TODAY( Matt. 7:13-14 ).

III.    GOD'S APPROVAL CLEARLY SEEN - "WITH GOD ELECT."

A.      KNOWN & CHOSEN BEFORE THE WORLD( 1 Pet. 1:18-20 ).

B.      PRECIOUS IN GOD'S EYES( John 17:4-5;  Phil. 2:8-11 ).

IV.   "UNTO WHOM COMING" - OUR DUTY.

A.      WE HAVE A DUTY TO COME TO JESUS( John 14:6 ).

B.      CANNOT COME UNLESS GOD DRAWS US( John 6:44-45 ).

C.      CALLED OR DRAWN THROUGH THE GOSPEL( 2 Thess. 2:14;  Rom. 1:16 ).

CONCLUSION:  WHAT DOES THE GOSPEL DEMAND OF US?