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Scripture Reading:  1 Peter 2:4-10

Jesus: The Stone of Stumbling and Rock of Offense

(Isa. 8:14-15; Matt. 21:42-44; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 1:23; 1 Pet. 2:7-8)

Intro.

1.  God has laid in Zion a foundation “stone” – Jesus.

2.  Tried, precious & sure stone – Isa. 28:16.

3.  Stone of stumbling/rock of offense – Isa. 8:14.                       

  a.  Rejected by men – Psa. 118:22-23 (Acts 4:11-12)

  b.  Made chief cornerstone by God – Psa. 118:22-24

4.  Will we rejoice in Jesus Christ, or be offended & lose our souls?

I.  “STUMBLING” OVER CHRIST – Rom. 9:32-33.

  A.  Stone of Stumbling:

    1.  proskomma (1 Pet. 2:8) – “an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls”.

    2.  skandalon (1 Cor. 1:23) – “stumbling block”.

      a.  “the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick…snare.”

      b.  “any impediment placed in the way & causing one to stumble or fall, obstacle.”

    3.  Jesus is an occasion for stumbling for many!

  B.  Rejecting Jesus in Unbelief – 1 Pet. 2:4-6.

  C.  Disobeying Jesus – 1 Pet. 2:7-8 (Heb. 5:8-9).

II.  JESUS:  THE STONE OF STUMBLING.  People stumble over…

  A.  The King – Zech. 9:9 (Matt. 21:5).

    1.  Bringing justice & salvation – Isa. 62:11

    2.  Bringing peace – Zech. 9:10

    3.  Humble & lowly

       -OFFENDED:  Jno. 6:15; 19:14-15

  B.  The Authority of the King – Matt. 21:23; Col. 3:17.

    1.  Apostles’ writings – 1 Cor. 14:37

    2.  Inspired scriptures – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

    3.  Some want extra-biblical revelation; others, no authority

  C.  The Word of the Kingdom – Matt. 13:18-23.

    1.  Too “hard” (harsh) – Jno. 6:60

    2.  Too demanding – 2 Tim. 2:15

    3.  No Bible “patterns” – cf. 2 Tim. 1:13

  D.  The kingdom – Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11; Eph. 2:19-22.

    1.  The church of Christ, the kingdom – Matt. 16:18-19

    2.  Nature:

      a.  Spiritual – Jno. 18:36; Lk. 17:20-21

      b.  One church – Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23

    3.  Entrance – Jno. 3:3-5) (plan of salvation):

      a.  Repentance – Acts 2:38; 26:20

      b.  Water baptism – Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21

      c.  Not “faith only” – Jas. 2:21-24; Gal. 5:6

    4.  Worship – Jno. 4:24

      a.  Simple, solemn & spiritual (not entertainment, etc.)

      b.  Singing (only) – Eph. 5:19

      c.  Lord’s supper weekly – Acts 20:7

      d.  Gospel preaching – Acts 20:7 (27)

      e.  Voluntary giving – 1 Cor. 16:2 (2 Cor. 9:7)

    5.  Organization – Acts 14:23 (local, independent)

    6.  Work – 1 Ths. 1:3; Acts 2:42-45 (preach, edify, relieve saints)

  E.  Life as a Citizen in the Kingdom – Matt. 21:43.

    1.  Moral purity – Titus 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 4:1-4.

      a.  Do not love the world – 1 Jno. 2:15-17

      b.  Love of money (gambling) (1 Tim. 6:9-10)                               

      c.  Immodest clothing (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

      d.  Profanity (Eph. 4:29)

      e.  Alcohol (1 Pet. 4:3-4)

    2.  Living sacrifice – Rom. 12:1-2; Rev. 2:10

      a.  “Once saved, always saved” doctrine – Gal. 5:4

      b.  “Continual cleansing” doctrine – 1 Jno. 1:7-9; Ac 8:22-23

      c.  Faithful to your spouse (MDR) – Matt. 19:4-6, 9.

III. THOSE WHO STUMBLE OVER CHRIST ARE CRUSHED TO DUST – Matt. 21:44 (Isa. 8:15).

  A.  Because of Their Own Disobedience – 1 Pet. 2:8.

  B.  Captured by Sin & Unwilling to be Freed by Christ – Isa. 8:14-15 (6:9-10; Matt. 13:14-15; 23:37-39).

Conclusion

   Will we stumble & be crushed, or believe & be saved?  1 Cor. 1:18-24