Bible Reference: Ephesians 2:19-22
Introduction:
| God’s View | Secular View |
| Glorify God | Glorify Self |
| Holiness | Happiness |
| Absolute Truth | Relativism |
| God’s View Continued | Secular View Continued |
| Emotion is a by-product | Emotion is foundational |
| Personal sin | Others’ fault |
| Need forgiveness | Man is best |
| Repentance | Tolerance |
Quote – “The decline of Christian identity is particularly pronounced among younger Americans, and fully one-third of those age thirty-five and younger report no religious affiliation.”—Robert Mohler
1 Kings 5:17
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1 Peter 2:4–6
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Ephesians 4:15–16
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Peter 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Quote – “The Church of God apart from the Person of Christ is a useless structure.”
Quote – “The doctrines which they taught are the basis on which the church rests.”—Barnes
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Matthew 16:18
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Psalm 118:21–22
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, And art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Acts 4:10–12
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Quote – “Many people consider it arrogant, narrow-minded, and bigoted for Christians to contend that the only path to God must go through Jesus of Nazareth. In a day of religious pluralism and tolerance, this exclusivity claim is politically incorrect, a verbal slap in the face of other belief systems.”—Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith
1 Peter 2:7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
Romans 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Conclusion
Matthew 7:24–27
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
