“23 But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness; 24 But to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God”. (1 Cor.1:23)
Let me ask you a question. How many hairs are on the back of a fully grown Tibetan yak? How many pieces of sand are on the combined islands of Hawaii? How many times did you turn over last night when you slept? There are many things that we don’t know. If we don’t know so many things as Christians, how much more do the unsaved struggle with all the questions about the things of God that they can’t figure out with their intellect nor with state of the art technology? When Christ came on the scene, it really baffled the Jews and the Greeks (Gentiles). Paul said that Christ’s crucifixion was a stumbling block to them. Why? Peter explains, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. 7 To you therefore which believe he is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed (rejected), the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” 1Peter 2:6-8. “Christ “came to his own, and his own received him not (John 1:11).” The Jews were the builders that rejected the most important piece of building material (namely the cornerstone) Jesus Christ. They had the most important piece for the construction of the building; however instead of recognizing Christ, they foolishly tripped over the very piece they so desperately needed. David wrote, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).” The Jews were building in vain by failing to allow the Lord Jesus to be the chief cornerstone, the very foundation of the house.
In the foolishness of God, God sent the very answer the Jews had been awaiting Jesus the Messiah, but they overlooked Him instead of having their blind eyes open and believe Him. The message we preach, Christ crucified, is still a stumbling block for the Jews. Let us use their stumbling stone as our stepping stone, to bring them the truth they heavily reject. The reason that people need Jesus is because they are disobedient toward God, showing their sin nature through the breaking of His Moral Law (The Ten Commandments).
1. The Stone (Jesus) was rejected.
2. Jesus is the Cornerstone.
3. Many stumble at His Word to repent and put their faith in Him.
4. Those stumbling are the disobedient people in the world.
5. Jesus is the rock of offense; he goes against the flow of the word and tradition of man.
6. Unless the Lord builds the house it will not last.
Preach the Word in season and out of season no matter who may be offended, no matter who may stumble. He is the cornerstone of the lives of His children so let us not be ashamed to preach His Word.
Until the nets are filled…Blessings, Pastor Phil <><
He Has Magnified His Word 