THE REJECTED STONE ACTS 4:9-12

Acts 4:9-12 "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to the helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the `stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'' From the passage of Scripture we should notice:

The Stone Peter calls Jesus a stone. The Old Testament also speaks of Jesus as a stone. Isaiah 2816 Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. Jesus is called this because of His stone like qualities. He’s strongHe’s durableFit for a solid foundation Christ should be our foundation. I Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Wise people use Jesus as their foundation Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.'' This foundation will stand no matter what. II Timothy 2:18 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His,'' and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.''

A Rejected Stone The Jews were the builders. They were erecting the building of their national life. When they came to this Stone, Jesus of Nazareth, they found no place for Him. They rejected Him. They rejected all that Jesus had to offer. His Word John 8:37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has one that judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Rejecting His word is not a good thing.

His reign Luke 18:14 "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' His Lordship Luke 6:46 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” His protection Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!”

His abundant Life John 5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Not content with this, they put Him to death. They spurned the message and murdered the messenger.

A Chosen Stone This was prophesied by the Psalmist: Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. Jesus was chosen by God. I Peter 2:5-6 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.'' Angels sang at His birth, Luke 2:13-14

Shielded in infancy, Matthew 2:13-23 Acknowledged by the Father, Matthew 3:13-17 He was: Approved by His miracles, Acts 2:22 Transfigured on the mount, Matthew 17:1-8 Raised from the dead, Romans 1:4 Jesus is the perfect stone for a foundation. I Peter 2:7-8 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,'' and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.'' They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

He Is A Perfect Stone Of Salvation Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'' John 6:66-68 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?'' Then Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” He is our example to guide us. I Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps:

He is our High Priest to atone for us. Hebrews 9:24-26 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another. He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

He is our advocate to intercede for us. I John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. He is the mediator who can reconcile us back to God I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

JESUS IS THE PERFECT STONE FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION! SOME REJECT HIM YET OTHERS ACCEPT AND RECEIVE HIM WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THIS STONE?

Given by David Hamlin on pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ