1. Jesus: A Stone of Stumbling and Rock of Offense Isaiah 8:14-15; Matthew 21:44 1 Cor. 1:23; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:7-8

2. Jesus Foundation Stone Foundation Stone – Isa. 28:16; Psa. 118:22; 1 Pet. 2:6-7 – Son of God, Matt. 16:16, 18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20 Stone of Stumbling Stone of Stumbling – Many, Isa. 8:14-15 – In Zion, Rom. 9:33 – Preaching, 1 Cor. 1:23 – Rejected, 1 Pet. 2:7-8

3. 3 Stumbling over Jesus Romans 9:32-33 ( proskomma): “an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls” 1 Pet. 2:8 ( proskomma): “an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls” – 1 Pet. 2:8 (skandalon): “stumbling block…the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick…snare …any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, obstacle” 1 Cor. 1:23 (skandalon): “stumbling block…the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick…snare …any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, obstacle” – 1 Cor. 1:23

4. 4 Stumbling over Jesus Romans 9:32-33 Rejecting Jesus in unbelief 1 Pet. 2:4-6 (Acts 4:10-12)Rejecting Jesus in unbelief – 1 Pet. 2:4-6 (Acts 4:10-12) Disobeying Jesus 1 Pet. 2:7-8 (Heb. 5:8-9)Disobeying Jesus – 1 Pet. 2:7-8 (Heb. 5:8-9)

5. 5 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling The King Zech. 9:9 (Matt. 21:5) The King – Zech. 9:9 (Matt. 21:5) – Bringing justice & salvation, Isa. 62:11 – Humble and lowly – OFFENDED MANY, Jno. 6:15; 19:14-15

6. 6 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling Authority of the King Matt. 21:23; Col. 3:17 Authority of the King – Matt. 21:23; Col. 3:17 – Apostles’ writings, 1 Cor. 14:37 – Inspired Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – Some want other authorities: Extra-biblical writings Extra-biblical writings Living prophets Living prophets The Church, tradition, themselves… The Church, tradition, themselves…

7. 7 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling Word of the Kingdom Matt. 13:20-21 Word of the Kingdom – Matt. 13:20-21 – Too “hard” (harsh) for many, Jno. 6:60 – Too demanding, 2 Tim. 2:15 – Say there are no Bible “patterns” cf. 2 Tim. 1:13

8. 8 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling The Kingdom Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) The Kingdom – Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) – The church of Christ, Matt. 16:18-19 – Nature: Spiritual, Jno. 18:36; Lk. 17:20-21 Spiritual, Jno. 18:36; Lk. 17:20-21 One church (kingdom), Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23 One church (kingdom), Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23

9. 9 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling The Kingdom Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) The Kingdom – Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) – Entrance (salvation), Jno. 3:3-5 Repentance, Acts 2:38; 26:20 Repentance, Acts 2:38; 26:20 Water baptism, Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 Water baptism, Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 Not “faith only”, Jas. 2:21-24, Gal 5:6 Not “faith only”, Jas. 2:21-24, Gal 5:6

10. 10 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling The Kingdom Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) The Kingdom – Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) – Worship, Jno. 4:24 Simple, solemn & spiritual Simple, solemn & spiritual Singing (only), Eph. 5:19 Singing (only), Eph. 5:19 Lord’s supper weekly, Acts 20:7 Lord’s supper weekly, Acts 20:7 Gospel preaching, Acts 20:7 Gospel preaching, Acts 20:7 Voluntary giving, 1 Cor. 16:2 (2 Cor. 9:7) Voluntary giving, 1 Cor. 16:2 (2 Cor. 9:7)

11. 11 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling The Kingdom Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) The Kingdom – Matt. 21:43; Lk. 19:11 (Col. 1:13-14) – Organization, Acts 14:23 Independent congregations Independent congregations Local: Bishops, deacons, saints (Phil. 1:1) Local: Bishops, deacons, saints (Phil. 1:1) – Work of local church, 1 Ths. 1:3 Preach gospel to the lost (Acts 11:22) Preach gospel to the lost (Acts 11:22) Edify the saints (Acts 2:42-43) Edify the saints (Acts 2:42-43) Relieve needy saints (Acts 2:44-45) Relieve needy saints (Acts 2:44-45)

12. 12 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling Life in the Kingdom Matt. 21:43 Life in the Kingdom – Matt. 21:43 – Moral purity, Titus 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 4:1-4 Do not love the world (1 Jno. 2:15-17) Do not love the world (1 Jno. 2:15-17) – Love of money (1 Tim. 6:9-10) – Immodest clothing (1 Tim. 2:9-10) – Profanity (Eph. 4:29) – Alcohol (1 Pet. 4:3-4)

13. 13 Jesus: Stone of Stumbling Life in the Kingdom Matt. 21:43 Life in the Kingdom – Matt. 21:43 – Living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2; Rev. 2:10 “Once saved, always saved” (Gal. 5:4) “Once saved, always saved” (Gal. 5:4) “Continual cleansing” (1 Jno. 1:7-9; Acts 8:22-23) “Continual cleansing” (1 Jno. 1:7-9; Acts 8:22-23) Faithful to spouse (MDR), Matt. 19:4-6, 9 Faithful to spouse (MDR), Matt. 19:4-6, 9

14. Those who Stumble are Crushed Matt. 21:44 (Isa. 8:15) Due to their own disobedience – 1 Pet. 2:8 Due to their own disobedience – 1 Pet. 2:8 Captured by sin & unwilling to be freed by Christ – Isa. 8:14-15 (6:9- 10); Matt. 13:14-15; 23:37-39 Captured by sin & unwilling to be freed by Christ – Isa. 8:14-15 (6:9- 10); Matt. 13:14-15; 23:37-39

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