PRECIOUS, YET DESPISED
May 27, 2001 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 2:7,8
INTRO: Its so strange how two people can look at the same thing and see two different things! Well, the verses we have read certainly accentuate that fact. Jesus, chosen as the precious head of the corner by some, is rejected as a misshapen, useless stone by others. This diversity of view concerning Christ began with His ministry and continues to the present. Some choose Him. Some cast Him aside. Which choice have you made?
I. HE IS PRECIOUS TO BELIEVERS1 Pet 7a
A. Precious is the superlative degree of value
1. think of gem stones there are plain old rocks; there are semiprecious stones; there are precious stones
2. precious stones have greatest value
3. a value that is intrinsic not just sentimental
B. Well, to believers Jesus is precious
1. He is not just another historical figure
2. nor is His preciousness sentimental in the same sense as people special to us (relatives, friends, etc.)
3. His is an intrinsic value no matter ones feelings ... and believers recognize that preciousness! they have accepted Him and His word in obedience of faith
C. The basis of His preciousness?
1. He is the only begotten of God --Jno 1:14,18
2. He is the only true information we have about God -- Jno 14:9
3. He is the only hope of redemption -- 1 Cor 3:11
4. being one of a kind certainly emphasizes the intrinsic preciousness of Christ!
II. DESPISED BY UNBELIEVERS 1 Pet 2: 7b, 8a
A. Is despised too strong a word?
1. just because one doesnt believe in Jesus, must he hate Him
2. note Isa 53:3 despised and rejected
3. and what have the unbelievers of our text done? disallowed the stone, rejected Christthey (and all who choose unbelief) despised Him! there is no middle ground (Mt 12:30)
B. Now, who despised Him?
1. the Jewish leaders did --Acts 26:15
2. the Roman authorities didCaesar worship was immediately undermined by the Lord! (civil disturbance)
3. and what about apostate Christiansthey, too, would have been unbelievers --3 Jno 9-11; 2 Tim 2:17-19a (do we infer that though these two claim to be Christians God knows they are not?)
C. And what about now? who despises Him?
1. we can observe three things from our text:
2. the unbeliever (v. 7); one who stumbles at the word (v. 8a); one who is disobedient (v. 8b)
a. one who rejects Jesus in general
b. one who rejects the testimony of the word (see
1 Cor 1:18,23)
c. one who chooses to disobey at any point
3. comparatively, then, Jesus, is precious to very few!
III. WHAT HAPPENS TO ONE WHO REJECTS THIS STONE? 1 Pet 2:8b
A. Note Isa 8:13-15 (quoted in 1 Pet 2:8)
1. we see first a sanctuary for those who set God in their hearts as Ruler
2. but - prophetically of Jesus - there will be those who stumble (Peter tells us they are unbelievers, disobedient)
3. note especially verse 15...the stumbling is a breaking, an imprisonment, a punishment of God!
4. so, to reject Christ is to incur Gods judgement
B. Whereunto also they were appointed
1. the inevitability of the punishment of unbelief
2. this is a truth clearly demonstrated from the scenes in the garden of Eden through the Bible
3. Rom 6:23
4. great are the disadvantages, then, of unbelief
CLOSE: Is He precious to you...or despised? Remember, there is no middle ground of neutrality. You can make Him precious by obeying the gospel now!
Cecil A. Hutson
27 May 2001