Our subject of discourse is The stone which the builder refused!
My ambition is just to deliver to you thus saith the Lord. Pray for me that I will not deviate from this.
Let us Pray
Our key text is taken from
Matth21:42-45 lets read it together.
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 marvelous in our eyes?
21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God
21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
In my presentation I hope to give you pointers as to how to better study and understand the bible.
Each text represents an event which could be a sermon; however I will be focusing on verse 42. Now some of you might be saying yeah, we already know that Christ is the rock, cause it says so in
Acts 4:10-11
4:10 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.
4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
However this is not the interpretation that we will be zeroing on. I will be examining the understanding that the Scribes and Pharisees had when these words were spoken. Vs 45 Why would they perceive that Jesus was speaking of them? Were they wrong for thinking this?
Symbolic language-needs definition
If this language were not symbolic it would not need definition. However there are clues in the text that tells us that this is symbolic language.
In order for us to have a clear understanding any subject to be discussed, there must be a common understanding of the terms used
Having said this, what are the terms that need defining in vs 42. “Builder” should be one, “stone” another and “corner” the last.
In defining these words we come to a critical juncture. How do we go about establishing what these words mean? Do you think Mr. Oxford or Webster should be the source of our definitions for these words? Absolutely not!
If you do not have the greek Hebrew translation as I do you use the principle found in Is.28:9-11? Let’s go there now.
28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.
28:10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:
28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Here the Lord is acknowledging that his word is not easily understood, vs 11, and is making clear that you can only unlock the doctrines and mysteries contained within the bible by matching scripture with scripture.
Indeed it was the use of a “Strong’s Concordance along with the bible that the Pioneers of our church during the 19th Century came to understand the prophecies contained in the books of Daniel and Revelation.
By linking line with line and precept with precept the pieces of the puzzle laid out in these books slowly came together. So similarly if we are to get an understanding of our study text, we must follow the established method of unlocking the messages hidden in God’s written word.
Let us now turn to our first word which we seek to define. If your findings are correct, it should match the definitions that I have found by comparing the Hebrew/Greek concordance.
Builder
3618 oikodomeo { oy-kod-om-eh’-o} also oikodomos { oy-kod-om’-os} Acts 4:11
from the same as 3619; TDNT - 5:136,674; v
AV - build 24, edify 7, builder 5, build up 1, be in building 1, embolden 1; 39[1]
( a builder is a teacher. One that edifies)
( a builder is a teacher. One that edifies)
Stone
There was no big revelation about this except that which could be derived from scripture. When I looked this word up in Greek it just said object for building or use in capital punishment
Lifeless Object gen 29:10, 31:45, ex 15:5, 15:16
Thing for holding a foundation gen 49:24, ex 17:12, job 38:6,
Cutting tool exodus 4:25
Texture of vessels-ex 7:19
Object used for capital punishment ex 8:26, 17:4 , lev 20:2 27, 1 sam 17:49
Object used for building. Ex 20:25, 1 king 6:7, ps 118:22
A witness gen Joshua 24:27, 1 samuel 7:12
A marker-1 kings 1:9
Head
2776 kephale { kef-al-ay’}
from the primary kapto (in the sense of seizing); TDNT - 3:673,429; n f
AV - head 76; 76
GK - 3051 { kefalhv }
1) the head, both of men and often of animals. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment.
2) metaph. anything supreme, chief, prominent
2a) of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife
2b) of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church
2c) of things: the corner stone[2]
Corner
1137 gonia { go-nee’-ah}
probably akin to 1119; TDNT - 1:791,137; n f
AV - corner 8, quarter 1, 9
GK - 1224 { gwniva }
1) corner
1a) an external angle, a corner
1b) internal corner, i.e. a secret place[3]
The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. (Wikipedia)
The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. (Wikipedia)
So another way of saying this is: “The heathen (the people that are not yet acquainted with life) are going to inherit heaven over those that go by the title sons of Abraham” The Jewish leaders at the time did not have to do a bible study to understand what Jesus meant by this statement. But was this the only time that Jesus hinted at this? Let us look at this further.
Before we go to scripture let us take a look through history at the development of the church.
During the dark ages while the Waldenses preserved the practice of true religion in the caves. Martin Luther (an established Roman Catholic) brought the truth once again to the forefront. Why did God use him and not one of the faithful followers of scripture that were forced to go underground? Is it possible that this was a fulfillment of the scripture we looked at?
Or
In another totally different time period, why was Elijah the man of God not sent to homes of one of the 7000 that had not bowed to Baal, but to the home of a widow of Zarephath (heathen city) `Q1. 1 kings17:19 Could this too be a fulfillment of this prophecy?
Jesus’ Birth
The wise men that first found Jesus were astrologers, it was after consulting with the Hebrew scrolls they found out what was the significance of the star they saw in the heavens.
Am I making the same mistakes that physical Israel Israel
If the Jews had studied the Scriptures with earnest, prayerful hearts, their searching would have been rewarded with a true knowledge of the time, and not only the time, but also the manner of Christ's appearing. They would not have ascribed the glorious second appearing of Christ to His first advent. They had the testimony of Daniel; they had the testimony of Isaiah and the other prophets; they had the teachings of Moses; and here was Christ in their very midst, and still they were searching the Scriptures for evidence in regard to His coming. And they were doing unto Christ the very things
613
that had been prophesied they would do. They were so blinded they knew not what they were doing. {Ev 612.4}
And many are doing the same thing today, in 1897, because they have not had experience in the testing messages comprehended in the first, second, and third angel's messages. There are those who are searching the Scriptures for proof that these messages are still in the future. They gather together the truthfulness of the messages, but they fail to give them their proper place in prophetic history. Therefore such are in danger of misleading the people in regard to locating the messages
These events indeed do bare an uncanny similarity to what we are discussing. Let us now turn to scripture to see if there is anymore evidence?
Revisit
Remember now the Jewish leaders understood Jesus to be saying that “The heathen are going to inherit heaven over those that go by the title sons of Abraham” Indeed it seems that this is what verse 43 seems to be saying.
Matth21:42-45 lets read it again together.
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 marvelous in our eyes?
21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God
21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Who seemingly are the ones that are perfecting the character of God then?.
This then means that somehow along the way, there is going to be a major switch. Somehow it isn’t those who know righteousness will be practicing it, but those who do not? Isn’t this strange?
But the truth is that time and time again those who profess to have the truth have only hidden it and refused to share. Quite accurately did Paul describe the Jews as our ensample. (1 cor 10:11 meaning type)
Lets look at another instance where Christ stated the same thing. Now this is a parable that has been quoted over and over ad yet this meaning has never been brought out.
Good Samaritan luke10:30-35
The certain man is the Perishing world
The true Christian has neglected his duty
The rest of the so called Christians have neglected their duty too
Leaving only the people who have been rejected as having known the Lord to serve the Lord and they do a might fine job.
Truly they prove themselves to be the Lord’s sheep over those that have professed to be so. My sheep hear my voice (john10:27)
The priest and the Jew held their peace at the expense of a dying man. It was upon the
Samaritan to do what the priest and Jew would not do.
The danger of keeping quite
If Daniel had kept quiet when the decree was made to slay all wise men he would have
been killed too.
When Jesus was riding into Jerusalem when asked to silence his disciples by the
priests/Pharisees what was his reply? his reply was that if they had held their peace
immediately would sticks and stones be raised up to give God the praise.
The will of God will be accomplished in the earth whether or not we want it to. The big
question is “How will it fulfill in my life? Will I found standing for or against the Lord?”
The danger of keeping silent…..whereas the jews had the books and the whole truth
never kept the law, but the Samaritan having never learnt and never know the truth lived
up to it.
Expand of deeds
Expand of deeds
- The Samaritan took of his clothes, and put it on the man - Jesus has given us his righteousness and this righteousness has been described as clothing
- The Samaritan anointed the man's wounds with oil - We know that the Holy Spirit is referred to as oil, hence this could be likened to Jesus giving us the Holy Spirit
- The Samaritan paid the inn keeper - Jesus paid our debt
- The Samaritan gave a promise to come again - Jesus has given us a promise to return again
Do not neglect Christian Duty
Mathew25:31-46 -Christian Duty
25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?
25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?
25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.
25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matth 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?
25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?
25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
Everyone is exerting an influence upon others, and will be held accountable for the result
of that influence. Words and actions have a telling power, and the long hereafter will
show the effect of our life here. The impression made by our words and deeds will surely
react upon ourselves in blessing or in cursing. This thought gives an awful solemnity to
life, and should draw us to God in humble prayer that He will guide us by His wisdom.
{PP 556.1}
We will be held accountable not only for the working out of our own salvation, but for the influence for good or evil that we exert on other souls. {MM 202.3}
Lets us look at even another parable that is quoted often: Prodigal son
Parable of the prodigal son speaks of the depth of the transgression reached by the prodigal (This represents the world)
The jew/christian is the good son (notice his boasting I have done your will father all these years and yet still finds himself on the outside of the house) when the story is done.
But the prodigal son is the one who is in the house and has the robe on.
The Prodigal son The Proud son
one chooses sin the other chose godliness
One has abandoned everything called home The other has stuck close to everything homely
One has danced with the world Has nothing to do with the world
Gone to the dregs of the dregs Upheld standards and principles
Finally comes to self and sees the need for Never left home and never saw
returning home. a need to leave. (not even to seek his brother)
Majority of Gods people are in the world……they are genuine- the people who now are calling themselves Christian are not worthy…those that do not call themselves Christians are more worthy.
(I am sure that each person has a personal experience with someone who is calling Your testimony with renting a house in Jamaica)- Is there a non Christian in your life that is displaying the Character of God more than you are?
Who then is a worthy?
Rom 2:25-7
2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
It is not the people that are in the church now that God is going to use to finish his work-I have not come to call the righteous Math 9:13
Appeal
There is an open invitation for us to be a part of the kingdom (wedding feast) in the
hereafter.
I pray that I might be counted worthy.
Make sure you get of the Holy Ghost now while he is available,
Ask God for Him while you can get Him. (luke11:11-13)
What does it mean to ask
The oil is to be used throughout the day. not just for evening and morning worship. You cannot expect to do things they way you want to throughout the day and then pick up God where you left Him at the point where you left him after worship in the morning or evening.You need to carry the Lord throughout the day with us, putting Him first in everything.
the big problem is that we invite the spirit, but we are so plugged into the world that He cannot stay with us.
Consider Jesus, although he did not have any earthly possessions, he put God first in everything that he did.
Recognizing that indeed it is the people who are now numbered among the transgressors that will return and do God’s work, the way he want it to be done. Leaving the rest of us without a crown Rev3:11
Story; A man has a company, and he has only one son. He is to die, the man buys books, put the son through school and makes at his son’s disposal every toll he would need to run the business. However the son squanders the time and never really applies himself and so never fully becomes qualified for the position of manger, because he is the son do you think it fair that the company should still be given to him although he is not qualified.
Especially if there is an outsider who is more qualified and better prepared to take the position.
Now is the acceptable time to perfect our character. Recognizing that character is not formed overnight. We need now to make our calling and election sure.
By redeeming our time
Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn
obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more
strict account than of our time. {COL
No comments:
Post a Comment