Sermon Snippet – Rocktober – Part II
INTRODUCTION – Last week, from Isaiah 8:11-18, we saw that Jesus, God the Son, is either a stone of “sanctuary” or “a stone of stumbling,” either a rock of refuge or a “rock of offence” (verse 14). Isaiah 28:14-20 presents a similar absolute contrast, also using stone imagery. The people of Israel could trust either in the fickle Assyrians or in the firm foundation of the Almighty God. Will we make “a covenant with death, and with hell” (verse 15), or will we build upon “a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation” (verse 16)? The choice is ours.
1. JESUS IS THIS FOUNDATION
Romans 9:33 and 10:11 both reference Isaiah 28:16 and apply it to the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. Likewise, I Peter 2:6 takes the entire verse and quotes it in relation to the person and work of the Savior (note “acceptable to God [the Father] by Jesus Christ” in the preceding verse). Jesus is the unfailing, unmoving object of our faith.
2. JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION OF ETERNAL SALVATION
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus teaches the familiar parable of two houses. The “foolish man” was not unintelligent; after all, he could build a house. The “wise man” may not have been as quick-witted and may have had a lower IQ. “Foolish” and “wise” are spiritual designations. Thus, the “foolish man” built his life on something other than Jesus and could not bear the “judgment” and “righteousness” (Isaiah 28:17) of God’s final reckoning. Conversely, the “wise man” built his life on Jesus by trusting in Him for eternal life, and he was ready for the inevitable end. The response of the listeners in verses 28-29 focuses on the “authority” of Jesus; of course He is authoritative, for He is “a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” He is “a rock” to rely on for everlasting salvation.
3. JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION RIGHT NOW
It matters how we are living today. I Corinthians 3:10-15 confirms that “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (verse 11) and that what we do with our opportunities here will be met with reward or loss of reward in heaven (verses 12-15). What are we building? “Gold, silver, precious stones” are the good and right things that we can do for our Lord. We need to be careful in evaluating ourselves. For example, Romans 12:3 exhorts each of us “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,” and I Corinthians 10:12 warns, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” The New International Version’s translation of Isaiah 7:9b provides encouragement: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Thus, if we are standing on the firm foundation of Jesus, we can build appropriately. Unfortunately, we are tempted to build with “wood, hay, stubble.” These materials can be used effectively in physical construction, of course, but the point here is that some of our works may have no ultimate value. Rather than be discouraged by previous failures, we must heed the rhetorical question of I Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” We can work together for our Savior, knowing that God the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives right now.
CONCLUSION – Who we were is not who we are; who we are is not who we will be.