There may be a very real danger in our world today that has been sourced from God’s patience.  Although we progress in our rejection of Christ and our sinfulness goes from bad to worse, the wrath stored-up seems suspiciously absent from the everyday and therefore we may be deceived that it is absent in the future. 

The truth of Jesus’ comparison as the “cornerstone” is not simply His appointment by God as one previously overlooked or undervalued.  The illustration itself speaks to the nature of Jesus’ appointment.  A “cornerstone” is the unmovable and authoritative stone that sets the lines for the rest of the building.  Therefore, if Jesus is our standard, what does that say about our actions in this world today in their stark and emphatically antagonistic nature as contrasted with His will?  And finally, what does that say about the future of our society as a building crafted from the will of men?  

Observations: 

1. The cornerstone holds authority

2. The cornerstone is sent by God 

3. The cornerstone is rejected by men

4. The cornerstone’s integrity is not defined by man

5. The cornerstone’s position by God is “amazing” 

6. The cornerstone is immovable: it will crush the opposition 

Conclusions:

1. Failure to follow the cornerstone will result in failure to produce fruit 

2. Failure to follow the cornerstone will result in forfeit of God’s blessing

3. Failure to follow the cornerstone will result in judgment and wrath

Applications: 

1. Are you lining up with God’s will or man’s will?  

2. Is your praising of Jesus genuine?  Genuine as the cornerstone? 

Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Acts 4:10-12

“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:19-20

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

1 Peter 2:4-5

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:6

“For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:7

“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone”

John 15:1-4

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:6

“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Luke 6:46-49

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”