The Living Stone
A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:4-6
Scripture
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is …
Sermon Description
What is the cause of all the suffering and evil seen in this world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:4–6 titled “The Living Stone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones show how the sin and rebellion of humanity is to blame. This is seen in the first chapter of Genesis as well as the whole narrative of Scripture. God has sent Jesus Christ His Son to redeem fallen sinful people. He is the cornerstone and foundation of faith and ever lives to make intercession for His people. He did this by joining humanity and deity in the person of Jesus Christ, living a sinless life, dying a sinner’s death on the cross, and was resurrected to life. This is why He is the great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for His people before the almighty Father in Heaven. Christ, as suffering servant and risen messianic king, stands at the center of the Christian faith, not anyone’s works or the deeds of the church. The rise of Christless-Christianity is a testament to the danger of separating the church from the founder and perfecter of the faith. The whole of Christianity is found in the completed work of Christ Jesus who, as the true and better Adam, has redeemed His people from all sin and made them children of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon opens by introducing 1 Peter 2:4-6 which speaks of Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that the passage shows how one can avoid being confounded or put to shame.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then outlines that the sermon will explore how one can become part of the people of God and find security in Jesus.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one cannot become part of the people of God through their own efforts. It is something only God can do.
- God chose Jesus before the foundation of the world to save people and make them His own. The Old Testament points to Jesus as the promised savior.
- Jesus is precious as the Son of God and Son of Man. He is unique as the God-man.
- Jesus is the tested and tried stone, mighty to save. He alone was able to bear the weight of human sin and defeat sin, death and the devil.
- God gave Jesus a people to save, and Jesus acted as their representative. He lived a perfect life of obedience to the law on their behalf.
- Jesus defeated the devil and the powers of darkness in His life and death. He broke the power of sin and set people free.
- Jesus died on the cross to bear the punishment for people's sins. His death was according to the predetermined plan of God. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating His victory over death. His resurrection proves He is the Son of God.
- Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for His people. People can pray to God through Jesus.
- To become part of God's people and have security in Jesus, one must believe in Him - in His identity as the Son of God and His saving work. Faith in Jesus brings salvation.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.