Four Stones

Intro: 1 Peter 2 mentions four types of stones. We can learn much
from a study of these.

I) Living stones 
A) Christ is a living - because of resurrection
- 1 Cor 15:20 - stone that we must come to - vs.1-4 - an anchor
for the soul - Heb 4:16; 5:9; Col 2:7 
B) We are living stones -
v.5; Eph 2:19-22 - living, meaning growing and supporting - 2 Pet
3:18; 2 Thess 1:3; Heb 6:1; Eph 4:16; Gal 6:1,2

II) Corner stone 
A) Precious because of perfection - Mt 11:28-30;
Jn 6:29; 8:24; Heb 11:6 - will not be disappointed 
B) Foundation
- center of our faith - church of "Christ" - should look for:1)
authority - Mt 28:182) doctrine - 2 Jn 93) salvation - Acts
4:11,12; Eph 5:23

III) Rejected stone 
A) Jews - Mt 21:33-44; Lk 17:25 - brought about their 
destruction as a nation 
B) Disbelieving - Lk 10:16; Jn 12:48 
C) Stone of stumbling, rock of offense to:1) Atheist -
cannot live by faith - 2 Cor 5:72) Jehovah Witness, etc. - does
not accept a divine sacrifice - Phil 2:6-83) Jew - does not
accept a spiritual kingdom - Jn 18:364) Denominations - does not
accept obedience and unity - Jn 14:15; 17:21

Concl: Jesus is the corner stone we must all build on. We must
also be living stones ourselves in our service to the body.