Sermons

There are Two Paths...We must Choose One

by Brent Young

The Bible's Definitions

by Aaron Alsbrook

Obstacle Course or Race?

Christians have the responsibility to run the race of life and not being a stumbling block to others. Knowing how precious Jesus is and the honor He deserves is a wonderful blessing (1 Peter 2:7-8). The Christian's trust is built upon the foundation of the faith that Jesus lived in front of mankind, becoming the chief cornerstone. The one who trusts in Jesus will never be put to shame.

Rejection, however, is like one that picks up a brick to place it in the wall of a house, and then casts it aside.

"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Psalm 118:22). These builders are the ones that had the word of God and examined Jesus. But they rejected Him, as He did not conform to their idea of the Messiah. For those that study God's Word and do not conform to God's teaching are casting aside the only One that can save them. The One that is actually removing the obstacles of sin in life.

They stumble because they are disobedient to the Word (1 Peter 2:8). They stumble because of the natural fruit of disobedience. A failure to believe "the living and abiding word of God," the "good news that was preached" to them (1 Peter 1:23-25). The natural fruit of disobedience comes as it is "destined to do" (1 Peter 2:8). God's word does not arbitrarily destine anyone for a life of disobedience, but disobedience to His Word is the inevitable result of unbelief.

God does not change. He has ordained for those that do not trust Him, Jesus, the stone of stumbling and the rock of offense. C.S. Lewis said, "the doors of hell are locked from the inside." No one needs to reject the truth of Jesus the Christ. The consequence of that rejection however is an individual choice. Peter said, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" (Acts 2:22-23). Then Paul asks, "What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory even us whom he has called, not

from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles" (Romans 9:22-24).

Allow Jesus and His Word to build you up, and do not become the obstacle for those that do not believe (Hebrew 12:1-2). -asa