Isaiah 28:16-17 Therefore thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone… I. THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE SUPPORT AND ORNAMENT OF HIS CHURCH. 1. A stone. (1) To convey the idea of stability. The hopes of God's people in all ages were to have the most substantial foundation to rest upon. (2) Because of the ides of its durability. It has endured through all ages to the present day, and it will endure to the end of time. (3) Life is also attributed by the apostles to this stone. 2. "A tried stone." Completely, adapted to answer all the ends for which it is laid. 3. "A precious cornerstone." Examine its excellences. What Solomon said of true wisdom is strictly applicable here — "it is more precious than rubles." "Precious" for the situation which it occupies; because it is the bond which unites the Church of God in all ages. The patriarchal, the Levitical, the Christian Churches are all one in Christ Jesus. All the people of God, however denominated — wherever placed — in whatever age or circumstances — feel the uniting power of this cornerstone. And it binds and unites the Church militant and the Church triumphant. 4. To complete and give greater interest and solidity to the hopes of His people, it is called "a sure foundation." Observe by whom it is laid. Not by mortal hands, but by the Founder of the universe. "Sure!" How vain have been all the assaults of infidelity. II. IT IS NECESSARY THAT WE SHOULD ASCERTAIN OUR CHARACTERS, and see by those tests which God has furnished, whether we have built on this foundation. Christians are related to Christ after the analogy of stones to the foundation. And what does this imply? 1. Separation from all other purposes. Those who are thus separated are — 2. Appropriated to the especial purpose for which this stone is laid in Zion, namely, the building of a spiritual house. The manner in which Solomon's temple was built, was a type of the manner in which this building is to be erected. Each stone was previously squared and polished before it was placed in its permanent situation. It is expressly said of these stones, that they were made ready before they were brought thither; so that no sound of either hammer or axe was heard in the house. This is to teach us that every living stone, to occupy a place in the celestial temple, must be hewn out of nature's quarry, by the ministration of God's Word, by Christian communion, etc., and squared and polished before it is placed in the temple. 3. These stones are themselves endued with spiritual life. By their conjunction with Christ, they obtain a spiritual, celestial life. Do you ask, what is the ultimate design of all this? It is that all the stones may be brought together, and form a fit habitation for Deity Himself (Ephesians 2:19-22). III. THE PRINCIPLE BY WHICH WE COME TO THIS LIVING STONE, are attached to the building, and become partakers of the privileges. "He that believeth." What is the believing here spoken of! We must look at the analogy. It is the resting of the soul on the foundation God has laid. IV. WHAT ADVANTAGES ARE TO RESULT FROM THIS TRUSTING OF THE SOUL TO CHRIST? "He that believeth shall not make haste." (S. Warren, LL. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. |
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