Grace Covenant Church of Vista
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    • Sermons 2019 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THINK BEFORE YOU FIGHT Ephesians 6:17 Pastor Dennis Bone 2-17-19 >
        • February 17, 2019 Notes
      • FAITH: GOD’S SHIELD AROUND US Ephesians 6:16 >
        • February 10, 2019 Notes
      • THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR FIGHTING Ephesians 6:15 >
        • February 3, 2019 Notes
      • DRESS FOR SUCCESS Ephesians 6:13-19 >
        • January 27, 2019 Notes
      • The Mystery of our Religion 1 Timothy 3:14-16
      • ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? Ephesians 6:10-12 >
        • January 13, 2019 Notes
      • THE WAR AGAINST THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE Selected Verses >
        • January 6, 2019 Notes
    • Sermons 2018 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: POST ADVENT Titus 2:11-14 >
        • December 30, 2018 Notes
      • Christmas Eve Message 12/24/2018
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: ANGEL’S PEACE Selected Verses >
        • December 23, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: SHEPHERDS’ JOY Luke 2:8-17 >
        • December 16, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: BETHLEHEM’S FAITH Selected Verses >
        • December 9, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: PROPHECY’S HOPE Selected Verses >
        • December 2, 2018 Notes
      • A Proper Perspective on Thanksgiving Eph 5:19,20; 1 Thess 5:18
      • THE PATH TO MATURITY AND GLORY 2 Peter 3:14-18 >
        • November 18, 2018 Notes
      • GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON JUDGMENT 2 Peter 3:8-13 Pastor Dennis Bone 11-11-18 >
        • November 11, 2018 Notes
      • PROMISES, PROMISES 2 Peter 3:1-8 >
        • November 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Images of False Teachers 2 Peter 2:10-22 >
        • October 28, 2018 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL TERRORISM 2 Peter 2:1-10 >
        • October 21, 2018 Notes
      • REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER! 2 Peter 1:12-21 >
        • October 14, 2018 Notes
      • THE FRUIT OF ELECTION 2 Peter 1:5-11
      • THE POWER OF FAITH 2 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • September 30, 2018 Notes
      • OUR PRECIOUS FAITH 2 PETER 1:1, 2 >
        • September 16, 2018 Notes
      • The Staying Power of God's Grace 1 Peter 5:12-14 >
        • September 2, 2018 Notes
      • Do Not Feed the Lion 1 Peter 5:8-11 >
        • August 26, 2018 Notes
      • Humility Breeds Accountability 1 Peter 5:5-9 >
        • August 19, 2018 Notes
      • Accountability Partners 1 Peter 5:1-7 >
        • August 12, 2018 Notes
      • THE BEGINNING AND END OF JUDGEMENT 1 Peter 4:12-19 >
        • August 5, 2018 Notes
      • WHAT ARE WE SUFFERING FOR? 1 Peter 4:12-19
      • Live With The End In Mind 1 Peter 4:7-11 >
        • July 22, 2018 Notes
      • Living In the Light of the Gospel 1 Peter 4:1-6 >
        • July 15, 2018 Notes
      • The Victory of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22 >
        • July 8, 2018 Notes
      • Sharing Our Hope In Christ 1 Peter 3:13-17 >
        • July 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Motive For Christ-like Character 1 Peter 3:10-12 >
        • June 24, 2018 Notes
      • Christ-Like Character on Display 1 Peter 3:8-12 >
        • June 17, 2018 Notes
      • The Beautiful Principle of Submission 1 Peter 3:1-7 >
        • June 10, 2018 Notes
      • The Cost of Christ-Like Service 1 Peter 2:18-25 >
        • June 3, 2018 Notes
      • Submission in Service to God 1 Peter 2:13-17 >
        • May 27, 2018 Notes
      • Our Identity 1 Peter 2:9-12 >
        • May 20, 2018 Notes
      • God's Building Project 1 Peter 2:1-8 >
        • May 13, 2018 Notes
      • Trials & Troubles: friend or foe James 1:1-4
      • Living In Holy Fear 1 Peter 1:17-25 >
        • April 22, 2018 Notes
      • Hope: Promised, Practiced and Perfected 1 Peter 1:10-16 >
        • April 15, 2018 Notes
      • Living In The Hope Of The Resurrection 1 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • April 8, 2018 Notes
      • There is No Plan B 1 Corinthians 15:17-28 >
        • April 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Procession of the King Psalm 24:1-10 >
        • March 25, 2018 Notes
      • Confronting Little "gods" Acts 17:16-34 >
        • March 18, 2018 Notes
      • As for Me, I will call upon the Lord. Principal scripture Psalm 55:22
      • Turned Of or Turned On Acts 17:1-15 >
        • March 4, 2018 Notes
      • Concessions Without Compromise Acts 15:19-35 >
        • February 25, 2018 Notes
      • The Dilemma of Grace Acts 15:1-18 >
        • February 18, 2018 Notes
      • The Model of God's Church at Work Acts 14:21-28 >
        • February 11, 2018 Notes
      • Election Is For Gentiles Too! Acts 13:38-52 >
        • February 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Spirit-Led Church Acts 13:1-12 >
        • January 28, 2018 Notes
      • What God's Church Should Look Like Acts 11:19-30 >
        • January 21, 2018 Notes
      • God Will Carry Us Through 2018 and Beyond Isaiah 46
      • Victory in Christ Psalm 98:1-9 >
        • January 7, 2018 Notes
    • Sermons 2017 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Yes! It's All Good!!! Psalm 73
      • What Love Is This? Psalm 89:1-4; 19-37 >
        • December 24, 2017 Notes
      • Advent: The Light of Joy Psalm 126:1-6 >
        • December 17, 2017 Notes
      • Christmas Story Psalm 85 and Matt. 1:18-25
      • Advent: The Light of Hope Psalm 80:1-7 >
        • December 3, 2027 Notes
      • Thanksgiving: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 26, 2017 Notes
      • To God Be the Glory Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 19, 2017 Notes
      • Christ Alone 1 Timothy 2:5-6 >
        • November 12, 2017 Notes
      • Justification: The Way God Forgives the Guilty Romans 3:21-26 >
        • November 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura - the rallying cry Selected Scripture Verses
      • Confronting Hypocrisy in the Church Galatians 2:1-16 >
        • October 22, 2017 Notes
      • Grace Trumps Race Acts 10:1-23 >
        • October 15, 2017 Notes
      • God's Amazing Transition Plan Acts 9:10-31 >
        • October 8, 2017 Notes
      • God's Strategic Conversion Acts 9:1-9 >
        • October 1, 2017 Notes
      • The Process of Evangelism Acts 8:26-40 >
        • September 24, 2017 Notes
      • Philip: The First Evangelist Acts 8:1-25 >
        • September 17, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: The First Dead Martyr Acts 7:1-60 >
        • September 10, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: God's Servant Leader Acts 6:8-7:53 >
        • September 3, 2017 Notes
      • Pride the Greatest Sin and Humility the Greatest Healer Selected Scripture Verses
      • Wednesday Meeting, No Pie
      • The Model for Servant Leadership Acts 6:1-7 >
        • August 13, 2017 Notes
      • Man Proposes But God Disposes Proverbs 16:1-9 >
        • August 6, 2017 Notes
      • Truth or Consequences Acts 4:32-5:11 >
        • July 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Witness of Prayer Acts 4:23-37 >
        • July 23, 2017 Notes
      • The Irrationality of Unbelief Acts 4:1-14 >
        • July 16, 2017 Notes
      • The Healing Power of Jesus Acts 3:1-11 >
        • July 9, 2017 Notes
      • June 18, 2017 Notes
      • The Marks of Christ's Church Acts 2:42-47 >
        • July 2, 2017 Notes
      • No Other Option Acts 2:34-41 >
        • June 25, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus: The Resurrected and Exalted King Acts 2:24-33
      • The Message of Pentecost Acts 2:14-24 >
        • June 11, 2017 Notes
      • What A Feast Acts 2:1-13 >
        • June 4, 2017 Notes
      • The Work and Words of the Spirit John 16:5-15 >
        • May 28, 2017 Notes
      • Our Love/Hate Relationship John 15:18-27 >
        • May 21, 2017 Notes
      • Rooted In Christ's Love John 15,:9-17 >
        • May 14, 2017 Notes
      • The Purpose Driven Spirit John 15:1-8 >
        • May 7, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Promise John 14:23-31 >
        • April 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Truth John 14:15-24 >
        • April 23, 2017 Notes
      • Song That the Angels Can't Sing 1 Peter 1:3,4:10-12 >
        • April 16, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus' March to the Cross John 12:12-19 >
        • April 9, 2017 Notes
      • THE IMPACT OF WORSHIPPING JESUS JOHN 12:1-11 >
        • April 2, 2017 Notes
      • The Reactions to Jesus John 11:45-57 >
        • March 26, 2017 Notes
      • The Compassionate Power of Jesus John 11:28-44 >
        • March 19, 2017 Notes
      • What kind of Retaliation is Best??? Matthew 5:28-42
      • The Focus of Faith John 11:17-27 >
        • March 5, 2017 Notes
      • The Hope of God's Glory John 11:1-16 >
        • February 26, 2017 Notes
      • Soli Deo Gloria: The Glory of God Alone >
        • February 19, 2017 Notes
      • Solus Christos: Through Christ Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 12, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Fidi: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 29, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura: Why It Matters Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 22, 2017 Notes
      • Doing What is Good Titus 3:8-15 >
        • January 15, 2017 Notes
      • The Quest for Wisdom Proverbs 4:5-9 >
        • January 8, 2017 Notes
      • REDEEM YOUR TIME Ephesians 5:15-21 >
        • January 1, 2017 Notes
    • Sermons 2016 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE GLORY OF THE INCARNATION Galatians 4:4-7
      • THE ANGEL’S SONG OF PEACE Luke 2:8-14
      • Good News of Great Joy Luke 2:10 >
        • December 11, 2016 Notes
      • Do We Have Joseph's Faith?
      • A Panoramic View of Hope Romans 15:4-6;13 >
        • November 27, 2016 Notes
      • Who You Say We Are 1 John 3:1-3 >
        • November 20, 2016 Notes
      • Living Water John 4:1-42
      • Spiritual Oxygen in a Political Cesspool Titus 3:1-8 >
        • November 6, 2016 Notes
      • The Fruit of Justifying Faith Romans 5:1-11 >
        • October 30, 2016 Notes
      • Waiting for the Son Titus 2:11-15 >
        • October 23, 2016 Notes
      • Applying Sound Doctrine: Discipleship Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 16, 2016 Notes
      • The Beauty of the Church Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 9, 2016 Notes
      • Zero Tolerance: The Way of Sanctification Titus 1:9-2:1 >
        • October 2, 2016 Notes
      • BE FOR TRUTH AND AGAINST FALSEHOOD TITUS 1:5-16 >
        • September 25, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Faith Titus 1:1-4 >
        • September 18, 2016 Notes
      • September 11, 2016 Notes
      • Remember What is Always Important 2 Timothy 4:9-22
      • Finishing Well 2 Timothy 4:5-8 >
        • September 4, 2016 Notes
      • THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 4:1-5 >
        • August 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Work of God's Word 2 Timothy 3:14-17 >
        • August 21, 2016 Notes
      • THE LOVE OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 3:10-17 >
        • August 14, 2016 Notes
      • How long must the faithful live by sight? Habakkuk 2:4
      • RIVAL ATTRACTIONS 2 Timothy 3:6-17
      • Confronting Reality 2 Timothy 3:1-17 >
        • July 24, 2016 Notes
      • The Useful Christian 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • July 17, 2016 Notes
      • Should I Stay or Should I Go Selected Scripture Verses
      • Resurrection Perspective 2 Timothy 2:10-19 >
        • July 3, 2015 Notes
      • Our Strong Stand for the Gospel 2 Timothy 2:1-10 >
        • June 26, 2016 Notes
      • Our Confidence in the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:13-18 >
        • June 19, 2016 Notes
      • Our Courage From the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-12 >
        • June 12, 2016 Notes
      • Use What God Gives You 2 Timothy 1:1-7 >
        • June 2, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Godliness 1 Timothy 6:1-10 >
        • May 8, 2016 Notes
      • Be Good Stewards 1 Timothy 6:17-21 >
        • The Courage of Our Confession 1 Timothy 6:11-16 >
          • May 22, 2016 Notes
        • May 29, 2016 Notes
      • The Fight of Faith 1 Timothy 6:6-11 >
        • May 15, 2016 Notes
      • The Accountability to and of Elders 1 Timothy 5:17-25 >
        • May 1, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry - Part. 2 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • April 24, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • Know Your Mission; Keep the Faith 1 Timothy 1:18-20 >
          • January 31, 2016 Notes
        • April 17, 2016 Notes
      • Spiritual Diligence 1 Timothy 4:9-16 >
        • April 10, 2016 Notes
      • THE EXERCISE OF TRUTH 1 Timothy 4:1-8 >
        • April 3, 2016, Notes
      • The Glory of the Cross Selected Scripture Verses >
        • March 27, 2016 Notes
      • The Triumphant Entry
      • The Conduct and Confession of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16 >
        • March 13, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-13 >
        • March 6, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-7 >
        • February 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Principle of Authority and Submissions 1 Timothy 2:11-15 >
        • February 21, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship Service: Regulative or Relative? 1 Timothy 2:7-15 >
        • February 14, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship of Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-8 >
        • February 7, 2016 Notes
      • Know Yourself 1 Timothy 1:8-17 >
        • January 24, 2016 Notes
      • Contend For the Faith 1 Timothy 1:3-11 >
        • January 17, 2016 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL LEGACY 1 Timothy 1:1-2 >
        • January 10, 2016 Notes
      • God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year Selected Scripture Verses >
        • Audio - God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year
        • January 3, 2016 Notes
    • Sermons 2015 (Click for Teasers) >
      • For Christmas God wants…you! Selected Scripture Verses
      • PROMISES KEPT: LOVE 1 Corinthians 13:13
      • PROMISES KEPT: JOY Matthew 1:21 >
        • December 13, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: FAITH Romans 10:13-17 >
        • December 6, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: HOPE Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 29, 2015 Notes
      • Change: Proactive or Reactive? Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 22, 2015 Notes
      • REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! Psalm 33 >
        • November 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS Psalm 32 >
        • November 8, 2015 Notes
      • THE “C’S” OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 2 Cor. 5:17 >
        • November 1, 2015 Notes
      • SOLA FIDE: BY FAITH ALONE Romans 1:16-17 >
        • October 25, 2015 Notes
      • OUR GOD REIGNS Psalm 24 >
        • October 18, 2015 Notes
      • THE GLORY OF GOD REVEALED Psalm 19 >
        • October 11, 2015 Notes
      • A LIFE OF FAITHFULNESS Psalm 16 >
        • October 4, 2015 Notes
      • RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER: A LIFE OF INTEGRITY Psalm 15 >
        • September 27, 2015 Notes
      • PERSUASIVE SANCTIFICATION 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • September 20, 2015 Notes
      • WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO? Psalm 11 >
        • September 13, 2015 Notes
      • A PRAYER FOR DIRECTION Psalm 5 >
        • September 6, 2015 Notes
      • THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: LIVING IN CHRIST Psalm 1 >
        • August 30, 2015 Notes
      • GOD’S FOREIGN POLICY Psalm 2 >
        • August 23, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 16, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 9, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 2, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 26, 2015 Notes
      • THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 19, 2015 Notes
      • Does God watch the 5 o’clock news? Habakkuk 1:1-11
      • Still Trusting Selected Scripture Verses
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 28, 2915 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 21, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 14, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 7, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 31, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 24, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 17, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 10, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S SON AND OUR LORD Romans 1:1-6 >
        • May 3, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 26, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE FATHER ALMIGHTY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 19. 2015 Notes
      • WE BELIEVE AND WE KNOW: THE APOSTLES CREED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 12, 2015 Notes
      • THE PUPROSE AND GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION Hebrews 13:20-21 >
        • April 5, 2015 Notes
      • THE ANGER OF PALM SUNDAY Matthew 21:1-13 >
        • March 29, 2015 Notes
      • THE BOOK OF HEBREWS REVISITED >
        • March 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE Hebrews 13:15-19 >
        • March 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR UNCHANGEABLE SAVIOR Hebrews 13:7-14 >
        • March 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE PRACTICE OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 13:1-6 >
        • February 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE WAY OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 12:22-29 >
        • February 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE TALE OF TWO MOUNTAINS Hebrews 12:18-24 >
        • February 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE RACE Hebrews 12:12-17 >
        • February 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOURNEY OF FAITH HEBREWS 12:1-11 >
        • January 25, 2015 Notes
      • Tolerance or is it Intolerance: the word(s) for our age
      • THE DISCIPLINE OF FAITH Hebrews 11:39-12:3 >
        • January 11, 2015 Notes
      • THE DIVINE CONTENTMENT OF GODLY ACTION Phil 4:11-14 >
        • January 4, 2015 Notes
    • Sermons 2014 (Click for Teasers) >
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: GOD’S GOSPEL Romans 1:1-6; 16-17 >
        • December 28, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: CHRIST Selected Scripture Verses
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: ANGELS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • December 21, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20 >
        • December 14, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: BETHLEHEM Selected Verses >
        • December 7, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: PROPHECY Luke 2:25-35 >
        • November 30, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH TAKES A VISION Hebrews 11:32-39 >
        • November 23, 2014 Notes
      • THE CHOICES OF FAITH - Hebrews 11:17-31 >
        • November 16, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNCERTAIN CERTAINTY OF FAITH Hebrews 11:8-19 >
        • November 9, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD Hebrews 11:1-7 >
        • November 2, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STOP BELIEVING Hebrews 10:32-39 >
        • October 26, 2014 Notes
      • APPROACHING JUDGMENT Hebrews 10:25-31 >
        • October 19, 2014 Notes
      • “HOW TO” LIVE HOLY Hebrews 10:19-25 >
        • October 12, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS Hebrews 10:11-18 >
        • October 5, 2014 Notes
      • THE BODY OF CHRIST Hebrews 10:1-10 >
        • September 28, 2014 Notes
      • NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS Hebrews 9:15-28 >
        • September 21, 2014 Notes
      • THE REAL THING Hebrews 9:1-14 >
        • September 14, 2014 Notes
      • GOD’S COMMITMENT TO SAVE SINNERS Hebrews 8:1-13 >
        • September 7, 2014 Notes
      • Me and My Pain Selected Scripture Verses
      • ACCESS TO GOD Hebrews 7:20-8:6 >
        • August 24, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PRIEST MAKES US PERFECT Hebrews 7;11-22 >
        • August 17, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEW PRIESTHOOD Hebrews 7:1-11 >
        • August 10, 2014 Notes
      • THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISE - Hebrews 6:13-20 >
        • August 3, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STAY A BABY Hebrews 5:11-6:12 >
        • July 27, 2014 Notes
      • THE WAY TO ASSURANCE Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3 >
        • July 20, 2014 Notes
      • OUR EFFECTIVE HIGH PRIEST Hebrews 5:1-10 >
        • July 13, 2014 Notes
      • THE CONFIDENCE OF TRUE COMPASSION Hebrews 4:14-16 >
        • July 6,2014 Notes
      • OBEY GOD’S WORD Hebrews 4:12-16 >
        • June 29, 2014 Notes
      • RESTING IN CHRIST Hebrews 4:1-11 >
        • June 22, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNREST OF UNBELIEF Hebrews 3:7-19 >
        • June 15, 2014 Notes
      • OUR FAITHFUL AND PERFECT SERVANT Hebrews 3:1-6 >
        • June 8, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS STANDS FOR US AND WITH US Hebrews 2:14-18 >
        • June 1, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PERFECTS THE IMPERFECT Hebrews 2;10-18 >
        • May 25, 2014 Notes
      • THE DESTINY OF REDEMPTION - HEBREWS 2:5-9 >
        • May 18, 2014 Notes
      • LISTEN TO THE SON - Hebrews 1:10-2:4 >
        • May 11, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS: BEGOTTEN, NOT CREATED - Hebrews 1:1-9 >
        • May 4, 2014 Notes
      • THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST - Hebrews 1:1-4
      • HE IS RISEN - Matthew 28:1-20
      • Jesus Washes the Disciples's Feet - John 13:1-15
      • THE PURSUIT OF GREATNESS - Matthew 20:17-28
      • THE EQUALITY OF GOD’S GRACE - Matthew 20:1-15
      • Childlike Humility - Matthew 18:1-14
      • Job : A Man for our Times and all Times - Selected Verses from Job
      • A Hard but Happy Chain of Events - Romans 5:3-5
      • The Divine Confession - Matthew 17:1-13
      • The Reason for Discipleship - Matthew 16:13-28
      • The Blessed Confession - Matthew 16:13-20
      • The Food of Faith - John 6:22-29
      • Our Divine Focus - Matthew 14:22-33
      • Kingdom Patience - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
      • A Sure Comfort - Psalm 91
      • Purpose Driven Parables - Matthew 13:10-17
      • Relevant Resolutions -- Philippians 3:12-14
    • Sermons 2013 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Our Savior Speaks At Advent - Hebrews 10:5-10
      • The Praise of Advent - Luke Chapter 2
      • The Peace of Advent - Micah 5:2-5
      • The Proclamation of Advent - Isaiah 12:1-6
      • The Preparation for Advent - Malachi 3:1-4
      • The Promise of Advent - Jeremiah 33:14 – 16
      • Jesus: The Servant Who Saves - Matthew 12:15-21
      • Kingdom Authority - Matthew 8:23-27
      • Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-14
      • Resting in the Truth - Matthew 11:28-30
      • Rest for the Repentant - Matthew 11:20-30
      • Standing Upon Grace Romans 5:1-2
      • Prospecting For Sinners - Matthew 9:1-13
      • It’s easier to Covet than be Content - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Moved by Compassion - Matthew 9:35-38
      • Feasting Not Fasting - Matthew 9:14-17
      • Testimony to God's Grace - 1 Timothy 1:12-17
      • The Case for Following Jesus - Mathew 8:14-22
      • Two Foundations - Matthew 7:21-29
      • The Danger of Deception - Matthew 7:15-23
      • Jesus' Call to Enter the Kingdom - Mathew 7:13-14
      • Influence or Influenced? - Matthew 5:13-16
      • The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12
      • Persistent Prayer - Matthew 7:7-12
      • Right and Wrong Judgmens - Matthew 7:1-6
      • Freedom From Worry - Matthew 6:25-34
      • Choices of the Heart - Matthew 6:19-24
      • Biblical Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18
      • The Responsibility of Forgiveness - Matthew 6:12,14,15
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Content of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Approach to Prayer - Matthew 6:5-8
      • Bad Actors - Matthew 6:1-4
      • The Power and Shame of Divine Love - Matthew 5:38-48
      • Speak Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
      • Murdering Marriage - Matthew 5:27-32
      • The Indictment and Restitution of Anger - Matthew 5:21-26
      • Affirming God's Standards - - Matthew 5:17-20
      • The Happyness Quotient - Matthew 5:3-12
      • When Glory Meets Our Suffering - Isaiah 53:10-12
      • The Conundrum of Palm Sunday - Matthew 5:10-12
      • The Call and Challenge of Peacemaking - Matthew 5:9-10
      • Matter of the Heart - Matthew 5:8
      • The Way of Mercy - Matthew 5:7
      • The Pursuit of the Kingdom - Matthew 5:6
      • The Choice is Ours - Philippians 4:1-9
      • Be Meek, not Weak - Matthew 5:5
      • Kingdom Esteem - Matthew 5:3-5
      • A Sermon For the Ages - Matthew 5:1 - 7:29
      • Experiencing God's Kingdom - Matthew 4:12-25
      • You Said Yes, I Said No - Matthew 4:1-11
      • Salvation Through Sorrow - Matthew 2:13-16
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      • Authority that Liberates - Ephesians 6:1-9
      • The Model of Marriage - Ephesians 5:21-33
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      • Truth Exchange - Ephesians 4:25-29
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      • The Rejected, Yet Resurrected Savior - Acts 4:8-12
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A Stoned Church - 1 Peter 2:4-8

Pastor Dennis Bone

10/2/11

A STONED CHURCH 10-2-11

You may remember the raspy lyrics of the 60’s song by Bob Dylan saying, “Everybody must get stoned.” This was prior to Dylan’s Christian enlightenment period of the late 70’s, thus I’m fairly certain that he didn’t think that it had anything to do with our passage for this morning from I Peter chapter 2, yet one could say, as we consider our text for this morning that Peter agrees with this sentiment. Everyone must get stoned, not in terms of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but in terms of being fully under the influence of Jesus Christ. A stoned church is one full of people who have been stoned by the Living Stone Jesus Christ.

Turn with me to I Peter chapter 2 – this morning we will be looking at verses 4 – 8:

As you come to Him, the living Stone – rejected by men 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 to God through Jesus Christ. 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.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who don’t believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.

Peter is using a building metaphor to illustrate for us the nature of the church; and who we are as the people of God. The divine architect is God the Father who promises and prophecies that He will lay a stone in Zion; this stone will be His Son Jesus Christ – the Living Stone – who connects people to God through the message of the gospel. God is building a people who will never be put to shame because of their faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians we are a part of these people; we are a part of this church that has been being built for over 2,000 years throughout every nation, tribe, tongue, and race, because of the Great Commission. So the message of the Great Commission is that everyone must get stoned – spiritually stoned and connected to God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to Peter: “Upon this rock – that is upon Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God – I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Peter now, some 25+ years later is reminding the church of this truth; and telling us all what it means to be a part of Christ’s church. We sing the great hymn: “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She is His new creation by water and the word. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride and with His blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”

The first key truth that our passage speaks about is the cornerstone of God’s church. Peter quotes three verses from the Old Testament which uses this same metaphor of the “stone” to powerfully express and prove that Jesus is the one who has become the chief cornerstone of the new house of God. He is the “Living Stone” – referring to Jesus’ resurrection – which we now have come to by faith. Peter’s point is that God has now begun a new building project, with a whole new foundation. The Old Testament imagery of the temple, priesthood and sacrifices is now applied to the Christian church, no longer in terms of a physical sanctuary or religious offices or the killing of animals, but now in terms of a spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the final temple, the final priest and the final sacrifice; and He has now applied these truths to His church – His new covenant people – in a way that shows His fulfillment of the old covenant.

Peter begins in verse 4 by pointing out that Jesus is chosen by God and is precious to Him. God established the fact that Jesus would be the Messiah; He made that choice, not the church, because His Son is precious to Him. “Precious” means to be of high value or to be highly esteemed. We talk about “precious jewels” and “precious memories” because of their value to us. This truth about Jesus is confirmed in the first part of verse 6 as Peter quotes Psalm 118:22: “See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone.” The context of Psalm 118 describes the triumph of a king, who although rejected by the people is vindicated by God. Jesus is the Messianic King who was chosen before the foundation of the world in order to redeem His people by His own precious blood. He is victorious by virtue of His resurrection, thus He is the Living Stone, who all men and women must come to in order to be saved.

He is now precious to us by faith. Verse 7: “Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.” As Christians we have come to believe and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and King. He has become precious to us.

We highly esteem and honor Him as God’s precious Son and the precious cornerstone of the church. In Acts 4 we hear Peter proclaim this same truth to the Sanhedrin when he declares: “Jesus, the one whom you crucified, God raised from the dead. He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is precious to God because He is One who has redeemed sinners; and Jesus is precious to us because we are the sinners whom Jesus has redeemed. Peter’s point in Acts 4 and in I Peter 2, is that Jesus is the only one who can save us, thus He is the only one whom men and women can turn to.

But Jesus is also the one who is rejected by those who disobey His Word. In contrast to being chosen by God, Jesus is rejected by men – verse 4 – and then we read at the end of verse 7: “He is the stone that the builders rejected;” and then in verse 8: “They stumble because they disobey the message.” Jesus is of no value to people who reject the message of the gospel. Peter quotes from Isaiah 8, where Isaiah speaks of people whose disobedience leads to unbelief. They are unable and unwilling to believe God’s message; and Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 21 when He too applies the words of Psalm 118 to Himself. He says, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it’s marvelous in His sight.’”

This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible because of its significance when it comes to God’s plan of salvation. What happened to Jesus is marvelous in God’s sight because it accomplished our redemption, thus it should be marvelous and wonderful in our sight. This Living Stone will impact everyone in one way or another. You will either stumble over Him in disobedience, and reject His message; and as a result He will roll over you and crush you; or you will trust in Him and believe His message; and as a result He will incorporate you into His new temple as living stones. This then is the second main point of the passage: the character of God’s people. Verse 5 explains the spiritual character of those who have come to Jesus Christ by faith. “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.”

In contrast to the dead stones of the physical temple, the church is made up of alive people – “living stones” – whom the Living Stone Jesus Christ has made spiritually alive, through the living and active Word of God.

As Christians we are growing up in our salvation by “being built into God’s spiritual house.” The picture is not one of a physical building, but a spiritual one. God has replaced the old covenant with a new one; and the living stones are people from every nation who are coming to Christ, and are being made spiritually alive through the power of the gospel. We are first being built as God’s new temple. Paul elaborates on this imagery in Ephesians 2 when he says:

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together, and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

Paul points out that the Gentiles are no longer outsiders, but that Jews and Gentiles alike – all Christians – are equal members of God’s family; and together are rising as His spiritual and holy temple. The character of God’s people is united around spiritual truths and spiritual activities, not physical temples or physical birth. As Christians we are all His holy priesthood – the priesthood is no longer one specific class or group of people who have direct access to God and represented other people – rather now, through Christ we all have access to God, indicating that we all have the responsibility to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. This is God’s primary purpose for us as priests in His new temple.

Peter is going to tell us more specifically how we actually do this as the chapter and the epistle progress. His main point in this passage though is that these spiritual qualities point us to the type of character we are to have as individual Christians who make up the church of Jesus Christ. When was the last time you told someone that you were part of a holy priesthood? It’s not a club, it’s a lifestyle. The people around us might not understand the terminology, and if they aren’t Christians they certainly won’t, but what people should see is the Jesus Christ is the focal point of our lives and of our church. They should see this by our actions – the action of offering spiritual sacrifices to God – again spiritual terminology that some might not fully understand, but most everyone understands the sacrifice of service; and the willingness to give of yourself to others even as Jesus gave of Himself to you. This is Paul’s point in Romans 12 when He says that we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.

This is the process of growing up in our salvation, which we looked at last week in verses 1 – 3, and this growth comes from seeking and applying the Word of God in our lives. It’s the Word of God that teaches us how to live as holy priests and how to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this salvation, and Jesus Christ is the one who builds our character as His people. But the final point I want to touch on from this passage is the contrast of God’s message. This imagery of this passage clearly contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant, but in addition to this Peter contrasts the difference between faith and unbelief.

This same contrast is evident today. You either believe and trust the message of Christ or you stumble over Christ in unbelief. The choice results in something marvelous or in something terrible. Peter sets forth this contrast in verse 7 and 8. For those who believe, Jesus is precious and seen as the capstone, yet for those who reject Jesus He is a stumbling stone and of no value. What is most significant is that Peter shows us this contrast and this choice in light of God’s Word – the Old Testament Scripture – and in view of God’s choice. “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” God honors His Son by giving Him the preeminent position in His household, or in His new temple. The builders rejected the architect’s plan. Who is man to argue with the divine plan and message of God?

In Colossians 1 Paul says that Christ is the Head of the church, His body, and that He was raised from the dead so that in everything Christ might have supremacy or preeminence. The message of Christ’s gospel calls people to align themselves with the Living Stone by faith, so that you will become living stones in His house, which is the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on Him.” This is Peter’s point at the end verse 8: Disobedience to the message of Christ confirms the judgment of unbelievers. He says, “They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.” All mankind is destined for God’s wrath and judgment; and by rejecting and disobeying the gospel they confirm their destiny.

The person who fails to believe in Christ will die in disobedience. This is why the message of the gospel is so important – not just for us who believe, but for those who still have the opportunity to hear the gospel and obey the message; and to trust in Jesus by faith.

Peter quotes the Word of God from Isaiah in verse 6: “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.” This is still true today. As Christians we are not ashamed of the gospel, thus God is not ashamed of us. We are not ashamed of the gospel because it’s the power of God unto salvation. God is still adding stones to His new temple; Christ is still building His church today; and He is doing it through the power of the gospel and the message of His church.

A stoned church is one full of people who have come to the Living Stone; who have tasted that the Lord is good; and have experienced the love and mercy of Christ in their lives, and as such want to share this wonderful grace with others as God’s new priesthood. We believe that everyone must be stoned by the grace and mercy of the gospel, so that they too will be filled with the knowledge of salvation and come to the Living Stone Jesus Christ.

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