How should 1 Peter 2:7 influence our evangelism efforts towards non-believers? Key verse “To you who believe, therefore, He is precious. But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’” (1 Peter 2:7) The precious cornerstone: our foundational reality • Christ is not merely important—He is “precious” to every believer. • Evangelism begins with delight: we speak of what we treasure (Psalm 34:8; John 1:41). • The same Stone people reject is still the Cornerstone God established (Isaiah 28:16). Our message stands firm whether accepted or refused. What 1 Peter 2:7 tells us about believers and unbelievers • Two responses are inevitable: embracing Christ as precious or rejecting Him outright (Acts 4:11–12). • Rejection does not alter Christ’s position; it simply reveals the heart of the hearer (John 3:18–19). • Expect mixed reactions; Scripture prepares us for both honor and hostility (1 Corinthians 1:22–24). How the verse shapes our heart for evangelism • Confidence: God has already set Jesus as Cornerstone, so our task is to proclaim, not invent, salvation (Matthew 28:18). • Compassion: those who reject are forfeiting the greatest treasure; this should stir earnest love rather than frustration (Romans 9:1–3). • Clarity: present Christ as central, not optional; people aren’t choosing a lifestyle upgrade but confronting the Living Stone (John 14:6). • Courage: rejection of the message is foreseen, so we need not take it personally (Luke 10:16). Practical steps for sharing the Cornerstone 1. Speak of Christ’s worth openly. Use personal testimony of why He is precious to you (Psalm 116:1). 2. Show Scripture’s consistency: cross-reference Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16 to reveal God’s plan. 3. Highlight exclusivity with humility: only one Cornerstone can bear the weight of salvation (Acts 4:12). 4. Invite exploration: encourage friends to read one Gospel and ask, “Who is Jesus showing Himself to be?” 5. Pray for God to grant sight, because only He removes the veil (2 Corinthians 4:4–6). 6. Keep relationships warm; love is the setting in which the preciousness of Christ shines (John 13:35). Encouragement to keep sowing the seed • Some hearts will remain hard, yet others will discover the Stone is precious beyond words (1 Peter 2:9–10). • Our faithfulness is measured not by numbers but by obedience to share (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). • Lean on the promise that the Cornerstone will never fail those who trust in Him (Romans 9:33). |
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