Building on the Right Cornerstone By Major Frank Materu
Main Scripture:
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” – Matthew 21:42.
----Introduction
The foundation of any structure is crucial to its stability and endurance. If the foundation is faulty, the entire building is destined to collapse. In the same way, our lives must be built on a solid foundation—Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. Too many people today are building their lives on shifting sands of pride, deceit, and worldly ambition. When we fail to establish our lives on the truth of God’s Word, we risk everything we build crumbling in the end. This message calls us to examine where we are building and to return to the true foundation—Jesus.
----The Chief Cornerstone: Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the only true foundation upon which we can build our lives. He is the chief cornerstone, the One the builders rejected. In the days of Jesus, the religious leaders rejected Him because He spoke the truth. They were blinded by their pride and their own selfish ambitions, and they chose to ignore the foundation that God had set before them.
Today, many continue to reject the truth of Jesus Christ, preferring to build on foundations of their own making—worldly success, materialism, and false ideologies. The truth remains, however: only when we build our lives on Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, will we stand firm and secure. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”
----The Deception of Hypocrisy
One of the greatest dangers we face in our spiritual journey is the temptation to be hypocritical. Many claim to follow Jesus but their actions speak otherwise. “There are countless hypocritical leaders who claim to be His messengers, yet they are not. They are liars and deceivers, because they do not speak His words, only the words of their own deceitful hearts.” These leaders, just like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, wear a façade of piety but are far from the truth. They deceive themselves and others, leading people down a path that ultimately leads to destruction.
Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time, calling them out for their falsehoods. Today, we see the same pattern—false teachers who prioritize their own gain over the well-being of God’s people. They preach what people want to hear, not what God has commanded. They raise funds for their own pockets and build large followings, all while leading people astray.
----The Consequences of Building on False Foundations
When we build on a faulty foundation, we face inevitable collapse. “Such deceitfulness in the priesthood, the clergy is no new thing. Jesus encountered the same thing in the days of His earthly journey and so will you.” Just as Jesus faced opposition from false messengers, we too will encounter deception in our world today. False teachers often promise material blessings and worldly success, but their message leads people further from the truth.
Many are deceived into thinking that financial gain or success is a sign of God’s blessing, but true blessings are found in obedience to God’s will. False teachers, driven by greed and fame, tell people what they want to hear in order to exploit them. They do not care about the eternal well-being of those who follow them. “Such ones as these in their broadcasting, that is sowing their seeds of rebellion will always show their large audiences in order to convince others to give to their causes whatever they may be.”
----The True Message: Building on Jesus, the Cornerstone
It is important for us to recognize the difference between false messages and the truth of God’s Word. To declare the truth may not bring fame, wealth, or popularity, but it will bring peace and eternal life. “To declare the TRUTH is not ‘easy money and fame,’ it is in fact hard to deal with because it means that those who are participating in His cause will suffer rejection.” The message of the gospel is a call to repentance and transformation, not material gain. Those who build on the right foundation, Jesus Christ, will endure the hardships of this life, but they will also experience the peace that comes from walking in the truth.
While false teachers continue to lead people into deception, there are those who remain faithful to the truth. They proclaim God’s Word, even when it’s unpopular or difficult. They understand that true blessing comes not from the world’s riches, but from living in obedience to God’s will.
----Summary
The message of building on a faulty foundation is one of caution and correction. We must be careful where we build our lives, for only Jesus Christ is the true and sure foundation. Many today are deceived by false teachers who promise material blessings in exchange for following their deceptive teachings. However, the truth is that only those who build their lives on Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, will stand firm through trials and challenges.
----Conclusion
As we reflect on this message, let us ask ourselves where we are building. Are we following the false messages of the world, or are we truly building our lives on Jesus Christ? The foundation we choose will determine the outcome of our lives. Let us return to the truth, to the solid rock of Jesus, and build according to His Word. Only then can we be assured that what we build will endure and remain, standing firm through all the trials of life.
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” – Matthew 21:42
