“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalms 118:22-23 AMP

Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed to powder [and It will winnow him, scattering him like dust]. Matthew 21:42-44 AMP

The cornerstone is the foundation for the building. Without it, there would be no building, for it would fall apart. Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church. Indeed, He is the Cornerstone and the plumb-line of ALL of Creation!

Out of him [Judah] shall come forth the Cornerstone, out of him the tent peg, out of him the battle bow; every ruler shall proceed from him. Zechariah 10:4 AMP

And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble thereon; and they shall fall and be broken, and be snared and taken. Isaiah 8:14-15 AMP

The cornerstone is the guide or direction for the entire building. It is also the plumb-line. The cornerstone unites two walls at the corner of the building and binds the building together. Jesus said, “I will build My Church”. The Church is built on the foundation of Jesus and then upon the apostles and New Testament prophets. Jesus united Jews and Gentiles in the Church.

You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. 22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22 AMP

This temple, the Body of Christ, is built on Jesus, the Cornerstone, and is “fitly framed together” (Ephesians4:16), so that every part accomplishes the purpose God has in mind.

Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. 5 [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. 7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, 8 And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:4-10 AMP

The cornerstone was used as a base to make sure the other stones of the building were straight and level. In the same way, Jesus’ life and teaching is the church’s foundation. Jesus was the Chosen One – chosen to give His life and to save the world. He is the ONLY Way to the Father and the ONLY way to salvation. Those who receive God’s word and who believe in and receive Jesus enjoy the benefits, but those who reject Him and His word, have no hope. The “builders” were the Israelites, but they rejected Jesus. Instead of being their Rock, He became their stumbling black and rock of offence. They stumbled because they were disobedient and disbelieving. There are still those who stumble over Jesus because of disobedience and unbelief.

Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law [for the securing] of righteousness (right standing with God), actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law. 32 For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone. 33 As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations. Romans 9:31-33 AMP

Israel stumbled over Jesus, the Cornerstone, because they tried to achieve righteousness with God through works, rather than through faith. There is salvation through only one Name – the Name of Jesus! Jesus must become your Cornerstone!

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. 12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12 AMP