A Precious Cornerstone

Sermon Reflection – February 15, 2026

Rock Island Cumberland Presbyterian Church

This Sunday’s message, “A Precious Cornerstone,” was both grounding and deeply encouraging. From the opening notes of Hymn #6 “How Great Thou Art” to the powerful reminder in Hymn #107 “Love Lifted Me,” and closing with “Bless the Lord,” our hearts were lifted toward the One who holds everything together.

The sermon began with history. After the Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, the young United States began building its government. On September 18, 1793, the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol was laid. In masonry, the cornerstone is not decorative. It establishes alignment, orientation, and strength. Every wall depends on it. If it is misplaced, the entire structure is compromised.

Scripture tells us that Jesus is that cornerstone.

In 1 Peter 2:6 we read:

“See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”

He is chosen. He is precious. Yet He was rejected.

Peter continues:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (1 Peter 2:7)

Jesus Himself declared this truth in Matthew 21:42:

“The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Those words confronted His listeners then, and they still confront us now. What are we building our lives upon? Prestige? Comfort? Control? Or Christ?

In Matthew 7:24–25, Jesus said:

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”

Storms are not optional in life. Renovations happen. Foundations are tested. At times we may feel unsettled, anxious, even unsure where our footing is. But Christ has not moved. As 1 Peter 1:25 reminds us:

“The word of the Lord endures forever.”

Unlike earthly cornerstones that can be buried, forgotten, or lost in renovations, our spiritual Cornerstone remains steady and eternal.

The message also reminded us that being built on Christ is not passive belief. We are called to be “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), built into a spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices through Jesus Christ. No longer do we stand at a distance, dependent on repeated temple sacrifices. Through the cross, the veil was torn. We now come directly into God’s presence.

Romans 12:1 calls us:

“Present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

A spiritual sacrifice is daily, intentional devotion. It is obedience from a sincere heart. It is choosing to stand firm when storms rage. It is trusting that even when life feels under renovation, the Cornerstone still holds.

This Sunday reminded us that the most important decision we make is what we build upon. When Christ is our foundation, alignment follows. Stability follows. Hope follows.

If you are searching for a firm foundation, or if life has felt shaken lately, we warmly invite you to join us at Rock Island Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Come worship, sing, grow, and be strengthened alongside us.

There is room here for you to be built up as a living stone, grounded in a precious and unshakable Cornerstone.

You are always welcome.