Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Cornerstone

Bryan Schneider · September 9, 2023

Mark 12:1-12

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-cornerstone

Summary

The vineyard parable answers the leaders who challenge Jesus' authority and exposes their refusal to surrender power, privilege, and self-rule.
God painstakingly planted and protected Israel as his vineyard, then entrusted its care to leaders who were stewards rather than owners.
The tenants' blessings hardened into entitlement, and they abused and killed the prophets sent to receive the fruit owed to the owner.
God finally sent his beloved Son, whom the leaders would kill in the irrational hope of securing the inheritance for themselves.
The owner will judge the treacherous tenants and entrust the vineyard to others; sin's self-justification cannot prevent divine justice.
Jesus is the rejected stone made the chief cornerstone, the weight-bearing standard of truth and righteousness for God's church.
Church leaders are only tenant stewards, and every believer must receive biblical correction humbly rather than defending sinful habits and personal authority.

Where have God's gifts begun to feel like possessions to which I am entitled?
Do I receive correction from God's Word, or do I become defensive and justify myself?
Am I trying to preserve personal authority, habits, or systems instead of submitting them to Jesus?
Do I treat a congregation as belonging to a pastor, family, or faction rather than to Christ?
Are my eyes fixed on Jesus the cornerstone or on a church leader who will eventually disappoint me?
What fruit of faithfulness does God rightly seek from the responsibilities he has entrusted to me?
What sinful pattern must I surrender so that I can sit humbly at Jesus' feet?

Vineyard: The biblical picture of Israel as God's carefully planted and protected covenant people.
Vinedressers: Tenant stewards representing Israel's leaders, who were entrusted with God's people but treated the vineyard as their own.
Servants: God's prophets, repeatedly sent to call his people and leaders to covenant faithfulness.
Beloved Son: Jesus Christ, sent by the Father and rejected by the leaders despite his rightful authority.
Chief cornerstone: The rejected Christ whom God exalts as the essential support and governing standard of his church.
Stewardship: The entrusted care of people and gifts that remain God's property rather than the leader's possession.