#3 – Living Stones
1st Peter 2:1-5 (6-10) - Victory Fellowship
April 30, 2023 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. INTRODUCTION: “Not our Home”
Have you noticed that the world (our culture) is increasingly hostile to the faithful, conservative Christian? People of faith in Jesus Christ are being criticized, even condemned for their biblical values and worldview.
The New Testament Epistle, 1st Peter, reveals that there is nothing new under the sun. Peter's audience in the early 60's A.D. was being severely persecuted for their faith. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to share encouragement with them (and us) for how to live out our faith in such an environment. The next few weeks I will share insight from Peter's letter to the churches in Northern Asia Minor. As Peter relates, there is hope of a better home awaiting - this world is not our home.
Peter writes to Christians suggesting they seek spiritual growth like newborn babes wanting milk. He wants the church to grow up, spiritually speaking, even in the face of adverse situations.
Property Laws of a Toddler: Some might say that this is evidences of Original Sin
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
II. GROWING UP IN OUR SALVATION (1-3)
A. WHAT TO GET RID OF (1)
1. All malice, all deceit
2. Hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking
B. WHAT TO SEEK AFTER (2-3)
1. The pure milk of the word
a. As newborn babes
b. That you may grow thereby
2. If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious
III. OUR PRIVILEGE IN CHRIST
A. WE ARE LIVING STONES (4-5)
1. Coming to Christ as to a living stone
a. Who was rejected by men
b. Who is chosen by God and precious
2. We as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house
a. To be a holy priesthood
b. To offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ (Love God – Love People)
3. Peter adds that Christ is the precious cornerstone. (6-8)
a. As foretold in Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
1) He who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame
2) Precious to those who believe
b. As foretold in Psalms 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14
1) A stone rejected by the builders, which has become the
chief cornerstone. A stone of stumbling and rock of offense to
those who are disobedient. Are you hostile to God?
B. GOD’S OWN PEOPLE (9-10)
1. Peter goes on to say, we are now: A chosen generation, A royal priesthood, A Holy Nation, God’s own special people.
2. We proclaim the praises of God, who called us
1) Out of darkness and Into His marvelous light
b. The people of God, who once were not the people of God
1) Who had not obtained mercy, But now have obtained mercy
IV. CONCLUSION:
As living stones, Christ had made us God’s Own People.
PRAYER
SONG: In Christ Alone #390
1st Peter 2:1-10: (HCSB) So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God—you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it is contained in Scripture: Look! I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame! So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected—this One has become the cornerstone, and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
