God’s Living Stones 1 Peter 2:4-12

Ground Covered in Chapter 1 The amazing different-ness of the Christian. A change is in place “…you’ve been born again…” Yet depends on our agreement “…be different, for I am different…” “…do not be conformed to this world…”

Ground Covered in Chapter 1 The amazing different-ness of the Christian. Get ready for upheaval and change “…arm yourself for action…” “…long for the pure milk…”

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… A plan centered on Jesus Christ “For He [the Christ] was foreknown before the foundation of the world…” 1 Peter 1:20a And it included you, too! “…but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.” 1 Peter 1:20b “…who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…” 1 Peter 1:1b-2a In a nutshell: And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 1 Peter 2:6

The Corner Stone

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) Staggeringly costly, even to God: “precious” En+Tuphos: high value, high-price “A costly cornerstone!” Is. 28:16 Valuable to you, too: an end to disappointment. For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 1 Peter 2:6

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 1 Peter 2:7-8

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Brushing aside man-made religion. “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. Matthew 21:44-45

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Brushing aside man-made religion. Sweep away the glory of human achievement. “a large statue--an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance…” Dan.2:31 “…a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue…and it became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:34-35

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Brushing aside man-made religion. Sweep away the glory of human achievement. An offense to human pride. But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness 1 Corinthians 1:23 A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Brushing aside man-made religion. Sweep away the glory of human achievement. A clash with human pride. An appeal to “losers”. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Starting Over: a New Race of Humanity (2:9-10) This is why you must be “Born Again”… But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Starting Over: a New Race of Humanity (2:9-10) The Dwelling Place of God You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house… 1 Peter 2:5

The Ancient Plan of God Before God set creation in motion… The Cornerstone: building something new. (2:6) With the Rock of Offense (2:7-8) Starting Over: a New Race of Humanity (2:9-10) The Dwelling Place of God The exalted, unique & ancient purpose of God… Just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 2 Corinthians 6:16

You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house… 1 Peter 2:5 A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… 1 Peter 2:9 Hierarchy (OED): “A system in which people…are ranked one above the other according to status.” #1) Religious authorities

A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… 1 Peter 2:9 This is Wrong! You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house… 1 Peter 2:5

A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! Self-Will power. The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many Inter-Dependency You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house… 1 Peter 2:5 So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Rom. 12:5

A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! Self-Will power. The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many Inter-Dependency

A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! Self-Will power. The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many Inter-Dependency For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Rom. 12:3 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Cor. 12:18

A Pile of Stones No definite relationship between stones

A Pile of Stones Stolen stone hardly noticeable

A Spiritual Dwelling Each stone stands in relation to other stones

A Spiritual Dwelling Stolen stone stands out immediately!

A Spiritual Dwelling Stone not doing it’s part causes damage

A Spiritual Dwelling Stone not doing it’s part causes damage Relatedness: Each stone being supported

A Spiritual Dwelling Stone not doing it’s part causes damage Relatedness: Each stone being supported Each stone supporting others

A Kingdom of “Living Stones” Unlike any Human Empire Human Empires Glorious armies! The elite few! Self-Will power. Building THINGS. The Kingdom of God Plain people… The elite many Inter-Dependency Building Relationships Since [been born again]…you have a sincere love for your brothers, [now] love one another deeply, from the heart… 1 Peter 1:22

What it Means to Us You are part of God’s living testimony to the world. “…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“Declaring the Excellencies…” “Precious Cornerstone”

What it Means to Us You are part of God’s living testimony to the world. You have a vital role in God’s Building. you also, as living stones, are being built up… 1 Pet. 2:5

What it Means to Us You are part of God’s living testimony to the world. You have a vital role in God’s Building. Invest in the most fulfilling work a human can undertake. love one another deeply, from the heart… 1 Peter 1:22 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

What it Means to Us You are part of God’s living testimony to the world. You have a vital role in God’s Building. Invest in the most fulfilling work a human can undertake. We are ALL called to ministry… But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… 1 Peter 2:9

What it Means to Us You are part of God’s living testimony to the world. You have a vital role in God’s Building. Invest in the most fulfilling work a human can undertake. We are ALL called to ministry…