1. 1 Peter 2:4-10

2. Peter would understand the idea of Jesus as the living stone-- the "Rock" upon which the church would be founded in Matthew 16:16-19! As with Paul, so Peter: image of Christians as comprising a spiritual house (Ephesians 2:19-21) Christians, therefore, work together and exist together to be something greater than each individual, as also seen in Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Without stones, you cannot have a house-- importance of individuals. Yet one stone cannot make a house-- importance of collective The Spiritual House

3. The idea of all Christians as priests in 1 Peter 2:5 emphasized and not limited to only a few (priesthood vs laity) Yet, in context, Christians are just as much "living stones“ and "sacrifices" as "priests" (v. 5) 3. How can the Christian be the building as well as the minister as well as the offering? The Priesthood and Sacrifices

4. This passage an indication, along with Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, Ephesians 2:19-21, and Hebrews 13:15, that the Israelite Temple and its rituals now seen in individual believers and the church. Israelite Temple and rituals: God's Presence in Temple, and the various duties of sacrifices of animals offered for sin, thanksgiving, etc.; offerings of animals, libations, incense accomplished by priests ministering for the people before God. That was their center of religion The Priesthood and Sacrifices

5. Today, God dwells with believers, not in a building (John 4:24, Romans 8:11). Thus, individual believers and the church as the "holy place“. The work of Christians as believers thus the "sacrifice“. Since we are practicing it, we are the ministers, thus "priests“. Therefore, we must emphasize how believers, individually and communally, represent the Body of Christ and the Temple of God, "religious functions" no longer limited to few selected by lineage. This is Peter's emphasis-- that which was vested in the Jewish Temple and in the priesthood now vested in all believers! The Priesthood and Sacrifices

6. Many times the aspects of 1 Peter 2:9 are individually parsed. That can be profitable, but Peter is trying to make a strong point with the whole presentation. Much made of Christians as "royal priesthood“ yet originally cited in Exodus 19:5-6, refers to God's intention for all of Israel– that every Israelite would minister to God their King God's Holy Nation

7. Thus, God is accomplishing now with Christians some things He did not accomplish with Israel! Regardless, the whole list of descriptions, for generations, referred only to Israel-- the Israelites were the chosen race, the holy nation, the people of God's own possession. Yet now, on account of prophecy, Peter connects them to believers in Jesus Christ-- any and all of them! He also applies promises God made to Israel through Hosea to believers now in Christ those who did not receive mercy did receive mercy, and those who were not God's people are now God's people. God's Holy Nation

8. Therefore, Christians are the spiritual Israel, and their lives and conduct should reflect their new status! We must now proclaim the excellencies of God who has brought us from darkness to light. That means we must walk in the light, know and do the commandments, and walk as Jesus walked (1 John 1:5-2:6) God's Holy Nation

9. Peter's grand point is that whereas the old covenant featured a nation chosen by lineage with a Temple and offerings, the new covenant features a nation chosen through grace and faith and obedience with a spiritual house made up of believers serving God and doing His will on earth! Are our offerings acceptable to God through Christ? Do we proclaim God's excellencies through our words and deeds? Conclusion