The Hope of a Spiritual House and Better Sacrifices

Outline

3 steps to take in order to offer acceptable sacrifices to God

1 Peter 1:3 - ...born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

1 Peter 2:1 - Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander…

1 Peter 1:6-7 - In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

I. Recognize that Jesus Christ Is the Cornerstone (v.4, 6-8)

A. Understanding the cornerstone imagery

1 Peter 2:4 - And coming to Him as to a living stone...

1 Peter 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.”

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.”

Acts 4:10-12 - …let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Mark 12:10-12 - Have you not even read this Scripture: “The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes”? And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

1 Peter 2:7 - The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone…

B. Rejection from men and exaltation from God were both prophesied

Mark 9:31-32 - He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

Mark 8:31-32 - And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly...

II. Go to Jesus so that He can Use You in His Redemptive Construction Plan (vv.3-4; Ps. 34:4-5)

Psalm 34:8 - O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8 (NASB 95) O taste and see that the LORD is good...

1 Peter 2:3 (NASB 95) …if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:3 (ESV) …if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:3 (NIV) …now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

A. Jesus makes you (individuals) into living stones - like him (v.5)

1 Peter 2:5 - …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. In suffering and rejection by men

1 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you…

Hebrews 13:12-14 - Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

2. In preciousness and honor from God

1 Peter 2:6 - And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.

1 Peter 2:7 - This precious value, then, is for you who believe...

1 Peter 5:6 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time…

B. Jesus builds living stones into a spiritual house – the church

Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them…”

III. Live Out Your Exalted Purpose in Christ (v.5, 9-10)

1 Peter 2:5 - …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.

A. A multifaceted identity in Christ

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession...

1. A holy priesthood/royal of priests (vv.5, 9; Ex.19:6)

Exodus 19:5-6 - “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

2. A chosen race (Is. 43:19-21)

Isaiah 43:21 - “The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

3. A holy nation (v. 9; Ex. 19:6)

1 Peter 1:16 - You shall be holy, for I am holy.

4. A people for his own possession (v.9; Ex.19:5)

B. Offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices (v.5, 9)

Romans 12:1 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Peter 2:9 - 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…

3 steps to take in order to offer acceptable sacrifices to God

This year’s annual theme is Hope for Everyday Life. And part of the reason we chose that theme was because of significant cultural headwinds, economic uncertainty, and just plenty of reports of suffering even within our own church. All of those challenges have the potential of draining our hope if we aren’t careful.

And as followers of Jesus Christ, living without hope should be a complete and totally oxymoron.

As we’ve already studied in this book, Peter tells us that through Jesus we have been

1 Peter 1:3 ...born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

You see followers of Jesus should be filled with hope. But as Pastor Viars mentioned last week, that doesn’t just happen automatically. In suffering, the tendency of sinful humans is not look inward and examine ourselves, but rather to look outside of ourselves for what and who is to blame.

• That’s why 1 Peter 2 begins with 5 responses to suffering that must be put off.

1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander

Those responses are completely opposite of what Peter said we should do in trials early in chapter 1...

1 Peter 1:6–7

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Well, if we’re going to grow to the point of GREATLY REJOICING...not just rejoicing but GREATLY rejoicing in trials, then we’re going to need the entire letter of 1 Peter. So if you’re not there yet, don’t worry Peter has more hope to help you get there.

The passage that we are studying today is 1 Peter 2:4–10...and part of the heavy dose of hope that Peter has for us this morning comes from lots and lots Old Testament allusions, citations and quotes.

So I hope you’re ready to really work up a spiritual and mental sweat this morning...and if mentally stretching yourself sounds like a trial this morning...allow me to remind you of the passage that is still on the screen...

• IN THIS you GREATLY REJOICE!

So I’m expecting a lot of rejoicing this morning!

Follow along with me as I read 1 Peter 2:4–10. The title of the sermon this morning is the Hope of a Spiritual House and Better Sacrifices...and I’m just going to be honest out of the gate...I’m not crazy about that title...

• And I’m sure you’re wondering, “Well who came up with that title?” That would be yours truly...

The reason I’m not crazy about that title is because there is so much going on in this passage it was hard to summarize in a title...

What we are going hone in on though is 3 steps to take in order to offer sacrifices acceptable to God.

³ if you have tasted ^the kindness of the Lord.

⁴ 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, ⁵ 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. 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.”

⁷ 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,”

⁸ 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.

⁹ 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; ¹⁰ 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.

There is a lot going on in this passage but we are organizing our thoughts around 3 steps to take in order to offer right sacrifices to God.

The first step is to recognize that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

I. Recognize that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone (v.4, 6–8)

I hope you noticed all the stone language in the text.

• 5 times the word “stone” shows up in this passage, with 3 other “stony” words.

• In v.6 we get the word “cornerstone”

• In v.7 the word that the NASB translates “cornerstone” is actually something like “head stone” or “capstone.”

• And then in v.8 we get we get a “rock” thrown in with all this other “stone” language.

What is all of this about...

Understanding the cornerstone imagery

The first thing to note in understanding the cornerstone and stone imagery is that it is referring to a person.

We see that very clearly in in v.4

1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone...

Then the OT scriptures that Peter quotes in v.6, 7 and 8 are all referring to the “him” in v.4.

Now, it’s very interesting because in looking at the Old Testament passages, especially the passage he quotes in v.6, it’s not as clear that this cornerstone is a person...

1 Peter 2:6 (NASB 95) 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.”

Isaiah 28:16 (NASB 95) 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.

The question is, why does Peter say that this cornerstone is a person when that was less clear in the original prophecy in Isaiah? And to what person is he referring?

Acts 4:10–12 records Peter’s words spoken the Jewish priests and Sadducees after Peter and John heal a lame man in Acts 3. And Peter clearly identifies this cornerstone with Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:10–12

¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. ¹¹ He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

And we know from the gospels that Peter would have received this from Jesus himself, who applied the stone/cornerstone imagery directly to himself.

In Mark 12, shortly before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion he tells a parable to the chief priest and scribes to the effect that THEY, the Jewish leaders are fulfilling the scriptures about rejecting the cornerstone...exactly what we just read Peter saying in Acts 4.

So in Mark 12:10 Jesus asks the chief priests and Scribes

Mark 12:10–12

¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; ¹¹ THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?” ¹² And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

So the first part of grasping the cornerstone imagery is to understand that this is referring to Jesus Christ...he is the cornerstone.

And as the cornerstone, he is the most important stone in the building which according to v.5 is a spiritual house.

Another way to think of Jesus as the cornerstone is to see him as the foundation...you cannot have a building without a foundation.

• Which is what makes the OT quote in v.7 so scandalous...

1 Peter 2:7 ... “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,”

• The builders are supposed to be the ones that know what they are doing...and yet, they reject the most important stone for the building...

• They reject Jesus Christ.

Now...the story is even more scandalous and outrageous when we start to add in more and more context...and that’s what makes these Old Testament quotes so significant....

B. Rejection from men and exaltation from God were both prophesied

The rejection from men and exaltation from God were both prophesied for the cornerstone.

The rejection the Son of God who is the chosen and precious cornerstone that God picked is shocking enough...

• But when we understand who rejected him...it is really shocking...so shocking that if God hadn’t prophesied it hundreds of years before it ever happened it would be absolutely unbelievable.

The builders that rejected him were none other than the religious leaders of the very nation that prided themselves as being God’s chosen people...being God’s holy nation...being God’s kingdom of priests...

• All the terms that Peter mentions in v.5 and v.9 that were applied directly to Israel are the things that Israelites prided themselves in...and yet, the religious leaders who were looking for the Messiah and awaiting this cornerstone...when he showed up, they were the ones that led the nation to reject him, and ultimately to crucify him.

There is no question about it that the ultimate fulfillment of the rejection from men and being rejected by the builders is referring to none other than his crucifixion.

So scandalous was this that when Jesus plainly told his disciples what was going to happen, they were confused...

Mark 9:31–32 records that...

³¹ ...He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” ³² But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

And the disciples confusion is only made more bewildering when we understand that this came after he had already began teaching them about this...Mark 8 records...

Mark 8:31–32

³¹ And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And He was stating the matter plainly...

Even with the Old Testament prophecy, and with the clear, plain teaching of Jesus, the thought that the chosen cornerstone—the long Messiah, would be rejected and killed was just unthinkable to them!

And yet...that’s exactly what happened.

Now the good news is, Jesus didn’t stay dead, but was raised again on the third day which is certainly why Peter identifies Jesus as the LIVING stone in v.4.

So, although Jesus was rejected by men and crucified, he is the living, chosen and precious cornerstone!

So the first step is to recognize that Jesus is the prophesied cornerstone...chosen and precious by God.

The next step after you have recognized who Jesus is, is to go to Jesus so that he can use you in his redemptive construction plan.

II. Go to Jesus so that he can use you in his redemptive construction plan. (vv.3–4; Ps. 34:4–5)

As I said at the beginning of the sermon...picking out a title for this was hard, because of how much is going in this passage.

Peter not only quotes the OT, but he alludes to in many ways as well.

One of the quotes and allusions that shows up here is Psalm 34. Psalm 34 is one of the most beloved psalms with v.8 being one of the most well know verses of the entire book of Psalms...

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

• The way the NASB translates 1 Peter 2:3 obscures the reference by translating the verse as tasting the kindness of the Lord rather than the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 34:8 (NASB 95) 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good...

1 Peter 2:3 (NASB 95) 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:3 (ESV) 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:3 (NIV) 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

So v.3 seems to clearly show us that Peter is thinking about Psalm 34 as he is writing this letter. Even greater evidence shows up when we get to chapter 3, where Peter quoteס Psalm 34 at length. So there is strong reason to believe Peter is purposefully thinking about Psalm 34 here.

But why does that matter...

Well for one, Peter’s statement in v.4 about going to HIM...him being Jesus...that Jesus is the LORD of v.3. And if v.3 is quoting Psalm 34, then the LORD he references in Psalm 34 is none other than YAHWEH, the God of heaven and earth in the OT!

• The point is, Peter’s statement is significantly Christological! Jesus isn’t just chosen and precious by God. He is none other than God in the flesh! The Son of God and the 2^nd member of the trinity!

• So in recognizing the cornerstone, we also recognize that the cornerstone is the LORD!

• Therefore, if you want to go to the LORD, the only way to come to the GOD, is to come to Jesus the living stone!

Here’s a key application when you really understand Jesus is God and he is the cornerstone that the Father sees as chosen and precious!

• You need to point people to Jesus...

• In as many ways as possible you need to make sure that they know that you are not just a follower of God, but that you are a follower of Jesus Christ!

• Many people in our culture are still very comfortable talking about “God” and how they believe in “God” and they pray to God, and so forth...

• Have you ever noticed though, how challenging it is to transition from talking about God to talking about Jesus???

• Or if you do talk about Jesus, how uncomfortable people can get even though they were just talking about God??

• This passage helps understand why Jesus is so important...if you want to go to God you must go to him!

• This passage also will help us understand why Jesus...rather than “God” is so controversial!

Another reason that makes Peter’s use of Psalm 34 important is that v.4 and v.6 have verbal and thematic connections to Psalm 34 that help us see how God truly keep his word to his people.

We don’t have time look specifically at all of it. But Psalm 34 is about seeking the Lord and being delivered. And how the one who goes to the Lord will never be put to shame.

• I hope you can see the themes here in our passage. Those who go to Jesus, the living stone are going to be built into a spiritual house and as v.7 indicates there is real value and honor for those who believe!

Notice if you come to Jesus the living stone...what happens???

Jesus makes you (individuals) into living stones—like him (v.5)

1 Peter 2:5 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.

Here’s the picture. Jesus is the living stone that is chosen by God. He has been resurrected and so those who come to him, they get the life and resurrection form Jesus and are made into living stones!

Before we get to what we are being built into, I want you to see the tight connection between the identity and experience of Jesus and identity and experience of his people.

1. In suffering and rejection by men

Jesus the living stone, chosen and precious in the sight of God is despised and rejected by men.

We—the ones who believe in Jesus rather than rejecting Jesus—become living stones like him! It shouldn’t be surprising, that although we are now chosen and precious in the sight of God, the world will hate and reject us!

Peter is writing to a group of people that is undergoing significant suffering and trials. This truth that their identity and experience should actually match the identity and experience of Jesus should be incredibly life giving and hopeful to them!

The suffering and rejection they are going through isn’t evidence that God is against them...rather if they look to Jesus the living stone, they will see that he being the most precious and honored stone by God, was crucified by men but then three days later was exalted by raising from the dead and is now seated with the Father at his right hand in heaven!

If we are going to go to Jesus and follow Jesus, then we shouldn’t be surprised that we also are going to suffer and be rejected before the honor and exaltation comes! Later in the book Peter tells says...

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

Why should a fiery ordeal and testing not be surprising? It’s because my identity in Christ should help me understand that what Christ went through I should expect to go through...

The author of Hebrews said it this way...

Hebrews 13:12–14

¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

The reproach and rejection that Jesus experienced should be expected as followers of Christ. Which for the readers in Peter’s time would be a real encouragement.

I think this should be a real boost of hope for us as well...should the cultural headwinds scare and intimidate us?

• I think according to Peter, the animosity and hate that is growing towards genuine Bible believing followers of Christ isn’t evidence of anything strange...it’s what we should expect as living stones.

1. In preciousness and honor from God

But, that certainly isn’t where the identity and experience with Christ ends. Jesus was raised again. Jesus didn’t stay dead. He is the chosen and precious cornerstone.

We too are chosen and precious in God’s sight and as Peter says multiple times in this passage...

1 Peter 2:6 ... AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

1 Peter 2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe...

Later in chapter 5 Peter tells us that,

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

This is a life that is filled with trial and rejection...but for those that wait on the Lord and look to him for their salvation, our eager hope and expectation is that we will be exalted by the Lord at the proper time!

Gospel Call:

• If you’re here this morning and would say I’ve never trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, then I hope you’ll make that decision to trust in Jesus very soon.

• There is incredible blessing for those who submit to God’s plan by coming to Jesus Christ and following him.

• But for those that reject him...and I hope you hear what this passage says...there are only two groups of people...there are living stones that come to Jesus and follow him, and there are those that reject Jesus.

And 1 Peter 2:7–8 give a serious warning for those that reject Jesus...

• Those who reject Jesus will find that Jesus becomes a stumbling block and a rock of offense to them.

• And Peter says they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they also were appointed.

• The point is pretty clear...Jesus is either the most choice, precious and important stone in your life, OR he is the stone that will crushes your life...

The word for appointed there is the same word that is used in v.6 for “I lay” in Zion a choice cornerstone...you could read that as “I have appointed in Zion a choice cornerstone...”

Those who reject Jesus are appointed to doom. But for those that recognize, their only hope is in Christ the cornerstone, to them is appointed the promise is they will never be put to shame.

Our prayer and our plea for every person who doesn’t trust in Jesus Christ is that they would go to him and be saved! And if you have questions about this, every one of the pastors would love nothing more than to help you come to know for sure what it means to have salvation in Jesus Christ.

Jesus builds living stones into a spiritual house—the church.

Now we really haven’t gotten to what is being built by the cornerstone and the other living stones...

• we understand that Jesus is the cornerstone. That was point one and very important ground work.

• We also understand that by going to Jesus, we are made into living stones and being built...

But we need to really answer the question of what is being built.

The answer in the v.5 is a spiritual house which is referring to the church.

• But there is a lot of OT background that comes into play to help us understand the enormous significance of what is being built.

First, the word house is commonly used in the OT to describe the temple.

• For example, in 2 Samuel 7 where God makes the covenant with David, the word “house” is repeatedly used.

• David says he wants to build God a “house” because up to that point, the people were still going to the tabernacle to sacrifice and worship and that wasn’t a permanent structure but rather a tent.

• So house in the OT commonly refers to the temple.

Now, it’s easy enough to grasp that the temple was a physical building, but the physical building of the temple represented something a whole lot more than the stones and wood used to build it.

• The temple represented the presence of God.

One of the dominant themes in the OT and throughout the Bible is that God wants dwell among his people.

• We don’t have time to trace this theme but suffice it to say that God dwelling with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden is representative of the kind of closeness that God has wanted forever.

Even though the temple in the OT represented the presence of God, almost everything communicated that his people couldn’t truly dwell safely in his presence because of our sin.

• So the temple walls, and the sacrifices and the curtains and priestly system were all barriers that kept us from getting too close to God’s perfect, holy presence.

• Because in his perfection and justice, sinful unjust people have a serious problem!

Well, when Jesus the prophesied cornerstone comes he teaching his people, the Jews that he is the true temple...Jesus being God in the flesh is the true presence of God.

• The temple building was always just a representation for a time, until the true temple—Jesus Christ came.

As Peter says, “he’s the cornerstone” of this new spiritual house...this new temple.

But what’s amazing is that we individually are being built into this new temple...this new temple isn’t a building it’s a community of people...it’s a community of other living stones that are being built into a spiritual house!

And the point is that individual believers—individual living stones are to be looking to the true living stone and lining their life up off of Jesus Christ so that they can be built into a spiritual house.

• A house that shows and represents the presence of God to the whole world!

Now let’s pause for just a moment...

• How many of you live in a brick house or a house that involves stone to some degree?

• Do you have a lot of bricks or stones involved in your house?

• Or is your house just one brick or stone???

One brick and one stone isn’t a house...it’s impossible to make a house without lots of other bricks and stones.

And friends I hope you see the point I’m trying to make...you cannot fulfill the purpose God has for your life if you don’t see that you are just one stone...you are a terrible house by yourself.

• If you are going to come to Jesus and be a living stone, then you must being in community with other living stones where you are allowing Jesus to shape you and build you all up into a grand spiritual house!

We are here in this big church building...but the building project that God is focused on is the people. We the members of Faith church are individual living stones that God is using to build a spiritual house.

• If you understand this, please tell me you see the obvious application to your faithful attendance to church?

• If you are following Jesus, then you will make gathering with the other living stones a huge priority in your life.

• But more than just faithful attendance on Sunday, you’ll understand what Phil Houtz said in his testimony on Sunday evening when he was baptized...

• He said, he used to attend a “Sunday only church, and this isn’t a Sunday only church!”

God is seeking to build a grand spiritual house where his presence dwells with his people. That is literally the goal of creation and where everything is headed.

Of all the things that could have been said about heaven, when the new heaven’s and the new earth are finally revealed and announced...this is the announcement by God himself...

Revelation 21:3 (NASB 95)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

Do you see the emphasis on God dwelling and being with his people?!

We get a foretaste of that now. But if you really want to dwell in the presence of God now, Peter is making the point that you should really be wanting to dwell with other believers, now!

• If you want to be in the presence of God’s spirit, then you should want to be part of God’s spiritual house!

• And I’m not trying to mean, but you individually make a pathetic house!

• I make a pathetic house!

• But when we go to Jesus and line our lives up off of Jesus, then we all as individual living stones are built into a spiritual house where the presence of God is among us!

I hope this is firing you up! I hope this helping you see the importance of the church!

• If you’re not a member of a local church, can I ask you why??

• Or if you are a member of a church, maybe even this church, can I ask you why being with other believers on Sunday, in serving, in an accountability group, and so forth isn’t all that important to you?

It would seem to me that that’s a really big deal to Jesus...and I really hope you’ll follow Jesus rather than “the builders” that rejected Jesus.

Now we have to get to step 3 because this becomes the point of all it!

• So 1) recognize that Jesus is the cornerstone, 2) come to Jesus so that he can use you in his redemptive construction plan—which is the church, and then finally 3) live out your exalted purpose in Christ.

III. Live out your exalted purpose in Christ. (v.5, 9–10)

Because there are so many fulfillments that are coming together her, the metaphor of building breaks down. He says...

1 Peter 2:5 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.

So not only are we the stones being built into a spiritual house, but we are being built for a holy priesthood.

• We are also that holy priesthood.

• We know that from v.9, where he identifies us as a kingdom of priests...

So we as living stones are being built into a spiritual, and we also are a holy priesthood, but the purpose of both is to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

That’s the purpose of all of this! That we offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God...

Well how do we do that. Peter throws at us a multifaceted identity that we have in Jesus.

A Multifaceted identity in Christ –

We have to be quick with each of these, but notice the 4 different facets of our identity in Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION...

1. i. A Holy priesthood / Royal of Priests (vv.5, 9; Ex. 19:6)

First, let’s talk about the royal priesthood. Many of these aspects that Peter applies to us in Christ, were applied to the nation of Israel.

Exodus 19:5–6 (NASB 95)

5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

We see 3 of the 4 facets of the identity Peter mentions in this passage in Exodus.

So what does it mean to be a kingdom of priests or as it’s translated in Peter...a royal priesthood?

• The purpose of a priest was to be a mediator between people and God.

• In the OT temple, sacrifices had to be brought to a priest and offered so that a person could be forgiven and accepted by God.

• The worshipper couldn’t make those sacrifices himself. He needed a priest to mediate between God and himself!

The nation of Israel was supposed to be an entire nation of priests...not that they all were priests in the temple, but that as a nation they were to be a mediator between God and the other nations.

With this same identity applied to us in the church, the point is that we are to be a people that is seeking to bring people to the Lord.

• This has outreach written all over it!

• Jesus is our great high priest, but we as the church function as a kingdom of priests when we live in such a way where we are seeking to bring people to the Lord...

Rejoicing and being steadfast in hope in suffering, is one of the ways that we get to live out this identity.

1. ii. A Chosen Race (Is. 43:19–21)

Next, we are a chosen race...this isn’t mentioned in Ex. 19, but it alludes to a couple places. One of them is

Isaiah 43:21 “The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

Why has God made the church, believers in Jesus Christ into a chosen race? So that we will declare his praise...that’s exactly where Peter goes in v.9...

1. iii. A Holy Nation (v. 9; Ex. 19:6)

Next, we...the church are a holy nation...

• Holy meaning set-apart.

A couple weeks ago we studied 1 Peter 1, where he tells us

1 Peter 1:16 ...“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

The point is, the church is supposed to be different. We are supposed to speak, act, think in such a way that it is clear that we are different from the rest of the world.

• Another way to say this, is we are supposed to be weird.

• The church isn’t supposed to fit in...and yet, the way we live, looking to Christ, and rejoicing in trials should be very attractive to people that it will draw others in to follow the Lord.

1. iv. A People for his own possession (v.9; Ex. 19:5)

Next, we are a people for his own possession.

• The connotation of that is a special and treasured...we are his treasured possession!

The purpose of all of this is critical...I know it’s the last point on the handout, but please stick with me for this!

Offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices (v.5, 9)

The purpose of being built into a spiritual house, and being a priesthood and having this multifaceted identity, is to that we would offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices.

• I believe that spiritual sacrifices is broad.

• Spiritual certainly means that these are sacrifices done through the Holy Spirit that is dwelling inside of us.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

• The point is everything we do with our bodies, from eating, to sleeping, to working should all be totally for the Lord.

So these spiritual sacrifices are definitely broad.

But I want to narrow it to a specific application that I am quite certain is in Peter’s mind...

In v.9 he says...

1 Peter 2:9 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;

The purpose of all of this is so that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him—the excellencies of Jesus, who has called you out of darkness into marvelous light.

Friends, when suffering is the most intense, I believe you have the opportunity to proclaim his excellencies the most powerfully.

• If you understand the depth, and pervasiveness and awfulness of the darkness that you were, then the marvelous light you’re in now will be amazing!

• Satan and this world want to use suffering to keep you in the dark.

But because of Christ saving you out of your sins and darkness the light that you are dwelling in now should be so amazing that even in the most intense suffering we should be shouting the praises and excellencies of God!

Here is a key question to ask yourself...

• Would those around you..those at work...at school...at home...know that you used to be in darkness but are now in marvelous light?

• Would they know that Jesus called you out of darkness into the marvelous light?

• Would your speech reflect that you understand what Jesus has done for you?

I think if we’re honest, we probably have a lot of room to grow.

People in our lives probably know a lot of things that we find marvelous!

• Many people would be quick to say, “Oh yes, he finds sports marvelous. He talks about them all the time.”

• Or, “Oh yes, he finds his job marvelous. He talks about it all the time.”

• Or, “He finds entertainment and vacations to be marvelous...”

Would be know that Jesus is marvelous to you?

I truly hope you want that. And I truly hope that as a church, we are a spiritual house that comes together and offers sacrifices to God through Jesus that are acceptable!

Let’s pray to that end.