Building a Life on Christ's Foundation of Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: Clearing Out What Corrupts: Removing Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy, and Slander

To build a life and community of goodness, we must first clear out the things that rot our souls—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These attitudes and behaviors are like rotten wood in a building project; if left unchecked, they undermine everything good God wants to build in and through us. Peter urges us to take these off, like an old jacket, and instead long for what truly nourishes. This is not about pretending to be perfect, but about honestly naming and removing what does not belong, so that we can grow into the people God calls us to be. [17:44]

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

Reflection: Which of these five attitudes—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander—do you sense God inviting you to “take off” today? What is one practical step you can take to remove it from your life this week?

Day 2: Jesus Christ: The Cornerstone of a Life That Lasts

Every lasting building needs a solid foundation, and for our lives, that foundation is Jesus Christ—the living Stone, chosen and precious. When we build our lives, relationships, and communities on anything else, we risk collapse when storms come. But when Jesus is our cornerstone, what is true of Him becomes true of us: we are chosen, honored, and never ultimately put to shame. No matter what season you are in, anchoring your life to Jesus brings unshakeable hope and security. [22:52]

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)
"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'"

Reflection: Where is your foundation today? What would it look like to intentionally center your heart and decisions on Jesus as your cornerstone this week?

Day 3: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ

God has given you a new identity: you are a living stone, a holy and royal priesthood, a chosen race, a holy nation, and God’s own possession. These truths are not just affirmations, but the blueprint for who you are in Christ. When you live from this identity, your actions and attitudes begin to reflect God’s goodness to the world. Let these words shape how you see yourself and how you interact with others, knowing you are essential and uniquely called to be part of God’s family and mission. [26:43]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: Which part of your God-given identity is hardest for you to believe? Write it down and pray it over yourself each morning this week, asking God to help you live from that truth.

Day 4: Offering Spiritual Sacrifices and Proclaiming God’s Goodness

God invites us to partner with Him by offering spiritual sacrifices—our time, attention, and efforts directed upward to Him—and by proclaiming the goodness He has shown us. This is not about taking over or forcing change, but about living lives that point to God’s excellence and grace. Whether through acts of service, words of encouragement, or sharing your story, you are called to be a “gospel gossip,” reporting the good things God is doing in your life and in the world. [33:22]

Romans 12:1 (NIV)
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Reflection: What is one way you can offer a “spiritual sacrifice” to God today—whether through your time, resources, or words? Who can you share a story of God’s goodness with this week?

Day 5: Building Environments of Goodness Together

God’s vision is not just for individual transformation, but for the church to be a beacon of goodness in the world. As each of us rests in God’s goodness and lives out our identity, we are invited to partner with the Spirit and with one another to create environments where God’s glory and love are tangible. This can be as simple as sharing gratitude, serving someone in need, or encouraging a friend. The goodness you help build today may change someone’s life forever. [39:33]

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to pour out His goodness this week? Identify one specific relationship, place, or opportunity, and take a creative step to bring God’s light and love there today.

Sermon Summary

As we reflect on the words from First Peter, we are reminded that God is inviting each of us—no matter our age or background—into a grand building project: the creation of a world marked by His goodness. Just as any successful building project requires a solid blueprint, the right materials, and skilled hands, so too does the work God calls us to. The foundation of this project is Jesus Christ, the living cornerstone, upon whom everything else must be built. Without Him as our base, our efforts are unstable and ultimately unsatisfying.

Before we can build, we must clear out what doesn’t belong. Peter urges us to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These are like rotten wood or crooked stones—if left in place, they undermine everything we try to construct. Instead, we are to crave the pure spiritual nourishment that comes from God’s Word and from time spent with Jesus. What we consume shapes us; if we fill ourselves with God’s goodness, that is what will overflow from our lives.

Our identity is the blueprint for this building project. Peter gives us a powerful list of who we are in Christ: living stones, a spiritual house, a holy and royal priesthood, a chosen race, a holy nation, God’s own possession, recipients of mercy, and people called out of darkness into light. These truths are not just affirmations—they are the reality God speaks over us. When we live from this identity, our actions naturally align with God’s purposes.

The practices that flow from this foundation and identity are simple yet profound: offer spiritual sacrifices to God and proclaim His goodness. We are not called to take over the world by force or persuasion, but to be people who direct our lives upward in worship and outward in testimony. Sharing stories of God’s faithfulness, even in seasons of struggle, is a powerful way to build environments of goodness around us.

Ultimately, the invitation is personal and communal. Each of us is called to examine our foundation, embrace our God-given identity, and look for ways to pour out God’s goodness in our relationships, workplaces, and communities. As we do this together, we become a beacon of hope and transformation, building something beautiful that will last.

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Key Takeaways

1. Clearing Out What Corrupts the Soul Just as a builder must remove rotten materials before constructing something new, we are called to cast off malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These attitudes and behaviors, if left unchecked, poison our hearts and undermine the goodness God wants to build in and through us. The process of removal is ongoing and requires honest self-examination, but it is essential for spiritual growth and healthy community. [09:38]
2. The Power of Spiritual Nourishment What we consume shapes who we become. Peter urges us to crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word and presence, rather than the toxic alternatives the world offers. When we fill ourselves with God’s truth and love, we are transformed from the inside out, and our lives begin to reflect the goodness and grace of Christ to those around us. [18:32]
3. Identity as the Blueprint for Action Our actions flow from our understanding of who we are. God declares over us a new identity: chosen, royal, holy, and beloved. When we internalize these truths, we are freed from striving for worth and instead live out of the abundance of God’s acceptance, becoming agents of His goodness in every sphere of life. [25:22]
4. Building on the Cornerstone of Christ Jesus is the only sure foundation for a life that endures. When we build our lives, relationships, and communities on Him, we are promised that we will not be put to shame, even in seasons of difficulty or failure. This foundation gives us resilience, hope, and a sense of purpose that cannot be shaken by the storms of life. [22:52]
5. Practicing Goodness Through Sacrifice and Proclamation The work God calls us to is not about domination or self-promotion, but about offering our lives as spiritual sacrifices and proclaiming His goodness. This means directing our time, energy, and resources upward in worship and outward in testimony, becoming “gospel gossips” who spread stories of God’s faithfulness. Even in darkness, we are called to be honest about our struggles and steadfast in our praise, trusting that God’s light will prevail. [33:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Building Projects and Design Fails
[03:10] - God’s Great Building Project: The Church
[05:34] - The Importance of “Therefore” and Context
[06:59] - Our Launchpad: Chosen Exiles and Living Hope
[08:54] - Clearing Out: Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy, Slander
[12:07] - The Subtlety of Deceit and Hypocrisy
[14:13] - Envy, Slander, and the Culture of Comparison
[17:44] - Craving Pure Spiritual Milk
[19:46] - Consumed by What We Consume
[20:10] - Foundation, Blueprint, and Practices
[22:52] - Jesus the Cornerstone: Building on a Firm Foundation
[25:22] - Our Identity Blueprint in Christ
[31:43] - Practices: Spiritual Sacrifices and Proclaiming Praise
[33:22] - Becoming Gospel Gossips: Reporting God’s Goodness
[35:08] - Light in the Darkness: God’s Unchanging Goodness
[36:52] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[40:06] - Building Goodness Together
[42:01] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:1-10 (NIV) —
> Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
>
> As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
>
> “See, I lay a stone in Zion,
> a chosen and precious cornerstone,
> and the one who trusts in him
> will never be put to shame.”
>
> Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
>
> “The stone the builders rejected
> has become the cornerstone,”
>
> and,
>
> “A stone that causes people to stumble
> and a rock that makes them fall.”
>
> They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
>
> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Observation Questions

What are the specific attitudes and behaviors Peter tells us to “rid ourselves of” before we can build a life of goodness? ([08:54])
According to the passage, what is the “cornerstone” and why is it so important for the building project God is inviting us into? ([22:52])
What are some of the identity markers Peter lists for followers of Jesus in this passage? ([25:22])
What two main practices does Peter say should flow from our foundation and identity in Christ? ([31:43])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter compares malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander to “rotten wood or crooked stones” in a building project? How might these attitudes undermine what God wants to build in us and through us? ([09:38])
The sermon says, “What you consume is ultimately what will consume you.” How does craving “pure spiritual milk” from God’s Word and presence actually change a person’s life and relationships? ([19:46])
Peter gives a list of identity statements (chosen, royal, holy, God’s possession, etc.). How does believing these truths about ourselves affect the way we live and interact with others? ([25:22])
The sermon describes “offering spiritual sacrifices” and “proclaiming God’s goodness” as the main practices for Christians. What might these look like in everyday life, and why do you think Peter emphasizes these over “taking over the world by force or persuasion”? ([31:43])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “clear out what doesn’t belong” in our lives, like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Which of these do you most struggle with, and what is one practical step you could take this week to “cast it off”? ([09:38])
The idea of “craving pure spiritual milk” is about what we fill our minds and hearts with. What are you currently “consuming” (media, conversations, habits) that might be shaping you away from God’s goodness? What is one change you could make to fill yourself with more of God’s Word or presence? ([19:46])
When you look at the list of identity markers in 1 Peter 2 (living stone, spiritual house, holy/royal priesthood, chosen, God’s possession, recipient of mercy, called out of darkness), which one is hardest for you to believe is true about yourself? Why? ([25:22])
The sermon suggests writing these identity truths on sticky notes and putting them on your mirror as a daily reminder. Would you be willing to try this for a week? What do you hope might change if you do? ([37:57])
“Offering spiritual sacrifices” can mean giving your time, energy, or resources to God. What is one area of your life where you could intentionally offer something to God this week—maybe in your work, your family, or your free time? ([32:15])
“Proclaiming God’s goodness” is about sharing stories of God’s faithfulness, even in hard times. Can you think of a recent moment where you saw God’s goodness? How could you share that story with someone else this week? ([33:22])
The sermon ends by asking, “Where is God inviting you to pour goodness into the world this week?” Is there a specific relationship, workplace, or community setting where you sense God nudging you to bring His goodness? What is one concrete action you could take? ([38:38])

Sermon Clips

God has called you individually to be a part of the church collectively, to build something beautiful. And it doesn't matter whether you're here and you're nine or you're 90, God is inviting you to play a cool, wonderful role in sharing his goodness and building a place of goodness together. [00:04:46] (22 seconds) #EveryoneBuildsBeauty

The difference between disagreement and slander is whether you honor them as a person in God's image. Because if you honor them as a person made in God's image just as in need of God's grace as you are, they can have a dumb idea, but I don't have to call them a dumb person. That's very, very different. And the way you approach having that conversation is different when it is treated with honor. [00:17:07] (26 seconds) #HonorInDisagreement

If your life, if your friendships, if your marriage, if your work life, if everything that you are is built on anything else other than the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, you're on a faulty foundation. And Jesus himself says in the Book of Matthew, that's like a person who builds a house on sale, and things are great until the storms come and then the house grumbles. But for the one who has built their life on the foundation of Jesus Christ, for the one who has Jesus as the ultimate foundation and cornerstone in their life, look what it says here in Peter. He says the one who believes in him will never be put to shame. [00:22:56] (45 seconds) #JesusOurFirmFoundation

My actions flow out of who I believe I am. If I don't believe that I am called chosen, loved, son of God, I act kind of funny and I can act kind of silly. Because a lot of the things I run to to try to make me feel better are things that I think will make me feel better, but ultimately they don't. But when I live in the identity that God has given me, I find that my feet tend to follow that. [00:24:38] (27 seconds) #LivingStonesOfFaith

Each and every one of you is meant to share the goodness of God and be conduits of his goodness in the world around you. Holy means you're set apart. Priest means you receive from God and give to others wherever you are, whatever your job title is. Retired. Not retired, going to school, whatever it is, you are a priest. You are a part of the priesthood of believers. [00:27:00] (23 seconds) #ChosenKingdomPeople

We gotta have our foundation on Jesus and we gotta have our identity, the blueprint of our identity, the secure if we're going to bring goodness. Because our actions flow from our identity. And from what I see, God has made a pretty clear decision on what he thinks about you. And as I look at that list, he's thinking some pretty good things. And I think that is very good news. [00:30:42] (26 seconds) #OfferSacrificesPraise

When God invites us to change the world by his goodness, notice what he calls us to offer sacrifices and proclaim praises. You don't have to take over anything. You don't have to get a certain man or woman of a particular party elected. You don't have to take over your work. You don't have to beat people over the head with the Bible. You offer spiritual sacrifices and you proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness and into marvelous light. [00:31:43] (33 seconds) #GospelGossipGoodness

We're not being invited to live a fake faith. Remember, he said no hypocrisy right at the beginning. We're not pretending to put on a smile of a faith that never struggles and never bends. We are talking about bringing an honest faith that directs our praise to the good God of heaven come hell or high water. [00:34:25] (19 seconds) #LightOvercomesDarkness

The darkness of this world has not changed the goodness of God. And it says in this text that God, through Jesus, has entered into the darkness. That's John 1. But the darkness could not overcome him. And in verse nine, he is the one who calls you out of the darkness and into his marvelous light. Be honest about when you feel struggle. Be honest about when it feels dark, and know that God's goodness has not changed. And the one who through Jesus, came into the darkness and brought you into the light is still doing that today. [00:35:14] (44 seconds) #CalledToFamilyBusiness

Through Jesus Christ, the good and great one who loved you, who lived, who died for you, and Rose again. Through him, he is calling you to do wonderful things. Not from a place of I have to do this to get to God, but that he invited you into the family, and he loves sharing the family business with his kiddos. [00:39:09] (23 seconds) #LegacyOfGoodness

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