Building a Spiritual House: Christ as Our Cornerstone
Summary
### Summary
From the dawn of civilization, humans have sought to define themselves through their buildings, using them as symbols of identity and pride. This desire is not new; it dates back to the Tower of Babel. Today, we see iconic buildings in cities worldwide, but the most significant and beautiful building is the temple of God. In our study of 1 Peter 2:4-10, we learn about the spiritual house God is building, with Christ as the cornerstone.
Peter, whose name means "rock" or "stone," extends this honor to all believers, calling us living stones being built into a spiritual house. Without Christ, our lives would be hollow and selfish, but with Him, we become solid and dependable. Christ is the cornerstone of God's new temple, the first stone laid, and the reference point for all others. Our lives should be built around Him, allowing Him to build us up.
Christ is not only a precious cornerstone but also a powerful crushing stone. He challenges and dismantles false temples and idolatrous centers, just as He cleansed the Jerusalem temple. This crushing and chiseling work is essential for our spiritual growth, shaping us into a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices to God.
Peter also describes the church as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. These terms, once reserved for Israel, now apply to all believers. We are chosen because we chose to follow Christ, and through Him, we inherit the privileges of royalty and priesthood. As a holy nation, we transcend national borders and tribalism, united by our new identity in Christ. We are God's special possession, redeemed at a great price, and called to declare His praises.
Recognizing God's mercy is crucial. We are recipients of His grace, adopted as His children, and given privileges beyond anything we could achieve on our own. As we seek spiritual revival, we must remember that it is only by God's mercy that we can become the church He envisions. Let us pray for a deeper experience of these realities and for a revival that begins with each of us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Christ as the Cornerstone: Christ is the cornerstone of God's new temple, the first stone laid and the reference point for all others. Our lives should be built around Him, allowing Him to build us up. This means surrendering our will to His and letting Him shape us into living stones for His spiritual house. [06:16]
2. The Crushing Stone: Christ is also a powerful crushing stone, challenging and dismantling false temples and idolatrous centers. This crushing and chiseling work is essential for our spiritual growth, shaping us into a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices to God. Our spiritual gatherings, like house churches and Sunday worship, are opportunities for this grace therapy. [13:14]
3. Chosen People and Royal Priesthood: As believers, we are a chosen people and a royal priesthood. This means we have chosen to follow Christ and, through Him, inherit the privileges of royalty and priesthood. We are called to act as agents of God, representing Him to people and guiding them in their relationship with Him. [22:19]
4. Holy Nation: The church is a holy nation, transcending national borders and tribalism. Our new identity in Christ unites us, and our holiness is defined by our relationship with Jesus. This transformative holiness means that when we touch the unholy, it becomes holy and whole through Christ. [27:24]
5. God's Special Possession: We are God's special possession, redeemed at a great price. This means we are loved uniquely by God, and through us, He wants to showcase His love to the world. Recognizing God's mercy is crucial, as it is only by His grace that we can become the church He envisions. [29:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Iconic Buildings and Identity
[02:16] - Reading 1 Peter 2:4-10
[03:45] - Peter's Theology and the Living Stone
[05:09] - Becoming Living Stones
[06:16] - Christ as the Cornerstone
[07:09] - Christ Builds Us Up
[08:50] - The Preciousness of Christ
[09:52] - Unlimited Access to God
[10:49] - Christ's Sacrifice and Our Access
[13:14] - The Crushing Stone
[15:52] - Prophecy of the Crushing Stone
[17:46] - Spiritual Formation and Grace Therapy
[20:01] - Offering Our Hearts to God
[22:19] - Chosen People and Royal Priesthood
[24:30] - Inherited Privileges
[26:43] - Holy Nation
[27:24] - New Ethnic People
[29:43] - God's Special Possession
[31:25] - Recognizing God's Mercy
[33:13] - Prayer for Spiritual Revival
[34:41] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:4-10
2. Isaiah 28:16
3. Daniel 2:31-35
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 2:4-10, what are believers being built into, and who is the cornerstone of this spiritual house?
2. How does Peter describe the church in 1 Peter 2:9-10? What are the four titles he uses for believers?
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the significance of Christ being the cornerstone? [06:16]
4. What is the role of Christ as a "crushing stone" according to the sermon? [13:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Christ to be the cornerstone of God's new temple, and how should this influence a believer's life? [06:16]
2. How does the concept of Christ as a "crushing stone" challenge and shape our spiritual growth? [13:14]
3. What are the implications of being called a "chosen people" and a "royal priesthood" for believers today? [22:19]
4. How does the idea of the church as a "holy nation" transcend national borders and tribalism, and what does this mean for our identity in Christ? [27:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are you building your life around Christ as the cornerstone? What specific changes can you make to ensure He is the reference point for all your decisions? [06:16]
2. Think about a time when you felt challenged or "crushed" by Christ. How did this experience contribute to your spiritual growth? How can you embrace this process more willingly in the future? [13:14]
3. As a member of a "chosen people" and "royal priesthood," how can you act as an agent of God in your daily interactions? Identify one person you can guide in their relationship with God this week. [22:19]
4. In what ways can you contribute to the unity of the church as a "holy nation"? How can you help break down barriers of tribalism and national borders within your community? [27:24]
5. Recognizing that you are God's special possession, how can you showcase His love to the world around you? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate God's love to someone in need? [29:43]
6. Reflect on the mercy you have received from God. How does this recognition impact your attitude towards others? How can you extend this mercy in your relationships and interactions? [31:25]
7. The pastor mentioned the need for spiritual revival. What steps can you take to seek a deeper experience of God's mercy and revival in your own life? How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same? [33:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ as the Cornerstone
Christ is the cornerstone of God's new temple, the first stone laid and the reference point for all others. Our lives should be built around Him, allowing Him to build us up. This means surrendering our will to His and letting Him shape us into living stones for His spiritual house. [06:16]
1 Peter 2:6-7 (ESV): "For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.'"
Reflection: What areas of your life are you holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would it look like to fully build your life around Him today?
Day 2: The Crushing Stone
Christ is also a powerful crushing stone, challenging and dismantling false temples and idolatrous centers. This crushing and chiseling work is essential for our spiritual growth, shaping us into a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices to God. Our spiritual gatherings, like house churches and Sunday worship, are opportunities for this grace therapy. [13:14]
Matthew 21:44 (ESV): "And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."
Reflection: What false temples or idols in your life need to be dismantled? How can you invite Christ to do this transformative work in your heart today?
Day 3: Chosen People and Royal Priesthood
As believers, we are a chosen people and a royal priesthood. This means we have chosen to follow Christ and, through Him, inherit the privileges of royalty and priesthood. We are called to act as agents of God, representing Him to people and guiding them in their relationship with Him. [22:19]
Revelation 1:6 (ESV): "And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How can you act as an agent of God in your daily interactions? What specific steps can you take to guide someone in their relationship with Him today?
Day 4: Holy Nation
The church is a holy nation, transcending national borders and tribalism. Our new identity in Christ unites us, and our holiness is defined by our relationship with Jesus. This transformative holiness means that when we touch the unholy, it becomes holy and whole through Christ. [27:24]
Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
Reflection: In what ways can you transcend cultural or national barriers to show the unity and holiness of Christ? How can you bring Christ's transformative holiness into your community today?
Day 5: God's Special Possession
We are God's special possession, redeemed at a great price. This means we are loved uniquely by God, and through us, He wants to showcase His love to the world. Recognizing God's mercy is crucial, as it is only by His grace that we can become the church He envisions. [29:43]
Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV): "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."
Reflection: How can you live today in a way that showcases God's love to the world? What specific actions can you take to reflect His mercy and grace to those around you?
Quotes
1. "Today, I want us to see the most beautiful and important building in the world. That's the temple of God. That's the temple of God. Our third study in the 1st Peter series shows us where God is dwelling in our world. Or what kind of building God is building in our world today. With that, let's read 1st Peter chapter 2, 4 to 10 responsibly. So I'll read first. When you come to him, the living stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him, you also, like a living stone, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." [01:14] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Like Peter, we are becoming rocks. We are becoming solid, substantial. And because of Christ, I know. I have become a better person. A better son, a better brother, a better husband, and a better father. I confess, without Christ, I would be nothing but a chaff. Without Christ, I would succumb to my own selfishness without restraint. And my soul will be a hollow husk. And my life will be a black hole that sucks and drains the energy of the people around me. Now, Peter tells us how you and I, can become solid, dependable, safe living stones after the first and the true living stone, Jesus Christ." [03:45] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you referencing your entire life around the cornerstone? Are you building, are you building your life on cornerstone? Actually, even that is not a biblical because according to Peter, when you come to Christ, Christ builds you. Not the other way around. That means I am his building project. And I don't know about you, if Christ can build me up, I'll be extremely happy." [06:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Being built by Christ is a huge honor. Now, the first and most important thing about cornerstone, according to Peter, is a preciousness. Twice. Verse 7 and verse 8, Peter called this is a precious cornerstone. To you who believe, this stone is precious. Why is Jesus Christ is a precious or precious cornerstone? Let me illustrate the preciousness of Christ's cornerstone. Temple of Jerusalem before Christ was very much like today's airplane ride. In the past, you know, when you travel, there were only two passenger classes, coach or first class. But these days, when you especially go in transcontinental flights, they seem to be like several. There's a basic economy, economy, premium economy, business class, and first class." [07:57] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And then Christ came and gave us radical good news. You can worship God anytime, anywhere, because God is our Father, our Abba Father, our Daddy, who looks for everyone who wants to worship Him in spirit and truth. To reveal Father's welcoming love for all prodigals, Christ embraced our sin and guilt and died on the cross. And when He dealt with our ignorance and arrogance on His crucified body, what did Christ do? He tore the thick curtain that veiled and separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple and the world, the very presence of God to us. Christ gave us unlimited access to God, our Heavenly Father." [09:52] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Imagine somebody comes to you. You can fly my private jet anytime you want. Because you are a member of my family. That's what Christ has done for us. He gave us unlimited access. Not just any backstage or upgrade to the airplane. But throne of God. The ultimate control tower of the universe. Christ said, in my name, you can come and worship God anytime. That's why Christ is a precious cornerstone. Amen? This is a privilege you and I have." [12:23] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Being built in the spiritual house of God means we allow Christ to chisel our rough edges. To fit into his holy spiritual temple or house. And even crush some parts of our life that are independent. And even disobedient to the good will of God for us. For me, this crushing and chiseling work of Christ. That's what our Friday house church. And that's what our Sunday worship is all about. You know Friday house church is not just some kind of group therapy. It's not we just come and have meals and then share our week. No. Of course that's part of it. There's a social aspect of it. But more deeply it is a grace therapy. We hear through each other's confession and the praise. We hear the grace of God that people experience." [17:46] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Sunday worship is all about surrendering my will to God. This is all work of cornerstone. Crushing anything in my heart that is not going right according to God's will. You know, Christian historians, they said, from day one, early Christians, they involved in spiritual formation and evangelistic outreach. And Jesus said, I mean, Peter said today in verse 5, you are like a living stone being built in the spiritual house to be holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are here to give our hearts to God. Because that is the most precious thing God wants for us. Whether it's broken, whether it's glorious, doesn't matter. Every Sunday, we give our heart to God." [18:39] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Peter refers to a huge honor of being a church to the famous calling of God's people Israel in Exodus 19, 5 and 6. You know, Exodus 19, before God gave a 10th commandment to Israelites through Moses, this is what God called them. And Peter is now calling them and extending that honor to Gentile Christians. But you are chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you are not a people, but now you are people of God. Once you have not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." [21:05] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are chosen people because we chose to follow Christ. The word chosen people, don't be confused. It's not about God's predestination, no. It's about we choosing God. Because what God predestined according to the Bible is that Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world to save us, to forgive our sins. So when you choose Christ, you are chosen people. Amen. And then Peter, he wants to really commend and praise a Gentile Christian for their faith and decision to follow Christ. Earlier in the first Peter chapter 1 verse 8 and 9, this is what he said, Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your soul." [22:19] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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