Building Community Through Faith: Our Identity in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Living Stone and Our Direction Matters

Each day presents a fresh invitation to come to Jesus, the living stone—rejected by people but chosen and precious to God. The direction of your life is not just about a one-time decision but a continual drawing near to Christ, aligning your heart and actions toward Him. This ongoing movement toward Jesus shapes your identity and purpose, reminding you that faith is not static but a daily journey. Consider today: is your life moving toward the living stone, or have you settled into routine without intentional closeness to Him? [38:56]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (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."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally “come to Jesus” today—perhaps through prayer, Scripture, or a moment of quiet—and how might that change the direction of your day?

Day 2: Built Together—Our Identity as Living Stones

Believers are not isolated; together, they are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering their lives as spiritual sacrifices to God. This process is ongoing, much like assembling something piece by piece, and it’s not about perfection but about being shaped together for God’s purposes. Your life, with its ordinary routines and relationships, becomes an offering to God, and you are part of a larger story—God’s people being formed into a dwelling for His presence. [48:25]

1 Peter 2:5 (NIV)
"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."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God “building” or shaping you right now, and how can you offer that part of your life to Him as a spiritual sacrifice today?

Day 3: The Cornerstone—Choosing Jesus or Stumbling Over Him

Jesus is the cornerstone—precious to those who believe, but a stumbling block to those who reject Him. Each person must make a personal choice about Jesus, and this decision shapes everything else. It’s not enough to be “good” or do religious things; the call is to put your faith in Christ as the only way to be right with God. This choice is both urgent and gracious, as God extends mercy and invites all to trust in His Son. [50:41]

1 Peter 2:6-8 (NIV)
"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."

Reflection: Have you truly made a personal decision to trust Jesus as your cornerstone, or are you relying on being “good enough”? What would it look like to fully trust Him today?

Day 4: Our New Identity and Purpose—A Royal Priesthood

In Christ, you are part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. This new identity is not just for your benefit but so that you may declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. You have access to God, not just for yourself, but to bless others and show them the difference Jesus makes. Your life is meant to reflect God’s mercy and goodness, drawing others to Him. [53:37]

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: Who in your life needs to see or hear about the mercy and light you’ve received from God, and how can you share that with them this week?

Day 5: Living Differently—Letting Your Life Shine

Because of your new identity, you are called to abstain from sinful desires and live such good lives among others that they see your good deeds and glorify God. This is not about earning God’s favor but about letting the transformation He is working in you be visible to the world. As you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, your virtues and choices become a testimony, inviting others to discover the real Jesus through your example. [58:06]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)
"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Reflection: What is one specific desire or habit you need to surrender to God today so that your life can better reflect His goodness to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, the habits and practices we cultivate throughout the week are vital for staying close to Jesus. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach—some find connection through reading or listening to Scripture, others through prayer, solitude, or journaling. The important thing is to keep experimenting and finding ways to draw near to Christ, both individually and together as a community. Our faith is not just a private matter; it’s something we live out collectively, embodying a faithful presence in a world that often doesn’t share our values.

Drawing from 1 Peter 2, we are reminded that our identity is not just personal but communal. We are being built together as living stones into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. This means our lives, in all their ordinary moments, are spiritual sacrifices—offerings to God through Christ. The process is ongoing; we are continually being shaped and formed, much like a Lego kit being assembled piece by piece. Our value and purpose come from Christ, the living cornerstone, and our lives are meant to reflect His goodness to those around us.

Peter emphasizes the necessity of making a personal choice about Jesus. He is the cornerstone—precious to those who believe, but a stumbling block to those who reject Him. There is no neutral ground; each person must decide how they will respond to Christ. Yet, this choice is not about earning God’s favor through good deeds or religious activity. It’s about receiving mercy and stepping into a new identity as God’s people, called out of darkness into His wonderful light.

As those who have received mercy, we are urged to live differently—to abstain from desires that wage war against our souls and to let our good deeds shine before others. Our distinctiveness is not for self-congratulation but so that others might see the difference Christ makes and be drawn to Him. We are called to be a faithful presence, living out our identity and purpose together, so that the world might discover the real Jesus through us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Direction of Your Life Matters Every day presents a fresh invitation to “come to Him”—to intentionally orient your life toward Jesus, the living stone. It’s not enough to rest on past experiences or labels; what matters is the present direction of your heart and actions. Drawing near to Christ is a continual, relational movement, not a one-time event. Consider what might be blocking you from moving toward Him today, and take a step closer. [38:56]
2. We Are Being Built Together, Not Alone Our faith is not just an individual pursuit; we are living stones being built into a spiritual house together. This process is ongoing and sometimes messy, but it’s in community that we discover our true identity and purpose. Each person’s presence and participation matter in the formation of God’s people. Embrace the reality that your spiritual growth is deeply connected to the lives of others around you. [48:25]
3. Jesus as the Cornerstone Demands a Response Jesus is described as the cornerstone—precious to those who believe, but a stumbling block to those who reject Him. There is no neutral response; each person must decide whether to build their life on Him or stumble over Him. This choice is central to our faith and shapes everything about our relationship with God and others. Reflect on where you stand with Jesus and the implications of that choice. [50:41]
4. Our New Identity Grants Us Access and Purpose In Christ, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation—God’s special possession. This identity is not earned but received by mercy, giving us direct access to God and a calling to declare His praises. The privilege of this access should humble us and inspire us to live in a way that points others to God’s goodness. Let your life be a living sacrifice, marked by gratitude and purpose. [53:37]
5. Living Differently for the Sake of Others We are urged to abstain from desires that wage war against our souls, not to earn God’s love, but because of the transformation He is working in us. Our distinctiveness is meant to be visible, so that others might see our good deeds and be drawn to glorify God. The way we live—our virtues, our resistance to selfish desires, our humility—serves as a testimony to the world of the hope we have in Christ. [58:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Habits of Grace: Staying Close to Jesus
[03:10] - Shelby Shares Her Devotional Practices
[06:00] - Exploring New Spiritual Tools
[08:30] - Faithful Presence: Daniel and 1 Peter
[11:20] - Our Identity Together in Christ
[14:00] - The Value of Community Worship
[16:30] - Reading 1 Peter 2:4-12
[20:00] - The Importance of Direction: Drawing Near
[23:30] - Living Stones: Being Built Together
[26:45] - Jesus the Cornerstone: Old Testament Connections
[30:00] - The Necessity of Personal Faith
[33:10] - Our New Identity and Access to God
[36:00] - Living as a Distinct People
[39:00] - Living Sacrifices: Letting Your Light Shine
[42:00] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:4-12 (ESV) —
> 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 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.” 7 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,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 2:4-5, what does Peter say is happening to believers as they come to Jesus? What imagery does he use to describe this process?
In verses 6-8, what different responses do people have to Jesus, the cornerstone?
What titles and identity does Peter give to believers in verses 9-10?
In verse 12, what does Peter say is the purpose of living good lives among those who don’t share our faith?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon compared our spiritual growth to a Lego kit being built piece by piece. What does this say about the process of spiritual formation and the role of community in it? [[38:56]]
Peter says Jesus is the cornerstone—precious to some, but a stumbling block to others. Why do you think there is “no neutral ground” when it comes to responding to Jesus? [[50:41]]
The passage calls believers a “royal priesthood” and a “holy nation.” What does it mean for ordinary people to have this kind of access and purpose? [[53:37]]
The sermon emphasized that our distinctiveness is not for self-congratulation, but so others might see the difference Christ makes. How does this challenge the way we think about living out our faith in public? [[58:06]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the “direction” of our lives and the daily invitation to “come to Him.” Is there anything currently blocking you from moving toward Jesus? What is one step you could take this week to draw nearer to Him? [[38:56]]
We are “being built together, not alone.” How have you experienced spiritual growth through community? Is there a way you could be more intentional about connecting with others in your faith journey? [[48:25]]
Jesus as the cornerstone “demands a response.” Where do you honestly stand with Jesus right now? If you’re unsure, what questions or doubts do you need to bring into the open? [[50:41]]
The passage says we are a “chosen people” and “God’s special possession.” How does this truth affect the way you see yourself? Are there areas where you struggle to believe this about your identity? [[53:37]]
The sermon encouraged us to “abstain from desires that wage war against our souls.” Is there a specific desire or habit that you sense God is asking you to resist or surrender? What support do you need from others to do this? [[58:06]]
Our good deeds are meant to point others to God. Can you think of a recent situation where your actions reflected Christ to someone else? Is there an opportunity coming up where you could intentionally let your light shine?
The sermon mentioned experimenting with different habits and practices to stay close to Jesus (like Bible reading, prayer, solitude, journaling). Is there a new practice you’d like to try this week? How can the group encourage you in this? [[34:52]]

Sermon Clips

The intimacy with God was the point, and he's saying we now are being built as the church into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices. Well, you wonder what does that mean? Well, I love the spiritual sacrifices reference to Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2, where it says, offer your bodies, lay your whole life on the altar before God as an offering to him, that what you're doing, you're walking around the neighborhood, you're going to work, your summer vacation, all the things that we do, you interacting with your family, all those things, my life is actually an offering or a spiritual sacrifice to God through Jesus Christ. [00:47:29] (40 seconds) #PreciousInChrist

You know what? You can be a nice person. You can do good deeds. You know what? If you, people, we have a kids camp going on and people drop their kids off or you can attend a service. That's great. But really what it comes down to, have you put your faith in Jesus as the only way to be right with God? That's not always a popular thing. [00:51:35] (21 seconds) #KnownLovedCreated

And so we, while we're a faithful presence, a lot of this series I like because we're trying to be kind to other people. We're trying to be gentle. We're trying to explain the reason why we have hope in a good way. But there is, we just need to acknowledge this with our friends, our family, our co -workers, the culture at large. There is a pull toward not agreeing with this message. That Jesus is the one that we have to be right with. And that our lives need to change because of our faith in Christ. And that there's a choice in that. [00:52:04] (30 seconds) #DeclareGodsGlory

So you have this new identity and as a priest you have amazing access.The Old Testament believers and the priesthood, the Levites, that family that was the ones that were only ones that could be the priests, they would have been amazed at the access that First Peter is talking about for you and I as just average people coming to Emmanuel, July 20th, 2025. You're a priesthood. If you're in Christ, you have access to talk to God. [00:52:54] (25 seconds) #MercyAndLove

And actually it's not just a private me and God thing. It's actually we are a kingdom of priests as followers of Jesus. Not that we're so special but because we've put our trust in Jesus, we've admitted that we need salvation. And the changes that he's making in our lives are to be a blessing to everybody else.And that other people can see the difference that God makes in our lives. Our humility, our willingness to admit that we don't measure up. [00:53:19] (25 seconds) #LiveDifferentForGod

``And together we have a new purpose and that is to declaredeclare the glories of God. And we see that most excellently represented in Christ. We talk about the characteristics of God as we sing and remind ourselves about these things. And in Matthew 5, Jesus talked about this principle as well. Let your light shine in front of other people so that they could glorify God. And it's letting the difference that Jesus has made in our lives, the living stone, as we are living stones being built up to be a household of God, that together during the week that people would see our lives and they would be drawn to God and drawn to Christ, the cornerstone. [00:54:17] (39 seconds) #ChooseJesusDaily

And so as we conclude we see acceptance or rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone is really important and if you're hearing my voice either in person or online I just want to emphasize how important it is that every person has their choice to make about this and if you have a loved one a family member a friend a co -worker and you would love for them to be uh right with God through Jesus um I understand that I would just encourage you to keep praying for that person but they do have to make the choice themselves and I I I want you to realize that you have a choice to to receive or how you're going to interact with Jesus the living stone as a cornerstone. [00:59:43] (38 seconds)

And the last thing I'll just say is that we have a significant identity and a challenging purpose and that is to show others the goodness of God and I want us to keep growing in that as a congregation together but obviously as a congregation it takes each person each of us recognizing that that's a real privilege and calling that we have to represent Jesus well in the week ahead. [01:01:21] (22 seconds)

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