Embracing Our Identity and Responsibilities in Christ
Devotional
Day 1: Craving Spiritual Nourishment
Desire for the Word of God is likened to a newborn's craving for milk. This desire is a sign of spiritual health and growth, essential for believers to avoid spiritual malnourishment and stagnation. Just as physical nourishment is vital for a child's development, spiritual nourishment through the Word is crucial for a believer's growth in faith. The Word of God provides the sustenance needed to strengthen and mature in one's spiritual journey. Without this craving, believers risk becoming stagnant in their faith, unable to grow and thrive in their relationship with God. [08:44]
1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV): "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to cultivate a deeper hunger for God's Word in your daily routine?
Day 2: Embracing Our Divine Identity
In Christ, believers are described as living stones, being built into a spiritual house. This identity as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation is both a privilege and a responsibility. It calls believers to live in a way that reflects their identity in Christ, united in purpose and mission. This collective identity emphasizes the importance of community and the role each believer plays in the larger body of Christ. As living stones, believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the praises of God, who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. [12:29]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: How can you actively live out your identity as a living stone in your community this week?
Day 3: Respecting Earthly Authority
Believers are called to submit to earthly authorities as a reflection of their respect for God's order and their commitment to His kingdom. This submission is not blind obedience but an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all authorities. While earthly authorities are to be respected, believers' ultimate allegiance is to God, recognizing that their true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective allows believers to navigate their relationship with authority with wisdom and discernment, honoring God in their conduct and interactions. [33:01]
1 Peter 2:13-15 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate respect for authority while maintaining your ultimate allegiance to God?
Day 4: Following Christ's Example in Suffering
Jesus' suffering is not only an example for believers but also the means by which their sins were borne on the cross. His endurance under persecution serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to persevere in the face of trials. More importantly, Christ's suffering is the foundation of believers' salvation, offering healing and restoration through His sacrifice. By following Christ's example, believers are called to embrace suffering with grace, trusting in God's redemptive purposes and finding strength in His presence. [41:31]
1 Peter 2:21-24 (ESV): "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: How can you apply Christ's example of enduring suffering to a current challenge you are facing?
Day 5: Living as Sojourners
As sojourners and pilgrims, believers are called to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against their souls. This identity as temporary residents in the world emphasizes the importance of living with an eternal perspective. Believers are to conduct themselves honorably, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel and pointing others to Christ. By living as sojourners, believers are reminded of their true home in heaven and the call to live lives that honor God and reflect His glory. [27:24]
1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to live more like a sojourner, focusing on eternal values rather than temporary desires?
Sermon Summary
In our journey through First Peter chapter 2, we are reminded of the profound privileges and responsibilities that come with being followers of Christ. Peter's letter, written to believers scattered across the Roman Empire, speaks to us today with the same urgency and relevance. We are called to lay aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking, and instead, desire the pure milk of the Word, which is essential for our spiritual growth. Just as a newborn craves milk, a healthy believer should crave the Word of God, for it is through this Word that we are nourished and strengthened.
Peter paints a vivid picture of our identity in Christ. We are living stones, being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This imagery emphasizes our collective identity and purpose as the Church, a temple not made of bricks and mortar, but of people united in Christ. Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, the foundation upon which our faith is built. Though rejected by many, He is precious to those who believe.
Our identity as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's own special people is not just a privilege but a call to action. We are to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This calling demands that we live as sojourners and pilgrims, abstaining from fleshly lusts that war against our souls. Our conduct should be honorable, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.
Peter also addresses our relationship with authority, urging us to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. This submission is not blind obedience but a reflection of our ultimate allegiance to God. We are reminded that while we respect earthly authorities, our true citizenship is in heaven, and our ultimate loyalty is to Christ, the Lord of the Church.
Finally, Peter points us to the example of Christ, who suffered for us, leaving us an example to follow. His suffering was not just an example but the means by which our sins were borne on the cross. Through His stripes, we are healed, and we have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. This chapter calls us to embrace both the privileges and responsibilities of our faith, living lives that honor God and reflect His glory.
Key Takeaways
1. Desire for the Word: Just as a newborn craves milk, a healthy believer should crave the Word of God. This desire is a sign of spiritual health and growth. Without it, we risk spiritual malnourishment and stagnation. [08:44]
2. Identity in Christ: We are living stones, being built into a spiritual house. Our identity as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation is both a privilege and a responsibility. We are called to live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ. [12:29]
3. Submission to Authority: While we are called to submit to earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. This submission is not blind obedience but a reflection of our respect for God's order and our commitment to His kingdom. [33:01]
4. Christ's Example in Suffering: Jesus' suffering is not just an example but the means by which our sins were borne on the cross. His endurance under persecution is a model for us, but more importantly, it is the foundation of our salvation. [41:31]
5. Living as Sojourners: As sojourners and pilgrims, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against our souls. Our conduct should be honorable, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel and pointing others to Christ. [27:24] ** [27:24]
What are the specific behaviors that Peter urges believers to lay aside in 1 Peter 2:1? How does this relate to the desire for the "pure milk of the word"? [07:23]
How does Peter describe the identity of believers in 1 Peter 2:9-10? What are the titles given to them, and what do these titles signify? [22:51]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being the "Chief Cornerstone"? How does this imagery relate to the believers' identity and purpose? [17:22]
In what ways does Peter instruct believers to interact with earthly authorities, and what is the ultimate reason for this submission? [32:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the metaphor of believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house challenge or affirm your understanding of the Church's collective identity and purpose? [12:29]
What does it mean to live as "sojourners and pilgrims" in the world, according to 1 Peter 2:11-12? How does this perspective influence a believer's daily life and decisions? [26:32]
How does the example of Christ's suffering, as described in 1 Peter 2:21-24, provide both a model and a foundation for enduring personal trials and suffering? [41:31]
What are the implications of being a "chosen generation" and a "royal priesthood" for how believers should conduct themselves in society? [22:51]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your current desire for the Word of God. How can you cultivate a deeper craving for Scripture in your daily routine, similar to a newborn's desire for milk? [08:44]
Consider the areas in your life where you may struggle with malice, deceit, or hypocrisy. What practical steps can you take to lay these aside and pursue a life of integrity? [07:23]
How can you actively live out your identity as a "royal priesthood" in your community? Identify one specific way you can proclaim the praises of God this week. [22:51]
In what ways can you demonstrate honorable conduct as a "sojourner and pilgrim" in your workplace or social circles? How can this reflect the transformative power of the Gospel? [26:32]
Reflect on a recent situation where you had to submit to authority. How did you balance this submission with your ultimate allegiance to God? What did you learn from this experience? [32:00]
Think about a time when you faced suffering or persecution. How did Christ's example of enduring suffering influence your response? What might you do differently in the future? [41:31]
Identify one area in your life where you feel like a "sheep going astray." How can you return to the "Shepherd and Overseer of your soul" and find guidance and comfort? [45:16]
Sermon Clips
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you've tasted that the Lord is gracious. [00:07:46]
Healthy Believers want the word of God, and the failure to either desire this pure milk or to receive this pure milk of the word, that's why there's a lot of problems in both individual Christian lives and congregations. [00:09:01]
Coming to Him, that is to Jesus, as a to a living Stone indeed rejected indeed by men but Chosen and precious, you also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus. [00:11:21]
Peter tells us Jesus is building a temple, but he's building it out of particular raw materials. Anybody want to guess what the raw materials are for Jesus's Temple? I'm looking at him right now, and some of you are more raw than others, believe me, but it's not the quality, it's the fact that we are living stones. [00:12:26]
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the Praises of him who called you out of the darkness Into His Marvelous Light, who once were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained Mercy but now have obtained Mercy. [00:22:48]
Beloved, I beg you, as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they observe glorify God in the day of visitation. [00:26:33]
Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme or to Governors or to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. [00:32:00]
We have this principle from Acts chapter 4. We should obey God rather than man, so do we have a very strong command to submit to the government? Yes, we do, and we will submit to the government until they tell us to sin or go against what God has said in the word. [00:34:55]
For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps, who committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth, who when he was reviled did not revile in return, when he suffered did not threaten but committed himself to him who judges righteously. [00:40:37]
Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we having died to sins might live for righteousness by whose Stripes you were healed, for you were like sheep going astray but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. [00:41:31]
You can endure through suffering because Christ suffered for you. Now it's true Jesus sets an example for us in that, and it is fine for us to see Jesus an example. But please understand Jesus is so much more than an example. Oh, here's an example, but he's also the Living Lord and Savior who fills your life. [00:41:31]
We have been given great privilege in Jesus Christ, and we have very significant responsibility. Let's pray that we'll receive both because God wants us to live and walk in both. [00:45:03]