Embracing Our Identity as a Spiritual Community
Summary
In tonight's reflection on 1 Peter 2:4-12 and 21-25, we explore the profound identity and mission of the church as a spiritual house built on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. This passage challenges us to understand the church not as an obsolete institution but as a vibrant, living community of believers, each a "living stone" contributing to a spiritual edifice inhabited by the Holy Spirit. The church is called to maintain a delicate balance between being distinct from the world and engaging with it meaningfully. This tension is not to be resolved but embraced, as it reflects our unique identity as a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."
The church is inherently communal, requiring deep interdependence among its members. This interdependence is not merely about attending services but involves sharing lives, decisions, struggles, and resources. Such a community reflects the Shekinah glory of God and is the context in which the Holy Spirit works powerfully. The church's relationship with the world is marked by a tension between being "aliens and strangers" and being "resident aliens." We are called to live out biblical values that often stand in contrast to cultural norms, yet we are also called to engage and serve the world around us, demonstrating the love and truth of the gospel.
This dual identity means that the church will often be misunderstood and even vilified by the world, yet it will also be recognized for its good deeds and the beauty of its community life. This paradox is rooted in the reality that every culture has elements of common grace that resonate with biblical values. The power to live out this calling comes from aligning ourselves with Jesus, the cornerstone. By recognizing Him as precious and aligning our lives with His, we find the strength to be a community that neither assimilates nor withdraws but serves and loves in the midst of tension.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as a Spiritual House: The church is a living, spiritual house built on Jesus, the cornerstone. Each believer is a "living stone," contributing to a community where God's presence dwells. This communal identity requires deep interdependence, where members share lives and resources, reflecting the Shekinah glory of God. [04:06]
2. Maintaining Tension with the World: Christians are called to be "aliens and strangers" in the world, maintaining a distinct identity while engaging with the culture. This tension is not to be resolved but embraced, as it reflects our unique calling to live out biblical values in a way that challenges and serves the world. [12:49]
3. Interdependence and Community: True Christian community involves more than attending church services; it requires sharing decisions, struggles, and resources. This interdependence is where the Holy Spirit works powerfully, and it is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's presence. [06:06]
4. Cultural Engagement and Service: The church is called to engage with the world through acts of service and love, even when misunderstood or vilified. This engagement demonstrates the gospel's transformative power and reflects the beauty of a community living out its faith authentically. [18:18]
5. Aligning with the Cornerstone: To live out our calling, we must align ourselves with Jesus, the cornerstone. This involves recognizing Him as precious and allowing His life and teachings to shape our identity and actions. In doing so, we find the strength to be a community that neither assimilates nor withdraws but serves and loves in the midst of tension. [22:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Scripture Reading
- [02:18] - Vision of the Church
- [03:38] - The Church as a Spiritual House
- [05:40] - Interdependence in Community
- [08:55] - The Church's Communal Nature
- [09:20] - Tension with the World
- [12:49] - Aliens and Strangers
- [16:58] - Resident Aliens
- [18:18] - Engaging and Serving the World
- [22:26] - Power to Live Out the Vision
- [23:15] - Recognizing Our Cornerstone
- [26:21] - Building on the Precious Cornerstone
- [29:38] - Aligning with the Cornerstone
- [33:48] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:4-12, 21-25
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 2:4-5, what is the significance of believers being described as "living stones"? How does this imagery contribute to our understanding of the church as a spiritual house? [00:12]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the concept of "resident aliens." What does this term mean in the context of 1 Peter 2:11-12, and how does it relate to the church's relationship with the world? [16:58]
3. How does the sermon describe the tension between being "aliens and strangers" and engaging with the world? What are some examples given of how early Christians lived out this tension? [12:49]
4. What role does Jesus as the "cornerstone" play in the life of the church, according to the sermon and 1 Peter 2:6-7? [22:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9) shape the identity and mission of the church today? What implications does this have for individual believers? [00:59]
2. The sermon discusses the idea of interdependence within the church community. How does this interdependence reflect the presence and work of the Holy Spirit among believers? [06:06]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can engage with the world without assimilating or withdrawing? How can this balance be maintained in practical terms? [18:18]
4. The pastor mentioned that every culture has elements of common grace that resonate with biblical values. How can recognizing these elements help the church in its mission to serve and love the world? [19:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your role as a "living stone" in your church community. How can you contribute more actively to the spiritual house that God is building? [04:06]
2. Consider the tension between being distinct from the world and engaging with it. How can you personally embrace this tension in your daily life, especially in your interactions with non-believers? [12:49]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of interdependence among believers. What steps can you take to deepen your relationships within your church community, sharing not just resources but also decisions and struggles? [06:06]
4. Think about a specific way you can engage with the world through acts of service and love, even if it means being misunderstood. What practical action can you take this week to demonstrate the gospel's transformative power? [18:18]
5. Reflect on the idea of aligning yourself with Jesus, the cornerstone. What areas of your life need realignment with His teachings and example? How can you begin this process? [22:46]
6. Identify a cultural norm or value that contrasts with biblical values. How can you address this tension in a way that is both loving and truthful, serving as a witness to those around you? [19:30]
7. The sermon suggests that the church will often be misunderstood by the world. How can you prepare yourself to respond graciously and confidently when faced with such misunderstandings? [21:41]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living Spiritual House
The church is not merely a building or an institution; it is a vibrant, living community of believers, each one a "living stone" contributing to a spiritual house where God's presence dwells. This communal identity is built on Jesus, the cornerstone, and requires deep interdependence among its members. This interdependence goes beyond attending services; it involves sharing lives, decisions, struggles, and resources, reflecting the Shekinah glory of God. In this way, the church becomes a place where the Holy Spirit works powerfully, transforming lives and communities. [04:06]
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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." (1 Peter 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute as a "living stone" to your church community this week, sharing your life and resources with others?
Day 2: Embracing Tension with the World
Christians are called to live as "aliens and strangers" in the world, maintaining a distinct identity while engaging with the culture around them. This tension is not something to be resolved but embraced, as it reflects the unique calling to live out biblical values in a way that both challenges and serves the world. By embracing this tension, believers can demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel and the beauty of a community living out its faith authentically. [12:49]
"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." (1 Peter 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embrace the tension of being in the world but not of it, in a specific situation you are facing today?
Day 3: Interdependence and Community
True Christian community involves more than just attending church services; it requires sharing decisions, struggles, and resources with one another. This deep interdependence is where the Holy Spirit works powerfully, allowing believers to experience the fullness of God's presence. By living in such a community, Christians can reflect the Shekinah glory of God and demonstrate the love and truth of the gospel to the world around them. [06:06]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can encourage and support a fellow believer in your community this week, fostering deeper interdependence?
Day 4: Engaging and Serving the World
The church is called to engage with the world through acts of service and love, even when misunderstood or vilified. This engagement demonstrates the gospel's transformative power and reflects the beauty of a community living out its faith authentically. By serving the world around them, believers can show the love and truth of the gospel, making a meaningful impact on their communities. [18:18]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week, demonstrating the love of Christ in action.
Day 5: Aligning with the Cornerstone
To live out their calling, believers must align themselves with Jesus, the cornerstone. This involves recognizing Him as precious and allowing His life and teachings to shape their identity and actions. By doing so, they find the strength to be a community that neither assimilates nor withdraws but serves and loves in the midst of tension. Aligning with Jesus empowers believers to live out their faith authentically and impactfully. [22:46]
"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, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to align more closely with Jesus, the cornerstone, and how can you take a step towards that alignment today?
Quotes
As you come to him, the living stone rejected by men 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. [00:00:12]
But you are a Chosen People, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, 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. [00:00:59]
Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires, which 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. [00:01:21]
You living stones are being built into a spiritual house. The word spiritual house means a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Shekinah glory of God inhabits the church, and we are living stones having come to Jesus, the living stone. We become living stones, and God's presence comes down and inhabits us. [00:03:56]
Interdependent means that you share decisions together. You don't make your own decisions. You share private struggles, you share emotions, you share money, you share homes, you share practical help, you share everything. And this is saying to the degree, notice, to the degree that you're being built together, you're into interlocking interdependence. [00:05:50]
Peter here shows that there is a deep tension that must be maintained between the church and the world around it. Now, before going into the passage, let me just remind us that sociologists and anthropologists and historians for many years have pointed out that religions tend to relate to the culture around them in one of two ways. [00:09:12]
Live such good lives amongst the pagans that when they accuse you of wrongdoing, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Now, this is very much like what Jesus says when he says you are a city on a hill, you are the light of the world. [00:17:46]
If you assimilate, you don't suffer, and everybody thinks you're fine. If you attack and withdraw, you don't suffer, and everybody thinks you're weird. But what if you are really different? You do not assimilate, you maintain your biblical values, and yet you engage and you serve and you come close and you love your neighbors. [00:18:20]
Every culture is made of people in the image of God. Every culture is made of people with wisdom and insight, and they're the image of God. And therefore, every single culture, every non-believing, non-Christian culture in some place will have some overlap with biblical values. [00:19:29]
The way we are going to become the church is we have to come to the Livingstone, the cornerstone, to Jesus Christ. What does it mean to come to him? Three things. To come to him means three things. You have to, first of all, admit you've already got a cornerstone, then you've got to find him precious, and then you've got to line up and unite with him. [00:22:31]
If you build your life on any other cornerstone, you will be put to shame. It'll constantly happen. You'll feel like a failure. You'll be shaken to the roots. You'll feel like you don't have a self. You have to build on the corner. So, first of all, you have to recognize that you do have a cornerstone. [00:26:21]
The moment I unite to Jesus Christ, to God through Jesus Christ, he lived the life I should have lived, he died the death I should have died, and now you are absolutely accepted. If he's accepted, you're accepted. If he's beautiful to the father, you're beautiful to the father. [00:30:11]
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