Embracing Our Identity as Living Stones in Christ

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound privilege of being a "living stone" as described in 1 Peter 2:4-8. This passage invites us to find our identity in Christ, emphasizing that as believers, we are not just passive recipients of faith but active participants in the spiritual house God is building. We are called to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This identity is rooted in the cornerstone, Jesus, who was rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God.

The cornerstone is fundamental to the building process, anchoring the foundation, setting the direction, and bearing the weight of the structure. Similarly, Jesus anchors our faith, directs our paths, and bears the weight of our sins. As living stones, we are being built into a spiritual house, a community of believers who support and encourage one another. This spiritual house is not just a local church but the universal body of Christ, where we find nourishment, love, and purpose.

We also discussed the dual consequences of encountering the living stone. For believers, it is a source of assurance and honor, as we will not be put to shame. For non-believers, it can be a stumbling block, a rock of offense that challenges them to confront their beliefs. This duality underscores the importance of our response to Christ and the privilege we have in being part of His kingdom.

As living stones, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, which include giving our bodies, minds, and hearts to God, praising Him, doing good for others, sharing our resources, and making disciples. These sacrifices are not burdens but opportunities to honor Christ and live out our faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. Identity in Christ: Our identity as believers is rooted in being living stones, actively participating in the spiritual house God is building. This identity is anchored in Jesus, the cornerstone, who provides stability and direction for our lives. [36:04]

2. The Role of the Cornerstone: Jesus, as the cornerstone, anchors our faith, sets our direction, and bears the weight of our sins. Understanding this role helps us appreciate the foundation of our faith and the security it provides. [49:00]

3. Dual Consequences: Encountering the living stone, Jesus, results in assurance and honor for believers, while it can be a stumbling block for non-believers. This highlights the importance of our response to Christ and the privilege of being part of His kingdom. [43:33]

4. Spiritual Sacrifices: As living stones, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, including giving our bodies, minds, and hearts to God, praising Him, doing good for others, sharing resources, and making disciples. These sacrifices honor Christ and reflect our faith. [55:59]

5. The Privilege of Being a Living Stone: Being a living stone is a privilege that includes having a personal relationship with Christ, being part of the church, offering spiritual sacrifices, and experiencing permanence in Christ. This privilege brings joy and purpose to our lives. [58:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Announcements and Updates
[05:30] - Gratitude and Community Involvement
[36:04] - Introduction to 1 Peter 2:4-8
[38:05] - Understanding Our Identity in Christ
[43:33] - The Dual Consequences of Encountering Christ
[49:00] - The Role and Significance of the Cornerstone
[52:34] - Building the Spiritual House
[53:30] - Characteristics of the Holy Priesthood
[54:32] - Offering Spiritual Sacrifices
[55:59] - The Joy of Spiritual Sacrifices
[57:01] - The Privilege of Being a Living Stone
[58:17] - Life Points and Application
[01:04:00] - Encouragement and Invitation
[01:09:47] - Closing and Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:4-8

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be a "living stone" according to 1 Peter 2:4-8? How does this concept relate to our identity in Christ? [36:04]

2. How is Jesus described in this passage, and what significance does the cornerstone have in the context of faith? [49:00]

3. What are the dual consequences mentioned in the sermon for those who encounter the "living stone"? [43:33]

4. What are some examples of spiritual sacrifices that believers are called to offer, as discussed in the sermon? [55:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding Jesus as the cornerstone provide stability and direction in a believer's life? [49:00]

2. In what ways can the concept of being a "living stone" influence a believer's sense of community and purpose within the church? [52:34]

3. How might the dual consequences of encountering Jesus as a "living stone" affect a believer's approach to evangelism and discipleship? [43:33]

4. What does it mean for spiritual sacrifices to be "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ," and how can believers ensure their sacrifices align with this standard? [55:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal identity in Christ as a "living stone." How does this identity influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [36:04]

2. Consider the role of Jesus as the cornerstone in your life. Are there areas where you need to realign your foundation to ensure it is anchored in Christ? [49:00]

3. How do you respond to the dual consequences of encountering Jesus? Are there people in your life who see Jesus as a stumbling block, and how can you lovingly engage with them? [43:33]

4. Identify one spiritual sacrifice you can offer this week, such as sharing your resources or making disciples. What specific steps will you take to make this sacrifice a reality? [55:59]

5. Reflect on the privilege of being part of the church. How can you actively participate in building up the spiritual house and supporting your fellow believers? [52:34]

6. Think about a time when you felt the joy and purpose of being a "living stone." How can you cultivate that sense of privilege and gratitude in your current circumstances? [58:17]

7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your spiritual sacrifices are not burdens but opportunities to honor Christ and live out your faith? [55:59]

Devotional

Sure, here is the 5-day devotional based on the key takeaways from the sermon summary:

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Day 1: Identity as Living Stones
As believers, our identity is deeply rooted in being "living stones," actively participating in the spiritual house God is building. This identity is anchored in Jesus, the cornerstone, who provides stability and direction for our lives. We are not passive recipients of faith but are called to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This identity is a profound privilege, as it connects us to the universal body of Christ, where we find nourishment, love, and purpose. [36:04]

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 does understanding your identity as a "living stone" change the way you view your role in your community and church? What specific actions can you take this week to actively participate in the spiritual house God is building?

Day 2: The Cornerstone's Role
Jesus, as the cornerstone, anchors our faith, sets our direction, and bears the weight of our sins. Understanding this role helps us appreciate the foundation of our faith and the security it provides. The cornerstone is fundamental to the building process, anchoring the foundation, setting the direction, and bearing the weight of the structure. Similarly, Jesus anchors our faith, directs our paths, and bears the weight of our sins. This understanding invites us to trust in His guidance and rely on His strength in our daily lives. [49:00]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (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, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to allow Jesus to be the cornerstone, providing direction and stability? How can you practically rely on Him to bear the weight of your burdens today?

Day 3: Dual Consequences of Encountering Christ
Encountering the living stone, Jesus, results in assurance and honor for believers, while it can be a stumbling block for non-believers. This duality underscores the importance of our response to Christ and the privilege we have in being part of His kingdom. For believers, Jesus is a source of assurance and honor, as we will not be put to shame. For non-believers, He can be a rock of offense that challenges them to confront their beliefs. This highlights the significance of our response to Christ and the privilege of being part of His kingdom. [43:33]

Isaiah 8:14-15 (ESV): "And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal response to Christ. How does your life reflect the assurance and honor of being part of His kingdom? Is there someone in your life who sees Jesus as a stumbling block, and how can you lovingly engage with them?

Day 4: Offering Spiritual Sacrifices
As living stones, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, including giving our bodies, minds, and hearts to God, praising Him, doing good for others, sharing resources, and making disciples. These sacrifices are not burdens but opportunities to honor Christ and live out our faith. They reflect our commitment to God and our desire to serve Him and others. By offering these sacrifices, we demonstrate our love for God and our willingness to be used for His purposes. [55:59]

Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: What specific spiritual sacrifices can you offer to God this week? Consider how you can use your time, talents, and resources to serve others and honor Christ.

Day 5: The Privilege of Being a Living Stone
Being a living stone is a privilege that includes having a personal relationship with Christ, being part of the church, offering spiritual sacrifices, and experiencing permanence in Christ. This privilege brings joy and purpose to our lives. As living stones, we are part of a spiritual house, a community of believers who support and encourage one another. This community is not just a local church but the universal body of Christ, where we find nourishment, love, and purpose. [58:17]

Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister."

Reflection: How does the privilege of being a living stone impact your daily life and relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to deepen your connection with the church and the universal body of Christ?

Quotes

1. "Peter starts out chapter 1, focusing on that, emphasizing our identity, and then he took a pivot on that and moved to action, challenging our action and how to put that into practice. Now back to the identity. It's almost as if he's taking an attack just like a teacher would. Let me give you the order. Let me give you the overall theme here. Now let me give you some exercises to live that out. Now let me give you some more of the theme, and we'll get you some exercises to deal with that. So he brought to us this identity idea that we need to realize that as children of God, as believers, we are elect exiles. We are those who have been chosen by him. We are strangers in this land. We are citizens of this world, but we're also citizens of heaven. We have been born again to a living hope. We are heirs. We are heirs of a great inheritance that cannot be taken away from us." ([00:37:10] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "When you are looking at a text, and you're trying to see what does it mean, and that's why we should be approaching a text. We shouldn't be just going for what can I take away and apply it to that. I want to understand what it means and then be able to apply it more effectively. I think one of the things that jumps out, and it certainly jumped out to me in looking at this text this week, is there's a phrase that is used twice. And so, when something is repeated that way, we want to see why is it repeated. It must be important. Living stone. A living stone is used twice, and there's two applications for it. So, let's pull the layers back a little bit. In verse 4, he describes Christ as a living stone. Christ as a living stone." ([00:38:37] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "He starts out in the very beginning of verse 4, talking about us coming to him as you, believers, as believers. As you, children of God, as you, part of the family of faith, as you come to him, talking about coming to him continually, coming to him in prayer, coming to him in worship, coming to him in surrender, as you continue to come to him, realize that you're coming not to a dead rock, not to just an entity, but you're coming to a living Savior, a living stone, someone who is a rock, someone who is dependable, someone who can bear the weight, but also is very much alive." ([00:39:22] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "he says here that christ was rejected by men and when he's speaking of that he's not just talking about non -believers he's talking about the religious leaders of the day many of those jewish religious leaders particularly rejected jesus as the messiah rejected the idea of coming to christ by grace through faith but the the messenger here peter says not only is christ the the cornerstone not only is he a living stone but he is chosen and precious in the sight of god he is to be adored to be worshiped to be honored he's the cornerstone of our faith and we'll talk about what a cornerstone means in a few moments you we understand that he suffered greatly to accomplish the will of god he he bared the weight of our sin on his body and in his and his spirit and in his life and in the last three verses of this give references to how christ is the fulfillment of this quotes from the old testament as i've told you before whenever you see in your scriptures when you see something is indented in the new testament it is a reference to something from the old testament and then in this case verse 6 refers to isaiah 28 16 the last part of verse 7 refers to psalm 118 22 and verse 8 refers to isaiah 8 14 because of time i won't read those but trust me that these are they are taken from those passages in the old testament and peter once again emphasizing that jesus is the fulfillment of these prophecies then at the end of the passage he gives us two potential consequences of coming in countered with the living stone for the believer he gives a word of assurance which is some of the greatest words that we can hear he says for the believer the consequence or the result is you will not be put to shame and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame you can't walk away from your salvation no one can take it away you can't lose it by your actions if you are ever in christ you always will be in christ and not subject to that judgment that is coming in that regard but there is another consequence for those who do not know christ for those who choose not to follow him for those who never receive him says that this living stone is a stumbling block a rock of offense i was thinking about that this morning when i was going back over this and i thought about how this living stone is a stumbling block and i thought about how this living stone is a stumbling block and i thought about how this living stone is a stumbling block and i some of us some of you probably had these in your front yard or maybe on your backyard you have a series of paving stones which serve as a walkway to your house they may be decorative or they may be because of a terrain that you have there that you want to allow people to get through and you you put those down they they look nice but they're also serve a great purpose you you know that you can put your weight on them you know they're not going to move they are they are dependable and they serve a great purpose On the other hand, one of the great offenses that we could ever come across in our day is when you get the smallest of pebbles in your shoe." ([00:40:02] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "is a stone of offense they have to decide how they're going to deal with it sometimes we see people get irritated when you talk about jesus and that's why because he's become a stone of offense for them the holy spirit can break through that praise god but this is what we have to understand is we as the believers come in contact with the living stone it is a wonderful reminder reminder of permanence then the second illustration of a living stone in verse 5 describes us as believers as living stones it says we are being built up into a spiritual house or a spiritual home not as in rocks necessarily but in and not in a building as such but we are being built up into the kingdom of god the church the local and the church universal is being built up into this spiritual house a a wonderful wonderful a conglomeration of believers together doing the work of christ where in the context of the church whole and the church local we get this this idea of safety and we come for nourishment and we receive love and give love we are being built up we are as believers we are also living stones our faith is alive and and christ is alive with a within us and we are continuing to grow and continuing to be built i say it this way if our only purpose in this life was to get saved then as soon as we said yes to jesus he would take us home right then but there's obviously more for us to do and more for us to be more for us to experience and he's going to use us to help build and is using us to help build the kingdom of god he says we're being built up into a holy priesthood now in the context of the way we typically think about priesthood we are not going to be walking around with clerical collars what he's saying is as a holy priesthood we don't have to go through a man to talk to god we go directly through jesus who's sitting at the right hand of the father right there we have a direct access to god the father so we are a kingdom of priests and developing into that and being used priests are used to share the word priests are used to to communicate the gospel and so we are being built up into that as well and we've been built up into that as well and we've been built up into that as well we've been given this been given this wonderful opportunity and privilege to come to him and to offer spiritual sacrifices to god through christ and we'll talk more about that in a minute now i want to take three or so of these ideas that we see in the text and to kind of give you some illustration of that i got a lot of fill of the blanks today don't feel like you got to do that if you don't feel like if you start that that you got to finish it necessarily it's there for your convenience if you want to use it and sometimes people i'm i'm wanting to use it for one of those i like to fill out those things but if you don't feel obligated if you don't walk out here and hide it if you only got about three blanks filled up okay i want to talk about what a cornerstone is because it's an essential part of this text and we want to understand what that means he says in verse six where it stands in scripture behold i am laying in zion a stone a cornerstone chosen and precious speaking of jesus as the cornerstone and then in verse seven the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone now we need to understand what a cornerstone really is now in today's time we think of a cornerstone as something a little bit different the cornerstone most often is used today it's almost a decorative item you'll maybe have a a stone that looks a little bit different like in the corner of a of a home or something like that we may use it as more of a decorative or an opportunity to have some sort of inscription but in this day the corner" ([00:43:55] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "stone was fundamental to the building process. A cornerstone, first of all, its purpose was to anchor the foundation. A cornerstone would anchor the foundation. They had to get this just right rock. It was helpful if it had a 90 degree angle on it or could be made into that where it could be there and serve as this anchor for this foundation. Because you know when you build something, if the foundation ain't right, ain't nothing going to be right. You got to spend time and get that right. Take that time and let it dry just right and get it lined up and get it leveled out and all those things because it affects everything if your foundation is not right. In the same way, if our foundation is not in Christ, we are going to be off balance all the time." ([00:47:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "So the cornerstone here anchors that foundation. It is very important to that process. The cornerstone also, secondly, sets the direction. Everything goes from that. Again, ideally, cornerstone would come at a 90 degree angle with smooth sides and you could use that to plumb this way and plumb this way and it would set the direction to make that the way that it needs to be exactly without getting off course. If we have no clear plumb line in our life, we are subject to all sorts of influences and to go all sorts of directions." ([00:48:28] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "Another phrase that we see in this passage is, we've been empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices. I was, I'm always intrigued when I come to this passage and see that about spiritual sacrifices because I automatically, when I think about sacrifices, I think about one of two things. I think about the sacrifice of Christ on the cross or the sacrifices in the Old Testament day, covering of sin. And I think, I'm not really doing those things, but I've been called to offer these spiritual sacrifices. What are those? First of all, giving God our body, our minds, our hearts, our will, and our desires. Giving him everything. Not only what I do, but what I think and how I. I process what's important, the priorities that I have in my life. Let me give those all to God. That is a spiritual sacrifice." ([00:54:54] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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9. "The second spiritual sacrifice is praising God, just honoring him. There's just something powerful about lifting our hands or lifting our voices or putting our affection towards him and showing him how great he is and acknowledging that. Number three spiritual sacrifice is doing good for the benefit of others, being used by God. To do different opportunities, to live out different opportunities. That can be in your work life, it can be in your home life, in your community life, and certainly in your church life." ([00:55:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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10. "Number four is sharing our resources. We talked this morning about stewardship, how to give. I believe scripture tells us that all of us are to participate materially in the work of the kingdom. If we are part of a church, we should be participating materially in it. We should be giving of our resources. But stewardship isn't just about money, it's about our time and it's our talent as well. And as a spiritual sacrifice, we give that to him. For some of you, your spiritual sacrifice may have been face painting at a fall festival. And I can tell you that was probably a big sacrifice. It would have been for me because they would have all got stick figures and it would not have been good." ([00:56:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

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