Living Stones: Our Identity and Purpose in Christ
Summary
In today's exploration of 1 Peter 2:1-12, we delve into the profound metaphor of believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. This imagery is not just a poetic expression but a call to understand our identity and purpose in Christ. The story of King Agesilaus II of Sparta, who viewed his warriors as the true walls of his city, sets the stage for understanding how Peter sees the scattered Christians of Asia Minor. They are not defined by physical structures or societal status but by their spiritual identity as part of God's living temple.
Peter's exhortation begins with a call to put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, emphasizing that our actions must be rooted in the gospel. The gospel is not just the starting point of our faith but the sustaining power that enables us to love earnestly and live holy lives. This love and holiness are not self-generated but are responses to the enduring word of God, the gospel that transforms and empowers us.
In a world that is increasingly hostile, Peter reminds us that what we crave matters. We are to crave the pure spiritual milk of God's word, which nurtures our growth in salvation. This craving is essential for living a holy life amidst persecution and trials. Peter also highlights that believers are under construction, being built upon the sure foundation of Christ, the living stone. This construction is not just for our benefit but for a greater purpose: to proclaim the excellencies of God who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
As a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, we are set apart to declare God's greatness. This identity is not for isolation but for engagement with the world, living as citizens of heaven while residing on earth. Our conduct, rooted in the gospel, has the potential to win others to Christ, even in the face of hostility. Peter's message is a call to live with an eternal perspective, grounded in the hope and mercy we have received through Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity as Living Stones: Believers are likened to living stones, being built into a spiritual house. This identity is rooted in Christ, the cornerstone, and calls us to live with purpose and unity, reflecting God's glory in a fragmented world. [04:29]
- The Power of the Gospel: The gospel is not just the entry point of faith but the sustaining power for Christian living. It enables us to love earnestly and live holy lives, transforming our actions and attitudes. [09:06]
- Craving Spiritual Nourishment: What we crave matters. Peter urges us to desire the pure spiritual milk of God's word, which nurtures our growth and equips us to live faithfully in a hostile world. [17:14]
- Under Construction: As believers, we are under construction, being built upon the sure foundation of Christ. This process involves growth in righteousness and understanding our role in God's grand narrative. [30:27]
- Set Apart to Proclaim: Our identity as a chosen race and royal priesthood is for the purpose of proclaiming God's excellencies. We are called to engage the world with the gospel, living as citizens of heaven with an eternal perspective. [38:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [04:29] - Living Stones and Spiritual House
- [06:05] - The Enduring Word of God
- [09:06] - Love Rooted in the Gospel
- [10:21] - Holy Living in a Hostile World
- [13:42] - Craving Spiritual Milk
- [15:14] - God's Abundant Mercy
- [17:14] - Putting Away Malice
- [22:05] - Tasting the Goodness of the Lord
- [23:07] - The Power of the Gospel
- [24:52] - Resting in Jesus's Righteousness
- [26:13] - Growth in Righteousness
- [28:31] - Under Construction
- [30:27] - Identity in Christ
- [32:36] - The Living Stone
- [33:52] - The Cornerstone
- [35:06] - The Capstone
- [36:27] - Set Apart to Proclaim
- [38:31] - Chosen Race and Royal Priesthood
- [41:45] - Direct Access to God
- [42:35] - Proclaiming God's Excellencies
- [44:42] - Engaging Society as Citizens of Heaven
- [46:51] - Winning Unbelievers Through Conduct
- [48:19] - The Joy of the Lord
- [51:58] - Encouragement in Community
- [53:48] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:1-12
Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor does Peter use to describe believers in 1 Peter 2:5, and what is its significance? [04:29]
2. According to the sermon, what are the specific behaviors Peter instructs believers to put away in 1 Peter 2:1? [17:14]
3. How does Peter describe the role of believers as a "royal priesthood" in 1 Peter 2:9? [38:31]
4. What does Peter say about the cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:6, and how is it related to Jesus? [33:52]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of "living stones" help believers understand their identity and purpose in Christ? [04:29]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that craving the "pure spiritual milk" of God's word is essential for spiritual growth? [17:14]
3. How does the concept of being "under construction" as believers relate to the ongoing process of spiritual growth and transformation? [30:27]
4. What does it mean to be set apart as a "chosen race" and "royal priesthood," and how does this identity impact a believer's engagement with the world? [38:31]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual cravings. Are you desiring the "pure spiritual milk" of God's word, or are there other things that are taking precedence? How can you adjust your focus this week? [17:14]
2. Consider the metaphor of being "living stones." How can you contribute to building a spiritual house within your community or church? What practical steps can you take to foster unity and purpose? [04:29]
3. Identify any behaviors such as malice, deceit, or hypocrisy that you need to put away. What specific actions can you take to align your conduct with the gospel? [17:14]
4. How can you live out your identity as a "royal priesthood" in your daily life? What opportunities do you have to serve others and proclaim God's excellencies? [38:31]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt like an exile or outsider. How can the understanding of being part of a "holy nation" provide comfort and purpose in such situations? [30:27]
6. In what ways can you engage with society as a citizen of heaven while living on earth? How can your conduct potentially win others to Christ? [46:51]
7. Think about the eternal perspective mentioned in the sermon. How can focusing on the hope and mercy received through Christ help you endure current challenges? [24:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Stones, Spiritual Identity
Believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, a metaphor that emphasizes their identity and purpose in Christ. This imagery calls for unity and purpose, reflecting God's glory in a fragmented world. Just as King Agesilaus II of Sparta saw his warriors as the true walls of his city, believers are not defined by physical structures or societal status but by their spiritual identity as part of God's living temple. This identity is rooted in Christ, the cornerstone, and calls us to live with purpose and unity. [04:29]
"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: How can you actively contribute to the unity and purpose of your spiritual community today, reflecting your identity as a living stone in God's temple?
Day 2: The Gospel's Sustaining Power
The gospel is not merely the entry point of faith but the sustaining power for Christian living. It enables believers to love earnestly and live holy lives, transforming actions and attitudes. This transformation is not self-generated but a response to the enduring word of God. In a world that often opposes Christian values, the gospel empowers believers to live out their faith authentically and with conviction. [09:06]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you allow the gospel to transform your actions and attitudes today, especially in situations where you are tempted to respond in a worldly manner?
Day 3: Craving Spiritual Nourishment
Peter urges believers to crave the pure spiritual milk of God's word, which nurtures growth in salvation. This craving is essential for living a holy life amidst persecution and trials. In a world that offers many distractions, what we crave matters. By desiring God's word, believers are equipped to live faithfully and grow in righteousness, even in the face of hostility. [17:14]
"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." (1 Peter 2:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to increase your craving for God's word, ensuring it becomes a central part of your daily routine?
Day 4: Under Construction, Built on Christ
Believers are under construction, being built upon the sure foundation of Christ, the living stone. This process involves growth in righteousness and understanding one's role in God's grand narrative. As believers grow, they are called to reflect Christ's character and engage with the world, proclaiming the excellencies of God who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. [30:27]
"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." (Ephesians 2:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is currently working on you? How can you cooperate with His construction process today?
Day 5: Set Apart to Proclaim
As a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, believers are set apart to declare God's greatness. This identity is not for isolation but for engagement with the world, living as citizens of heaven while residing on earth. Believers are called to engage the world with the gospel, living with an eternal perspective and grounded in the hope and mercy received through Christ. [38:31]
"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." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally proclaim God's excellencies in your interactions today, especially with those who may not share your faith?
Quotes
1) "Peter isn't saying muster up love for each other, Christians. He's saying, no, no, no. The action of love is rooted in the gospel. The way that you can love me, even though you might not like me, is because God showed you what love is in the gospel, in the sending of his son, the living of the son's life, the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, the ascension of Jesus. He displays his love for you. And so therefore, the call to action is to love me or to love each other earnestly. And how can I do that? Because it's rooted in the gospel." [09:06] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Sometimes, we can believe, and I've fallen prey to this, and maybe you have too. Sometimes, we can believe that the gospel, the good news, is what saves us, is what, it's what, I'm born again, I'm a new creation. And then, if we're not careful, sometimes, sometimes, and maybe you've fallen prey to this, sometimes we can say, okay, the gospel, the good news is what saved me. It's what started me up, but now I can set that aside, and I can go out, and I can live for Jesus, right? And what is, sometimes, that looks, like performance. Sometimes, that looks like getting on a hamster wheel and trying to do all the things that it says to do in this book." [22:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "The gospel. God didn't give us his gospel so that we would embrace it, get converted, and then set it aside. No. It is the power of God to salvation. The Bible says that the same power that raised Jesus up from the dead is the power that's available to Christians in Christ. The gospel. The gospel. In a moment in time, God sent Jesus to be born of a virgin, to live the life that we should live, but can't because of sin, to die and take our penalty on the cross, to come back to life, and then to ascend in heaven where he sits forevermore interceding for us. That is the gospel." [24:52] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Peter emphasizes that believers are under construction, being built on Christ, the living stone. We are placed atop His sure foundation. So that is who all these stones, whether it's the headstone, whether it be the chief cornerstone or the stumbling stone, all of these stones are Jesus. And again, He's seeking to explain their status, who they are, by explaining who Jesus is. Because they don't have a status. You and I don't have a status. You and I don't have an identity unless it is grounded and rooted in Christ's identity." [36:27] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "You are a new people formed, delivered and created by God's work. Look what he says. He says, once you were not a people, but now you are a people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. That God didn't see mankind and turn his back, but he saw him. He saw him. He saw him. He saw him. He saw him. He saw him. He saw him. He saw them. He saw them and he had pity on them. He had mercy on them. Peter says, abundant mercy on them. He says, you didn't have that before. You, you, you, you, you didn't have mercy before, but now you have mercy. You had not received it, but now you have received it. And, and receiving mercy changes everything. Receiving God's mercy changes. It changes everything." [44:42] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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