1 Peter Chapter 2 Pt. 2 Living Stones In The Body Of Christ

1 Peter 2:1-3  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2)  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3)  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

The Holy Spirit used Peter to teach us about Christian living. Those in whom the Spirit of God indwells, will be led to avoid the sins listed by the apostle.

Instead, every Christian must be like a new born babe, feeding on the pure, unadulterated milk of God's Word. 

Spiritual growth occurs when we are feeding on the scriptures by reading, listening, and thinking upon them.

By studying of the Word of God, we learn how wonderful our Lord is and about His goodness and His heart toward us. 

We are living stones made acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5)  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

Peter describes Jesus as a living stone and this is a direct connection with prophecies about the Messiah. 

Isaiah 8:13-15  Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14)  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15) And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 

Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be a stone of stumbling for those who reject Him. 

John's gospel tells us that Jesus came unto His own people (the Jews) and that they did not receive Him.

Jesus applied this prophecy to Himself, in dealing with the stubborn religious leaders who were rejecting Him as Messiah (See Matthew 21:42). 

Those who fell on the stone would be broken, picturing repentance and salvation. 

Those who rejected it would one day find that stone falling on them, crushing them to death, a picture of eternal condemnation. 

Jesus is the chief cornerstone and those who fall on Him will be saved. 

1 Peter 2:4-5  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5)  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

In this metaphorical description of Jesus Christ, He is called a stone, to denote His invincible strength and everlasting duration. 

As a stone, Jesus teaches us that He is our protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. 

Matthew 7:24-25  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

Those who hear and heed our Lord's words, are those who build their house upon Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation. 

We may experience the storms of life and the tempests of trials, but we shall not be moved.

Matthew 7:26-27  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

Jesus Christ is a rock of offence to all His enemies. He will fall upon them when He comes as King and Judge. He will crush those who reject His gospel. 

In fact, Paul uses very strong terms, saying that Jesus will come in flaming fire to take vengeance upon all who do not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

Peter teaches us that the Christian church is a much different than the Jewish temple, which is built of dead, lifeless stones and mortar. 

The body of Jesus Christ is a living temple, consisting not of dead materials, but of living parts. 

Christ, the foundation, is a living corner stone. Individual Christians are living stones in the body of Christ, making a spiritual house.

The Spirit of God joins each Christian together for a house for God. 

Ephesians 2:20-22  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Paul wrote about this as well. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. He is perfect and level and plumb. Therefore, the building will be perfect, level and plumb as it is constructed by the ministry of God's Spirit.

Paul echoes Peter. The church is a living building composed of born again people. We are joined together by the Holy Spirit to be a habitation for God. What a contrast this is to earthly temples made by man. 

Christians individually and collectively are temples, since we are the habitation of God through the Spirit.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Christians are a royal priesthood who boldly go to the throne of grace. 

1 Peter 2:9-10  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

Rev 1:4-6  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5)  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

We are priests by virtue of our consecration, and have direct access to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, our great high priest. 

We represent God to men with gospel of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

We have the wonderful privilege of representing God to men, and of bringing men to God. This is through the ministry of reconciliation. 

The perfect, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ has reconciled God to us, and gospel preaching, and faithful witnessing is used to reconcile sinners to God. 

We must first offer ourselves to God before He will use us. 

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Because we have been born again by the mercies of God, and since we are recipients of His boundless grace, let us present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. 

This connects with 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, and the truth that we were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus. This being true, our body and spirit belong to God and we must use them to glorify Him. 

This also connects with 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, and the call to be holy because our God is holy, Therefore, it is a call for us to be separated from the world. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Below are various texts that speak of the sacrifices or offerings that a believer can give for Jehovah. 

These are things like offering thanksgiving, praise and prayers. 

May we be ready to offer spiritual sacrifices to our Mighty God, for He is worthy. 

Let us be engaged in Great Commission ministry as Jesus commanded us. 

Let us be His faithful witnesses, His joyous worshippers and those who obey His Word.

These are sacrifices that are pleasing to God.

Bob

Psalm 50:14  Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 

Psalm 50:23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. 

Psalm 107:21-22  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22)  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Hebrews 13:15-16  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16)  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.