Core Values pt1

Jesus resurrection starts a movement that is best seen in the formation and expansion of the Church. Capital C.

That Big C church is expressed in little c “churches” which are created and expand across the region to become what we are today.

The question that looms for each one of those churches is what kind of church they will be. What does a NT church look like?

West Metro has tried to answer that question with 4 words and a simple vision statement.

We think those words are so vital that we put them on the wall. Not just as reminders, but as a visual commitment to everyone who walks in the doors that those are commitments we have made to them and to the Lord, based on a close reading of scripture.

So these next few weeks we are going to walk thru them- for those who are new and for those who have been here for awhile. This is who God has called us to be.

And we are going to start with the start. The reason we are all here.

Jesus.

Turn with me to 1 Peter 2:4-10.

If you are looking for a cookie cutter church, we are going to be very difficult for you. I occasionally have someone I meet or work with ask me to describe our church and the what I always start with is this- we all agree on one thing- Jesus- everything else is up for discussion.

And I am glad to say that. If we are going to be united on something, it should be the one fixed, immovable, undebateable King of Kings who saved us from sin and gives us hope for the future.

And Peter would agree with that.

He describes Jesus in those terms in verses 4-7.

Jesus is a living stone who makes us into living stones. Look, let’s be honest. Without Jesus we are dead. Paul says we were dead in our sins in Ephesians 2. That is not hyperbole. We could not remake ourselves. There were no glow ups for what we were.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

The first allusion emerges when Jesus is identified as “the living Stone.” That Jesus is the stone is confirmed by the Old Testament references that follow in vv. 6–8 (see the commentary on these verses). Jesus is doubtless called the “living” Stone because of his resurrection

And as a result Jesus intervened.

And as we remembered on Good Friday- He suffered,

Verse 4 says He was rejected by men- what Jesus came teaching a lot of people found unbelievable.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

The life of Christ functions as a pattern for the Petrine Christians, for they too are despised by many, but they are chosen and honored in God’s sight, destined for vindication after suffering

And that sent Him to the cross- but He overcame that rejection to found a spiritual house- built out of those who believe in Him as Savior- the Church.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

The tenants slay the son to possess the inheritance—a clear reference to the crucifixion of Christ—fulfilling the prophecy that the builders would reject the cornerstone (

I don’t think we can emphasize that enough in our day and time. Jesus came to save us so He could form us into a spiritual house to take the message of the Gospel to the world.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

Nowhere else in the New Testament are believers called living stones, though elsewhere they are described as God’s temple or house (

There are sometimes debates about who that calling goes to, but church this letter makes it clear- this is to a whole bunch of normal, every day, working people saved by Jesus. It is OUR calling! We are called to be God’s people in a church together to worship Jesus, learn about Jesus, and carry the message of Jesus everywhere we go.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

All of God’s people are now his priests. Despite the emphasis on the corporate priesthood, what Peter said applies by implication to individuals as well. That is, all believers have direct access to God by virtue of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must avoid, however, focusing on the individual, for Protestants are prone to individualize the text in a way that blunts or even denies its corporate emphasis

That’s why Peter in verse 5 calls us a “holy priesthood.”

The priests were the go-betweens for the people with God. They took the messages of God to the people. And sacrificed on their behalf.

Now we do that. We take the message of God- as God’s representatives, ambassadors- to a world who does not yet know Him. And we lay down our lives as “spiritual sacrifices” to make Him known- forsaking our own selves for the sake of Jesus.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

The parallel with 2:9, where the royal priesthood proclaims God’s wonders, suggests to some that this is the primary function of the priesthood (see commentary on 2:9 for further discussion). The priestly calling of the church is understood from 2:9 to be evangelistic, a praising of God’s name so that people from all over the world will join in worshiping him

We are the stones that make up the church, but Jesus is the Cornerstone!

Verse 6-7.

The cornerstone is the one that holds it all together. The one on which if it fails or is removed the whole thing collapses.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

He is God’s elect and honored cornerstone. That is, the entire building (i.e., the church) takes its shape from him. The Old Testament citation repeats the two terms “chosen” (eklekton) and “honored” (entimon) from v. 4, showing that Peter anticipated citing

And let me tell you, we can see that today.

When Jesus is not the cornerstone, the church fails.

Pride destroys ministries.

Greed robs the people of God.

Abuse runs rampant.

False kingdoms are built.

Leaders fall.

The weak are taken advantage of.

All while a watching world stands by and says “I told y’all they are fake.”

When the cornerstone is removed the church is turned into a useless pile of stones. That only Jesus can restore.

And do not think for a second that Jesus has abandoned His church. That He has turned His back on His bride. She can be restored. Renewed. He will always keep a remnant for restoration.

Because the Church is always His plan.

Now look with me at verse 8.

He’s the cornerstone but His also something else- the stone people stumble over.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

Those who disbelieve stumble over the stone, who is Christ. They stumble over Christ because they refuse to believe in him and obey him. People who stumble and disobey are responsible for their refusal to trust in Christ, and yet God has appointed, without himself being morally responsible for the sin of unbelievers, that they will both disobey and stumble

Why would a church pry out their cornerstone?

Because He is in the way.

We live in a day today where the Jesus of the Bible is seen as out of step with the current culture. There are those who want to remake Him in the image which is most useful for their own ends.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

Their stumbling over the cornerstone is not accidental, as humans often trip unintentionally while walking. In this instance humans stumble because of rebellion, because they do not want to submit to God’s lordship

Let me say this to you as forcefully as I can.

Jesus is not your mascot. He is not your figurehead. He is not a voting member of your board. He is not your symbol. He is not your consultant. He is not your buddy. He is not your cafeteria lady serving up whichever slop you want today.

He is King. He is Lord. He is holy. He is righteous. He is jealous. He is healer. He is teacher. He is Father. He is God Almighty and He does not move for ANYONE!

You move for Him. Or you keep stumbling over Him. He’s not moving.

And when He stays fixed and the church shifts its foundations, the church collapses, because the purpose of their gathering is gone.

I do not want to be that church.

So that means, to be a church where Jesus is cornerstone, we have to know who WE are in Him.

Look at verses 9-10.

Chosen- God chose you

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

As noted above, the priesthood here is corporate in nature, and yet this does not rule out the truth that individuals serve priestly functions. Best seems to strike the right balance here: “Christians exercise priestly functions but always as members of a group who all exercise the same function

Royal- you are a part of the royal family

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

As noted above, the priesthood here is corporate in nature, and yet this does not rule out the truth that individuals serve priestly functions. Best seems to strike the right balance here: “Christians exercise priestly functions but always as members of a group who all exercise the same function

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

Peter also replicated the exact words of

Holy- He has made you righteous by the blood of His sacrifice

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

Peter also replicated the exact words of Exod 19:6 in identifying the church as a “holy nation” (ethnos hagion; cf. Exod 23:22, LXX). The church of Jesus is a people now set apart for the Lord, enjoying his special presence and favor

A people- we have a tribe, a family, a place to belong

And we have a purpose!

To proclaim what Jesus has done for us.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

God has chosen them to be his people, established them as a royal priesthood, appointed them as a holy nation to be his special possession, so that they would “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

He has made us His people

Shown us His mercy

1, 2 Peter, Jude (3) The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4–10)

God pledges to have mercy upon them and form them again as his people. Such has been the experience of the church of Jesus Christ

And called us out the depths of sin into the light of His presence

He is the REASON you are drawing breath.

And He is calling you to follow Him.