Untitled Sermon (10)

A Royal Nation of Priests

Pure Spiritual milk is the catalyst for growth. What is spiritual milk? The absence of the afore mentioned sins. The word for pure in the Greek means unadulterated. Pure spiritual milk of the word. Word + nothing.

The Letters of James and Peter That on Which to Set the Heart (1 Peter 2:1–3 Contd)

Logikos is the adjective from the noun logos, and the difficulty is that it has three perfectly possible translations.

(1) Logos is the great Stoic word for the reason which guides the universe; logikos is a favourite Stoic word which describes what has to do with this divine reason which is the governor of all things. If this is what lies behind the word, clearly spiritual is the meaning.

(2) Logos is the normal Greek word for mind or reason; therefore, logikos often means reasonable or intelligent. It is in that way that the Authorized Version translates it in Romans 12:1, where it speaks of our reasonable service.

(3) Logos is the Greek for word, and logikos means belonging to the word. This is the sense in which the Authorized Version takes it, and we think it is correct. Peter has just been talking about the word of God which abides forever (1 Peter 1:23–5). It is the word of God which is in his mind; and we think that what he means here is that Christians must desire with their whole heart the nourishment which comes from the word of God, for by that nourishment they can grow until they reach salvation itself. In face of all the evil of the Gentile world, Christians must strengthen their souls with the pure food of the word of God.

Christ is the cornerstone of a spiritual house that is for a holy priesthood. It is by Christ’s blood that we are purified. It is only by communion and connection to the living stone that we may be purified. Peter describes him as a living stone. Peter offers what is essentially a commentary and expansion of 2 verses from Isaiah, while also delivering a contemporary message with Paul from 1st Corinthians. One thing that strikes me about the apostles writings, is that as you dig down into them you find that so much of their theology and doctrine stems from the old testament. This should be a motivator for us all to be students of both testaments.

3 Main points

Christ as Cornerstone

Chapter headings limit us here, in the greek there is no break in between verse 3 and 4, and when you read it as a chunk, you see that the spiritual milk of the Word, is the kindness of the Lord, AND the living stone from verse 4.

What is a cornerstone? The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

Spiritual application, do we look to the cornerstone for our position?

Remember 1:20 which says Christ was foreknown. Did Peter make that up? Peter had read Isaiah. Read Zion in scripture is typically used as a word that describes the dwelling place of God. A CHOSEN and precious cornerstone. and then we are given a promise, the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.

Those who reside in the house of the cornerstone

We have been adopted into a family of royal priests.

What is our role?

“To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.” and to “proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you.”

What was the role of a High Priest? To offer a yearly sin offering before the Lord in the Holy of Holies. Sacrifice and petition.

Read

This is what ties in everything this morning. In the Old Testament the High Priest was not royal. When Jesus came, he established his rule as king and high priest, and if we are a part of his priestly family, we now belong to a family, a nation of royal priests.

What is the implication of all the instructions in the old testament for priests, if that role is spiritual now?

Remember the audience, Peter is not speaking to only Jews, or only Greeks. He is speaking to a group of believers who he is calling God’s chosen people.

Those who disobey the message and stumble on the cornerstone

We should all be self examining here before we turn our eyes onto others. But we can look to scripture to see examples of who Peter and Paul are talking about.

Read 1 Peter 2:8

5 Christ as cornerstone demands a response from everyone who encounters it.

Why is Christ crucified a stumbling block to Jews?

Why is Christ crucified foolishness to Greeks?