God is Building You Up - 1 Peter 2:1-25

Introduction

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May 1953 - Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest.

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Since then, As of 2017, more than 7,600 people have reached the top of the mountain, and over 300 have perished in the attempt. (1 out of 25)

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There are 5 camp levels before the top of the mount. (Base: 17,500 feet, Base #1: 19,501 feet, Base #2: 20,997 feet, Base #3: 23,500 feet, Base #4 26,299 feet)

75 people have died before reaching Camp 1 (4 died before reaching base camp)

51 people have died between Camp 1&2

45 people have died between Camp 2&3

107 people have died between Camp 3 & summit.

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I Am (we are) All Still Growing!

Sir Edmund Hillary failed in several of his early attempts to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. On one occasion he had to leave five associates dead on the side of that great mountain. Still, the British parliament wanted to recognize these valiant efforts, so they invited Hillary into their chambers. They even placed a picture of Mount Everest at the front of the room.

Sir Edmund Hillary failed in several of his early attempts to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. On one occasion he had to leave five associates dead on the side of that great mountain. Still, the British parliament wanted to recognize these valiant efforts, so they invited Hillary into their chambers. They even placed a picture of Mount Everest at the front of the room.

When Sir Edmund Hillary entered the room, the members of Parliament rose to give him a standing ovation. When he saw these great legislators standing and applauding his good effort, tears filled his eyes. Many members of Parliament noticed the tears and thought, Look, the tears of happiness that we are recognizing this good effort he has made.

When Sir Edmund Hillary entered the room, the members of Parliament rose to give him a standing ovation. When he saw these great legislators standing and applauding his good effort, tears filled his eyes. Many members of Parliament noticed the tears and thought, Look, the tears of happiness that we are recognizing this good effort he has made.

They were not tears of happiness and joy; they were tears of anger and frustration! Sir Edmund Hillary certainly had not set out to leave five associates dead on the side of that mountain, so he walked to the front of the room and literally pounded on the picture of Mount Everest. He screamed at the mountain: “You defeated me! But you won’t defeat me again! Because you have grown all that you can, but I am still growing!”

They were not tears of happiness and joy; they were tears of anger and frustration! Sir Edmund Hillary certainly had not set out to leave five associates dead on the side of that mountain, so he walked to the front of the room and literally pounded on the picture of Mount Everest. He screamed at the mountain: “You defeated me! But you won’t defeat me again! Because you have grown all that you can, but I am still growing!”

As Hillary walked to the front of the room, he recognized something that many people never recognize: Certainly he had made a good effort to climb that mountain, but the greatest enemy of excellence is good! He had not set out to make a “good effort” at climbing Mount Everest, but to arrive at the top. Ultimately, he was the first person to climb Mount Everest. Why? Because he continued to grow and refused to be satisfied with the good.

As Hillary walked to the front of the room, he recognized something that many people never recognize: Certainly he had made a good effort to climb that mountain, but the greatest enemy of excellence is good! He had not set out to make a “good effort” at climbing Mount Everest, but to arrive at the top. Ultimately, he was the first person to climb Mount Everest. Why? Because he continued to grow and refused to be satisfied with the good.

I. Beginning to Grow Up (vv. 1–3)

1. Beginning to Grow Up (vv. 1–3)

1 Peter 2:1–3 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

a. The Word of God helps to change our lives. Our relationships with others should demonstrate this change.

SUPPORTING IDEA: Spiritual growth is fueled by a deep appreciation of God’s grace.

Malice, an attitude similar to hatred, is the desire to inflict pain, harm, or injury on another person. It includes the holding of grudges and acting out of these grudges against others.

Deceit refers to deliberate dishonesty, to speaking or acting with ulterior motives. Anything less than speaking the full and honest truth from the heart is deceit. This vice is the selfish, two-faced attitude that deceives and hurts others for personal gain.

Hypocrisy has an intriguing history. It comes from a verb meaning “to answer.” A hypocrite originally was simply a person who answered. Then the word came to mean “an actor,” a person who takes part in a stage drama, specifically the interactive narrative parts of question and answer in the play. From there, this word came to mean a person who is acting out a part and concealing his true motives.

b. Our relationships with others should demonstrate this change

Envy must also be cast aside. Envy begins with a desire to possess what belongs to someone else. But it is more than this. It is a resentful discontent. Envy is “the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others” (Hiebert, 111).

Slander literally means “to speak against someone.”

None of these practices should have any place in those people who are born again. In obedience to the command of God, believers are to rid themselves of such attitudes and actions.

b. The Word of God provides spiritual food for growth, while grace provides the motivation.

Malice, an attitude similar to hatred, is the desire to inflict pain, harm, or injury on another person. It includes the holding of grudges and acting out of these grudges against others.

Malice, an attitude similar to hatred, is the desire to inflict pain, harm, or injury on another person. It includes the holding of grudges and acting out of these grudges against others.

Deceit refers to deliberate dishonesty, to speaking or acting with ulterior motives. Anything less than speaking the full and honest truth from the heart is deceit. This vice is the selfish, two-faced attitude that deceives and hurts others for personal gain.

Deceit refers to deliberate dishonesty, to speaking or acting with ulterior motives. Anything less than speaking the full and honest truth from the heart is deceit. This vice is the selfish, two-faced attitude that deceives and hurts others for personal gain.

Hypocrisy has an intriguing history. It comes from a verb meaning “to answer.” A hypocrite originally was simply a person who answered. Then the word came to mean “an actor,” a person who takes part in a stage drama, specifically the interactive narrative parts of question and answer in the play. From there, this word came to mean a person who is acting out a part and concealing his true motives.

Hypocrisy has an intriguing history. It comes from a verb meaning “to answer.” A hypocrite originally was simply a person who answered. Then the word came to mean “an actor,” a person who takes part in a stage drama, specifically the interactive narrative parts of question and answer in the play. From there, this word came to mean a person who is acting out a part and concealing his true motives.

Envy must also be cast aside. Envy begins with a desire to possess what belongs to someone else. But it is more than this. It is a resentful discontent. Envy is “the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others” (Hiebert, 111).

Envy must also be cast aside. Envy begins with a desire to possess what belongs to someone else. But it is more than this. It is a resentful discontent. Envy is “the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others” (Hiebert, 111).

Slander literally means “to speak against someone.”

None of these practices should have any place in those people who are born again. In obedience to the command of God, believers are to rid themselves of such attitudes and actions.

“Slander” (katalaleo) literally means “to speak against someone.”

How? the qualifier: “IF indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good”

Ill. Whats your favorite food to eat? You likely remember the taste of it forever.

None of these practices should have any place in those people who are born again. In obedience to the command of God, believers are to rid themselves of such attitudes and actions.

v.3 - Believers in Jesus Christ have experienced a taste of God’s grace in their lives. The “real deal” will cause the Christian to change (through the power of the HS) those things in verse 1.

Believers in Jesus Christ have experienced a taste of God’s grace in their lives. God’s grace is no excuse for us to behave as we please. The goodness and grace of God should be our greatest incentives to spiritual growth and progress.

v. 2 - Newborn infants - not a referral to these believers being new Christians. Some, in fact, were 30 years in the faith.

Bottom Line: When an individual (and church community) is under pressure, there is a tendency to begin bickering and division, which only makes the community that much more vulnerable to outside pressure”

When a community is under pressure, there is a tendency to begin bickering and division, which only makes the community that much more vulnerable to outside pressure”

c. The Word of God provides spiritual food for growth, while grace provides the motivation (vv. 2–3)

II. Beginning to Grow Up Together (vv. 4–10)

1 Peter 2:4–10 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 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. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 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. 10 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.

a. Spiritual growth begins with Christ and He is either rejected or believed (vv. 4–8).

SUPPORTING IDEA: Christians must grow together not just as individuals, but as living stones, which, when joined together with others, become integral parts in God’s building of a spiritual house.

b. Christ is either rejected or believed (vv. 6–8)

Using the metaphor provided by Peter, the decision to believe in Jesus Christ admits an individual into a spiritual building program. When anyone comes to Christ, as the Living Stone, a new stone is added to God’s spiritual building—Christ’s church.

Together we function as a holy priesthood. All believers are priests. (reference priests in the OT) Every Christian has immediate and direct access to God through Jesus Christ and serves God personally by bringing others to God.

The decision to believe in Jesus Christ admits an individual into a spiritual building program. When anyone comes to Christ, as the Living Stone, a new stone is added to God’s spiritual building—Christ’s church.

v. 5 - What are spiritual sacrifices according to the NT?

Together we function as a holy priesthood. All believers are priests. Every Christian has immediate and direct access to God through Jesus Christ and serves God personally by bringing others to God.

the offering of our bodies to God for his service.

What are spiritual sacrifices?

the offering of our bodies to God for his service

the offerings of our financial gifts.

the offerings of our financial gifts

practical, loving service to other people.

the offerings of our financial gifts

When you come to Christ as the Living Stone, you become a part of a spiritual building, the church. Growth in your life begins to speak for itself as you offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

practical, loving service to other people.

Of course, not everyone accepts this Living Stone (see 2:4)

When you come to Christ as the Living Stone, you become a part of a building, the church. Your growth begins to speak for itself as you offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

Of course, not everyone accepts this Living Stone (see 2:4)

The builders of verse 7 picture anyone who rejects Jesus Christ.

The builders of verse 7 picture anyone who rejects Jesus Christ. Such people continually stumble and fall over who Jesus Christ is. They refuse to acknowledge him as the cornerstone of their lives. They disobey the message.

Such people continually stumble and fall over who Jesus Christ is. They refuse to acknowledge him as the cornerstone of their lives. They disobey the message.

In the midst of a culture that stumbles over Jesus Christ, disobeys the message of Christ, and then persecutes any who embrace Christ, believers can easily become discouraged from continuing in the journey with Christ.

They refuse to acknowledge him as the cornerstone of their lives. They disobey the message.

In the midst of a culture that stumbles over Jesus Christ, disobeys the message of Christ, and then persecutes any who embrace Christ, believers can easily become discouraged from continuing in the journey with Christ.

They disobey the message.

b. Growing believers take on a new identity and value (vv. 9–10)

A chosen race emphasizes God’s loving initiative in bringing people to himself and allowing us to be a part of his church.

A royal priesthood reminds us as believers that as priests we serve royalty. (We aren’t great, we serve someone great)

We have not landed a maid-service position. Rather, we are part of God’s eternal kingdom.

A royal priesthood reminds us as believers that as priests we serve royalty. We have not landed a maid-service position.

A holy nation emphasizes that God has set apart the church for his use and that individual believers have a valuable contribution to make to his church.

A holy nation emphasizes that God has set apart the church for his use and that individual believers have a valuable contribution to make to his church.

It is in these things that man finds meaning:

Ill.

The answer to our search for ultimate meaning lies in declaring the excellencies of God, for he alone is worthy of glory. Salvation is ultimately not man-centered, but God-centered.

To declare God’s excellencies is to speak of all he is and has done … This purpose is too often thwarted by our silence or pride, but even brief associations with a Christian whose speech fulfills this purpose invariably refreshes our spirits. - Wayne Grudem.

III. Living Out the Declaration of His Praises (vv. 11–25)

1 Peter 2:11–25 ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

a. The life of the believer is a testimony (vv. 11–12)

b. The testimony of a believer with those in authority (vv. 13–17)

c. The testimony of a believer as an employee-servant (v. 18)

d. The testimony of a believer when suffering unjustly (vv. 19–20)

e. The supreme example of a testimony (vv. 21–25)