THE CHOSEN ONES

1 Peter 2:4–8 NKJV

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

Theme

1 Peter 4:12–13 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Peter wrote this epistle to a primary Jewish Christian audience with some Gentile Christians sprinkled in.

Peter wrote this epistle around AD 63-65 around or shortly after the time of Paul’s Martyrdom.

Purpose of the letter

Christian salvation (1 Peter 1:1-2:10)

Christian relationships in pagan society, political life, at work, in the family and when treated unfairly (1 Peter 2:11-3:12)

Christian suffering (1 Peter 3:13-4:19)

Christians in the community (1 Peter 5:1-14)

Keys to 1 Peter

Suffering! 15 times

Strangers in the world

Peter has a tendency to reflect on his time as Jesus’ disciple, death, burial and resurrection.

The people of God were suffering undeserved persecution at the people of God.

Peter reminded them that this world was not their home but that they were strangers waiting to go home. In other words they were refugees of faith.

Peter wanted to rid them of any attitude of anxiety, retribution, or rebellion.

Peter wanted to encourage them that they were the converted, saved and Chosen People of God.

In other word they were the chosen ones. They were chosen to teach people how to serve God.

And as we wait and serve God we have to realize we are also pilgrims or refugees waiting to go home.

The world view is closing in on the church and the word of God and many of us feeling like we have been misplaced rather than placed. God has put us here for the purpose of suffering for Christ’s sake and converting people. God has chosen us as an example to the world to teach them how to praise God and serve God.

As Peter builds up to our text he remind the people of their heavenly inheritance.

He then reminds them to live holy before God.

And finally as we get to our text he reminds them of the enduring Word of God they are supposed to live.

Finally he reminds them THEY ARE THE CHOSEN ONES OF GOD.

THEY ARE CHOSEN BECAUSE FIRST JESUS WAS CHOSE BY GOD AS THE CORNERSTONE.

JESUS IS THE CHOSEN CORNERSTONE

1 Peter 2:4 NKJV

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

Coming to HIm

Peter wanted the people to understand they have been granted access to Christ and they should come to him

Come means to come near and stay in the presence of God.

We have access to Christ and in our time of need we should come to Jesus not people.

And no matter how tough it gets in the world we need to come, and stay in the presence of God.

Coming also means draw near!

A living stone

paradox - a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.

Jesus is living because he died but came back from the dead. Romans 6:9

Romans 6:9 NKJV

knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Jesus is referred to as stone from the Old Testament according to 1 Corinthians 10:4

1 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Rejected indeed by men!

Jesus was not accepted by men.

John 1:11 NKJV

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

The Pharisees rejected Jesus

Sadducees and the Scribes rejected Jesus

They chose Barabus over Jesus

Jesus was rejected!

Jesus Was Chosen By God!!!!

Peter is reminded of his time with Jesus when he wanted to build 3 tabernacles but God said to him

Matthew 17:5 NKJV

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

THE REASON WHY GOD USES THE PARADOXIAL STATEMENT OF LIVING STONE is because Peter also is reminded of Jesus as being the foundation of the Church!

Who better to tell us about living stones and the foundation of the church than Peter.

Matthew 16:14–18 NKJV

So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Peter is petros meaning small rock

The confession is petra meaning large rock!

The small rocks are built on tope of the large rock which is the foundation!!!

THE CHURCH IS THE SMALL STONES BUILT ON THE LARGE STONE

1 Peter 2:5 NKJV

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

YOU, ALSO AS LIVING STONES

ARE BEING BUILT UP A SPIRITUAL HOUSE

1 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Ephesians 2:22 NKJV

in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

A HOLY PRIESTHOOD

TO OFFER UP SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Not like Nadab and Abihu

Leviticus 10:1–3 NKJV

Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace.

The Church has to show the world the proper way to praise God according to His Word.

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Peter 2:6–7 NKJV

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”

Not only is Jesus the Stone and the foundation he is the cornerstone!

Jesus is elect, precious

And he who believes in Jesus and built upon the cornerstone will not be put to shame!!!!

Jesus is the chief cornerstone

The Cornerstone is the stone that all the other stones are stacked upon that make all the other stones fit together.

THE WORD IS THE STUMBLING STONE

1 Peter 2:8 NKJV

and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

Isaiah 8:14 NKJV

He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

The sinners do not have the privileges that the people of God have.

The world does not have the privileges that the church has.

Conclusion