SF404 - A FAMILY PORTRAIT (1 Peter 1 22-2 10)
SF404
A FAMILY PORTRAIT
1 Peter 1:22‑2:10
INTRODUCTION
Peter gives us a portrait of the church.
What we are really supposed to look like!
1A. WE ARE CHILDREN IN THE SAME FAMILY
1B We Have Experienced the Same Birth (1:23‑25)
1C Supernatural experience
Ø By the Spirit of God
John 3:5‑6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Ø By the Word of God
1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
2C Significant experience
Ø New heart
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Ø New hope
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Ø New home
John 14:3 (NIV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am
2B We Express The Same Love (1:22)
1C Spiritual love
Ø This love comes from God
philadelphia, fraternal affection: brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.
apao, ; to love (in a social or moral sense)
2C Sincere love
"sincere love"
Ø Motivated by a pure heart.
3C Serious love
ektenos, = intently:‑‑fervently
Ø Striving with all of one's energy
Ø It is not a matter of feeling but of willing.
3B We Enjoy The Same Nourishment (2:1‑3)
1C We should want the pure Word
"crave pure spiritual milk,"
2C We must avoid junk food (2:1)
Malice = wickedness in general
Deceit = craftiness
Hypocrisy = play acting ‑ hiding our sin
Envy = self centered
Slander = gossip
You are what you eat!
2A WE ARE STONES IN THE SAME BUILDING
1B Cornerstone ‑ Christ
1 Peter 2:4
Ø "living stone"
Ø "rejected by men"
Ø "chosen by God"
Ø "precious to him"
1 Peter 2:8
Ø "causes me to stumble"
Ø "makes them fall"
2B Building stones ‑ Christians
1 Peter 2:5
Ø "you also, like living stones"
Ø "being built into a spiritual house"
1 Peter 2:6
Ø "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame"
3A WE ARE PRIESTS IN THE SAME TEMPLE
1B A Holy Priesthood (2:5)
We are to be separate from the world.
Ø Separation is not isolation; it is contact without contamination
2B A Royal Priesthood (2:9)
Direct access to the King
Purpose is to bring God's Word to the people.
Not a point of pride ‑ motive for service.
4A WE ARE CITIZENS OF THE SAME NATION
1B A People Of Destiny (2:9)
1C A chosen people
Ø Speaks of God's grace
John 15:16 (NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you...
2C A holy nation
Ø Our citizenship is in heaven
Philippians 3:20 (NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven....
3C A people belonging to God
Ø His special possession
Acts 20:28 (NIV) ...Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
2B A People Of Direction (2:9)
"...that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Ø declare = advertise
Ø Walking Billboard for Jesus!
APPLICATION
Emphasis is on Unity
Ø Jesus is the center of the unity
Unity does not eliminate Diversity
Ø The absence of diversity is not unity; it is uniformity, and uniformity is dull.
Ø Choir ok unison ‑ harmony better!
St. Augustine
"In essentials, unity, in nonessentials, liberty, and in all things, charity."
