The Stone and the stones

The Stone and the stones

1 Peter 2:4–6 (CSB): As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and honored cornerstone,

and the one who believes in him

will never be put to shame.

1. The Basis of our Life: a living Stone

How do we know he is the basis? As you come to him: The word translated to indicates a close (πρός) approach. The words translated “as you come” shows that it is a habitual approach and an intimate association.

So, we come to Him over and over and over: not a one time and done thing; it is a continual thing, born both of necessity and intimacy. We do it because we have to; we do it because we want to. A question for you today might be: do you want to? Do you want to come into intimate association with Jesus today?

Peter has had this down for a long time: John 6:66–68 (CSB): From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?”

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Peter is careful to make sure there could be no confusion about who is foundational: not petros; lithos. Contrasting passage:

Matthew 16:16–19 (CSB): Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father 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 will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

Jesus play on the word - rock versus bedrock. Catholic take on the word - foundation person of the church. Truth from Peter’s perspective: Christ is a living stone; we, all believers, are living stones. More later about this, but He has made us to be of the same substance. No hierarchy for Peter.

Look at the words “rejected by people but chosen and honored by God” in v. 4. Judgement made by men: prior to the Cross; everyday is a rejection of the Living Stone.

God’s judgement: chosen and valuable

Expanded: v. 6. a chosen and honored cornerstone

Key issue: believe in Him

Why? Not only a living stone; He is the cornerstone.

Role of the Cornerstone is two fold in building: foundation and reference. Foundation in that it is the beginning of the house. Reference in that the builders use it as the reference for the laying of all other stones. True for us as a church; also true for our lives. Question: Has this stone become the foundation stone of your life?

Lay it down as the place of importance; lay it down as THE point of reference. Is my life aligned the right way? Am I doing the right thing? Go back to the reference stone.

Come to Him over and over and over. Known this in the church:

Contrast of praise and hymn:

No one knows who wrote the words; set it to a traditional melody:

I am weak and Thou art strong

Jesus keep me from all wrong

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea

Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea

Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

You come to Him; you keep coming to Him; why? He has a purpose for us:

2. The Construction of our lives: living stones

The corporate character of our lives

living stones: character is like that of THE living stone. We cease to want our own personal agendas and seek to line up with the Living Stone.

The corporate construction of our lives

House: not a temple that could be destroyed : like the house of Israel. A family united

The corporate identity of our lives

Identity: holy priesthood. Here is where the example of Israel changes radically. Israel had a priestly class: the Levites. The church has no priestly class: we are all priests – all separated for God’s use.

The corporate work of our lives

Work: offer spiritual sacrifices – Three directions for spiritual sacrifice

1. Hebrews 13:15 (CSB): Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.– offer the sacrifice of praise. We tell our God how great he is. Here IS the value of praise music. What does it mean to offer the SACRIFICE of praise? Sacrifice of our time to do other things and instead we praise HIM.

Sacrifice of praise can mean sacrifice of energy and talent in order to praise Him. So we bring the sacrifice of praise…

offer the sacrifice of service –

Hebrews 13:16 (CSB): Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

3. offer the sacrifice of self: Romans 12:1 (CSB): Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.