Sermon Tone Analysis

1 Peter 2:8-13

I was going to preach on prophecy today but due to unforeseen circumstances I had to change topics at the last minute

Pray

We are going to go through some of the scripture and discuss what is written and then try to tie it back to the title.

Important Recap 2:8

We see Jesus being described as a living stone that was rejected by people

Honored by God and SET as the Cornerstone

This corner stone is a stone of stumbling and offense

People stumble because of their disobedience

It was preordained for them to stumble, not disobey.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race

But You......

Peter draws a defined line here

Clear distinction between the unbeliever and the chosen

God’s grace and sovereign choice vs. human choice is that line

The Greek word for chosen is the same as for elect.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession

The phrases we see here used by Peter to describe Christians are the same phrases found in the old testament to describe Isreal.

In the old testament Isreal was a chosen people.

Isreal was chosen to serve as the priesthood

Exodus 19:5-6 “5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Peter sees the church as the new Isreal, a royal priest hood and a Gods chosen Nation.

1 Peter 2:9 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

The election of the christian is not just for salvation it is for service as well.

Called to bear joyful witness to the saving grace of God

In Isaiah 43:21 we see This was the mission of Isreal and they rejected it.

“21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

This has now been passed on to Christians.

We also see this in Matthew 28:19-20 “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

What happens if we don't obey?

1 Peter 2:10 “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.”

We see here the Greek word λαός we are not just a people

If we were Paul would have used δῆμος because this word means people or the public

We are “A PEOPLE”, Gods chosen people.

This word was used in the Septuagint to refer to Isreal.

So what is going on here is that Peter interprets the passages in Hosea 1 to include the reception of the Gentiles in to the people of God.

If we are not Gods people we do not have Gods mercy but now God’s mercy extends to the undeserving Jews and Gentiles alike.

Again showing a correlation between the OT Nation of Isreal and the NT Church.

You know what is amazing here.

Peter Calls

Gentile Converts

What do we know about them?

they Practiced pagan polytheism

it was referred to in 1 Peter 1 as the empty way of life handed down from your forefathers,

It consisted of debauchery, carousing, and idolatry

It was so common that it seemed strange if someone quit or wasn't doing it.

And Peter called them “A PEOPLE” and “a Holy Nation”.

These were terms that previously distinguished Isreal from the gentiles.

I think its hard to understand today.

Isreal where “God’s People” chosen, set apart.

Honored.

and the Gentiles.... Well … Its kinda like the greasers and the Socs.

Do you see the connection here?

Once darkness now light

once alone, now Gods family

Once waiting judgement, now receiving mercy.

I believe deep down God gave us a desire to belong.

To belong to HIM, his family, But we have substituted that need to belong to HIM with other stuff.

Years ago people belonged.

More so now then ever before.

People had a dedication to their towns

families

occupations (for life)

Social organizations

Moose Lodges

Masons

Ods Fellows

Fire Depts.

and so on

People in the world today

live away from where they grew up

away from families

its hard to even be part of your job.

One of the last reports says that the average person has 12 careers.

People will follow anything

do anything to fit in (tide pod challenge)

Social media

the deep desire is to fit in and find “Your Group”

We are to the point now that people don’t even know what gender they are.

And then we define others and let others define us by our:

Strengths

weaknesses

and accomplishments

We live with a pressure to perform

We are measured and measure ourselves by this.

Who are we.

Now lets go back to the time this passage was written

In Peters time

People belonged to a city.

Jesus of Nazareth

Also known by lineage or their parents

Known by occupation

Then lets take the converted Gentiles

It was even harder for the gentiles

Think about it

they were hated for leaving old customs and associations