Sermon Tone Analysis

“A chosen generation”

1 Peter 2:1-12

Jesus institutes a “friendship” in John 15:12-17 – one that would continue, on into the Acts.

This group of Apostles was not for just anyone – Jesus clearly “called” them (v.16).

In a similar fashion, the life of a Christian is, in many ways, an exclusive one.

We are in the world, but not of the world.

Many false “brotherhoods” exist (Frats and Sororities, Masonry, etc.) - but there is one true brotherhood that God has instituted, and that is where the Christian really is.

This series intends to explore the power and beauty of the true Christian brotherhood that those who are faithful enjoy.

The Church is composed of individuals.

As such, the value of the individual within this framework is important.

This lesson will deal with the nature of God's People- where they come from, how they view themselves and others, and what they do to continue in righteousness.

We will consider the building up of the Christian, the difference of the Christian, and the life of a Christian.

The Christian is “built up” by God's truth (1-6)

Never underestimate the importance of the foundation

God's People have always had a foundation

Patriarchs – Adam, Noah, Abraham, etc.

The Law of Moses – Moses, Joshua, etc.

The Gospel - Jesus

Do we truly understand our origin?

If we are to be brothers and sisters in Christ, shouldn't we start at the beginning?

Too often, we forget the necessity of the basic foundation of our faith.

“I've heard this before, so I don't need to listen, etc.”

We say that, yet we keep failing.

These teachings are simple to understand – so why do we fail to keep them?

This is why Peter writes about “laying aside” our evil habits.

We have to do this to be able to DESIRE this “milk of the Word.”

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

This was a rebuke, but the author told them this for their benefit.

If the milk would benefit them, it should do the same for us!

There is development to be made, yet let's not forget our foundation!

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) and saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel."

This is the Gospel at its core!

Jesus the Cornerstone draws us!

We come to Him as if to a “living stone”

Christ is “chosen of God, and precious”

Is. 53 describes him: “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

(v.2)

However, after the Cross, Jesus is eminently desirable!

John 12:32-33 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

(33)This He said, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

Our draw is and should always be the CROSS.

Jesus the Cornerstone repels the world!

Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The name of Jesus will not always be welcomed, indeed, “disallowed of men”.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This statement alone should explain the hatred poured upon Jesus even to this day.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Jesus' ministry condemned the vain and empty religion of the 1st century.

Our actions in righteousness will have the same effect.

The Christian is built to be different from others (7-10)

Jesus is regarded in only TWO ways.

Those who believe Jesus regard Him as “precious”

“precious” - an honor, of value

Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Unbelievers reject Him, yet are conquered by Him

A clear juxtaposition to the believers – these are disobedient, stumbling (striking out at) the word of God.

They were “appointed to” this – this isn't Calvinism - once we have chosen to stand against God, He will give us that position!

Never is this stone considered only a “wise moral teacher”, or “a good man” - this is the Messiah!

Different for a PURPOSE!

Our privilege is a responsibility!

We are not given our place in the kingdom to sit on our laurels!

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."

The truth frees us not only FROM SIN, but FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!

This privilege will not give us prominence in the world – we are “peculiar” (PURCHASED, or PRESERVED).

We are to “shew forth the praises” of our Savior!

Understand where you WERE, and where you NEED TO BE.

God “called us out of darkness” - we “were not a people”

Looking back at the darkness reminds us how much we needed the LORD, and still need Him.

This inheritance is the same as Israel, yet perfected through God's grace and Christ's blood!

The Christian is to be Holy (11-12)

The Christian is built to work for the LORD (11-12)

“I beseech you” - this was important to Peter!

Peter bases his begging upon the fact of their association as Christians.

Do we accept correction on that same basis?

Do we outlaw correction, counting our brotherhood as refuse?

The hardest verb to practice - ABSTAIN

Abstain from “fleshly lusts” - a desire for the world.

Not only sexual, but all-encompassing.

These lusts “war against the soul” - destroying our spiritual being.

If I abstain, I'm not “missing out on fun”, but in fact I'm providing an “honest conversation”.

The reaction of others tells much about me

Worldly people may speak against us just as these did in the 1st century.

It's only through God working in us that they will “glorify God”

Like the Patriarchs

Cain – Genesis 4:13-16

1 John 3:12 not as Cain who was of the evil one and slew his brother.

And for what reason did he slay him?

Because his works were evil and the works of his brother were righteous.

A clear difference between Abel and Cain.

Not only did this act of God justly punish Cain, but it also removed his wicked influence upon the rest of Adam’s family.

Adam’s line continues with Seth – seen to have clear separation by Genesis 5 – Cain’s line is not mentioned within the genealogy of Adam.

Lot – Genesis 13:11-13

Abram and Lot had separated because of logical reasons – however, Lot’s choice to dwell near Sodom culminated in him living there, and the ultimate death of his wife during the escape before Sodom’s destruction.

There is an importance to realizing the distance needed from the sinful world.

Don’t dwell so close to evil.

Like the Israelites

A Covenant of Separation – Exodus 19:3-7

As always, God lays out the requirements at the outset.