New Community

(1 Peter 2:4-10)

Sermon Outline

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Apostle Peter 30 years earlier…Confession (Matthew 16:13-20) and Pharisee’s (Acts 4:1-13)

The Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4-5)

  • Living Stones; built into a new temple (spiritual house)
  • Holy Priesthood; spiritual sacrifices
  • Coming to Christ again and again; He builds and enables

The Stone from Above (1 Peter 2:6-8)

  • The cornerstone; choice and precious (Isaiah 28:16, 1 Peter 1:19-20)
    • Trusting and bound together in “the stone from above”
    • God honors believers; no shame
  • The stone of offense (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14)
    • Believers; do not stumble over me (Matthew 11:2-6)
    • Unbelievers; stumble, broken and crushed (Matthew 21:33-45)

Living Stones (1 Peter 2:9-10)

  • A New Community
    • People of God & possessed by God
    • A distinct treasure; not made with human hands
  • A New Purpose
    • Set aside to declare God’s praise; Proclaiming His excellence
    • Living in the joy of God’s mercy (I Peter 1:3)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Peter brings home the thought that there are 2 building programs at work in the world. God’s building project and our building project (building our lives). Can you remember a time when God asked you to stop your “building” to join Him in His building project?
  2. In 1 Peter 2:4-10, the Apostle relies heavily on 3 Old Testament “Stone” texts to convey the idea that God is engaged in a “building project” and to accomplish the project He has chosen a special “Stone” that is very precious to Him. Why might this “Stone” be precious to God? (Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22-29; I Peter 1:18-21). Why might this “Stone” be precious to you? (Ephesians 2:13-22)
  3. In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem was the place where God said He would dwell and meet with the people. The old temple was constructed using large stones but the new temple of God employs fleshly human beings. How does Jesus change the fact that God no longer dwells in stone buildings but in buildings of “flesh and blood”? (John 2:13-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:17-20; Hebrews 2:14-16)
  4. To be Holy is to be set apart unto God while to be a Priest is to be a minister and servant of others. Discuss the following “spiritual sacrifices” that we as Holy Priests can offer to God through Jesus:
    1. Our Bodies for Service (Romans 12:1)
    2. Our Praise, Worship, Thanksgiving; fruit of confessing lips (Hebrews 13:15)
    3. Our Sacrifice of Prayer & Intercession; a fragrant aroma of incense (Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4)
    4. Our Broken and Contrite Heart (Psalm 51:17)
    5. Our Faith is a sacrifice of service (Philippians 2:17, 4:18)
    6. Our Gifts of Good Deeds (Hebrews 13:16, Ephesians 2:10)
    7. Our Life poured out like a drink offering, even unto death (Phil. 2:17, 2 Tim. 4:6)
    8. Our Evangelism; ministering as a priest of the Gospel of Christ (Romans 15:16)
  5. Discuss ways that we can be Holy Priests within our families, at our work place and in our culture.
  6. Jesus is the “stone of stumbling” and “rock of offense”. He stated in Matthew 11:6 “Blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over me”. Discuss why Jesus is a stumbling stone for so many. Talk about times in your life when Jesus was a stumbling stone for you.
  7. Peter draws from Exodus 19 and calls the Exiles a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to God. Through Christ we too are being formed into a new community of and for God. Inclusion into this community is not based on race, family origins, or socio-economic standing but only on the basis of faith in Christ. Discuss what it means for you to be part of this faith community.
  8. Now that we are God’s own possession (wow) we are to declare His praises and proclaim His excellencies. What might that look like within your family, with co-workers and within our culture? (Psalm 118:22-29; Revelation 5:1-14). How do we become better at declaring His praise?
  9. What is one specific thing you sense God is speaking to you about your life through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and pray about what you share together. If you are studying on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone during the next few days.
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