The Church by Design
The Church by Design
1 Peter 2:4-12
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 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. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
The Church is by Design: Missionary!
The Church is not a Physical Building...It is built with Living Stones, People! And Christ Himself is the Cornerstone! The Foundation Stone!!
1 Peter 1:1-12
Greeting
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
Born Again to a Living Hope
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."
It is a great privilege to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but with Great privilege comes Great Responsibility!
Going back to 1 Peter 2:4-12 we find the purpose of the Church in Vs. 5
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Also, Romans 12:1
A Living Sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Philippians 4:18
"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."
And Hebrews 13:15-16
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
What are Spiritual Sacrifices that are Pleasing to God?
1. Our Bodies...made Holy by the Blood of Christ
2. Monetary Gifts to others to Help them
3. The fruit of lips that acknowledge Christ's name
In short, our entire lives should be a Spiritual Sacrifice!
Worship is not 1 hour on Sunday morning...
Worship is a Lifestyle!!!
A Word of caution:
In 1 Peter 2:8 we see that there are people who will reject God. Indeed they are destined to reject Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. And because they reject God, He also rejects them.
This does not mean that we should not befriend them or share the Good News with them, on the contrary, we should be motivated to share the Good News with them.
Also, this is part of God's Sovereign Plan. Does God desire some to be lost? No, but...we who are saved should be all the more thankful!!!
What does this all mean for those of us who Believe in Jesus Christ...our only Hope of Salvation?
Vs. 9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
We can claim nothing for ourselves! We owe everything to Jesus Christ!
We can only bow before Him and say, "THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!"
Our Identity as the Church is the same as the Identity that God had for Israel!!!
1. A Chosen Race
2. A Royal Preiesthood
3. A Holy Nation
4. God's own People
Israel was Special and Unique...and Now that Identity is for Us...the Church/Body of Jesus Christ!
Why did God do this?
Vs. 9 second half
"that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
So are we called to Worship or Evangelism?
BOTH!!!
What is Worship?
It is declaring, How Great God is!!!!
What is Evangelism?
Declaring, How Great God is!!!!
Worship = Declaring How Great God is to and with the Saints (the Body of Christ)
Evangelism = Declaring How Great God is to the Unsaved
We exist so that the World will know, how incredible our God is!!!
Vs. 11-12
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
We are Resident Aliens!!! Living in a country that is not our own!!!
1. We must abstain from evil
2. We must live honorable lives
3. We must live as Arrows Pointing to God for others!!!
"Only one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!" John Piper
How are you living your life?
In Christ,
David
1 Peter 2:4-12
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 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. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
The Church is by Design: Missionary!
The Church is not a Physical Building...It is built with Living Stones, People! And Christ Himself is the Cornerstone! The Foundation Stone!!
1 Peter 1:1-12
Greeting
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
Born Again to a Living Hope
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."
It is a great privilege to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but with Great privilege comes Great Responsibility!
Going back to 1 Peter 2:4-12 we find the purpose of the Church in Vs. 5
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Also, Romans 12:1
A Living Sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Philippians 4:18
"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."
And Hebrews 13:15-16
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
What are Spiritual Sacrifices that are Pleasing to God?
1. Our Bodies...made Holy by the Blood of Christ
2. Monetary Gifts to others to Help them
3. The fruit of lips that acknowledge Christ's name
In short, our entire lives should be a Spiritual Sacrifice!
Worship is not 1 hour on Sunday morning...
Worship is a Lifestyle!!!
A Word of caution:
In 1 Peter 2:8 we see that there are people who will reject God. Indeed they are destined to reject Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. And because they reject God, He also rejects them.
This does not mean that we should not befriend them or share the Good News with them, on the contrary, we should be motivated to share the Good News with them.
Also, this is part of God's Sovereign Plan. Does God desire some to be lost? No, but...we who are saved should be all the more thankful!!!
What does this all mean for those of us who Believe in Jesus Christ...our only Hope of Salvation?
Vs. 9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
We can claim nothing for ourselves! We owe everything to Jesus Christ!
We can only bow before Him and say, "THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!"
Our Identity as the Church is the same as the Identity that God had for Israel!!!
1. A Chosen Race
2. A Royal Preiesthood
3. A Holy Nation
4. God's own People
Israel was Special and Unique...and Now that Identity is for Us...the Church/Body of Jesus Christ!
Why did God do this?
Vs. 9 second half
"that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
So are we called to Worship or Evangelism?
BOTH!!!
What is Worship?
It is declaring, How Great God is!!!!
What is Evangelism?
Declaring, How Great God is!!!!
Worship = Declaring How Great God is to and with the Saints (the Body of Christ)
Evangelism = Declaring How Great God is to the Unsaved
We exist so that the World will know, how incredible our God is!!!
Vs. 11-12
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
We are Resident Aliens!!! Living in a country that is not our own!!!
1. We must abstain from evil
2. We must live honorable lives
3. We must live as Arrows Pointing to God for others!!!
"Only one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!" John Piper
How are you living your life?
In Christ,
David
posted by Mark 1:17 at 11:01 AM
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