1 Peter 2 - Living Stones
Notes
Transcript
Handout
I have an agenda today: Inspire you to engage and partner in the essential mission of the Father. Reminding you of your new identity and how you live in response to that identity.
STAND FOR READING
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—5 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. 6 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. 7 So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone, 8 and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined for this. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits. 13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Peter mixes metaphors - you are a stone together built as a temple and a priest who has valued role in the temple.
Together, we are the temple of God and a holy priesthood, individually partnering and ministering with others.
Together, we are the temple of God and a holy priesthood, individually partnering and ministering with others.
illu: stone by itself only does damage, but together becomes a strong and holy people containing God’s presence
priesthood that ministers and offers worship to God…declaring praises.
God always has been crafting a people to represent Him on the earth and declare the praise worthy of His name.
God wants us to grow up.
God wants us to grow up.
How?
We grow through a relationship with God through His word
We grow through a relationship with God through His word
milk to meat
obey the word
through Christ, who is the word
We grow through carrying responsibility within the Family of God
We grow through carrying responsibility within the Family of God
priest ministers, practice their gifts
proclaim praises among each other
evangelize
obey, honor, good works, submit, love
Attend Basics
We bring faith to life.
We bring faith to life.
How? We Partner in God’s Essential Mission as Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
How? We Partner in God’s Essential Mission as Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
ambassador represents the King’s (nations ruler) interest in a foreign land.
What does that partnership look like?
Groups
place for ongoing spiritual friendships to form and flourish
form around 3 common values: depth (beyond surface or event), vulnerability (protect and participate), & commitment to grow
Vocation/Assignment
Do you represent King Jesus, well?
submit to others; good works; speak life;
christian living (vs 11)
Relational Evangelism
most people came to church because they were invited by someone who’s life they saw positive change within
what has God called you out of? tell someone
Ministry Teams
not serve teams…we are here to minister (stories of kids)
“Phoenix loves singing the songs from Faith Kids all week long! Whether we’re in the car or he’s playing in his room, this is what’s occupying his mind. I think it’s just wonderful. He is praising the Lord and speaking the truth of God’s Word over himself daily. It’s incredible to see how much he loves worship and how these songs are filling his heart with God’s truth
Bryelle has been going to Faith Church with me since she was 19 months old—she is now 4.5 years old. When I read her this message, she responded, ‘I love my teachers and friends at church, and I love prayer and praying for my Nana.’ Faith Kids has impacted us in so many ways. One of the biggest is how it teaches my kids about God in a way that’s easier for them to understand—sometimes better than I feel I can. It meets them at their level, and I absolutely love that. I love hearing them tell me all about their church service on Sundays. Church makes my family so happy!"
we show honor, and we want to become honorable vessels
stories of team members
Randall Daly- I would say it's just a very humbling experience, to see the joy of a small group of people giving everything they have to make sure people hear the word and have a welcoming and warming experience is amazing to see. The fact that the majority of the people that just come and sit down on a sunday and hear a message and think nothing of it, not knowing of all the work happening around them is just testimony to how hard all the volunteers work with serving hearts. To selflessly make sure all the people coming in have a great church experience. Being around the loving, Jesus chasing, and just all around wonderful people of the production team just makes me want to strive to be a better person and grow my relationship with Jesus and to do everything I can to make sure production goes smoothly. I don't serve with the mindset of I serve because I have too. I serve with a grateful heart that I can play a part in helping the church and the staff deliver the message to everyone willing to listen.’
Deb: It is heartwarming to see the 2-year-olds play and learn to share. There have been several times in recent months when one child will carry a toy over to another child and engage with them. The leaders I serve with are always quick to encourage the child showing God’s love by sharing. It is so fun to watch them learn kindness through play.
Praying for people is an honor and I’m often blessed as much as they are. One of the most exciting prayer times was when a young single mother asked for prayer. She was visibly shaking after the sermon and asked if she could renew her prayer of salvation. Wow! What an honor to pray with her!
Another prayer time was with a young college girl struggling with life choices. We prayed with her and felt led to keep in touch with her. We took her to lunch and got acquainted. We still maintain a friendship and she knows we will be there for her if she needs us.
Outreach Partners
benevolence - form on website
monthly support - prayer guide on way out
trips
Core Community VIDEO
Prayer Cards - QR card to sign up
Systematic & Sacrificial Giving
all the above require resources
benevolence
We all have room to grow.
We all have room to grow.
“i’m on a team but i don’t live out a calling during the week” well, start.
“I’ve invited friends to church, i just don’t give.” well start.
“i give and am on a team, but i never thought about being active with a ministry partner or mission trip” well, start.
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Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group)
The message was about our call to live as a royal priesthood. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?
Read 1 Peter 2:1-17. What does this passage reveal about Jesus?
When you hear the phrase “royal priesthood,” what comes to mind? How can we embody that identity today?
According to the passage we read, what are some characteristics of a christian life and how a christian talks?
What are the two key contributing factors that help us “grow up” according to sermon? Why are both needed?
