1Peter 2 Intro

1. You have been justified and redeemed by the blood of Jesus and are in the process of becoming more holy, more pure and more righteous every day!  And not only that, but one day your earthly body is going to be transformed into a spiritual body and you’re going to reign in heaven with Jesus!     >>How does that make you feel?<<

Peter’s goal in sharing this was to encourage the believers suffering persecution to persevere in holiness and loving one another and to revive their hope in a future salvation.

 

2. You are the chosen people of God, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession.  And not only that, but you individually are like living stones, built together into a spiritual house in which God lives with Jesus being the cornerstone of that house; in other words you as a group are the temple of God! And not only that but you are a royal priesthood called to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus (as your high priest)!  >>What do you think about that?  How does that make you feel?<<

Peter’s goal here was to further encourage the believers, but also to remind them of their place in God’s kingdom and consequent responsibilities.

Read 1Peter 2:4-12

There are many metaphors which describe the Church in relationship to God or Jesus and each metaphor seems to describe a different aspect of that relationship. 

 

Shepherd/sheep

Bridegroom/bride

King/Kingdom

Body(of Christ)/members of the body

Cornerstone/stones of temple

High Priest/priesthood

 

Outline for 1Peter 2 – Expanded

A Chosen People

Exodus 19

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

 

A Spiritual House

          Ephesians 2:19-22

19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Jesus the cornerstone – we all align with him

          Togetherness, unity

          God abides within by the Holy Spirit

 

A Holy Priesthood

          Mediates between God and man

          Offering Spiritual Sacrifices

          What are the spiritual sacrifices Peter is talking about?

 

                   Praise & Thanksgiving

Hebrews 13:15
 15Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

                   Love & Compassion = good deeds

Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Ourselves, our lifestyle, our special gifts & abilities

Romans12:1 - Living Sacrifices
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.