1 Peter series – “Holding onto Hope in a Hostile World”

1 Peter 2:4-12

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him.[d]But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”  8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

We are a family with a foundation and secondly, we are:

·      A People with a Purpose

We see this picture in verses 9-10.

We are a chosen people – You are special and significant. You have been chosen by your creator. Many of us are trying to find our worth in the words of what others say instead of in what the Savior says. We put more weight in likes on Facebook than we do the love of the Father. We crave the affirmation of people more than the Almighty. Not only have you been chosen by the king but you are

Royal priests. – The word “royal” here means, “belonging to the king.” Notice it encompasses all believers not just pastors. In Old Testament priests had special privileges and responsibilities. They were chosen by God, not self-appointed; and they were chosen for a purpose: to serve God with their lives by offering up sacrifices. The priesthood served as a picture of the coming ministry of Jesus Christ–a picture that was then no longer needed once His sacrifice on the cross was completed. When the thick temple veil that covered the doorway to the Holy of Holies was torn in two at Christ’s death the priests as mediators between man and God were no longer necessary. Now people could come directly to God through the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. But priests didn’t just offer up sacrifices for sin there were other sacrifices and 1 Peter 2:5,9 reminds us that we have been chosen by God “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” As priests we are privileged, in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, there were places where only the priests could go. Into the Holy of Holies, behind a thick veil, only the High Priest could go, and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement but now all believers have direct access to the throne of God. Prayer is a privilege.

A holy nation – New life in Christ means that we become citizens in a new nation, Holy means set apart for the Savior, our allegiance is to Jesus. It’s no longer about our countries of origin but about Christ.

God’s very own possession – We belong to God, that means we should be asking Him God what do you want to do with my life?

Called out of darkness into His wonderful light – Are you living in God’s grace or groping around in the dark? Its hard to live in the light of the Lord while you are participating in the deeds of darkness.

Obtained mercy – Are you being motivated by mercy, in the old English mercy means the price is paid. That price was paid by Jesus, we have been called to be ministers of His mercy.