1 Peter 2:1-10
Introduction:
Who are we? 1 Peter 2 is not going to tell us about personality, gifting, biases or prejudices, but rather about who God has stated we are and what that really is and looks like.
Chapter 2 and actually the entire letter alternates between affirmation and exhortation. The readers are reminded of the good new that they have heard. Then they are called to live responsibly in the light of that good news. Then confronted again by the reminder of God’s election and call. This section is about affirmation and comfort.
Verses 1-8 on the other hand, describe characteristics of what we shouldn’t be:
Transition:
It is Jesus, the living stone (as opposed to the stone which was rejected) that desires to build a spiritual house and a priesthood for the purpose of worshipping and honoring Him.
Verse 4 is the turning point. ‘Turn to Him’
Those that turn to Jesus are discovering a precious stone (as opposed to a stone, rejected, a stone of stumbling, and that will eventually crush those who reject Him).
I. Title(s), Descriptions, Functions
– verse 9
Exodus 19:6
`And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These
are
the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” (NKJ)
Revelation 1:6
‘and has made us kings
1
and priests to His God and Father, to Him
be
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (NKJ)
Revelation 5:10
‘And have made us
1
kings
2
and priests to our God; And we
3
shall reign on the earth.” (NKJ)
3. Holy Nation
This is also taken from Ex 19:6. The Hebrews were regarded as a nation consecrated to God; and now that they were cast off or rejected for their disobedience, the same language was properly applied to the people whom God had chosen in their place-the Christian church.
4.
Peculiar People
More in the sense of particular because God has chosen us.
1 Peter 2:9
The Greek
laos eis peripoieesin
means, “a people for a possession;” that is, as pertaining to God.
Application
: So, we’re very special!
Buy…. Hold on. It isn’t solely for title or bragging rights!
II. Purpose
That ye should show forth the praises of him Margin, “virtues.”
The Greek word
aretee
means properly “good quality, excellence” of any kind.
It means here the excellences of God-His goodness, His wondrous deeds, or those things which make it proper to praise Him.
This shows one great object for which they were redeemed. It was that they might proclaim the glory of God, and keep up the remembrance of His wondrous deeds in the earth. This is to be done:
(a) by proper ascriptions of praise to him in public, family, and social worship;
(b) by being always the avowed friends of God, ready ever to vindicate His government and ways;
(c) by endeavoring to make known His excellences to all those who are ignorant of Him; and
(d) by such a life as shall constantly proclaim His praise-as the sun, the moon, the stars, the hills, the streams, the flowers do, showing what God does. The consistent life of a devoted Christian is a constant setting forth of the praise of God, showing to all that the God who has made him such is worthy to be loved.
Conclusion
: And all of this through the work of the cross which we celebrate during this communion commemoration.
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