Written by David Self Monday, 12 September :00 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 September :36

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1 Explore the Bible Preview September 18, 2016 Building Our Faith Background and Lesson: 1 Peter 2:1-10 Motivation: Much of this study has to do with turning from sin, not particularly popular subject in today s society. However, discerning the difference between right and wrong and being willing to avoid compromise is vital to our obedience. Examination: I. Spiritual Milk (2:1-3) So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Lik e newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation, 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good. (2:1-3) A. Procedure so rid yourself of all Peter is not outlining a twelve step program. He is, in fact, describing a one-step procedure: ask God to cleanse you. So many sins cannot be slowly weaned away, they must be abandoned by the miraculous power of God s Spirit. Just as one would take off a coat and lay it aside, so we are to put off these evil things, having zero tolerance (Ephesians 4:22-25; Mark 10:28-31). B. Problems 1 / 9

2 1. malice - J. Vernon McGee calls it congealed anger. It means to have an unforgiving spirit. ( Thru the Bible, vol. 5, p. 689) The Greek word kakia can also mean wic kedness as in I Peter 2:16. Barclay uses that meaning here and says that it means all the wicked ways of the Christless world. The other words are illustrations and manifestations of this kakia ; and it is to be noted that they are all faults of character which hurt the great Christian virtue of brotherly love. There can be no brotherly love so long as these evil things exist. ( The Letters of James and Peter, pp ) I John 4: deceit - The Greek word dolos refers to deceit by guile. It is a scheming attitude that desires to advance its own selfish agenda. To avoid wickedness, a Christian must first avoid deceiving his/her own conscience (James 1:22). 3. hypocrisy - Barclay writes Hupokrites (hypocrite) is a word with a curious history. It is the noun from the verb hupokrinesthai which means to answer ; a hupokrites begins by being an answerer. Then it comes to mean an actor, the man who takes part in the question and answer of the stage. Next it comes to mean a hypocrite, a man who all the time is acting a part and concealing his real motives. The hypocrite is the man whose alleged Christian profession is for his own profit and prestige and not for the service and glory of Christ. (p. 190) I John 2:19 4. envy - Throughout the New Testament we re commanded by Word and example to give thanks (Matthew 15:36, 26:27; Mark 8:6, 14:23; Luke 17:16; Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6, 16:4; I Cor. 14:17-18, 15:57; Eph. 1:16, 5:4; Col. 1:3; I Ths. 5:18; Rev. 4:9). Envy is closely associated with thanklessness. Elisabeth Eliot said It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life. Envy is a thinly disguised complaint against God for not giving us something we feel we deserve. 2 / 9

3 5. and all slander - Barclay writes: There is gossiping disparagement (katalalia). Katal alia is a word with a definite flavor. It means evil-speaking ; it is almost always the fruit of envy in the heart; and it usually takes place when its victim is not there to defend himself. Few things are so attractive as hearing or repeating spicy gossip. Disparaging gossip is something which everyone admits. (pp ) Eph. 5:4 C. Provision like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk so, that you may grow by it (2) Just as a baby is single-minded in seeking nourishment, so should all Christians (not just newborns) desire God s Word. J. Vernon McGee writes: My friend, without a hunger for the Word of God you will not grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. You will not develop as a Christian; you will always be in your babyhood. We must remember that a little baby and a full-grown man are both human beings, but they are in different stages of growth and development. The little one needs milk so he can grow up to become a man. Now, how does a Christian grow? He grows by studying the Word of God. There is no growth apart from the Word of God. ( Thru the Bible, vol. 5, p. 689) I Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12-14; John 17:17 II. Spiritual House (2:4-8) Coming to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God 5 y ou yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it is contained in Scripture: Look! 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 message; they were destined 3 / 9

4 for this. (2:4-8) Many have mistaken the rock upon which Jesus built His church as referring to Peter (Matthew 16:18). It seems that Peter takes some care in verse 4 to make certain we understand that the rock, the living stone is in fact, Jesus. (I Cor. 3:11) He takes the analogy further: A. Stones to Build His Church you yourselves, as living stones, are being built-up into spiritual house (5). Each Christian is an integral part of the house Christ is building. (Col. 2:6-7) 1. Living stones are dependent upon one another. 2. Living stones accomplish more together than they would individually. 3. Living stones exist for a purpose beyond themselves. B. Priests to Serve His Church a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices 1. Priests serve as role models. (Phil 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:9; I Cor. 10:11) 2. Priests offer sacrifices. (Romans 12:1; Heb. 13:15) 3. Priests have access to God. (Romans 5:2; Eph. 2:18) C. The Cornerstone on which the Church is Built a chosen and honored cornerstone (6) the stone that the builders rejected this one has become the cornerstone 4 / 9

5 . (7) (Ps. 118:22, also quoted in Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Rom. 9:33) 1. A Cornerstone Provides Structure/Prevents Lopsidedness Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed ; (Isaiah 28:16) A cornerstone is sometimes the foundation/sometimes the capstone in an arch - Jesus is the 1st and last. 2. A Cornerstone Provides a Foundation. It s usually the first stone laid and sets the pattern. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is in Christ Jesus. (I Cor. 3:11) 3. A Cornerstone Provides a Bond: Jews/Gentiles, fellowship. Having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a Holy temple in the Lord in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Eph. 2:20-22) 4. A Cornerstone receives the Glory. (Rom. 11:36) D. Implications 1. Building on the Cornerstone Results in Honor So honor will come to you who believe (7a) 2. Rejecting the Cornerstone Results in Humbling for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected this One has become the cornerstone, and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this. (7b-8) III. Spiritual People (9-10) 5 / 9

6 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. (9-10) A. A New Identity (9a) chosen race we are new creations not only as individuals but in our corporate unity. royal priesthood Many of the great leaders of the Old testament were either kings or priests; we are both! This doctrine of the priesthood of every believer conveys the approach, access, intercession and responsibility of every believer to God through Jesus Christ. holy nation God has created a New Israel, set apart for Himself; a people for His possession. B. A New Purpose so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (9b) Paul states our purpose in 1 Corinthians 10:31 do everything for God s glory. Jesus stated that we glorify God by this; that you produce much fruit. (John 15:8) C. A New Contrast (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. The collection of Jews and Gentiles who make up the church had no identity or mercy apart 6 / 9

7 from Christ. This great contrast is a reason to proclaim the promises of God. Application: 1. Sins that disrupt our fellowship with believers are not items to compromise. 2. Sins that disturb our fellowship with Christ must be shunned as by a priest. 3. Sins that destroy our following among non-believers are to be avoided. Explore the Bible Leader Pack Item 6: Poster: Christ in 1 and 2 Peter Illustrator: p. 6 Living Stones: What Did Peter Mean? Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; Dates: /9-11 SPF Family Stoney Creek Ranch; 9/11 Fall LBS Luncheon; 9/12-14 ION Conference; 9/17 Men:Serve; 9/ th gr. Event & Parent Hang out; 9/18 Make It Your Church Orientation; 7 / 9

8 9/25 SPF Birthday Bash; 9/25 MS Family Park Day; 10/1 Men s Ministry Wild Game Dinner; 10/7-8 Women s Omni; 10/9 Parent Commitment; 10/13 Lifeway/UBA Pastors Dinner; 10/14 KSBJ Concert w/ Lauren Daigle; 10/15 Celebration Tickets go on sale; 10/16 Lord s Supper; 10/16 SPF B-day Bash; 10/21 MS the Farm; 10/31 First Fest; 11/5 - Men: Serve; 11/7-8 Grow Team Retreat; 11/11-12 HUB As We Go Wknd; 11/13 SPF B-day Bash; 11/13 DTW Appreciation Luncheon; 11/20 Make It Your Church Orientation; 11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holidays; 12/4 HUB Christmas Palooza; 12/7-11 Celebration; 12/18 SPF Birthday Bash; 12/23 & 26 Christmas Holiday offices closed; 8 / 9

9 12/25 NO LBS 5:00pm Service only; 12/31 Summit NYE Party; 1/1/17 No LBS 10:00 am Service only. 9 / 9