"Living Stone" 1 Peter 2:4-10 Series

Introduction: Peter use the text from Psalm 34:8 as he writes to the Christian "you have tasted that the Lords is gracious" in the previous verse (2:3). Then Peter states that we have tasted the milk of Word as he refers to Jesus Christ. After believers have purged their lives from the unwholesome foods (desires) and begin to desire the wholesome spiritual food "milk of the Word" that begins the process of spiritual growth. However, we must remember that the very foundation of our spiritual growth is not built on the apostles and their teaching but, it built upon the solid rock of Jesus. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Peter that the foundation of the church would be built upon the "Rock" that is Jesus. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus said that a wise man will build upon the "rock" for solid foundation and the foolish man would build upon the "sand" and the foolish man house would not stand. We as "living stones" must build upon "Rock" for our spiritual house to stand. This "Rock" is a stone that the world rejected and stumbles over. (see illustration)

Text Illustration: THE PRECIOUS STONE NO ONE SAW

Back when the Old West was being settled, pioneers flocked across the country to California and Oregon. In one particular spot on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies there was a large, dirt covered rock protruding in the middle of the trail. Wagon wheels were broken on it and men tripped over it. Finally someone dug up the odd stone and rolled it off trail into a nearby stream. The stream was too wide to jump over, but people used the stone as a step to cross the cold creek. It was used for years, until finally one settler built his cabin near the stream. He moved the odd stone out of the stream and placed it in his cabin to serve as a doorstop.

As years passed, railroads were built and towns sprang up. The old settler’s grandson went East to study geology. On a visit to his grandfather’s cabin, the grandson happened to examine the old lump of stone and discovered within that lump of dirt and rock was the largest pure gold nugget ever discovered on the Eastern slope of the Rockies. It had been there for three generations, and people never recognized its value. To some it was a stumbling stone to be removed. To others it was a stepping-stone, and to others it was just a heavy rock. But only the grandson saw it for what it really was--a lump of pure gold.

Jesus is the precious rock God has given us to be the both the cornerstone and the capstone of our lives. Will you come to the rock today? (See The Rest of the Story) (From a sermon by David Dykes, The Rejected Stone, 8/20/2012)

Read Sermon Text:

1 Peter 2:4-10 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

"Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

"The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone,"

8 and

"A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense."

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

NKJV

1. A Stone Chosen and Living (vs. 4-5)

2. A Stone Rejected (vs. 7)

3. A Stone of Stumbling (vs.8)

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1. A Stones Chosen and Living (vs. 4-5)

1 Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. NKJV

a. Living Stones: Peter's statement in verse 4 "Coming to Him" is not directed to a lost person as he/she as if he/she is coming to Jesus for salvation but, to all who believe. This statement implies a personal and habitual approach to Jesus. Just as a baby has a desire for milk (v.1) yet, that desire for "milk" should lead us to the meat of the word. Peter identifies Jesus as a living stone, Peter new firsthand the reality of the resurrected Jesus. As a personal witness of seeing Jesus by the sea of Galilee but, Jesus personal appearance to the disciples. Matthew 16 Jesus told stated to Peter that the foundation of Church would built upon the "rock" which is Jesus therefore in verse 4 he (Peter) identifies Jesus as a "living stone". In Numbers 20:8 Moses is told by God to "Speak to the Rock" it would bring forth abundant waste and in John 7 Jesus told the people that anyone who believes in Him out of this heart would flow rivers of "living" water.