LEGACY IN STONES
1 PETER 2:4-10
STONE CARVER PARABLE 1
Once upon a time there was a master stone carver who had a large seven foot square piece of stone outside of his shop. It was a perfect square block of marble that the stone carver always said would be his master work. He always said that when it was finished, it would represent him totally. Most days he was busy in town helping build some building or repairing another. He worked on a little each day and mostly found time in the evenings as the sun was going down to work on his personal project.
He began his project many years ago at the top. He began by etching into the marble scenes from his childhood. He wanted to preserve the memories of his life. He carved a scene on one side at the top of the bad winter when his sister died of starvation and his mother could not stop crying. He would always remember that winter even though he was very young. He carved on another side at the top the time he got a new dog named Prince. He loved that dog. He grew up with that dog. There was not a memory from his childhood which did not have that scraggly old dog. Prince was gone now… buried out back. So the top of his carving was filled over the years with memories and representations of his life.
Over the years he had moved down the large block and had begun to carve and etch scenes of causes and people he believed in. He volunteered weekly at the local orphanage which stood out prominently on one side. He also carved into the side the tools of his stone trade which he loved dearly.
In this current year, he had moved down further and decided to carve into his masterpiece some wishes he would have for the future. He was currently dreaming about how to add such dreams to his master work. Again, he worked on it as he had time.
I. STONES OF MEMORY
The passage from 1 Peter 2 we will look at today is one that has stones at the center. It is a passage that calls us living stones and means to share with us important truths about our identities as believers. The first way I believe the Apostle Peter means for us to identify ourselves is as stones of memory.
To understand what “stones of memory” are, we have to look back at the Old Testament as this is an Old Testament reference. Stones were often set up as a way of keeping the memory of something alive or making a lasting agreement between people.
For example, Genesis 31 has an agreement struck between Laban and Jacob about flocks and herds and even the marriage of daughters:
“Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us." 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed” (Genesis 31:44-47).
For example, in Deuteronomy 27 the people were to set up a monument in the Promised Land to remind them of all the laws God had set before them:
“Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: "Keep all these commands that I give you today. 2 When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. 3 Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you” (Deuteronomy 27:1-3).
For example, in Joshua 4 the people of God miraculously crossed the Jordan River on dry ground and it marked their crossing into the Promised Land:
“So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:4-7).
It was the purpose in each of these passages that the pile of stones might be a monument to something significant that happened. I love the passage in Joshua because it shares with us the purposes of the stones. God specifically mentions that children will ask the meaning of the stones and the people of God are to share their memories about why the stones are there. The stones are to point to the significant event.
In our passage today, the Apostle Peter points to us and says that we are “stones of memory” and that each one of us who are believers in Jesus Christ are an important part of the message of Jesus Christ. We who are believers in Him are the evidence that He has done a miracle in our lives. We who are believers in Him are the standing stones that point people to our Savior. It is possible as we go through our lives that people will wonder how we as believers forgive others, how we deal with grief, how we move through guilt, how we choose to love, why we think about money the way we do, and a whole host of other observations. As believers, we are the first and last representation of the forgiveness and work of Jesus Christ.
Our entire lives must point people to the saving work that Jesus did in us.
Our entire lives must shine forth the same love that Jesus had for us.
APPLICATION QUESTION: Does your life reflect what God has done for you?
STONE CARVER PARABLE 2
One day the master stone carver was in town working on the newest addition to the town square… a building that would be the new court house. The city had asked him to form large columns and to make the building an impressive structure for any who walked through the doors. He had meticulously carved each and every column. He had crafted scenes for the top of the building as well. As he was working, he saw smoke and dust rising in the air from down the street.
Soon a city worker came running breathlessly to him. “Did you see the smoke and dust?” the man asked between labored breaths pointing back the way he had come. The master stone carver nodded and wondered what the emergency must be. The man was covered in dust and certainly had come to find him. “The old tower is starting to collapse. Your dear friend the foreman sent me to find you!” With those words, both men began to run down the street. The stone carver outran the city worker all the way to the scene of the impending disaster. The oldest and tallest building in the city was in peril. It was the first building built long ago as a watchtower to defend the city and also served as a landmark for many travelers. The city had grown up around the tower. If it fell, it would be a disaster. Many could die. Many would lose either a home or a business.
The master stone carver arrived to see city workers led by his friend the foreman bracing the side of the tower with large wood beams. They were successful, but the engineering experience of the stone carver told him that such efforts would not last. The tower would topple. He stood and watched and analyzed what was going on. The city workers saw him and were relieved that he was there.
The master stone carver approached the foreman in charge of the workers. “What is needed is a large stone to provide strength to the foundation.” The foreman agreed and asked where they would ever find a large square stone in such a short amount of time. The two friends began to throw around ideas quickly as the building needed immediate foundation help. Wood beams creaked under the stress of the building. Just then, the eyes of the master stone carver grew large. He turned and sprinted back to his work area. “I know what to do!” he called out to the foreman as he ran. The carver got into his wagon and drove carelessly to his shop. He arrived at his shop and there outside his shop was his pride and joy. There stood his in-process 7 foot square masterpiece full of his childhood memories, the causes he believed in, and space for his dreams for the future. Without thinking, he loaded the large block onto his wagon and drove off towards the tower.
II. STONES OF SACRIFICE
The passage from 1 Peter 2 we will look at today is one that has stones at the center. It is one that calls us living stones and means to share with us important truths about our identities as believers. The second way Peter talks about stones is that we are “stones of sacrifice.”
Stones in the Bible are often set up as altars for sacrifice. In fact, God tells the people in Exodus 20:25 that when they make an altar of stones, it should be made with stones that are not fashioned with tools, but fit together naturally. In fact, later in Deuteronomy 27:5-7 Moses commands the people in worship after they come into the Promised Land, “Build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool upon them. 6 Build the altar of the LORD your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. 7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.” Joshua 8 records the Israelites obeying and following Moses’ command.
Perhaps the most famous event with “stones of sacrifice” is with Elijah on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a divine duel. The prophets of Baal prayed and called on their God and of course nothing happened. 1 Kings 18:31-39 records: “Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-- he is God! The LORD-- he is God!"
Stones of sacrifice are altars on which sacrifices to God are made, places of worship, and places of prayer. By using this metaphor of “stones of sacrifice,” the Apostle Peter is pointing out characteristics we should have as believers.
Like “stones of sacrifice” we are chosen by God for a particular holy purpose.
Like “stones of sacrifice” we are dedicated to worshipping God.
Like “stones of sacrifice” we are people who belong to God.
Like “stones of sacrifice” we are direct expressions of the praise towards God.
Like “stones of sacrifice” we are direct expressions of the mercy of God.
When we look at our lives, we should be able to cry out as the people of Israel did, “The Lord He is God!” When others look at our lives, they should be able to cry out as the people of Israel did, “The Lord He is God!” As believers, we are to be obviously dedicated to the purposes of holiness, worship, praising God, and exemplify mercy. Again, as believers, we are the first and last representation of the character of God and how life should be lived in obedience to Him.
APPLICATION QUESTION: Do you sacrifice for God in your life promoting purpose, holiness, worship, praise, and mercy?
STONE CARVER PARABLE 3
The large marble stone was installed. It took much effort, blood, a few broken bones, digging, and many hours, but the large marble stone was put in place at the foundation of the tower and the toppling was averted. The tower had been saved. The stone carver and the city foreman stood back after the great labor was complete. The two friends basked in their labor and success. The tower was straight and firm in the foundation. All emergency wood beams had been removed. Each worker came by and thanked the stone carver for his quick thinking. With each passing thanks, the stone carver became agitated. As the last of the workers thanked him, tears began to roll down his face in sorrow.
The foreman turned to his dear friend surprised, “We have saved the central tower! Why are you upset?”
“I have worked so many long hours. I told you, that block was going to be my master work. It would reflect my childhood, my causes, and I was to begin work on etching in my hopes and dreams for the future. Now all of that is buried and will never ever be seen.” The stone carver’s heart was broken in many pieces.
His friend looked at him stunned. “Follow me,” he said. The foreman walked into the now fixed tower. They walked up the stairs. Flight after flight the men walked to the observation deck at the very top of the tower. The entire time the master stone carver asked what they were doing. The foreman did not answer his heartbroken friend. Flight after flight they went up. Upon arriving at the top of the tower, the two men could see out over the entire city.
The foreman pointed out in all directions from the tower, “Tell me what you see.”
The stone carver looked out. “Our city.”
Let me tell you what I see. He pointed to the north. I see the school of which you helped to lay the foundations. Beyond that is the north memorial wall carved by you which tells the story of our brave soldiers in the last war. He pointed to the east. I see the church which has statues carved by you in the prayer garden which encourages people every time they attend. He pointed to the south. I see countless houses planned, built, repaired, and maintained by you. I see the houses of countless people who you have employed over the years. He pointed to the west. I see the future court house which will be the center of law and order in our fair city. Beyond that I know the new city hall will be built and I am sure your skill will be needed. Who knows what will be built beyond that! He pointed down. And we stand on the tower to see it all which you have saved this day!
The master stone carver looked out over the city that he loved which expressed everything that he loved. He raised his hands in triumph as he looked out over the city which was an expression of his memories, his passions, and even the future. The city was his master work.
III. STONES CARVED LIKE CHRIST
The passage from 1 Peter 2 we will look at today is one that has stones at the center. It is one that calls us living stones and means to share with us important truths about our identities as believers. The third way Peter talks about stones is that we are “stones carved like Christ.”
Peter tells us that our lives as believers are built on the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are spiritual houses built to look like Him. When God looks out over His church, He should see the lives of His people reflecting Jesus Christ. He should hear the words of our mouths honoring Him. He should see in our relationships we pattern ourselves after His way of living. He should see when we sin we do not sit and wallow in it, but we move towards forgiveness and restoration. Each one of us should be a carved stone that is a testament to the power of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
We are people who trust in God and are not put to shame.
We are people who accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
We are people who understand the message Jesus taught is hard and difficult.
We are people who share the message of Jesus and understand that not everyone will accept it.
We are people who live in the light and try to get rid of darkness in our lives.
We are people who have received mercy from God and share mercy to others.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are commanded to follow Christ:
John 15:10: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
Romans 15:5-6: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 John 3:24a: “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. “
The overall picture we will get as we look at our passage today is that we are living stones that should be carved like Christ. We who are believers should pattern our lives after what Jesus has taught. We are not perfect. We are not without error. We are people who seek wholeheartedly after God through Jesus Christ with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION QUESTION: Are you honestly carving your life on the inside and the outside to look like Jesus Christ?
READ 1 Peter 2:4-10
As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-- which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
REPEAT APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Does your life reflect what God has done for you?
Do you sacrifice for God in your life promoting purpose, holiness, worship, praise, and mercy?
Are you honestly carving your life on the inside and the outside to look like Jesus Christ?
CONCLUSION
