THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
You can’t just enter the White House today. You have to have an appointment, and your name has to be cleared by security. While Abraham Lincoln was in office, however, people simply went into the White House each day, hoping for an audience with the President. They just waited in line with everybody else—and hoped.
This routine allowed for one exception. Lincoln’s youngest son, Thomas (“Tad”), was famous for his undisciplined “run of the house,” even interrupting cabinet meetings on occasion. Lincoln adored his son, so Tad always had direct access to his father.
Most of us will never have direct access to the President of the United States. But as followers of Christ, we have direct access to the God of the universe. At one time in biblical history, only certain people had special access to God; they were called priests. Even today, when we hear that word “priest,” a specific image of what a priest looks like comes to mind.
But as we’ll see in 1 Peter 2, Peter called all believers priests. Let’s explore what exactly that means.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
As followers of God and members of His family, our lives are built on the foundation of who Jesus is. We build our lives on the One Peter described as “a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God.” Jesus is no insignificant pebble! He is the foundational stone upon which everything else is built. We are to build on Him as our one solid foundation. (See Matt. 7:24-27; Eph. 2:19-22.)
When we build our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, we function as “living stones” that make up “a spiritual house” and “a holy priesthood.” Let’s look at the two primary functions of a priest.
- Priests have the privilege of coming into the presence of God. In the Old Testament law, the priest was the one who went before God with the sacrifices from the people. In Christ, however, we all have the privilege of approaching the throne of God (see Heb. 4:16); access is not limited to a select few. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice to make this possible, but as priests, we still offer sacrifices; ours, however, are “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We give ourselves fully to Him.
- Priests have the privilege of representing Christ and serving others. Just as the Old Testament priest represented God to the people of Israel, our words and actions represent Christ to the world. We represent Him as members of His family and as priests within His kingdom. The fruit of our faith goes far beyond just our words. Faith calls us to action, and a life of faith being lived out cultivates fruit that pleases God.
How should we understand the metaphors
described in these verses?
1 Peter 2:6-8
6 For it stands in Scripture: “See, 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 word; they were destined for this.
In the eighth century B.C., the prophet Isaiah quoted this declaration from the Lord God: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable” (Isa. 28:16). Almost 800 years later, Peter wrote with an elevated level of clarity because he knew Isaiah was pointing to Jesus. Jesus is God’s “chosen and honored cornerstone.”
In construction today, we treat a cornerstone in a ceremonial sense, placing it in a prominent corner of the building, typically with an inscription. In biblical times, the cornerstone played a more critical role in construction. The right stone had to be placed in the right spot in the right way because it set the standard for placing all other stones and building materials.
Modern construction calls for a variety of foundations, depending on the surface of the ground and the type of building. When it comes to constructing our lives, we must start one way—and only one way. Jesus must be the cornerstone of our lives. “The one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to build their lives on Christ. Quoting Psalm 118:22, Peter noted that some people outright reject Jesus as the cornerstone. These people will stumble and fall over that stone because they disregard and disobey the truth. These people refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and they will miss the blessings and benefits that come from making Him the cornerstone of their lives.
In what ways do people stumble over Jesus
and His message today?
In 1979, a hopeful musician named Paul Hewson submitted a tape to RSO Records. In response, he received this short letter: “Thank you for submitting your tape of ‘U2’ to RSO. We have listened with careful consideration, but feel it is not suitable for us to present. We wish you luck with your future career.”1
Paul Hewson—you might know him better by his stage name “Bono”—and his three band members learned quickly what it was like to be rejected, but this rejection didn’t prevent U2 from moving forward. The band went on to win 22 Grammy Awards, sold more than 170 million records worldwide, and become one of the world’s best-selling musical groups of all time.
Peter wasn’t writing about stumbling over failed business opportunities. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject life itself—eternal life. Stumbling and falling over the opportunity to build one’s life on Christ has deadly and eternal consequences.
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 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.
What word or phrase from these verses do
you resonate with most? Why?
Not everyone rejects Jesus. In referring to those who trust Jesus and accept Him as the cornerstone of their lives, Peter called them “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession.” Each of those phrases is rich in telling us what it means to be a follower of Christ, and each points to the fact that our lives ought to look drastically different from the rest of the world. Allow me to use a sports metaphor and say that, as believers, we put on a new jersey and become a part of God’s team.
In October 2010, over a billion people watched the miraculous rescue of 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped more than 2,000 feet underground for over two months. Jose Henriquez was one of the miners.
The media gave Henriquez nicknames like “The Pastor” and “Spiritual Guide.” The names resulted from the testimonies of the rescued miners. They reported that twice every day while they were stuck in the mine, Henriquez would pray over them and lead them in devotions, using passages he had learned from God’s Word. A local pastor remarked, “That knowledge of the Word…helped him because he did not have it to read.”
When asked about it, Henriquez said, “I believe that the key to all this was in the Word of God, in having believed God…. That’s why I say to the whole world that the Lord wants them to believe in Him to believe in His Word.” As a result of Jose’s leadership, several miners gave their lives to Christ, and millions heard the gospel on live network television through listening to his testimony.
After being rescued, Jose Henriquez was the first to return to work in the mines. Returning was one way he thanked God for rescuing him.2
Mines are dark places, especially when there seems like no hope of escape. As Christians in today’s culture, we also were once in darkness, but we were called “out of darkness into his marvelous light.” God has made us His priests—“a royal priesthood.” We are His representatives. Therefore, we can do nothing less than offer thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips because of all that He has done.
How can we work as a group to intentionally
praise God and declare His goodness?
LIVE IT OUT
How can you serve Christ this week as His priest and representative? Consider the following suggestions:
- Express thanks. Thank the Lord for saving you and including you in His royal priesthood. Thank Him for empowering you and equipping you to live on mission and in service to Him.
- Pray for others. Interceding for others before God was a part of the priest’s duties. Contact family and friends and ask how you can specifically pray for them. Make a prayer list and regularly intercede for others in prayer.
- Proclaim Christ. As a priest, you represent Christ to others. Identify one way you—or your group—“may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Following Christ means having a direct line to Almighty God. It also means representing Him through our actions and attitudes. Are you committed to both of those opportunities?
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Teacher Notes
MADE
FOR SOMETHING MORE
Click Here to Watch
Video: I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
(U2 have consistently put their Christian faith and Biblical themes at the center of their music over the past three decades, but have never sold themselves as a Christian band. This has worked out pretty well for them given that they are one of the most popular rock acts of all time.)
Lyrics: I have climbed the highest mountains, I have run through the fields, only to be with you. I have run I have crawled, I have scaled these city walls, only to be with you. I have kissed honey lips, felt the healing in the fingertips, it burned like fire, this burning desire. I have spoken with the tongue of angels, I have held the hand of a devil, it was one empty night, I was cold as a stone. I believe when the Kingdom comes, then all the colors will bleed into one, but yes, I'm still running. You broke the bonds, You loosened the chains, You carried the cross, of my shame, You know I believed it - But I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
What do you think U2 (Bono) is trying to say in this song?
The song touches on a truth that is embedded in all people – a deep sense of longing and desire for something that this present world cannot fully satisfy. Bono is lamenting and confessing? He is saying that no matter what he tries or what he does, ultimate satisfaction isn’t found in this world. His satisfaction must come from somewhere else. He was made for something else, for somewhere else, or perhaps for someone else. He is just a pilgrim on this earth, “just a passing through.”
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis argues the existence of God based on our dissatisfaction's as well as our deepest desire, which sounds a lot like the lyrics of U2’s song. Lewis says, “…A baby feels hunger; well there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim; well there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire; well there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Something is missing, so we despair. Thoreau writes, “…most men live lives of quiet desperation”, we feel the futility of work & life and sense that there must be “something more.”
If God is the ultimate source of joy and fulfillment, then nothing but Him and Him alone will satisfy the heart of every person.
· King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God has set eternity in the hearts of men…”
· Blaise Pascal wrote, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
· U2 Bono sang, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
This song is a confession of our longing for something more.
MADE FOR SOMETHING MORE
The Christian life is more than just getting saved and waiting for heaven. God has even more in store for us. We were created and redeemed for something more – to live our lives in Christ – each day while we are here on earth! What are you looking for?
1. You are wonderfully made.
2. You are a child of the King.
3. You are a minister.
4. This week we are told - I am a Priest. 1 Peter 2:4-10 What does that mean?
When you hear the word “priest,” what specific image comes to mind?
We have different images of a priest – the simple servant priest who served in the temple in ancient Judaism, the powerful high priest with all his vestments, the religious figures of some cults and Eastern religions, or the parish priests of the Roman Catholic Church in our towns. Generally, we think of priests as individuals with special authority formally bestowed on them by a church or religious body. The Scriptures teach us another perspective: every Christian is a priest. As servants of Christ, we are His representatives before others.
In 1 Peter 2, Peter called all believers priests. What does that mean to you?
I. Believers are a Priesthood who offer Spiritual Sacrifices 1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, a living stone — rejected by people but chosen and honored by God — 5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
How should we understand the metaphors described in these verses?
Living Stones: The term living stones in 1 Peter 2:5 is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus, who is described in the previous verse as the “living Stone” (1 Peter 2:4). Together, these two verses picture how Christ and His followers are joined by God Himself: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him—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” (1 Peter 2:4–5). The foundation of God’s building is His Son, Jesus Christ, the “living Stone.” The “living stones,” in turn, are believers who come to Jesus and place their lives upon this foundation. The living Stone is “precious” to those who believe (1 Peter 2:7), but some men reject the living Stone in order to build their lives their own way, not God’s way (see Psalm 118:22 and Luke 6:46–49). Unbelievers cast this living Stone aside, not caring that Jesus is the only true foundation upon which they can build securely (1 Corinthians 3:11). In a metaphor much like that of the living Stone, Jesus is described as the chief cornerstone in Ephesians 2:19–22. Peter references Jesus as the cornerstone in Acts 4:11–12, stating that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” God accepts no one who refuses to become a part of His building. And God is just like all builders—He has a foundation upon which all workers must build (Matthew 7:24–27). Believers, then, are the “living stones” of the church that Jesus promised to build (Matthew 16:18). As living stones, we have new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As integral parts of the building of God, we have security in Christ (John 6:37). As the Master Builder, God places His living stones just where He wants us to be (1 Corinthians 12:18). As living stones, we are connected to one another in the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Our Lord, the foundation Stone, is alive forevermore and will never crumble. He will support us eternally. Peter goes on to describe the function of the living stones: to “declare the praises” of Him who called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of life and glory (1 Peter 2:9). This is the “job description” of a living stone: a speaker of praise, a declarer of truth and love and light. The spiritual house God is building is designed for His glory, and we, the living stones, glorify the Lord in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Spiritual Sacrifices: Are not materials or animals, but that which is given under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual sacrifices may be our service, worship, commitment, faithfulness, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and more. We should not limit the sacrifices to any one item. Everything that brings honor to God is probably to be included. However, only when the sacrifices are given in praise and worship of Jesus Christ are they acceptable to God.
As a priest, these verses give us two primary functions and privileges. What are they?
1. Privilege of coming into the presence of God. Why is this a privilege? In the Old Testament law, the priest was the one who went before God with the sacrifices from the people. In Christ, however, we all have the privilege of approaching the throne of God (see Heb. 4:16); access is not limited to a select few. Old Testament priests 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 or "type" 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 by God at the time of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51), God was indicating that the Old Testament priesthood was no longer necessary. Now people could come directly to God through the great High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). There are now no earthly mediators between God and man as existed in the Old Testament priesthood (1 Timothy 2:5). Christ our High Priest has made one sacrifice for sin for all time (Hebrews 10:12), and there is no more sacrifice for sin that can be made (Hebrews 10:26). But as priests once offered other kinds of sacrifices in the temple, so it is clear from 1 Peter 2:5,9 that God has chosen Christians "to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5-9 speaks of two aspects of the priesthood of the believer. The first is that believers are privileged. To be chosen by God to be a priest was a privilege. All believers have been chosen by God: a "chosen generation...His own special people" (verse 9). 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 when he made a sin offering on behalf of all of the people. But as mentioned above, because of Jesus' death upon the cross of Calvary, all believers now have direct access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). What a privilege to be able to access the very throne of God directly, not through any earthly priest. When Christ returns and the New Jerusalem comes to earth (Revelation 21), believers will see God face-to-face and will serve Him there (Revelation 22:3-4) Again, what a privilege especially for us who were once "not a people" ... "without hope" ... destined for destruction because of our sin.
2. Privilege of representing Christ and serving others. Just as the Old Testament priest represented God to the people of Israel, our words and actions represent Christ to the world. We represent Him as members of His family and as priests within His kingdom. The fruit of our faith goes far beyond just our words. Faith calls us to action, and a life of faith being lived out cultivates fruit that pleases God. The second aspect of the believer's priesthood is that we are chosen for a purpose: to offer up spiritual sacrifices (see Hebrews 13:15-16 for example), and to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Thus, by both life (1 Peter 2:5; Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:10) and by word (1 Peter 2:9; 3:15), our purpose is to serve God. As the believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), so God has called us to serve Him from our hearts by first of all offering our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). One day we will be serving God in eternity (Revelation 22:3-4), but not in any temple, for "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22). As the Old Testament priesthood was to be free of defilement, as symbolized by being ceremonially clean, so has Christ made us holy positionally before the Father. He calls on us to live holy lives that we might also be a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5). In summary, believers are called "kings and priests" and a "royal priesthood" as a reflection of their privileged status as heirs to the kingdom of the Almighty God and of the Lamb. Because of this privileged closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary. Second, believers are called priests because salvation is not merely “fire insurance,” escape from hell. Rather, believers are called by God to serve Him by offering up spiritual sacrifices, i.e., being a people zealous for good works. As priests of the living God, we are all to give praise to the One who has given us the great gift of His Son's sacrifice on our behalf, and in response, to share this wonderful grace with others.
Point: We and our worship are acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ.
II. Believers are a Priesthood Founded on Jesus Christ 1 Peter 2:6-8
6 For it stands in Scripture: “See, 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 word; they were destined for this.
Read: In the eighth century B.C., the prophet Isaiah quoted this declaration from the Lord God: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable” (Isa. 28:16). Almost 800 years later, Peter wrote with an elevated level of clarity because he knew Isaiah was pointing to Jesus. Jesus is God’s “chosen and honored cornerstone.” In biblical times, the cornerstone played a more critical role in construction. The right stone had to be placed in the right spot in the right way because it set the standard for placing all other stones and building materials. Modern construction calls for a variety of foundations, depending on the surface of the ground and the type of building. When it comes to constructing our lives, we must start one way—and only one way. Jesus must be the cornerstone of our lives. “The one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
How do people stumble over Jesus and His message today?
- They stop building their lives on Christ and witnessing for Christ because of rejection. In 1979, a hopeful musician named Paul Hewson submitted a tape to RSO Records. In response, he received this short letter: “Thank you for submitting your tape of ‘U2’ to RSO. We have listened with careful consideration, but feel it is not suitable for us to present. We wish you luck with your future career.”1 Paul Hewson—you might know him better by his stage name “Bono” —and his three band members learned quickly what it was like to be rejected, but this rejection didn’t prevent U2 from moving forward. The band went on to win 22 Grammy Awards, sold more than 170 million records worldwide, and become one of the world’s best-selling musical groups of all time.
Peter is saying that to reject Jesus Christ is to reject life itself—eternal life. Stumbling and falling over the opportunity to build one’s life on Christ has deadly and eternal consequences.
Points: Those who believe in Jesus will not be ashamed of Him before others and will not be shamed by Him on the day of judgment. Those who reject Jesus and are disobedient to God’s Word of truth will fall at the judgment.
III. Believers are a Priesthood Who Proclaim the Praises of God 1 Peter 2:9-10
9 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.
What word or phrase from these verses do you resonate with most? Why?
In each, Peter suggests being and becoming.
- Each phrase is rich in telling us what it means to be a follower of Christ, and
- Each point to the fact that our lives ought to look drastically different from the rest of the world.
God has made us His priests — “a royal priesthood.” We are His representatives. Therefore, we can do nothing less than offer thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips because of all that He has done.
Points: In Christ, we have been released from the darkness of sin to the light of eternal life with Him. God’s people have the assignment to praise Him before the world.
LIVE IT OUT
How wonderful to have been blessed by God with salvation through Jesus Christ! However, we are to do more than relax in His goodness as if we were basking in the sunshine on the beach or lounging under a shade tree by a river bank.
God made us to be something and to do something. We have seen several images in these verses that describe what it means to be the people of God. One is that we are His priests. As such, we are called to serve Him in His spiritual house; to offer spiritual sacrifices unto Him; represent Him before others; and praise Him for His mercy.
Hope to see you this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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