​PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
 

In the church, you would expect Jesus to be the main ingredient, the purpose for it all. Sadly, many churches that claim to be Christian have substituted the real thing with inferior substitutes.  While people are hungering for the Bread of Life, we are serving up entertainment, social connections, and self-help.  Today's passage reminds us that in the authentic church, everything centers on Jesus. 

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1 Peter 2:1-5

1  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 

2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; 

3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.

5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

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The church consists of Jesus followers. In social media today, with no commitment you can 'follow' or 'unfollow' someone with a click of a computer mouse. Following Jesus, on the other hand, is commitment: obeying His teachings, submitting to His authority, and imitating His example. 

Jesus doing a little touch up work, but Jesus wants complete renovation.  Fans come to Jesus thinking they need a tune-up, but Jesus wants a total overhaul.  Fans think a little makeup is fine, but Jesus is thinking makeover. Fans think a little decorating is required, but Jesus wants a complete remodel.  Fans want Jesus to inspire them, but Jesus wants to interfere with their lives. 

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Peter addressed Jesus' followers, who were refugees scattered across what is now modern Turkey, driven from their homes by persecution for their faith. Peter did not coddle them with pity. He challenged them to live out the commands of their Lord. He directed them to rid their lives of behaviors that are at war against love:

>>>MALICE

>>>DECEIT

>>>HYPOCRISY

>>>ENVY

>>>SLANDER

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The phrase "laying aside" is also translated "put away" or "put off."  

The eradication of sin from our lives is an ongoing process. It demands deciding over and over to reject our selfish nature and imitate Christ. 

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Peter told his readers to act like newborn babies. Newborns generally double their weight in their first five months and triple it in their first year. Peter's readers have already 'tasted' of God's goodness. But ongoing spiritual growth required continuous feeding on God's Word. 

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1 Peter 2:6-8

6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 

7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner; 

8  and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. 

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Legend tells of King Arthur who, flanked by his knights of the Round Table, led the idyllic kingdom of Camelot ages ago. Out of barbaric Medieval times rose this shining example of chivalry and valor. King Arthur's knights followed a strict code of honor.  It included rules like those mentioned in the 12th century poem - Song of Roland:

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>>>Never break faith for any reason. 

>>>Injure no one. 

>>>Practice religion diligently.

>>>Defend the defenseless.

>>>Tell the truth.

>>>Grant hospitality to anyone. 

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Sounds kind of like the church, right? 

A noble king surrounded by people who have adopted his rules of honor and service. But there is one key differentiator: King Arthur is famous for initiating the round table, most-important -seat-in-the-house. Arthur and his knights convened at the famous round table so that none, not even the king himself, could claim precedence over the others. All were equal. 

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That's not how it is in the kingdom of God. Jesus is preeminent among us. He is without peer, utterly unique, wholly set apart. He is the foundation of the church. Everything we are and do rests on Him. 

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Peter explained Jesus' place among us as that of the corner stone. Historically, a corner stone was the first stone laid in building construction. The cornerstone had to be measured carefully to ensure it was square because the rest of the structure was aligned with the cornerstone. Every other stone in a building was kept straight and true by lining up with the cornerstone. 

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Peter's reference to Jesus as our cornerstone harkens back to the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah:

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation of stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet (Isa. 28:16-17a). 

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After the coming of Christ, Peter understood the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the Messiah. He is the precious cornerstone set in Zion. Jesus is the immovable, unchangeable foundation. 

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1 Peter 2:9-12

9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 

10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but  now have obtained mercy. ​

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 

12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may be your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

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In 1 Peter 2:9-12, the author called Christians, "a chosen generation", recipients of God's grace who illustrate the depth of His love. We are the poster children showing God's great plan of salvation. Peter called believers:

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>>> A CHOSEN GENERATION

>>> A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

>>> AN HOLY NATION

>>> A PECULIAR PEOPLE

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Sin that destroys our testimony isn't just the "big" ones that land people in jail or on the evening news. It's talking about Jesus' compassion, and then talking about Jesus' compassion, and then turning our backs on those in need. It's telling others about His gentleness, and then complaining and criticizing others. It's claiming Jesus is the most important thing in our lives, and then spending our time and money on different priorities.  

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Peter urged believers to demonstrate Jesus to the world by allowing them to observe our good works.  

The world is watching. How we live before them can either draw them to Jesus or turn them away. 

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