You are a Part of Something Big

And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed." This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone," and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:4-10)

Everybody wants to be a part of something. Even the most rugged individualist inwardly wants to be a part of something significant. We want to be associated with the right friends – we want to be a part of the right club – we want to be a part of something. The first part of this passage says “Coming to Him…” It all starts, for the believer, when we come to Him. My first football coach said, “You can’t be a part of the team if you don’t come to practice. There is no couch potato club, because they would never meet. But, belonging in the body of Christ is not just about coming to church – it IS about coming to Jesus (for our salvation and our service).

In the past few weeks we have looked at the Living Hope, the Living Faith and the Living Word. Those are all things that we have. This week we want to look at what we are as believers. We are living stones – what does that mean?

1. We are part of a building

It is interesting that Peter uses the term “stone.” If you remember Jesus’ conversation with Peter, you remember that Jesus called him “Peter,” meaning “little stone.” He also told Peter that his confession was a “massive stone” that the church would be built upon. Now, Peter says that we are living stones. Jesus is the cornerstone to our building. It says, He is living, choice, and precious to believer and a stumbling block to believers. There is only one building in the Kingdom of God – it is the worldwide body of believers. This passage says that it is a spiritual house.

Let me give a little Greek lesson. Spiritual is translated from the word pneumatikos. The root word for this is pneuma which means “spirit.” The opposite of this word is pseuchikos, which means “natural.” It comes from the root word psuche, meaning soul. Your soul is your mind, emotions and will. Spiritual and natural are complete opposites. When something is pneumtikos (spiritual), it is not pseuchikos (natural).

You are living stones, not stationary (fixed) stones. Some of you may be very surprised that your area of service in the church is not what you imagined it would be. It may not be what you aspire to do. You may be surprised when the pastor suggests you do something that you would have never aspired to do. You may do something for others and say “that was nothing – that was easy.” It was easy because God gifted you to do it and worked through you. Many times, the body of Christ is full of people doing things they are not gifted to do. We are trying to do things that we do well at work, but God may want to do something totally different through you.

The health of the building is determined by each of the living stones discovering their spiritual gifts and using them. You may desire to be in leadership, but God may want you to serve meals to the poor. If you are a living stone, you have to start living (using the gifts God has given you). Do you know what yours are? Are you using them?

2. We are part of a priesthood

Notice that this passage references the priesthood twice. In verse 5, it says that we are a Holy priesthood; and, in verse 9, it says we are a Royal priesthood. This is significant. In the Old Testament times, the king was not the priest and the priest was not the king. The priesthood and the monarchy was separated from the time Saul became King. Jesus reconnected the two when He died and rose again. He became priest and king. Since we are seated with Him, we are a part of royal and holy priesthood. The Old testament folks HAD a priesthood – we ARE a priesthood.

Being a part of the priesthood (as believers) gives us the privilege of offering sacrifices. What type of sacrifice can we offer? We offer a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15). We also offer a sacrifice of our good works (Heb. 13:16). Hebrews 10:19-21 offers some insight into our position in the priesthood.

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

We have the privilege of intercession. We have the privilege of approaching God and entering the most Holy place. But maybe just as significant is that we can offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God.

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to resent your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

How do we operate as priests? We come to our mediator (I Tim 2:18). We come to Him – we sacrifice to Him – we serve Him – and we are priest of His.

Does being a priest of God frighten you? It does me – but with the honor, God provides the power.

3. We are part of a nation

Most people are proud of the country in which they reside. Even if their country has problems, they hope for better times and try to make their country better. In the U.S. we have states, of which we are also citizens. These states are supposed to be independent, but that is another discussion. I also live in the town of Stella. Actually, it is more accurately termed a ‘village.’ With my citizenship in each of these places comes a responsibility to obey the laws and try to impact them for the better.

This passage says first that we are a chosen race (generation). We have been grafted into the Jewish nation by the blood of Christ. He chose us because He loved us (Duet. 7:7-8) and because he wanted to (John 15:16). We are also a holy nation. We are primarily citizens of heaven. We obey heaven’s laws and seek to please the leader of our nation, Jesus Christ. This passage also says that we are people of God – why? – because He purchased us. We now belong to him and are a part of His kingdom because of His mercy.

Are you proud to be part of the nation of God – the Kingdom of God? Are you obeying its laws and are you making it better?

Jesus is the center of what we have been talking about. In the building, He is the cornerstone. In the priesthood, He is the high priest. In our nation, He is our king. If we center our attention upon Him, then we will walk in unity. If we focus on ourselves, we will be divided. If Jesus is the center of our worship, we’ll have unanimous worship. If He is the center of our service, we’ll have viable programs. He must be the center.

Here are some attitudes that focus on self and divide:

“I’ll bet I’m the most important stone.” - pride,
“I’ll bet I’m the least important stone.” - self-degradation – false humility
“I’ll bet I’m the most important priest.” – pride again
“I don’t think I could be a priest” – failure to recognize God’s enabling
“I’m my own boss.” – self-reliance
“I’m unwilling to submit to Jesus as King.” – misplaced authority