THE HONOR OF BEING REDEEMED
1 Peter 2:4-9 (NKJV)
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5you 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. 6Therefore 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.”
7Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9But 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; 10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:4-9 (NKJV)
The Church is under a constant onslaught of persecution, and it comes as no surprise that the western world is increasingly critical of the Church. It’s clear - efforts to silence the church are gaining momentum.
Even among those who support the Church, who are a part of the Church, the complaints are many. It’s boring. It’s out of touch! It’s full of hypocrites! Immorality has run amok.
However, the Bible tells a very different story. The name, Church, from the Greek ecclesia, means
THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS HONOR
2:7 designates the recipients - to you who believe -
THE NATURE OF THIS HONOR 2:9
• The Honor of
Chosen – elected by God – on the basis on your faith in Jesus.
• The Honor of
As a child of God you have access into the very Presence of God.
• The Honor of
The call to the Church is to be separated unto God.
• The Honor of
THE INTENT OF THIS HONOR
2:9 that you may declare the praises of Him …
In essence, the Church is commissioned to live & speak to the
The Point of Commitment. The challenge to the Church is to rise up and act like it! Don’t take the world’s word about the Church. Take God’s Word. In reality, the Church is the hope of the world.
How does Peter’s view of the Church, change the way you view who we are & what we do?