Read 1 Peter 2:4-10.

Introduction⤒🔗

Back in the 1970’s, Alex Haley wrote an award winning booked entitled, Roots. It was the story of Alex Haley’s ancestors whom he traced back to Africa.

The first part of Roots focuses on the life of a young African boy named Kunta. Kunta was kidnapped by a rival tribe and sold to white slave traders operating along the coast of West Africa. The young boy survives the torturous voyage in the hold of a slave ship that transports him to the West Indies and eventually to South Carolina, where he is purchased by a southern plantation owner.

Not only was this young African robbed of his freedom, he was also robbed of his identity: he was given a new English name, “Jack,” and was forbidden to use his African name, Kunta. You find the same thing occurring in the case of Daniel and his three fellow Hebrew captives: the Babylonians give them new names, new identities.

Here are two examples of the same phenomenon: the effort to sever the man from his past and create for him a whole new identity, in order to exploit him for the slave master’s purposes. In a far more subtle way, the world seeks to do the same thing to you as a Christian: it seeks to make you lose sight of your Christian identity and conform to the identity of the world around you. Because of the pressures and distractions of the world, we must pause to reflect upon our Christian identity and become re-oriented to it.

You are the Recipient of God’s Saving Grace←⤒🔗

Referring to Christ as the Stone, Peter writes of the Christian as “coming to him, the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and honored by God” (vs. 4). Peter here employs an illustration from Old Testament Scripture, taken from Psalm 118:22: In preparing the foundation for a house, men look for a suitable cornerstone. They come to the quarry, but in their search they reject the very stone God has selected to be the chief cornerstone of the house He is building. But, unlike the world, the Christian, having been called by God the Father and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, has recognized the value of this stone, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, and has acknowledged Him to be the cornerstone selected by God. The Apostle Paul uses the same imagery when writing to the Corinthians: “we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles; ²⁴but for those who are called, (both Jews and Greeks), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Verses 7-8 now contrast our status as Christians with the status of the world: “Now the honor is for you who believe” (vs. 7). The result of believing in Christ and building your life upon Him is the blessing of participating in His honor, the honor conferred upon Him by God His Father. This is in accord with our Lord’s promise: “If any man would serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant also be. If any man serves me, the Father will honor him” (Jn. 12:26). Then Peter continues,

^7b...but for the unbelievers, The stone that the builders rejected, this very one has become the chief cornerstone; ⁸and, A stone over which men stumble and a rock at which men take offense. They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which [fate], indeed, they were appointed. 1 Pet. 2:7b-8

For those who reject Christ there is appointed dishonor and shame. There is the shame of having made the wrong choice when one chose to reject Christ: “the stone that the builders [“the builders” here represent those who reject Christ] rejected, this very one has become the chief cornerstone.” Then there is the shame of “tripping,” or “stumbling,” over this Stone and falling flat on one’s face in the dust. The Scriptural allusion comes from Isaiah 8:14. The imagery there is of men stumbling over what they perceive to be a little stone in the middle of the pathway, which they had overlooked. Upon stumbling over this insignificant little stone, they become offended by it and seek to kick it out of their way, only to find that their foot is broken against it, because this “little stone” is in fact a huge rock deeply imbedded in the ground. The point of the imagery is that the men of Israel and Judah have viewed the LORD, the mighty Rock of Israel, to be nothing more than “a little stone;” they despise Him and reject Him. But by so doing, they incur His wrath and succumb to His divine judgment; rather than “kicking this little stone out of the way,” they themselves “will fall and be broken.” All the more does the same hold true for those who reject the Lord Jesus when He is offered to them in the gospel.

Peter goes on to say, “They stumble because they are disobedient to the word.” That is to say, their shame is due to their rejection of the gospel, the message of salvation by Christ. The shame of which Peter speaks is the ultimate shame of being condemned on the Day of Judgment. Peter asserts that God has ordained that this consequence of shame and humiliation shall, indeed, be the fate for those who reject the message of the gospel and refuse to come to Christ. This is what Peter means when he writes, “They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which [fate], indeed, they were appointed.” Those who reject the gospel stumble over it, (i.e. they will be brought to ultimate shame and humiliation); this “stumbling,” (this shame and humiliation), is the consequence God has ordained for those who reject the gospel.

Turning from those who reject Christ to those who receive Him, the Apostle Peter declares, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people appointed to be [God’s] own possession, so that you might display the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (vs. 9). Peter emphasizes that the Christian’s redemption is all of God’s grace: you are “a chosen people;” you are “appointed to be [God’s] own possession;” you were “called...out of darkness into his marvelous light.” The Apostle Paul confronts the Corinthian church with this truth with regard to the fact that the Christian is the loving recipient of God’s sovereign grace: “It is because of him [i.e. God the Father] that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God: righteousness and sanctification and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

Here, then, is the first thing to remember about our Christian identity: we are the recipients of God’s sovereign grace. What the Apostle Paul writes of the Thessalonian Christians is equally true of all Christians:

...we are bound to always thank God for you, brethren loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation... ¹⁴he called you to this through our gospel, so that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 2:13-14

In light of what Scripture teaches with regard to our Christian identity, we may join the hymn writer, John Newton, in singing,

Savior, since of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name.

You Participate in Intimate Fellowship with God←⤒🔗

Peter describes believers as “living stones” that are being built into “a spiritual house” (vs. 5). Just as King Solomon during the Old Testament dispensation constructed a temple of stone to “house” the presence of the LORD, so the church of Jesus Christ is being constructed to be the residence of the living God. Writing to the Ephesian Christians, (especially emphasizing those who had come out of a Gentile pagan background), the Apostle Paul declares,

...you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints [i.e. the O.T. covenant community who placed their faith in the Messiah who would come] and members of the household of God. ²⁰You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. ²¹In him, the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple for the Lord. ²²In him, you also are being built together [with the saints] [again, “the saints” is a reference to the O.T. covenant community] to become the place where God dwells by the Spirit. Eph. 2:19-22

The Lord Jesus Himself had previously declared to His disciples, “If a man loves me, he will obey my teaching; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and dwell with him” (Jn. 14:23).

Furthermore, Peter asserts that the church of Jesus Christ, composed of all true believers in Him, is “a people appointed to be [God’s] own possession” (vs. 9). By the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, God has purchased us to be His own possession, as the Apostle Paul informs the Corinthian Christians: “Do you not realize that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You do not belong to yourself; ²⁰you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

By His Holy Spirit, God gives us the assurance that we belong to Him: “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. ¹⁴He is a ‘deposit’ guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of [God’s] possession, to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit, dwelling in the believer, is the “seal,” marking the Christian as God’s own possession. The Holy Spirit is also the “deposit,” or “down payment,” verifying the fact that we have been purchased by God to be His own possession and that He will finally bring us into the fullness of that divine salvation for which He has called us. The Holy Spirit accomplishes His work by causing the Christian to remain in Christ and causing us to return to Christ when we go astray, this is what Paul means when he speaks of the Christian as being “led by the Spirit” and when he declares, “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).

Peter further identifies the church of Jesus Christ as being “the people of God” (vs. 10). The teaching of Scripture is that the body of believers in Christ are not merely God’s servants who have a place in His household, we are His own dear children who are members of His household, members of His family. The Holy Spirit enables the Christian to address God with confidence as his heavenly Father: “you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:15-16).

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are... ²Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 Jn. 3:1a-2

In light of what Scripture teaches with regard to our Christian identity, we may join the hymn writer, Hattie E. Buell, in singing:

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth!
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.
I’m a child of the King, a child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.

You are the Recipient of a Holy Calling from God←⤒🔗

Peter identifies the body of believers in Christ as being “a holy priesthood” (vs. 5). Just as the Levites of the Old Testament dispensation were chosen by God to serve in His temple as priests, (offering up incense and sacrifices), so are we called by God to serve Him in the same capacity.

We, however, do not offer up incense, we offer up prayers of praise and intercession, which the Old Testament incense represented. The writer to the Hebrews exhorts us as Christians: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise: the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Heb. 13:15). The Apostle Paul expresses to the Philippian church his confidence in the effectiveness of their prayers on his behalf: “I know that, through your prayers and the help provided by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the result of all this [i.e. Paul’s upcoming trial before the Roman court] will be my deliverance” (Phil. 1:19).

Neither do we offer up animal sacrifices to God, we offer up our body, (representing our life and all of our activities), to God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom. 12:1). We as Christians are called to offer up deeds of righteousness and compassion as acceptable offerings to God: “do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb. 13:16).

The church of Christ is further defined as being “a royal priesthood” (vs. 9). Not only are we called to render ministry to God, (carrying on a ministry of service similar to that of the Old Testament priest), we are also called to reign with God.

At present, this means carrying out the creation mandate to the glory of God, carrying out the kingly calling God originally gave to Adam and Eve: “And God blessed them and said to them...fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28). In practical terms, this means learning about God’s creation, harnessing the powers inherent in the creation, subduing the creation, and using it in service to God and to our neighbor to the glory of God.

In the future, we shall share in Christ’s rule over the world to come, the new creation: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:21). In the age to come, we will join with Christ in exercising dominion over the new creation to the glory and praise of God our Father.

Our Christian calling is further described as the calling to “display the virtues of him who called you” (vs. 9). By the grace of God, we are called to live a Christ-like life, and in so doing we will be reflecting and exhibiting the very virtues of God Himself.

Here, then, is the third thing to remember about our Christian identity: we are the recipients of a holy calling from God.

In the light of our Christian identity, we may join with the hymn writer, Albert Orsbon, in singing:

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity.
O Thou Spirit divine,
All my nature refine, ’
Til the beauty of Jesus is seen in me.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Because of the pressures and distractions of this present world, it is important that we pause and reflect on our Christian identity. May our Christian identity, as it is defined for us by the Apostle Peter, be reinforced in our minds; and where we have lost sight of that identity, may we realign our mind and life with it.

Remember the young African, Kunta, and how the slave master sought to sever him from his true identity in order to all the more easily exploit him. Be advised that the devil seeks to do the very same thing to us. We dare not allow ourselves to lose sight of our true identity as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ:

• We are the recipients of God’s saving grace;
• We participate in intimate fellowship with God; and,
• We have a holy calling from God.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How does the Apostle Peter describe our Lord Jesus Christ? See 1 Pet. 2:4. How does the prophet Isaiah describe the Lord Jesus in His state of humiliation? See Isa. 53:3. If he was “rejected by men,” how were we enabled to discern His true identity and come to Him? See Matt. 16:16-17 Christian, do you appreciate the fact that your coming to Christ is the result of God’s sovereign grace at work in you?

Coming to him, the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and honored by God, ⁵you also, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, who offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1 Pet. 2:4-5

He was despised and rejected by men; [he was] a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we did not hold him in esteem. Isa. 53:3

Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' ¹⁷Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.' Matt. 16:16-17

2. Because He has been “chosen and honored by God,” in what manner shall Christ appear on the Last Day? See Isa. 52:13-15. As those who have put our trust in Him as our Lord and Savior, what shall we experience and behold on the Last Day? See 2 Thess. 1:10,

See, my servant will be successful; he will become high and lifted up, he will be greatly exalted. ¹⁴Just as many were appalled at you—he was so disfigured that his appearance was unlike any other man, his form was unlike the sons of men, ¹⁵so shall he cause many nations to be shocked. Kings shall cover their mouths at [the sight of] him; for what was not reported to them they [themselves] will see, and what was not explained to them they will understand. Isa. 52:13-15

⁷...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels... ¹⁰when he comes, on that Day, to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at by all those who believed... 2 Thess. 1:7, 10

3. When Peter calls the Lord Jesus “the living stone,” to what O.T. passage is he alluding? See Isa. 28:16b. What is the characteristic of this “cornerstone”? What assurance is given to all who put their faith in Him? Note, also, Isa. 49:23b. What does it mean that Christ is the “living” stone? Note Jn. 5:26. What has happened to us who have put our faith in Him? See 1 Pet. 2:5a Christian, do you realized that you have entered into the very life of the Son of God, and share in His resurrection life? Note Gal. 2:20,

...this is what the Lord GOD says, Listen! I will lay a foundation stone in Zion, a stone that has been proven [to be reliable], a precious cornerstone, for a secure foundation. He who trusts [in it] will not be panic-stricken. Isa. 28:16

Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who put their hope in me shall not be disappointed. Isa. 49:23b

...just as the Father has life in himself, so also, he has granted the Son to have life in himself. Jn. 5:26

Not only is the Lord Jesus “a secure foundation” upon which to place our faith, He is also the source of life, ministering spiritual life unto all who place their trust in Him.

Coming to him, the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and honored by God, ⁵you also, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, who offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 2:4-5

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20

In this “death/resurrection” experience, the personal identity is not lost; it is profoundly transformed. By means of the believer’s union with Christ in the latter’s death and resurrection, the self-centered “I” of the “old man” is transformed into the Christ-centered “I” of “the new man.”

4. As a Christian, we have been given the privilege of rendering what kind of service to our God and Father? See 1 Pet. 2:5b. What are some of the “spiritual sacrifices” we have been called to offer unto God? Note Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:15; 13:16,

...you also, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, who offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.1 Pet. 2:4-5

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.Rom. 12:1

Therefore, by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.Heb. 13:15

...do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. 13:16

5. In addition to being “a holy priesthood,” how else is our priesthood described? See 1 Pet. 2:9. Not only will we render holy service unto the LORD our God (cf. Rev. 22:3), what further privilege will be our as “a royal priesthood”? See Rev. 3:21. What is our greatest privilege? See 1 Pet. 2:9b,

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people appointed to be [God’s] own possession, so that you might display the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Pet. 2:9

There shall no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there, and his servants shall serve him. Rev. 22:3

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3:21