The Ultimate Use of Living Stones Living

Introduction:  January 2006 poll by George Barna 1 out of 2 evangelicals placed their faith as the number one priority in their lives, only 15% or 1 out of 7 adults place God at the top of the list.

We have a calling from God, that of a priest, one that comes with the acceptance of the salvation that Christ’s work on the cross provides

Text: 1 Peter 2: 4-6

Body:

I. We are being built into a spiritual house

Exp:

Eph 2:19-22HCSB

19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,  with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building is being fitted together  in Him and is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord,  22 in whom you also are being built together  for God’s dwelling  in the Spirit.

Ill: Antioch and its reputation in the community

App: The church should be a picture of unity and ministry to the community around them

Looking forward to something better and working for that end

II. We are to serve as priests

Exp:

1 Pe 2:9-10HCSB

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.

Latin for Priest is Pontifex which means bridge builder

1. We are to lift represent others to God

 Witness

 Ministry

2. We are to represent God to others

Lives

Action – Love

Ill: Accident at Antioch

App: The responsibility is not an easy one, but a necessary one.

III. We are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God

Exp: From Peter to Paul

Ro 12:1-2HCSB

12     Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you  to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,  holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.  2 Do not be conformed  to this age,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,  so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will  of God.

What are these spiritual sacrifices?

Prayers

Praise

Time

Lives

Even money as Dr. Warren Wiersbe states in his commentary

Ill: Talking to Junior Clayton about the bread of life ministry in Sanford

App:

Our lives are to be focused in such a way as that all of our activities are done with an attitude of worship and sacrifice to God

1 Co 10:31HCSB

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. 

(CBS/AP) Oct 4, 2006

In just about any other community, a deadly school shooting would have brought demands from civic leaders for tighter gun laws and better security, and the victims' loved ones would have lashed out at the gunman's family or threatened to sue. But that's not the Amish way. As they struggle with the slayings of five of their children in a one-room schoolhouse, the Amish in this Lancaster County village are turning the other cheek, urging forgiveness of the killer and quietly accepting what comes their way as God's will. "They know their children are going to heaven. They know their children are innocent ... and they know that they will join them in death," said Gertrude Huntington, a Michigan researcher and expert on children in Amish society. "The hurt is very great," Huntington said. "But they don't balance the hurt with hate."