Living Stones

## Introduction

Shame is a foreign word in our culture. Shame is that painful emotion which comes as a result of doing something which we perceive to be wrong leading to embarrassment and self-condemnation. Shame is rarely seen. So rare in fact that a cliche occupies our language: "you have no shame." Such a phrase, however, is not used in our culture very often. Why? Because shame is so rare in our culture. As one author said, people often feel shame about feeling shame. We are encouraged to feel better, to seek self-esteem, and to take care of ourselves. Our culture's values and standards highlight the importance of individualism. In other words, this world is about our rights and getting our wants and desires met. In this culture it is hard to find a place for shame.

Peter writes of shame in our text. But it has to do with being lifted above shame. Such is found by the choice of our faith. In our text, Peter establishes who we are in a world that doesn't recognize Jesus. He begins the process of making sure that we understand that we are like Jesus in terms of rejection and in the way we perceive our place in this world. He encourages us to be consistent in the way we live. Let's be encouraged to listen more fully and to commit ourselves to living as Peter encourages.

## The Text

We need to have a working knowledge about images which come from the Old Testament in order to appreciate what Peter is saying in this text. He uses phrases like priesthood, sacrifices, quotes from Isaiah and the Psalms, chosen people, royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Such words can be explained but in doing so we might lose the impact of what Peter is trying to say.

Look closely at verses 4–6. While the focus is often on verses 9–12, it is these two verses which sets the premise for the conclusion in the later verses. Notice three things. First, there are two buildings being constructed. One is by men or the world and the other is by God. This world looked at Jesus and rejected him. But not God. He took that which appeared to be dead and made it living.

Peter is making a reference to Jesus' resurrection. The world rejected Jesus. His message was not believed. His life was despised. He was killed and placed in a tomb. Rejected by this world, Jesus was cast aside as this world built its own version of a house. But God did not reject Jesus. He took the one who had been rejected and made him into a living stone. He raised him from the dead and exalted him. The world rejected him but not God.

Second, as Jesus is the living stone when we accept him we become like him. Peter calls us living stones. Jesus is the chief cornerstone, but we are being constructed into a temple that is meant to offer sacrifices pleasing to God. The world constructs a house whose foundation is base desires. The world says this life is about getting what you want, getting what you want often. But those who follow Christ become like him. We become living stones who seek what God wants. We sacrifice our desires for the desires of God.

Third, when we place our trust in Jesus we will never be put to shame. Our world does not recognize shame. It avoids shame. It shames those who try to point out that shame needs to be a part of our world. Our world flaunts its lack of shame and wears it as a badge of honor that nothing embarrasses. But just as the world rejected Jesus so they reject those who trust in him. But this rejection does not result in shame. Instead we know that we honor God. Peter is encouraging his readers to remember that they have aligned their lives with Jesus. He was rejected; so will they be. He is living; so are they.

The world tried to shame Jesus. They stripped him of his clothes, spit on him, mocked him, cursed him, nailed him to a cross, stood watching as he died—shamelessly they tried to shame him. But there is no shame when you are doing God's will. Let's take the Lord's Supper together.

## How Are We to Live?

Verses 9–12 give us specific guidance on how we are to live. In verses 9–10, Peter using images from the Old Testament scriptures gives a view of who we are. We are God's people and because we are God's people we are called to make others aware of who we are living for. Our lives are to be lived in praise to God for what he has done. We have received mercy; we have been taken from darkness and brought into light. So we are to live such good lives that those who are not believers see consistency and integrity in our lives. As Dwight pointed out last week, although these readers were accused of atrocities such as cannibalism and incest, the goodness of a believer's life would be hard to argue with.

So what does this text mean for us? First, we are to live a life of praise. Praise and complaining do not go together. Praise and contentiousness do not go together. Praise and negative statements do not go together. Praise comes when we are absolutely in love with God. When God occupies our thoughts, we praise. When struggles come and they will come, our love for God is such that we understand these struggles are opportunities to praise him. Praise isn't real until it is expressed.

I will never forget many years ago, standing in a hospital room around 4 a.m. while one of our former members was taking her last few breaths. The only ones in that room were the patient, myself, and the patient's daughter. And as her mother began to slip from this life, the daughter leaned over her mother and through tears and a throat that was obviously thick with grief, she began to sing a song of praise. It was truly a holy moment and a time to remember that in life or in death our lives are to be lived in praise to the one who has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Second, our life of praise affects others. Notice please that this affect has little bearing in this life. Of course, Peter wants the unbeliever to become a person of faith. The life of the believer through the conduct of his life convinces the unbeliever that God is real. But the real praise comes in the last day. When Jesus returns, all will praise him—both the believer and the unbeliever. But as verse 6 reminds us, for the believer there will be no shame.

Peter says we abstain from sinful desires which war against us. We do not join the thinking and actions of this world in living. We praise rather than complain. We speak blessing rather than cursing. We revel in modesty rather than immodesty. We find honor in abstinence from sexual sin rather than no shame in satisfying our sexual desires.

Jesus will receive honor from his people on this earth and from the unbeliever at the last day. Will you bow your knee to him now or on the last day?

## Follow Jesus

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