People of God

Introduction

We live in a time of real testing as followers of Jesus. We are not on edge as believers in China who must hide from the government that is committed to stilling the voices of Christians. Nor do we live in Laos where Christians are frequently killed for their faith. In our culture we as believers are being shamed and marginalized. As believers we are called intolerant, divisive, foolish and these are least offensive words. We are being told that our views have no relevancy for a sophisticated culture. Some tell us to fight back and encourage us to engage in the political process to elect those who speak for us. If one votes, one should vote their conscience but it is dangerous to believe that politics will keep us safe. Christianity flourished under pressure not under acceptance. Perhaps what we need to do is learn how to live in a world that hates us and tries to shame us. Do not misunderstand—this is not designed to enter the discussion of our political climate; it is to remind us that we are not the first generation to be told that we are insignificant. And in such a climate as this how are we to live?

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

A holy nation

Such words can be explained but in doing so we might lose the force 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 verses that sets the premise for the conclusion in the latter 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 referring 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 as often as possible. 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. We may still be accused of being intolerant and foolish but such accusations give us opportunity to show light and love.

So what does this text mean for us? Two brief lessons. 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.

We are not surprised by rejection. We do not live in fear but in confidence that our God is here. And when people choose evil against us it does not mean that God has left us but he is entrusting to us the privilege of being a living stone and sharing with Christ in those sufferings. What joy can be ours.

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? Invitation.

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