The challenge of the new identity 1 Peter 1:22–2:10. Mike Taylor Forest Community Church Sunday 9 June 2019

Blind obedience? Sometimes people complain that Christianity just a list of rules.

Blind obedience? Sometimes people complain that Christianity tells us what to do and expects us to accept it without question.

Blind obedience? For example, in this passage, Peter tells us to: • show sincere love • love each other deeply • get rid of all evil behaviour • cry out for nourishment • avoid being like those who do not obey God’s word • show others the goodness of God.

Blind obedience? That idea is 100% wrong.

Blind obedience? That idea is 100% wrong. The Bible is constantly explaining itself. Because of this, therefore do that.

Blind obedience? This passage in Peter is a great example. We will go through each section, then look at how it ties together.

Showing sincere love You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. [1:22]

Showing sincere love You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. [1:22] “So now ...”

Showing sincere love You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. [1:22] “So now ...” First you are cleansed from your sins; then you show sincere love. First you are loved; then you love. The order always matters.

Born again For …

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. [1:23]

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. [1:23] What is the Word of God?

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. [1:23] What is the Word of God? It’s not the Bible! It’s Jesus! “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” — John 1:1.

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God ... And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. [1:23, 25b] What is the Word of God? It’s not the Bible! It’s Jesus! In verse 25, Jesus is identified with the message he brought, and that the disciples passed on.

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God ... And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. [1:23, 25b] The phrase “born again” only occurs in two chapters of the Bible: Three times in John 3, when Jesus tells Nicodemus “You must be born again”. Twice in 1 Peter 1.

Born again For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God ... And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. [1:23, 25b] We must grasp what an extraordinary thing it is to be born again.

All this sets the scene for chapter 2 Chapter 1 tells us: You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth You have been born again Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. Now, what follows?

What follows from chapter 1 So get rid of all evil behaviour. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [2:1]

What follows from chapter 1 So get rid of all evil behaviour. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [2:1] Again, note the “so”. These connecting words mean something in the Bible.

What follows from chapter 1 So get rid of all evil behaviour. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [2:1] Again, note the “so”. These connecting words mean something in the Bible. They're not just decoration, like in songs: • “For unto us a child is born”

What follows from chapter 1 So get rid of all evil behaviour. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [2:1] Again, note the “so”. These connecting words mean something in the Bible. They're not just decoration, like in songs: • “For unto us a child is born” • “And can it be?”

What follows from chapter 1 So get rid of all evil behaviour. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [2:1] Again, note the “so”. These connecting words mean something in the Bible. They're not just decoration, like in songs: • “For unto us a child is born” • “And can it be?” • “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return”

Pure spiritual milk Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [2:2-3]

Pure spiritual milk Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [2:2-3] Again, it starts with God's kindness, then goes into nourishment.

Pure spiritual milk Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [2:2-3] What is the “full experience of salvation”? What will we be?

Living stones You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. [2:4–5b]

Living stones You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. [2:4–5b] Note that we are called the same thing as Christ: living stones.

Living stones You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. [2:4–5b] Note that we are called the same thing as Christ: living stones. We see this elsewhere in the New Testament: for example, Jesus says “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12); but also tells his followers “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Living stones You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. [2:4–5b] Note that we are called the same thing as Christ: living stones. We see this elsewhere in the New Testament: for example, Jesus says “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12); but also tells his followers “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Following Christ means taking on his qualities, being who he is.

A chosen people But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. [2:9a]

A chosen people But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. [2:9a] We belong to God, not to the world!

A chosen people But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. [2:9a] We belong to God, not to the world! In the Old Testament, only a very few people had the privilege of offering sacrifices to God. Now we all do.

A chosen people As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. [2:9b]

A chosen people As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. [2:9b] Once more: because this, therefore that. God has acted, therefore we react.

A chosen people As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. [2:9b] Once more: because this, therefore that. God has acted, therefore we react. And the call to us is to show others the goodness of God.

Connections I’ve turned some around so that we see cause, then effect:

Connections I’ve turned some around so that we see cause, then effect: “Love each other deeply for you have been born again” becomes “You have been born again so love each other deeply.”

Connections (1 of 2) 1. You were cleansed from your sins so now you must show sincere love.

Connections (1 of 2) 1. You were cleansed from your sins so now you must show sincere love. 2. You have been born again so love each other deeply.

Connections (1 of 2) 1. You were cleansed from your sins so now you must show sincere love. 2. You have been born again so love each other deeply. 3. Your new life comes from the eternal, living word of God so it will last forever.

Connections (1 of 2) 1. You were cleansed from your sins so now you must show sincere love. 2. You have been born again so love each other deeply. 3. Your new life comes from the eternal, living word of God so it will last forever. 4. Your new life will last forever so get rid of all evil behaviour.

Connections (2 of 2) 5. You have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness so cry out for this nourishment.

Connections (2 of 2) 5. You have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness so cry out for this nourishment. 6. You are a chosen people so you are not like [those who do not obey God’s word]

Connections (2 of 2) 5. You have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness so cry out for this nourishment. 6. You are a chosen people so you are not like [those who do not obey God’s word] 7. You are God’s very own possession so you can show others the goodness of God.

Connections (2 of 2) 5. You have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness so cry out for this nourishment. 6. You are a chosen people so you are not like [those who do not obey God’s word] 7. You are God’s very own possession so you can show others the goodness of God. 8. He called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light so show others the goodness of God.

Connections This short passage has eight of these consequences.

Connections This short passage has eight of these consequences. In every single one, the first move comes from God.

Conclusion We are told to show sincere love, to love each other deeply, to get rid of all evil behaviour, to cry out for nourishment, to avoid being like those who do not obey God’s word, and to show others the goodness of God. That's a lot to do.

Conclusion We are told to show sincere love, to love each other deeply, to get rid of all evil behaviour, to cry out for nourishment, to avoid being like those who do not obey God’s word, and to show others the goodness of God. That's a lot to do. But it all follows from God's goodness.

The challenge of the new identity 1 Peter 1:22–2:10. Mike Taylor Forest Community Church Sunday 9 June 2019

Holy priests What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. [2:5b].

Holy priests What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. [2:5b]. What are these “spiritual sacrifices”?

Holy priests What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. [2:5b]. What are these “spiritual sacrifices”? See Romans 12:1: I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. … or “This is your spiritual worship”.

The stone that the builders rejected As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honour, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honour God has given him.

The stone that the builders rejected But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. [2:6-8]

The stone that the builders rejected The huge difference between how we and the world see Christ!

The stone that the builders rejected The huge difference between how we and the world see Christ! Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 2:14: People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

The transformation Peter ends with a poem: “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” [2:10]