1. “The Living Stones!”
1 Peter 2:4-10

2. Rock band from England in the early 60’s… Mick Jagger and Keith Richardson are two “familiar” names… Obviously they are nothing but a bunch of geezers now…

3. In other words, Christians ROCK!

4. …. Men rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Note that Peter uses a metaphor. He refers to Jesus as The Cornerstone…

5. 1 Corinthians 3:11
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

6. This is why Christians rock – our very being is grounded in The Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Himself!

7. to understand better what all is involved with being living stones
Purpose:
to understand better what all is involved with being living stones

8. I Christians Have a New IDENTITY
A. We Are a Chosen People

9. …Bible doesn’t say “you are a choice people”; instead, it says you are a chosen people… All because of God’s grace…

10. I Christians Have a New IDENTITY
A. We Are a Chosen People
B. We Are a Created People

11. Titus 2:14
“Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”

12. I Christians Have a New IDENTITY
A. We Are a Chosen People
B. We Are a Created People
C. We Are a Purchased People

13. II Christians Form a New COMMUNITY
A. We Are Family

14. According to the Word of God, one can’t be right with God and be at odds with His Son’s Church… What I do affects you and what you do affects me…

15. II Christians Form a New COMMUNITY
A. We Are Family
B. We Are a Spiritual Temple

16. Our lives must be built by the Lord… God builds all on the Chief Cornerstone – His Son!

17. III Christians Accept a New RESPONSIBILITY
A. We Must Declare the Praise of God

18. “The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.”
Isaiah 43:21
“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.”

19. III Christians Accept a New RESPONSIBILITY
A. We Must Declare the Praise of God
B. We Must Offer Spiritual Sacrifices Acceptable to God

20. Summary and Conclusion
Question #1
As a living stone upon what are you building?
Question #2
As part of the spiritual house to whom are you connected?
Question #3
As a royal/holy priest what are you offering up that really matters?

21. Summary and Conclusion
Living sacrifices, living stones, and royal priests are strange to the world, BUT this is exactly what is pleasing to God. This week, once again you and I must decide whose opinion matters most to us. Are you going to be part of the crowd or a piece of the Rock? I tell you…