Harvest Pointe Christian Church, Milford Ohio is a non-denominational Christian Church (Church of Christ) on the Eastside of Cincinnati OH

A Reason to Live | Series: I Peter | 05-02-10

A Reason to Live
Series: I Peter:
Finding Your Way in a 'Whatever' World
I Peter 2:4-12

  I. We are Living Stones with a significant ministry in God's Church

     Jesus is:
          "the living Stone" Vs. 4
          a "precious" Stone Vs. 4, 6
          the "chosen" Stone Vs. 4, 6
          the "Cornerstone" Vs. 6
          a stepping Stone to Heaven  Vs. 6, Romans 8:1
          a stumbling Stone Vs. 8
          the "Capstone" Vs. 7, I Peter 2:5, Acts 2:47

II. We are Holy Priests with a privileged opportunity to glorify God.

     Worship in a way that pleases God
          1. Be friendly. 
          2. Participate enthusiastically. 
          3. Give an offering.  I Chronicles 16:29
          4. Leave determined to live for Christ.  Romans 12:1

III. We are God's people with a crucial responsibility to witness to the truth

Full Text 

Dewey Bertolini served as a youth minister and substitute teacher in California.  In his book, Back to the Heart of Youth Work, he tells of a time he was teaching a class of high school sophomores.  He had finished his lesson material, so he asked them what they thought the number one problem was facing young people today.  He expected them to say: suicide, conflict with parents, AIDS, or violence.  Instead, the class unanimously agreed that the number one problem facing young people was boredom.  We're bored!" they said.  "We have nothing to do and no reason to do it." 
A week later Bertolini wrote that he was in another school, another class, and this time he asked, "If I could bring a youth expert into this class this morning and you could ask him one question, what question would you ask?"  Immediately a young man named John, sitting in the front row, shot up his hand.  His question: "Tell me why I should get up in the morning."  Bertolini dubbed the students as "a generation without purpose."
What is your primary purpose in life?  Do you have a significant reason to get out of bed every morning or is your life just, "Whatever"?  It's not just the young people who seem to have no ultimate purpose.  Most adults don't either.  I had a friend that lived to gamble.  Before there were casinos around here, he would work, put together some money, and head to Vegas.  He was going to get rich!  But when the money ran out, he would come back, move back in with his mother, and get another job so he could try again.  Here was a man that had no family, but his mother.  He had nothing to show for some good jobs because he lived to gamble.
But before we get too critical of him, how is he different from most of us?  Our time on earth is limited and yet we focus primarily on recreation, accumulating things, increasing our status.  But aren't all these things temporary?
Last week, Ask.com said that Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold 25 million copies.  People from every walk of life want to believe that their life has a distinct purpose.
Nearly 2,000 years ago Peter wrote about the "Purpose-Driven Life."  The Apostle pointed out that you don't discover the meaning of life by looking within yourself.  You must begin with God, your Creator, and His reasons for creating you.  You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, your life will never make sense.
We need this reminder because Christian people become forgetful of their reason for living and become discouraged.  Why do a number of church people commit suicide?  Sometimes it's a chemical imbalance, but often suicide is evidence that we've lost our reason for living.  Why do some believers fall back into sinful habits and even get entangled in addictive behaviors?  It's because they've lost sight of their purpose and yielded to the fleeting appeals of this world. Why do some Christians drift away from involvement in the local church?  It may be that their feelings got hurt or they were disillusioned with leaders, but they would have persevered if they had remained convinced that their contribution really mattered to God. 
Victor Frankl, who survived horrendous torture in a Nazi concentration camp, once said, "If a man has a "why" for living, he can endure any "how." 
Let's study I Peter, chapter two, beginning with verse four.  This section reminds us of our ultimate reasons for living. 
It says, first, that
I. We are Living Stones with a significant ministry in God's Church.

Verses 4-5 read, "4As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
Peter compares the church to a building that is constructed of many stones.  He points out that Jesus is the most important stone in the sanctuary.  Peter begins in Verse 4 by saying that Jesus is "the Living stone".  Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  We say diamonds are forever, but not really.  They are dead rocks.  Jesus is forever, the living stone.
Verse 4 also calls Jesus a "Precious" Stone.  He is more valuable than gold or silver.  Jesus is precious to God because He is God's Son. 
And notice in Verse 4 that Jesus is the "Chosen" Stone.  When someone is building a fence, a foundation, a house, or some other building out of stone, the stone mason lays out his rock and carefully chooses which stone goes where.  The finished product must be level so it is like putting together a giant puzzle.  Some of the stone is never used.  Maybe there is a crack or flaw.  Maybe it is the shape or size.  But some stones are rejected.  Jesus was rejected by men.  He didn't fit the mold of what the religious movers and shakers were looking for.  But He was chosen by God and is precious.
Both theses concepts are found in Verse 6 where Peter quotes the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, and writes, "For in Scripture it says:  'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'"  [Isaiah 28:16]
It says Jesus is our "Cornerstone".  The cornerstone of a building was extremely important.  The rest of the building was built from it.  It determined where the rest of the building would be and how level it was.  So the cornerstone had to be perfectly level and in just the right spot.  Jesus is our Cornerstone.  He determines where we are to be and how level our life is in this crazy, out-of-kilter world.
And Verse 6 also tells us that to those who put their trust in Christ, He is a Stepping Stone to Heaven.  "The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  We could never bridge the gap between our sin and Heaven, but through the cross, Jesus is our Stepping Stone to eternal life. 
I like the clause, "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  That means we'll never be embarrassed or disappointed in Jesus.  He will never let us down.  And on the Judgment Day He will not put us to shame by giving us what our sins deserve.
When Tim was still a preschooler we were wading in a mountain stream.  Tim was the farthest up stream and had gotten out from the bank a couple of feet to where the current was pretty fast.  He as doing a good job keeping his balance by taking tiny steps and sometimes even scooting his feet.  I was on the bank beside him and, being a lot younger and dumber, I jokingly made a remark about taking a big step, not thinking he would do it.  But he did and instantly his feet went out from under him and he was swept down stream.
I took off.  There was a place about 6 running steps away where I could jump in ahead of Tim.  David was picking rocks out of a still pool of water about 3 steps down stream from where Tim had been wading.  I was already past David and about to jump in when David, holding onto a big rock at the edge of the pool of water, reached out his free hand and grabbed Tim by the ankle and guided him into the quiet water.  Tim was bruised and scraped up, but he was OK.  Tim learned that even your father can give you bad advice and get you in trouble!
If you put your trust in people, they will let you down.  If you put your confidence in yourself, you will slip up.  If you grasp onto things and they will slip through your fingers.  But if you put your trust in Jesus, He will never let you be swept away in the swift currents of life.  When you stand before Him on Judgment Day He will not shame you.  He will not ridicule.  The Bible assures us in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  Jesus is our Stepping Stone to Heaven.
But in Verses 7 and 8 we find Jesus is a Stumbling Stone to those who don't believe.  Verses 7 and 8 read, "7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.  But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,'  [Psalm 118:22] 8and, 'A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.' [Isaiah 8:14]  They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for." 
The same Stone that we use to step up into Heaven causes some to trip and fall down.  The person who doesn't believe in Christ stumbles over His demanding standards.  
The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking, "What must I do to be saved?  I've kept all the commandments."  Jesus told him to, "Go.   Sell what you have and give it to the poor and come follow me."  He stumbled at that.  He went away sad because he was living for his possessions and he wasn't willing to make that kind of commitment.
There are people today who come to church eager to get the benefits but when it comes to some of the demands of Jesus they stumble and fall.  You'll hear comments like, "I could never give away ten percent of my money."  "Come to Church every week?"  "I like to party too much for that bunch; I'm going to find me a church that isn't so rigid."  "I come to church to be inspired and feel good; I don't want to hear anything about repentance."  "They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for."    
There is one more term for Jesus here.  In Verse 7 we learn Jesus is the "Capstone".  "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone."  The "capstone" or "keystone" is that wedge-shaped rock in the top middle of an arch.  Let's look at one. 
What would happen if you removed that one stone?  The whole arch would collapse and so would all the wall surrounding the curve of the arch.  All the weight of the arch is supported by the capstone.  Even so, without Jesus, the Church collapses.  He is the one who supports and holds it together.
But the Church is not made up of brick and mortar.  The Church is made up of Christians.  That is why Peters calls us living stones.  I Peter 2:5 says, "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…"  We are all those bricks and stones that make up the rest of the building.  When you become a Christian, the Bible says that God adds you to His church, Acts 2:47.  God places you somewhere where you can have significance in His building, the Church.
We are living stones in His building.  That means we need each another.  The Christian life is a life together.  You need the people around you and they need you.  It takes a lot of bricks to build a house and it takes a lot of people to make a church. 
But each brick is significant.  Each brick has a role to play.  If you have one brick in the wall of your house that breaks up, it impacts the entire structure.  It hurts the appearance of the house.  It endangers the stability of the wall because water can seep in and freeze and break up the rest of the structure.  It can be costly to repair because it's not performing its function.  If that brick were out in a field alone, it wouldn't matter.  But a brick that's part of the house has greater significance than itself.
When you become a part of the church you are a part of an institution with eternal significance.  That's not true of any other institution.  Your bank won't be here forever.  The branch where we bank has been 5 or 6 different banks since we've been here!  Your school may not last until the end of time.  The grade school Marsha went to is an empty eye-sore that is falling down.  One of my grade schools is now an apartment building.  Your hospital may not last.  The hospital where I was born is no more.
But the church of Jesus Christ has endured attacks and mismanagement for 2000 years and is stronger today than before.  You are a part of something much greater than yourself.  Your contributions help strengthen others. 
But, on the other hand, your failures threaten the well-being of others.  A short time ago I heard about an older man near here that embezzled 6 figures from a Church.  He had a gambling problem.  Not long ago a youth minister in our area molested someone in the youth group. 
Those things not only hurt that local Church, but all Churches.  The reputation of Christians and Churches is destroyed.  There is more than one ex-catholic that I can't get to Church because of the scandal of the catholic priests.  It effects all of us.
And some say, "I would never do anything like that!  Those are terrible things!"  But there are those who will say the cuss word at work.  Or they go ballistic playing ball.  Or they lie or cheat or are stingy with the waitress.  These things hurt the Church as well.  You see, we all have to realize that being a part of the church magnifies the cost of our mistakes as well as increases the value of our contributions. 
That's why it's so important that we be known for our acts of love.  Like last week when a few ladies cleaned up the tables and the building for a men's fellowship.  Or a few that picked up garbage along 132.  Or someone who repaired someone's car.  Or the group that replaced a window in the house of a single mom.  And the list goes on and on.
If you are a member of this Church, you have a part in making her great.  Maybe you're not a brick on the front porch.  Maybe you're not seen or encouraged much.  But you have a significant role in the effectiveness of the overall structure.  Whether it's mowing the grass or planting flowers or cleaning the building, or preparing communion, or giving generously, encouraging others when you're here or whatever, it is important and needed.
Every Christian is called to minister.  Someone said, "You got into the ministry when you got out of the baptistery."  When Christian people band together, the church can be a significant influence.  One brick in a field doesn't have much purpose, but when joined together with others, it can become part of a meaningful building.
OK. Are you ready for point 2?
II. We are holy priests with a privileged opportunity to glorify God. 

Verse 5 of our text.  "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
In the Old Testament Israel had a priesthood-a special class of religious leaders who through a cleansing ceremony were considered holy.  The common people were considered unholy, unworthy to come into God's presence, so the priests served as mediators, presenting sacrifices to the Lord.
Now, in the New Testament that we live under, Jesus is the high priest whose blood has cleansed us from sin, and therefore, every Christian is a priest.  Martin Luther spoke of "the priesthood of all believers." 
We each are privileged to have direct access to God.  I Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  We don't have to confess our sins to a clergyman.  Through Jesus we can go directly to God who hears our prayers and forgives our sins. 
Let me quickly share just a few things that can help all you priests worship in a way that pleases God. 
1. Be friendly.  Greet people and talk to them.  We are all part of the family of God, so make worship a family activity.
2. Participate enthusiastically.  Sing, pray, laugh, take some notes.  Your participation and your body language encourages others and expresses your worship.
3. Give an offering.  The offering time is not just a necessary evil to pay the bills.  It's a time to express our love for God in a tangible way.  It's an integral part of worship.  I Chronicles 16:29 says, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.  Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
4. Leave determined to live for Christ.  Your real worship is what you do all week long.  Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
Peter Marshall once began a service with this prayer, "Lord we thank you that we can come to you just as we are.  But remind us that we dare not leave as we came."  As a holy priest you have a privileged opportunity to glorify God with worship.  Do it wholeheartedly, for God
Now, beginning with verse 9 we have more reason for living. 
III. We are God's people with a crucial responsibility to witness to the truth. 

I Peter 2:9.  "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
God has chosen you and given you an honored status for the purpose of communicating the truth of the gospel to lost people.  As someone said, "My purpose is to go to heaven when I die and take as many people with me as I can."  There are 2 ways you do that.
1. One is to declare God's truth.  Tactfully, lovingly, speak about Christ and what He means to you. 
2. You live distinctively, as we've already seen. God "called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Peter goes on to expand on this theme.  Verse 10.  "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  Remember.  We are to show mercy just like Jesus showed mercy to us.  If others see mercy, kindness, and authenticity in you, you earn the right to be heard. 
In Verse 11 Peter uses a series of phrases that emphasize the need for a distinctive lifestyle.  He writes, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, …"  You are to live as "aliens and strangers in the world."  Don't fall in love with the world. 
Max Lucado says our attitude toward the world ought to be similar to a passenger on a plane.  When a plane lands you never hear anyone say, "Oh, do we have to get off?  Can't I just stay here and eat these little pretzels and drink this apple juice and stay cramped up in this seat?"  As soon as the plane lands everyone is anxious to get off.  The plane ride is a temporary, necessary, sometimes enjoyable, sometimes an uncomfortable experience, but it's taking us to a destination. 
Christians ought to have that kind of attitude toward our journey in this world.  We're going to enjoy it and make the most of it, but this isn't where we want to stay.  We intend to get off so we're not getting too cozy here.
Verse 11 goes on to say we are "…to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."  Peter admits we're still going to be tempted.  There will always be that civil war within us. 
I have met a few people along the way that told me that when they gave their life to Christ, they instantly lost all desire to sin.  They went from being an alcoholic to not wanting a drink.  From being a chain smoker to not wanting a cigarette.  From constantly using profanity to never saying another bad word.  From hooked on sex to only wanting their spouse.  And I'm usually thinking, "Yea. Right!"
But there are some people that seem to have that kind of instant deliverance.  But I think they must be 1 in 100,000.  The rest of us accept Christ and we continue to battle.  That's why Peter says "to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."
In verse 12 Peter writes, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
The one irresistible apologetic for the Gospel of Christ is a godly life.  God has called you to an eternal purpose in His church.  Don't be bored.  Your life matters to God.  Each moment has significance to Him.
Albert Einstein may have bee brilliant in some areas, but he was normal in others.  Once he was traveling on a train, heading for a speaking engagement when the conductor came by and asked for his ticket.  When the brilliant scientist couldn't find it he was really frustrated.  The conductor recognized him and said, "That's okay Mr. Einstein, we trust you." 
But when the conductor came back through several minutes later, Albert Einstein was still frantically searching under his seat and rifling through his belongings for that ticket.  Again the conductor said, "Sir, don't worry about your ticket.  We know who you are.  We trust you." 
Einstein responded, 'It's not a matter of trust.  It's a matter of direction.  I don't know where I'm going!"
Do you know where you're going?  Or are you searching for a ticket that will give some direction for your life?  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.   Our lives have significance and purpose only in Him.
If you have decided to come to Him, we invite you to do so now.  Come in faith when we sing and we'll help you confess Him and be baptized into Him.  Or if you've already done that and would like to become part of God's building here, come as we stand and sing.

Based on a 09/05/2004 sermon by Bob Russell of South East Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.