A.      Just as a babe born of the flesh must be nourished in order to grow physically, so also a spiritual babe who is born of the imperishable seed of God’s word must be nourished in order to grow spiritually.

B.      Let us consider this message and others as we continue our study in 1Peter 2:1-10.

II.      LONG FOR THE WORD, GROW BY IT

A.      We are called upon to eliminate any behaviors that hinder growth by God’s word (1Pet. 2:1).

                                                             1.      Growth cannot begin until carnal tendencies are put aside.

a.       Malice (wickedness in ASV) is bad nature and evil intent.

b.       Guile (deceit in KJV) is false, crafty, deceitful speech.

c.        Hypocrisy is an insincere and false profession.

d.       Envy is a bad feeling aroused by someone else’s good fortune.  Proverbs 14:30 calls envy “rottenness to the bones.”

e.        Slander is evil speech against others.

f.        As long as these behaviors continue in a Christian, it will be impossible for him to grow.

                                                             2.      Jesus shed His blood for us so that we could put these things away.

a.       We have been redeemed from a futile way of life (1Pet. 1:18) that included these things.

b.       If we continue to walk in behaviors, then not only will we not grow, but also we will dishonor the Lord and discount value of the precious blood He shed.

B.      Having been thus prepared, we must desire the word of God by which we may grow in respect to salvation (1Pet. 2:2-3).

                                                             1.      Our desire for the word of God should compare to a newborn babe’s desire for milk.

a.       Like a hungry infant who will not rest or be silent until his appetite is satisfied, a Christian should be relentless in the pursuit of the nourishment of God’s word.

b.       Unfortunately, there are too many Christians who are starving for the word of God and yet have no appetite for it.

i.         Amos prophesied of a famine for the word of God that would be sent upon Israel (Amos 8:11) and would be worse than even a famine for food.  Today, there is a famine for the word that is self-inflicted on those who are starving.

ii.        Because of spiritual neglect, many Christians are spiritually starving themselves to death without even noticing.

                                                             2.      Without the spiritual nourishment of God’s word, a child of God cannot grow in respect to salvation.

a.       A Christian who does not study the word of God is stunted in growth like an infant who is underfed.

b.       Let us understand lack of the word of God puts our salvation at stake.  The phrase “grow in respect to salvation” literally means “grow towards salvation.”  If we are not growing toward “the salvation to be revealed in the last time” (1Pet. 1:5), then we will not reach it.

                                                             3.      If we have tasted the kindness of the Lord, then surely we will seek more of it through His word.

III.   LIVING STONES

A.      By the word of God, we are to grow into a spiritual temple built on the cornerstone of Jesus (1Pet. 2:4-8).

                                                             1.      Consider the figures of the living stones and the spiritual house.

a.       Jesus is compared to a “living stone” that is rejected by men but valued by God.

b.       We who are Christians have become like Christ as “living stones.”

c.        Collectively, we are built into a spiritual house, i.e., a temple (compare to1Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22).

                                                             2.      The purpose of such a temple is for spiritual sacrifices.

a.       This temple, which we are, is for a holy priesthood, which we also are.

b.       The function of the priesthood is “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

c.        Not only are we the temple and the priesthood, but we are also the sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).

                                                             3.      For those who believe the word of God, Jesus is the precious cornerstone on which they are built.

a.       Verse 6 is a quotation of Isaiah 28:16.

b.       As the cornerstone, Jesus is the most important part of the structure.

i.         The cornerstone is the point from which the entire structure is laid out and measured.  Every part of the structure relates back to the cornerstone.

ii.        Paul wrote that Christians are a temple “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).

                                                             4.      For those who are disobedient to the word of God, Jesus is a stumbling block.

a.       Verse 7 is a quotation of Psalm 118:22, and verse 8 is a quotation of Isaiah 8:14.

b.       Notice the terrible doom for those who are disobedient to the word: the stone they rejected was not only accepted by God, but also it (Jesus) was chosen by God as the most important of all stones, the cornerstone.

c.        Consider how Jesus is a stumbling block and a rock of offense to the disobedient.

i.         He is a stumbling in that their rejection of Him is their downfall.  So it was for the unbelieving Jews (see Rom. 9:32-33; 1Cor. 1:22-24; Gal. 5:11).

ii.        He is a rock of offense in that they are offended by Christ’s gospel and they commit an offense by rejecting Him.

B.      Not only are Christians a spiritual temple, but also they are the people of God (1Pet. 2:9-10).

                                                             1.      Notice the terms that are used to describe Christians.

a.       The terms used in verse 9 were first stated about the nation of Israel (Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6; 10:15).  Now they apply to Christians.

b.       “A chosen race” – Of course the church is made up of many races and nationalities, but in a spiritual sense Christians are a race of people born of the word of God (1Pet. 1:23).

c.        “A royal priesthood” – Revelation 1:6 says that Christ “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (see also Rev. 5:10).  All Christians serve as priests in the kingdom of God by serving and offering spiritual sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:15).

d.       “A holy nation” – The church is made up of many nationalities (see Acts 2:9-11, 40-41; Gal. 3:28), but together Christians form a single holy nation whose citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

e.        “A people for God’s own possession” – Christians are a people set apart (sanctified) unto God (2Cor. 6:14-18).

f.        Before we were united through Christ, we were not a people and had no relationship with God (Gentiles especially – see Eph. 2:11-18).  Now we are a united people who have received mercy through Christ.

                                                             2.      Also notice the purpose stated for Christians in these verses.

a.       As a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession, our purpose is to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

b.       It is the natural duty of priests and citizens of the kingdom to proclaim the excellencies of the one whom they serve.

c.        It is also the natural tendency of persons who have been called out of darkness into light to praise and glorify the one who called them.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      It is sad to see any child whose proper growth has been hindered so that he never meets his potential.  It is even sadder to see a child of God who languishes without any appetite for the milk and meat of God’s word.

B.      In our next lesson, we will consider 1Peter 2:11-25 – “Submission Part 1.”