God's Spiritual House

If only we could capture Peter's vision, we could see every meeting a quarry for living stones, every missionary a stonemason sent to the ends of the earth to find living stones for God's temple.
1. WE ALL ARE PRIESTS - verse 59
The followers of Christ are being now represented not as the building, but as the priests officiating inside it. The living stones are seen offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ - 1 Timothy 2
a) We are Holy Priests - a Christian is set apart for God.
b) We are Royal priests - believers have the dignity of kings and the sanctity of priests - Exodus 19:5 Revelations 1:6 and 5:10.
2. WE ALL ARE TO OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES - verse 5
What are these sacrifices?
a) Our bodies - Romans 12:1 . The Lord may call a few to physically die for Him, but He asks all of us to live for Him.
b) Our praise - Hebrews 13:15. It is always fitting to praise God.
c) Our love -Ephesians 5:1 'Don't talk about His love, walk in His love.
d) Our good works - Hebrews - 13:15 Everything you do should be a thank offering to Christ. Your motive is gratitude to the Lord.
e) Our ministry - Romans 15:16. Paul says that his teaching and preaching the gospel was a sacrifice we cab offer to God.
f) Our giving - Philippians 4:18. The loved gift pleased God, relieved Paul, and enriched the Philippians.
g) Our prayers - Revelation 8:3
3. WE ALL HAVE A CORPORATE IDENTITY - verse 9
a) A chosen race - Isaiah 43:20 Psalms 33:12
b) A holy nation
c) A people belonging to God who has received mercy - Hosea 2:23
d) A people to declare His praises. We are left on the earth to proclaim how excellent the Lord is. That's our job description.
e) A people called out of darkness into His marvellous light. Gathered as the church, we worship our great God and we build up one another. Scattered into the world, we proclaim God's mercy and light to those who are still in the darkness.