First Baptist Church, South Haven
Join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary or live on Facebook at 10:30am. The service will also be posted to YouTube and Archive later in the week.
Living Stones
1 Peter 2:4-12
Pastor Jerry Koller
Peter calls Jesus the living Stone. He will use this stone reference in verses 5,6,7, and 8. In this verse, the word for stone has to do with building stones—stones used in building.
He may be rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him. The honor of Jesus is not contingent on the opinions of men.
1 Peter 2:5 NIV
Metaphorically speaking, we are like the living Stone because we are in Christ.
There are a number of metaphors in the New Testament that are used in relation to God’s people such as a Body, a Bride, a Family, and a Temple.
1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV
We are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV
Jesus changed the rules. He has made us a holy priesthood.
· This holy priesthood is expected to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God.
· The spiritual sacrifices this holy priesthood is to offer are not sacrifices intended to atone for our sin. Jesus already did that.
Examples of Spiritual Sacrifices:
Romans 12:1 NASB2020
Hebrews 13:16 NASB2020
Philippians 4:18 NASB2020
Ephesians 5:2 NASB2020
Hebrews 13:15 NASB2020
Giving continual praise to God by what we say and how we live is a spiritual sacrifice that is pleasing to God.
1 Peter 2:6 NIV
Zion was a reference to the city of David—Jerusalem.
· It was also used in reference to the temple as well as the people of God as a whole.
· This verse is a quote from Isa. 28:16.
· A cornerstone was the most important part of a stone structure for it was the standard of measure by which all other stones were aligned.
1 Peter 2:7 NIV
1 Peter 2:7 ESV
There is a contrast that is being drawn in verses 7-10.
Isaiah 53:3 NIV
For those who do not believe, Jesus is a stumbling block
1 Peter 2:8 NIV
Disobey here means to withhold belief.
Contrast this condition with those who believe.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Three things are mentioned in regard to those who are in Christ.
· They are a chosen people. (see 1:2)
· They are a royal priesthood.
· They are a holy nation.
Before and After
1 Peter 2:10 NIV
Declaring praises to God and receiving mercy draws us back to what was said in1:3.
The truths Peter declared in verses 4-10 can be summed up in Ephesus in 2:19-22.
Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV
APPLICATION
1 Peter 2:11 NIV
· Abstain means to keep yourselves away from them.
· Sinful desires are simply desires that are forbidden.
· Soul is a reference to our entire being.
· Desire or lust gives birth to sin. (see Matt. 5:28)
· The words desire and lustfully come from the same word group.
1 Peter 2:12 NIV
· Deeds motivated by love.
· Deeds guided by holiness.
· Deeds done to glorify God.
· Don & Deb Jenks and their family upon the death of Don’s mother, Arliss Jenks, on 11/3.
· Tabitha Goodale (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) was not able to have surgery yesterday because her blood work was not good. They retested a couple days later and it was worse. Her mother said that she is in desperate need of a miracle and thanks the church for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for healing.
· Karlie Mercado-Woodall (20 year-old niece of Matt & Kristy Jenks) who is recovering from a non-motorized accident which resulted in many injuries including breaking both ankles, a wrist and her back in multiple places. She is currently recovering at Mary Freebed Hospital.
· Paula Hollis (Dave Hollis' sister) had a recent PET scan and the cancer markers are down to 123 (they were 22,000 in July). Most of the tumors are gone or have shrunk significantly. There are a few stubborn ones so she is going to have another 6 rounds (12 weeks) of chemo plus radiation for 2 weeks. After this round, she will look at maintenance treatment. Thank you so much for the prayers!
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is struggling with major tantrums and other behavioral issues. Please pray for the doctors to have wisdom in choosing medication and treatments, and that the tantrums do not escalate worse than what they are. He has an evaluation scheduled at a brain specialty clinic for 12/6 and a parental follow-up meeting on 1/6. Also pray for patience and safety for him, his parents and his brother Riley as they try to work through situations.
· Carl Oisten (Sue Richmond's brother) is in the NCU at Borgess Hospital, for breathing issues.
· Theresa Reese (Rhonda Dobberstein's sister-in-law): is improving. She is gaining an appetite and has been eating more and she "has some of her spunk back." While this is all great news, because she is a paraplegic, she will always be bed ridden and is only able to move her head.
· Griffin Rooker & Kaylynn Owens upon the birth of their daughter, Hazel Mae, on 10/22.
· Shannon French (son of Curt & Patty Bales) has resumed administering eye drops every hour as the infection has returned. They believe there is some permanent eye damage. He continues to consult with an eye specialist.
· Joyce Bocock has finished 10 rounds of radiation on the large tumor in her spine. She is handling the medication for the endocrine therapy well. Her doctors are very optimistic and think she will be feeling better within the next month. Thank you for your continued prayers!
· Pete Danapilis is home recovering from a successful back surgery.
· Rocky (Stan Robinson' uncle) has been released from the hospital, but continues to have a myriad of health issues.
· Norma Bales (Curt Bales’ mom) is receiving Hospice care.
· Gary Wilson (Jeff Wilson's dad) has had a recurrence of cancer. He is choosing not to pursue treatment. Please keep him and his family in prayer.
· Elizabeth (Rhonda Dobberstein's niece) has a very high-risk pregnancy. She is too close to delivery for her cervix to be repaired and she will be induced early. Please pray that the baby remains stable.
· Linda Newell is recovering from surgery to have a rotator cuff repaired.
· Ruby Robinson (Stan & Jean Robinson’s sister-in-law, Bruce Robinson’s stepmom) has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is receiving chemo which is making her very sick. She is not able to work.
· Vincent Bryant (Miriam Bryant’s son) is recovering from a broken ankle.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com