Discipleship – Growing Together in the Mission of God

1 Peter 2:1-10

Purpose: to grow in Christ together, His Nation proclaiming of His excellencies

1. Exhortation to Spiritual Growth

Hindrances to Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:1)

Genuine love (1:22) requires believers put off malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy & slander

Crave the Word Like Babes Crave Milk! (1 Peter 2:2-3)

The Paradigm for Spiritual Growth

See 1:23-25 for Peter’s emphasis on the Word

2. Your Identity in Christ Supplies Two Reasons for Spiritual Growth

You Are Part of The Holy Building (1 Peter 2:4-8)

Jesus Christ is the foundation and focus

The Materials of the Building = born-again believers in Jesus Christ! (v. 5)

Jesus is the capstone/corner stone (v. 7; Ps. 118:22; Heb 12:1-2)

You Are Part of The New Nation (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Believers in Jesus must spiritually grow because they are a New Nation

          Described in 4 terms (v. 9):

1. A Chosen Race (see Is. 43:20ff; Deut 10:15)
2. A Royal Priesthood (see 1 Pet. 2:5; Is. 61:6, 66:21; Rev. 1:6)
3. A Holy Nation (see Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6)
4. A People for God’s Own Possession (see Ex. 19:5; Deut. 4:20, 14:2; Titus 2:14)

          The New Nation’s Purpose (v. 9b)! Proclaiming God’s Excellencies! 

          What is proclaimed? God called us out of darkness into light!

          Because (v. 10)? We have received God’s mercy in Christ!

Conclusion: This is The Priesthood of the Believer

1. Each individual believer has the privilege to approach God for himself or herself in Christ
2. Each individual believer has a responsibility to serve and love others