Bible Study - Something More (4) - I Am a Priest - 1 Peter 2:4-10 - February 11, 2018

Bible Study – Something More (4) – I Am a Priest – February 11, 2018

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Made for Something More.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 2:4-10.

As servants of CHRIST, we are HIS representatives.

The Apostle Peter was likely writing from Rome to Christians in Asia Minor or what we know today as Turkey. 

Let’s read 1 Peter 1:22-25: (Lead-in)

22 By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

23 since you have been born again-not of perishable seed but of imperishable-through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower drops off,

25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

This scripture sets up the reason these baby Christians had to stop acting like baby Christians and grow up. They had tasted the joy of being Christians, evidenced by their love for their fellow brothers and sisters in CHRIST. But they were not acting like mature Christians evidenced by their lifestyle as written in 1 Peter 1 as we read on --- 

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:1-3:

1 So rid yourselves of all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.

Since they had been born-again into the family of GOD, through faith in JESUS, they needed to grow Spiritually. They needed to drop their old life style and allow the Holy Spirit to be the transforming power within to produce their new life in JESUS. They were acting like Spiritual infants as evidenced by the issues stated in verse 1. They needed to grow up Spiritually and be positive witnesses for JESUS. But in order for them to grow Spiritually, they needed Spiritual nourishment -----

2 Like newborn infants, desire the unadulterated spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it in [your] salvation,

3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.

These Christians had a relationship with JESUS through faith in HIM because they had experienced HIM in their lives but they were not on a mature Spiritual foundation. They needed to build a mature Spiritual foundation based upon knowing the truth and building the right relationship with GOD. JESUS is the cornerstone of the living, Spiritual structure GOD had established upon earth. 

They were not fitting into GOD’S dynamic structure because of their actions.

They needed to grow up by ingesting GOD’S Word and applying it to their lives. They were Christians but they were remaining babies in CHRIST because they were hanging onto acts of the flesh. Peter knew that they had an encounter with the LORD JESUS. Peter needed to explain to them what their encounter with JESUS meant from GOD’S perspective and HIS plan for them. 

The Apostle Paul also wrote about the subject regarding Spiritual infants as recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:

1 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ.

2 I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet able to receive it. In fact, you are still not able,

3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and living like ordinary people?

4 For whenever someone says, "I'm with Paul," and another, "I'm with Apollos," are you not [typical] men?

Many of us, as Christians, need to grow up Spiritually. This is not hoop-la but allowing the Holy Spirit to enlighten, strengthen and guide. Our part is to be available and willing to respond as HE gives opportunity. We are to study GOD’S Word, pray and be ready to put into action as the Holy Spirit gives opportunity.

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:4-5:

4 Coming to Him, a living stone-rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God-

When they became Christians, they encountered the “living stone,” (JESUS) Who is the cornerstone for the Spiritual building whose foundation is built upon the birth of JESUS as 100% human, yet 100% GOD. JESUS’ birth as 100% human, HIS physical death and HIS physical resurrection to eternally occupy HIS Glorified body proved that JESUS paid the price for sin, in full, and conquered eternal death.

JESUS walked upon earth 40 days after HIS resurrection and then HE ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD. Once this was completed, GOD, as promised, sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every person who placed their faith in JESUS. The indwelling Holy Spirit was and is every Christian’s guarantee of ultimate salvation when we die physically.  

Salvation is a process. Once a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and asks JESUS to come into his or her life that is the instant of salvation. Based upon these facts, every Christian is saved and continues to be saved as they live life upon earth. When a Christian dies, exits his or her earth suit that is the instant of his or her complete salvation.

Does that mean a Christian is not sure of his or her salvation until they die? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Every Christian’s salvation is sure, secure and guaranteed the instant JESUS comes into a person’s life. This is accomplished through the miracle of rebirth and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16).

All who place their faith in JESUS become a vital, unique part of GOD’S Spiritual building of which JESUS is the cornerstone.

5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

So what is the role of Christians in this Spiritual house which GOD is building whose foundation is JESUS? Every Christian functions as a priest. A priest offers sacrifices. These sacrifices are not material or animal sacrifices but that which brings honor to JESUS and GOD. These sacrifices do not earn us salvation but provide the opportunity for us to obediently serve GOD by serving others.

This is not to be confused with the priesthood of the believer. The priesthood of the believer means that the born-again believer can go directly into the presence of GOD without going through another person such as a pastor, priest, and etc. make his or her requests made known to GOD. If the Christian can go before JESUS and GOD directly, what is the role of Christians as priests?   

Why are Christians referred to as priests? I thought JESUS was the High Priest? HE is. In the Jewish system the priest was the mediator between GOD and mankind.  But first the Jewish priest had to offer sacrifices for his sins before he could go into the Holy of Holies and stand before GOD first for himself and then in behalf of others.

Now that JESUS has given HIS life upon the cross, through the shedding of HIS blood, those who place their faith in JESUS are made pure and are cleansed of all sin. As such, every Christian has full authority to stand in the presence of GOD, as a born-again believer in JESUS, and call HIM Daddy. 

Therefore, all Christians are priests and can approach GOD in behalf of themselves and others.

Christians are intercessors for others who believe they are not worthy, Christian or non-Christians, to go before GOD with their requests. Christians can go into the presence of GOD to intercede for another person.

Does a person have to go through a fellow Christian? NO! GOD welcomes all who come to HIM with a broken heart, for those seeking salvation and for those in need.

HIS desire is for NO PERSON to perish or to feel alienated. Even Christians need fellow Christians to come to their aid. Christians may need to confess and repent. Christians can approach GOD themselves but there are times when Satan has convinced them that GOD does not love them any longer because of what they have done or not done.

One such area is a person thinking that he or she has committed the unpardonable sin. Are you sorry for your sins? Great! That is great because it shows that your heart is still tender before GOD. GOD does not turn HIS back on any person who seeks HIM.  

Cast your cares upon JESUS now and ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life! Now, thank HIM for HIS salvation and for the miracle of being born-again into the family of GOD.

Welcome brother or sister into GOD’S family and desire the Spiritual milk for you to grow into the mature Christian GOD desires for you.

The Apostle Peter continued. Let’s think for a few seconds -- This is the same Peter who denied JESUS three times. Peter repented. He wept and JESUS restored him to obedient service. You and I are no different. We have done things that have disappointed JESUS/GOD. That is why we need to confess them and ask JESUS/GOD to forgive us. HE will not only forgive but HE will cleanse, restore and forget what we did.

So what is your excuse for either not becoming a Christian or if you have given your heart to JESUS and strayed for not repenting and returning? Do what you have to do now, for now is the time of salvation and restoration.  

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:6-8:

6 For it stands in Scripture: Look! I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and valuable cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame!

Zion was the hill upon which Jerusalem was built. Zion can also refer to the entire city of Jerusalem, the temple, to the entire nation of Israel or to the heavenly city which is yet to come. GOD laid the chief cornerstone, JESUS, who established the layout for the Living, Spiritual structure which GOD is building.

The cornerstone of a building is vital in the construction of a building. The cornerstone determines the layout for the walls and structure of the building which is being built.

Does this sound foolish to you? Just know that faith in JESUS never results in you being put to shame! What does JESUS tell us in Matthew 10:33 - 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

The New King James translation of 1 Peter 2:6 reads:

6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

JESUS is the chief cornerstone Who is elect and precious, which reflects GOD’S love for JESUS. 

7 So the honor is for you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected- this One has become the cornerstone, and

So those who place their faith in JESUS are given the honor of knowing this precious value and as a result, they will never be put to shame as a child of GOD. Being a child of GOD can only take place through the miracle of rebirth through faith in JESUS.

Salvation through faith in JESUS is so simple that many stumble over the huge rock, JESUS, Who is the very cornerstone of this magnificent, rewarding, Spiritual, living structure.

8 A stone that causes men to stumble, and a rock that trips them up. They stumble by disobeying the message; they were destined for this.

This chosen cornerstone, JESUS, causes those outside looking in to stumble and trip over HIM because they refuse to obey the message of salvation through faith in JESUS. All are destined for salvation but many reject it, even though it is simple. The hardness of hearts causes those who are to receive salvation to reject it. When JESUS is rejected it is an eternal decision.

Our life upon earth is our gateway to eternity. The question is, where will we spend eternity; in the presence of GOD in Heaven or eternally separated from GOD in Hell. Oh, yes there is a Hell and you do not want to go there. Is this an effort to frighten you? NO! It is to educate you.

In today’s society, it is not cool to think that a loving GOD would allow such a place as Hell. Hell is for the Devil and his angels.

If you have not asked JESUS into your heart, then confess it now and ask forgive you and for HIM to come into your heart.

Loving and following the things the world appeals to the flesh and many do not want to give up these fleshly pleasures. But what are the benefits of becoming a child of GOD through faith in JESUS. Let’s read on ----

Let’s read 1 Peter 2:9-10:

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The Apostle Peter was painting a beautiful picture for Christians, then and now. He was giving them the reasons why they should desire the unadulterated, pure Spiritual milk. Christians consuming good, wholesome, nutritious Spiritual milk results in Christians growing strong in their relationship to JESUS and GOD. They are no longer Christians who are tossed about as recorded in Ephesians 4:14: 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

Christians who are built in line with the cornerstone know they are on the firm foundation of the true rock, JESUS, and are being built according to GOD’S design and specifications to minister and to be a priest. A Christian’s part is to be available to obediently serve where GOD chooses for him or her to serve. When you are willing GOD will shoot you like an arrow into the lives of those you can minister.

Some may think, what do you mean? How can I serve as a priest for others? Ask GOD to reveal to you your area of service. There are the gifts of the Holy Spirit that GOD gives to whom HE chooses. Don’t be afraid to use your gift or gifts to serve others as led by the Holy Spirit.

There is much to be done – prayer, serving, encouraging, ministering, helping, teaching, making money and using it for GOD’S work, spiritual and physical healing and the list goes on. As a Christian and a priest, you have a place to serve. Pray for those who hunger for physical and Spiritual food, missionaries around the world, for those in prison, for those planning various evil deeds that their plans will be thwarted, for young Christians getting their Spiritual legs as they learn to walk with JESUS, for those who need self-esteem, for those in bondage to sin and its devastating consequences, for those in physical bondage due to spousal abuse, child abuse from any source, for those who will be at the wrong place at the wrong time, protect from things seen and unseen and known and unknown, the timing of those going through life, for those on probation either at work, school or as the result of breaking the law to resolve to learn from it, those just physically growing up, those being bullied, pray when you listen to the news, transportation folks (truckers, train, planes), inspectors spotting things that need fixing, investigators, finding missing persons, police, firemen, pray for all of our political leaders, leaders and people around the world, fellow priests (Christians), our church leaders, those who are attempting to change GOD’S Word to make it politically correct. 

These are just a few things in the life that come to the attention of priests.

As priests, we are to pray, serve, listen, observe, interact, seek wisdom and help others as led by the Holy Spirit. We take issues to GOD and seek HIS wisdom. We function as the Holy Spirit leads us to intercede in behalf of others. 

The laborers are few but the harvest is great. Christians are called to be priests to serve in the Kingdom of GOD which JESUS established upon earth through HIS passion and resurrection. Blessings!!!