1 Peter 2:4-10 – The Unique Identity of God’s People

Peter is ready to close this first section of his letter. He has been hammering away at the fact that Christians are strangers in this present world. Because of our salvation we have new life, new hope, and a new treasure. These truths ought to affect the way we live – there should be a difference between the children of God and the people of the world. This last section reinforces these themes but in a different way. Peter again considers our identity this time using the temple and ancient Israel as pictures of our unique identity.

1. Christians Are the New Temple of God

1 Peter 2:4-8(nkjv) Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 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." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

A. Christ is the Cornerstone of the Temple
• The Cornerstone Determines the Shape of the Building
• How You Respond to the Cornerstone Determines Your Destiny
• God’s Plan Includes Your Response to His Son

B. Christians are the Building Blocks of the Temple

C. Christians are the Priests of the Temple

2. Christians Are the New People of God

1 Peter 2:9-10  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

A. The Unique Identity of God’s People
• A Chosen Generation – Emphasizes God’s Purposes
• A Royal Priesthood – Emphasizes Our Purpose
• A Holy Nation – Emphasizes Our Purity
• A Peculiar People – Emphasizes God’s Possession

B. The Important Purpose of God’s People

C. What Makes It All Possible – God’s Mercy