1 Peter 2:1-10

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Desire the Word and Offer Spiritual Sacrifices

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BACKGROUND NOTES

DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

Growing Christians should desire the milk of the word. (1 Peter 2:2-3)

Growing Christians should offer up spiritual sacrifices. (1 Peter 2:4-10)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Be a living sacrifice as well as a living stone.

QUESTIONS

What does the “therefore” of 1 Peter 2:1 mean?

What other terms are used for the new life in Christ?

What are the qualities of this new life in Christ?

If we have this new life in Christ, why do we still sin?

How can we overcome this tendency to sin?

Define the following terms: a. Malice b. Deceit c. Hypocrisy d. Envy e. Evil speaking

ANSWERS

Every time you read “therefore” in the Bible, you should ask, “What is it there for?” This “therefore” points back to the end of 1 Peter chapter one, where we read that believers have been born again and have new life in Christ. “Therefore” because of this new life we should lay aside things of the old life.

Spiritual life, eternal life, divine life.

This new divine life that we possess is not sinful and does not desire to sin.

Because we still have the flesh or the sinful nature.

We are to lay aside the things of the old life and allow the empowerment of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to control our lives.

a. Malice – the harboring of evil thoughts against another person, even hoping that something bad will happen to them. b. Deceit – any form of dishonesty, like cheating or shading the truth your way. c. Hypocrisy – pretending to be someone or something that you are not (like pretending to be spiritual when you are really worldly, or pretending to be generous when you are really selfish). d. Envy – jealousy. e. Evil speaking – more than just open slander, it includes gossip and backbiting, or talking down a fellow believer.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious? Consider your great salvation and the Lord’s care for you. If you have tasted that the Lord is good and gracious, then you should continue to feed on the word, for this is the way you grow in Christian graces. We should desire the milk of the word and the meat of the word. How’s your appetite for the word? David had an extreme thirst for the living God (Psalm 42:1-2). Are you thirsty for the living God?

The Lord Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the living temple. We are the living stones. Consider the responsibility as part of the temple of the living Christ. As the Old Testament priests had a responsibility to offer up animal sacrifices, we as a holy and royal priesthood are to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Consider some of the spiritual sacrifices that we can offer up to Him: 1) our praise (see 1 Peter 2:9 and Hebrews 13:15), 2) doing good and sharing of our material possessions (Hebrews 13:16), and 3) service unto the Lord (Romans 15:16). Which spiritual sacrifices are you offering up unto the Lord?

CHALLENGE

Be a living sacrifice as well as a living stone. See 1 Peter 2:5 and Romans 12:1). Every true believer is a living stone, but not every believer is a living sacrifice. What about you? Living sacrifices are totally committed believers, having submitted their will to God’s will. Are you a living sacrifice?

KEY VERSES

“…desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow…if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:2-3)

“…come to Him as a living stone…to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

“…to you who believe, He is precious.” (2 Peter 2:7)

“Jesus Christ has become the chief cornerstone, and stone of stumbling.” (2 Peter 2:7-8)

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (2 Peter 2:9)