150301 PM Like Living Stones

Like Living Stones   A.  If ever there was a worthy attempt to build “a house for the name of the LORD” (1 Kings 5:5), surely       the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem was it. But as incredibly grand as that temple was:      1.  Listen to what the LORD asked in Isaiah 66:1.     2.  Listen to what Paul proclaimed in Acts 17:16, 22-31.  B.  Though he does not live in temples made by man, our Creator wants us to seek him (Isa 66:2).     1.  As our Creator, he commands all of us to stop dishonoring him and start living for him.     2.  The hinge of his plan to save mankind is the raising of his Son from the dead.  C.  Let’s sit at the feet of Peter as he clearly guides us through the gospel and the call to the blessing.   I.  The _____________     A.  _________ and _________ can be multiplied to us (1 Pet 1:1-2):  1.  According to the foreknowledge of God the Father   2.  In the sanctification of the Spirit3.  For sprinkling with the blood of and obedience to Jesus Christ     B.  God can cause us to be _______ ________ (1 Pet 1:3-12):   1.  To a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead  2.  To an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance that is guarded in heaven  3.  In the meantime, we are being guarded by God’s power through faith     C.  This is the essence of the “good news” that creates inexpressible _______ and fullness of glory   II.  The ________     A.  God is _______; “Be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet 1:13-25). This requires:   1.  Sober minds that are prepared for action   2.  Hope that is fully set on the grace that will be ultimately realized at Jesus’ return   3.  Fearful remembrance of the cost of my ransom that drives me to obedient submission    4.  A pure heart that is bearing the fruit of sincere love     B.  God is ________; “Taste and see” that he is better, more satisfying than anything (1 Pet 2:1-3)   1.  Put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander   2.  Develop the longing of an infant for pure spiritual nourishment, that by it you may grow up.     III.  The ______________     A.  Like living stones, we are being built up as a spiritual ___________, to be (1 Pet 2:4-10):   1.  A royal holy priesthood that offers acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus   2.  A chosen race, shaped into a holy nation that belongs to and proclaims the worth of God     B.  The aim of the proclamation? That, having been ____________, we would:   1.  Be a blessing to unbelievers who might also be persuaded (1 Pet 2:11-12, 24-25; 3:18-22)   2.  Glorify God (1 Pet 2:16; 4:7-11)