Question:
Who are you? …. Answer: You are living stones and you are priests.
In today's second lesson, Peter is encouraging the early Christians in their spiritual life. He does this by telling them to get rid of the not-so-nice stuff and then empowers them by telling them who they truly are.
First, let’s do the long list of yucky stuff they have to get rid of.
malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
All this seems pretty obvious and it is still true today. It’s infuriating when we realise how easily these things find us or maybe we find them. Whatever the case, we struggle with the same things that the Early Christians did. There is nothing new here, just the same continuous spiritual battle the Peters correspondents fought.
But then Peter goes on to use an image to explain who we are.
He describes the early Christians and therefore us, as building stones and here I can’t help but think of those building blocks from the pyramids.
He points out
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house”
Mmmm…. Living stones. We rest on the foundations of those who have gone before us. They continue to support, encourage and pray for us. A flimsy, simple thing like death does not stop them from working for the Lord they love and it can never stop them from praying for us. Thank Goodness!
They are living stones. Albeit in a slightly different dimension, their work and fortitude and resilience and assistance are just as important now as when they walked this planet.
As living stones we sit side by side with our brothers and sisters who we can see and those countless others all around the world who are worshipping with us, right at this precious moment. There is never a moment in time when bread is not being broken and wine poured out. Together, we build up something far more lovely than we can ever comprehend or imagine and we never quite get to see the completed project; but we know that it is something infinitely worthwhile and an outrageous privilege to work on.
There will be others who come after us who will rely on what we accomplish here today. The stones that we are and the foundations that we are laying in 2023, will provide the framework of the Church in the years to come.
And always at the cornerstone; The most important rock is the master Himself. Without Our Lord, the whole thing falls over and comes tumbling down in a heap of rubble and swirling dust.
Then Peter reminds us of who we are called to be and what we are called to do.
We are called to be a holy priesthood, and we are to be offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God
So what is sacrifice and what are the spiritual sacrifices that you and I offer up to God?
Sacrifice is when the other benefits from something we give up. When something we do, say or write points to the other and/or to God. A sacrifice must always point away from ourselves.
So here are some of the sacrifices that you offer.
Your Bodies. We are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, which is acceptable to God. Your body is something special and a gift from God. Treat it wisely and responsibly.
Your Praise. We are to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God.” Our verbal praise from a grace-filled heart is a spiritual offering to God. Every time you sing a hymn, say a prayer out loud and in silence.
Your good works and possessions. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The believer’s good works and generous desire to share what God has given to them is a sacrifice offered to God.
People that you have led to Christ. Now it might be that you are not aware of anyone. Or that they were already stumbling along the path with you, but simply by your example and willingness and faithfulness and your courage, you do lead others onwards. People you lead to the Lord are a spiritual sacrifice for our Father.
Your sacrificial financial giving to the Lord’s work - Paul refers to monetary gifts that the church at Philippi sent him through Epaphroditus. These gifts are described as a “fragrant offering and a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
Your prayers. No matter how flimsy or frail or feeble or ineffectual a prayer may feel… a prayer is a prayer and in God’s eyes it is never dated or less precious than any other prayer. And it matters not whether it is offered up by a tiny child, or a wizened old monk of many years. All prayer is a spiritual sacrifice offered to the loving Father.
So the sacrifices that you offer up are the things you do, the words you speak, and the worship you offer to God, throughout your daily lives. These sacrifices may be physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. Just by being faithful, authentic, good old you. This is when you are most effective and give God the glory. All are called to be Christ’s priests: Silently offering the sacrifices presented to us.
Peter wraps up who we are and what we are called to do in the following words and they are the best words to finish with.
But you, … you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now… you, are the people of God;