Becoming A Chip Off The Old Rock: Like Christ - Like Christian

Becoming A Chip Off The Old Rock:  Like Christ - Like Christian

(Growth in Salvation)

May 5, 1996

Scripture:  1 Peter 2:1-12

Prayer:

Introduction:

I.       Christians are hungry for the Word of Christ

          A.      The words of the natural man starve the soul

1*  Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

          B.      The Word of God nourishes spiritual growth

2*  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

3*  now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

II.      Christians have purpose through the substance of Christ

          A.      Christ the Rock of Ages

4*  As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--

          B.      Christian living stones

5*  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

III.    Christians are set apart through faith in Christ

          A.      The standard of faith

6*  For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

          B.      Set apart as believers

7*  Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"

          C.      Set apart from unbelievers

8*  and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-- which is also what they were destined for.

IV.    Christians are together as the people of Christ

          A.      Together in calling

9*  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,

          B.      Together in worship

that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

          C.      Together in mercy

10*  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

V.      Christians are influential as saints in Christ

          A.      They overcome sin in themselves

11*  Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

          B.      They overcome sins toward themselves

12*  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.