The Word Transfer

From the moment we come to Christ there is a radical transformation in our lives. We immediately begin the process of becoming like Him. This the where the life of God in the soul of man becomes marvelously evident.

1 Pet 2:5 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. We continue to search out the meaning of this amazing text so often glossed over in personal reading and public teaching. In this message we discover just what it means to be a N.T. "Holy Priesthood." We tend to use these words and phrases as Christians with very little understanding of the gravity they hold. Hence they bring very little grip and growth to our lives. Let's find out what this means and grow because of it!

It will take several messages to mine the gold of 1 Peter 2:4-10. Here is the outline for this and the upcoming messages. I. THE BELIEVER'S CHRIST II. THE BELIEVERS COMMUNION III. THE BELIEVER'S CAPACITY IV. THE BELIEVER'S CONFIDENCE V. THE BELIEVER'S CONTRAST 1 Pet 2:4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 1 Pet 2:5 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. 1 Pet 2:6 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." 1 Pet 2:7 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," 1 Pet 2:8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 1 Pet 2:9 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; 1 Pet 2:10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

I. THE DEPTH OF THIS TASTING II. THE DUTY OF THIS TASTING III. THE DESIRE OF THIS TASTING 1 Pet 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 1 Pet 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 1 Pet 2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

In this refreshing non-cliché look at fervent love, whether it be all the way out to the mission field or on the usher team at your church, the focus will be on 3 things. I. THE APPEAL for fervent love II. THE ABILITY for fervent love III. THE ANTICIPATION of fervent love 1 Pet 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart...