공동체와 양육

Jesus the Cornerstone

2012.10.21Rev. Michael Lee

Christ, the cornerstone, shapes our growth, our foundation, our identity, and our mission. We must long for God's Word, build our lives on Christ alone, and live as God's chosen people in the world.

Long for the Word of God and grow as newborn babies (vv. 1-3)

Peter tells believers to put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, as one takes off dirty clothes. Like newborn babies who crave milk, we must long for the Word of God and grow in our faith. God is a Father who will not deny his hungry children, and he does not turn his back on those who ask him to teach them. Pablo Casals, the 95-year-old cellist, practiced six hours a day because he was making progress. Grace is tasted when we are tested, and our faith deepens through hardship.

Christ alone is the foundation on which we are built (vv. 4-8)

Peter describes Christ as the living stone, rejected by men yet chosen and precious in God's sight. As a building stands only on a firm foundation, our lives and our church must rest on Christ alone, not on fellowship, discipleship, ministries, or missions. Believers are living stones being added to the church, like pieces of a mosaic, so every member matters. Because Christ opened the way to God, we are a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices such as worship, prayer, and encouragement. Those who stumble still have hope, since the present tense leaves room for repentance and saving faith.

We are God's chosen, holy people (vv. 9-10)

Peter declares that believers are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, once not a people but now God's people. This race is not defined by ethnicity or color but by the blood of Christ and faith in him. We were chosen not for our merits or looks but because God simply loved us, and he loved us first. Because God is holy, we share his character and are set apart for him. This new identity leads us to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Live as foreigners and lights in the dark world (vv. 11-12)

Peter urges believers to live as foreigners, because this world is not our home and we should not grow comfortable here. We live on a battlefield, so we must resist temptation and run from the desires of the flesh. We should not be solar-powered flashlights that shine only among Christians but lights that go into dark places to reveal who Christ is. Migrant workers in Ansan, like Tam, who is far from his family in Myanmar, need the gospel, and short-term mission trips offer many ways to serve. A one-legged Scottish teacher offered to go to China, reasoning that he did not see those with two legs going.

Apply to Life

  • Let us put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
  • Let us long for the Word of God as newborn babies crave milk, and ask ourselves whether we are growing.
  • Let us build our lives and our church on Christ alone as the cornerstone.
  • Let us offer spiritual sacrifices of worship, prayer, and encouragement to God.
  • Let us live as lights in dark places and take up God's mission without excuses.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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