This morning as we celebrate the special offering to the Lord, it is good to be reminded that giving is only one of the many ways in which we can offer sacrifices to God. In 1 Peter we are called to be living stones, built into a spiritual house for God.  Peter’s statement is not about a physical house, or even about our doing things for God.  Peter is reminding us that one of God’s purposes for us is to glorify His Son, the living Stone, by being living stones in the Carpenter’s hand.

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1.  Read the parable (teaching story) Jesus gives in Matthew 21.33-46, Mark 12.1-12 and Luke 20.9-19. See if you can identify whom the various characters in the story represent. What is the primary teaching that Jesus is trying to convey in this story?  
 
2.  Read the following passages and answer these questions:  What does each passage tell us about the cornerstone?  What happens to those who build on the cornerstone?  To those who don’t?  What does it mean to build on the cornerstone? (Psalm 118:22-23; Matthew 21.42-44; Mark 12.10-11; Luke 20.17-18; Acts 4.8-12; Ephesians 2.19-22; 1 Peter 2.7-8).

3.  Read 1 Peter 2.1-10. List the different pictures (figures of speech) Peter uses to describe those who believe in Christ (example “newborn babes”). What does each of them illustrate about God’s people?

4.  In 1 Peter 2.5 Peter calls upon us to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to the Lord.  What are some ways in which we can and do offer spiritual sacrifices to God?  What will you offer Him this coming week?

Scripture

1 Peter 2:2-10 NIV)  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.

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

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." 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," 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.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 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.

(Isaiah 28:16 NIV)  So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

(Psalms 118:22-23 NIV)  The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

(Acts 4:8-12 NIV)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(Luke 20:15-19 NIV)  "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!" 17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone '? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." 19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.