BIG IDEA: If you and I want Reformation in our day, we must be concerned with the health of the church because God’s glory shines through the church. The ascribed glory that is due to God is at stake. If the church us going to be healthy, we must know who we are and act accordingly (1 Peter 2:5).

I. THE CHURCH IS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIVING STONES (1 Peter 2:5a)

II. THE CHURCH IS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIVING STONES WHICH MAKE UP A SPIRITUAL HOUSE (1 Peter 2:5b)

III. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD (1 Peter 2:5c)

I) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our souls, freed from the penalty, power, and pollution of sin by Christ’s blood (Revelation 1:5-6).

II) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our epistemology (Colossians 2:8).

III) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-12, 14).

IV) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our sexuality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

V) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must be holy in our worship (Leviticus 10:3).

VI) If we are going to be a holy priesthood, you and I must aim to be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:14-16).

IV. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHO OFFERS ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICES TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST (1 Peter 2:5d)

I) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through trust in Jesus, do what is righteous and trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5).

Psalm 4:5 “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.” (NASB 1995)

II) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, resting your soul in the finished work of Christ, have a broken spirit and a contrite heart over your sin (Psalm 51:17).

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite (remorseful) heart, O God, you will not despise.”

III) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, trusting in Christ’s merits alone, pour yourself out for the eternal good of others (Philippians 2:17).

Philippians 2:17 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

IV) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Jesus, give offerings, according to your means, in order to further the mission of Christ in the world (Philippians 4:18).

Philippians 4:18 “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

V) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, relying on Christ’s righteousness alone, pray to God (Psalm 141:2).

Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

Psalm 50:14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”

VI) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, resting in the blood-bought promises of God, sing His praises (Psalm 27:6).

Psalm 27:6 “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”

VII) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Christ, worship God with your family (Genesis 35:1-3)

Like Jacob in Genesis 35:1-3 who set up a family altar to worship God at his home with his whole house.

VIII) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, relying on Jesus’ work alone, worship God privately (Matthew 6:6).

Like Christ tells you to in Matthew 6:6, “Go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

IX) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, trusting in Christ’ merits alone, worship God publicly in the assembly of the saints (Psalm 149:1).

Psalm 149:1, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!”

X) You offer a spiritual sacrifice to God when you, through faith in Christ, present your very body as a living sacrifice in your everyday life (Romans 12:1).

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”