Emmaus City Liturgy – 1 Peter Sermon Series: The Cornerstone: Precious, Powerful, Proclaiming | 1 Peter 2:4-12
For previous sermon series notes and audio, click on the links below:
- Titus: Growing in Grace and Good Deeds // January 5 – February 16, 2014
- Genesis: Covenant & Kingdom // March 9 – June 15, 2014
- Facets of the Gospel I-V: Redemption, Justification, Union in Christ, Adoption, New Creation // July 6 – August 17, 2014
- 1 Peter: The Hope of Humble Holiness for the Sake of the World // August 24 – October 19, 2014
This post will feature
themes, verses, hymns and songs (audio and lyrics), and prayers that
complement the sermon text. Key notes from the sermons will also be
included.
Curious to know more? Want to spend some time with us? Don't hesitate. Contact us and come join us. In the meantime, enjoy the readings and listening to the songs below.
THANKING GOD | WORSHIP THROUGH SILENT REFLECTION, SONG, AND PRAYER
Silent Reflection
Jesus I Come
By Indelible Grace (original by William Sleeper)
1887 A.D.
Out of my bondage,
Sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness,
And light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness,
Into Thy health,
Out of my want
And into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Jesus I Come
By Indelible Grace (original by William Sleeper)
1887 A.D.
Out of my bondage,
Sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness,
And light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness,
Into Thy health,
Out of my want
And into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of earth’s sorrows,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of earth’s sorrows,
Into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms
Out of life’s storms
And into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair, into raptures above,
Upward for ever
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair, into raptures above,
Upward for ever
On wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the fear
And dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of
Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer
From Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father who is in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sin, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
RECEIVING JESUS | WORSHIP THROUGH LISTENING AND PRAISING
Our Father who is in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sin, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
RECEIVING JESUS | WORSHIP THROUGH LISTENING AND PRAISING
1 Peter 2:4-12 | 1 Peter Sermon Series: The Cornerstone: Precious, Powerful, Proclaiming
Sermon Texts
Sermon Notes
Do we see Jesus as precious? If we don't see Him as precious as He is, then we won't see ourselves as precious as the Father does. Jesus
is building His Church. He is the powerful cornerstone. Do we calmly
come to the Lord and pray and hope for a spiritual house being built up
in Worcester? How will we proclaim the excellencies of
Jesus to Worcester?
Alastair Sterne is a founding pastor of
St. Peter’s Fireside, a recent church plant
in Vancouver, British Columbia. Not only do I think St. Peter’s Fireside is a
phenomenal name for a church, and not only do they describe themselves as “a
church joining God in the spiritual, social, and cultural renewal of Vancouver
through communities transformed by the gospel, all for the glory of God,” and
not only does their website and Alastair’s blog fill me both with awe and
jealousy at the same time, but Alastair also regularly hosts an event called Beer & Theology at a local pub,
aptly called “The Sin Bin.” This past week, I was reading one of Alastair’s
posts entitled “Atheism Helps My Faith.” In this post, Alastair describes how
each month, he has conversations with atheists, seekers, saints, skeptics, and
alien-believers as they grab a pint and chat. One friend he’s made is an
atheist and Alastair provides reflections on conversations with this friend.
Alastair describes that first, atheism helps his faith in relation to the
inspiration and authority of Scripture. One evening his friend said, “You Christians think that God wrote the Bible, right?” to which I said
“That’s a rather blunt way of stating it, but sure.” He went on,
"Here’s what I don’t understand. I ask Christians all the time if they
read their Bible and they often say ‘No.’ Seriously? If I believed I had a
book written by God I would read the s**t out of that
book!" Alastair writes that “Perhaps this is a tad crass, but its a solid,
solid point.” He then goes on to explain, “If we took seriously the inspiration
and authority of the Scripture, we would actually read it on a regular basis
and commit our lives to its call. If we find that we aren’t reading our Bibles,
or if we aren’t letting Scripture be the authoritative norm in our lives, then
its possible that we haven’t seriously considered what we hold in our hands. As
I have figured out different ways to explain the inspiration of Scripture to my
friend, I have found that not only my love for Scripture has increased, but
also my certainty in its trustworthiness. It is a immensely valuable gift from
God.”
Previous Sermon Text | 1 Peter 1:22-25, 2:2-3
1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (Isaiah 40:9) And this word is the good news that was preached to you. … 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Main Sermon Text | 1 Peter 2:4-12
Previous Sermon Text | 1 Peter 1:22-25, 2:2-3
1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (Isaiah 40:9) And this word is the good news that was preached to you. … 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Main Sermon Text | 1 Peter 2:4-12
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in
the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a
spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a
stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not
be put to shame.’ (Isaiah 28:16) 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do
not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,’
8 and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They
stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that
you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light. (Ex. 19:6; Isaiah 61:6, 66:21; Deut. 7:6; Isaiah 43:12;
Malachi 3:17; Psalm 36:9) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (Hosea 1:6,9,
10; 2:23)11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from
the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among
the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they
may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
“Our starting place should be, ‘Lord, you know, I really don’t know much about this.’ Then we’re more likely to think: ‘I wonder, what is exciting and dramatic and interesting here, and what I can discover that’s fresh this morning out of this passage?’” – Name Above All Names
1. The Precious Cornerstone
Main Sermon Text 1 Peter 2:4-6
4 As you come to (Jesus), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ (Isaiah 28:16)
“Our starting place should be, ‘Lord, you know, I really don’t know much about this.’ Then we’re more likely to think: ‘I wonder, what is exciting and dramatic and interesting here, and what I can discover that’s fresh this morning out of this passage?’” – Name Above All Names
1. The Precious Cornerstone
Main Sermon Text 1 Peter 2:4-6
4 As you come to (Jesus), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ (Isaiah 28:16)
Peter backs up how
precious Jesus is by once again turning back to the Old Testament Word of God
as a foundation for presenting the cornerstone.
Jesus is precious to us because it is only through Him that we can offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5). Jesus was put to shame so that our sins would be covered. He was made naked and beaten so that we could be clothed and healed.
Jesus is precious to us because it is only through Him that we can offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5). Jesus was put to shame so that our sins would be covered. He was made naked and beaten so that we could be clothed and healed.
“The
life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration. It does not grow
elsewhere.” – J.I. Packer
2. The Powerful Cornerstone
Main Sermon Text 1 Peter 2:7-10
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ 8 and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (Ex. 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; Deut. 7:6; Malachi 3:17; Isaiah 43:21; Psalm 36:9) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (Hosea 1:6,9, 10; 2:23)
“The church is the people of God called to
display the goodness of his reign to the world. It is the bride of Christ
formed through his reconciling death. It is the community of grace united by
the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Church is about who we are as the
people of God, living distinctively by grace through the Spirit under the reign
of King Jesus to the glory of our heavenly Father. The church is God’s primary
mission strategy to the world. Our strategy must be to litter the world with
communities of light. This encapsulates God’s eternal purpose, at the heart of
which are Christ and his people.” – Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
“ … starting an organization is not the hard
thing; building the organization and sustaining yourself in the work is the
hard thing. The real question is what happens once the startup loses the
new shine? What do you do when the cause feels too daunting, or attendance is
low, or the work is unfulfilling, or the blog visits are scant? How do you
persist through a great endeavor when it just doesn’t feel as great anymore? We
had the audacious belief that we could bring clean water to millions of people
in Africa and bring health care to thousands of families in HIV-affected
communities. Imagining those goals was not the hard part. Following through on
vision, persisting with grit despite the self-doubt – that has been hard.” –
Jena Lee Nardella, co-founder and executive director for Blood: Water Mission,
a nonprofit focused on overcoming the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa (listen to Jena's prayer at the 2012 DNC)
“(We) can never live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and deed that really binds us together, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ … Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our community is in Jesus Christ alone, the more calmly we will learn to think about our community and pray and hope for it. ...What God did to us, we then owed to others. The more we received, the more we were able to give; and the more meager our love for one another, the less we were living by God’s mercy and love. Thus God taught us to encounter one another as God has encountered us in Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
3. The Proclaiming Cornerstone
Peter moves us from identity to action.
Main Sermon Text 1 Peter 2:9, 11-12
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (Ex. 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; Deut. 7:6; Isaiah 43:21; Malachi 3:17; Psalm 36:9) … 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Supporting Sermon Text 1 John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
2012 A.D.
" ... Christ alone, cornerstone,
The weak made strong in the Savior's love.
Through the storm, He is Lord,
Lord of all ... "
We're willing to follow Jesus in starting a church. How will we endure when it becomes harder than we ever dreamed or imagined to continue to be His church? Will we look to Jesus who has been faithful to His Church, through all of the messes and selfishness, and see how He has persevered and will continue to keep His promises?
“(We) can never live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and deed that really binds us together, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ … Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our community is in Jesus Christ alone, the more calmly we will learn to think about our community and pray and hope for it. ...What God did to us, we then owed to others. The more we received, the more we were able to give; and the more meager our love for one another, the less we were living by God’s mercy and love. Thus God taught us to encounter one another as God has encountered us in Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
3. The Proclaiming Cornerstone
Peter moves us from identity to action.
Main Sermon Text 1 Peter 2:9, 11-12
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (Ex. 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; Deut. 7:6; Isaiah 43:21; Malachi 3:17; Psalm 36:9) … 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Supporting Sermon Text 1 John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
What
are your passions? What is your greatest desire that comes to mind more than
any other? What is your greatest pain that comes to you more than any other?
Because we will most often obey our passions. But if our passion is not
ultimately Jesus, then our passion cannot give us joy that will lead us into
His light, or anyone else.
“Paul’s radical commitment to Christ
arises from his delight in Christ … Our job is to give people such joy in
Christ that the treasures and temptations of this earth look like pathetic
alternatives. … You will never attract
people to Jesus if you are not excited about Jesus. Enthusiasm creates
interest. Passion breeds passion. … The joy of the Lord is our strength,
Nehemiah 8:10 says, but there is not joy in just obeying rules. Enthusiasm for
evangelism begins with an enthusiasm for Jesus. Our willingness to speak of
Jesus arises from our delight in Jesus.. … A passion for Jesus means he matters
more to us than other people. His opinion is the one that counts. … Do not
think about how you can communicate a passion for Jesus to others. … Meditate
on Jesus until he captures your heart afresh.” – Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
If we truly believe Jesus is the most
precious jewel we could ever be given, and we believe that God has given Him
all authority in heaven and on earth, and if we rejoice in all of the above, we
won't be able to help but proclaim Him in word and deed as individuals and
together.
"Fallen in that first sin, we prove each day that apart from grace we
are guilty sinners: we fail to thank You, God, we break Your
laws, we ignore Your tasks for us. Looking for life without You, we find
death; grasping for freedom outside the law, we trap ourselves in Satan's
snares; pursuing pleasure, we lose the gift of joy. ... (But in Jesus) We rejoice in Your goodness, renounce the works of
darkness, and dedicate ourselves to holy living. As covenant
partners, set free for joyful obedience, we offer our hearts and
lives to do Your work in the world. With tempered
impatience, eager to see injustice ended, we expect the Day of the
Lord. We are confident that the light which shines in the
present darkness will fill the earth when Christ appears. Come,
Lord Jesus. Our world belongs to You."
RECEIVING JESUS | WORSHIP THROUGH CONFESSION AND COMMUNION
BEING SENT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT | WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE, MISSION, AND BLESSING
1836 A.D.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood
And righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Than Jesus’ blood
And righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness seems to
Hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace,
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay!
When He shall come
With trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
Hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace,
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay!
When He shall come
With trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
In Christ Alone
By Newsboys (original by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
2001 A.D.
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength,
My song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest
Drought and storm.
What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones
He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the
Precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell,
No scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ
2011 A.D.
Behold the King who conquered
And overcame our sin.
Behold our glorious Victor
Whose mercy knows no end.
And He is true, He is right,
Behold our glorious Victor
Whose mercy knows no end.
And He is true, He is right,
Death is broken, He is alive!
God undefeatable,
Kingdom unshakeable,
In majesty and power You reign!
Love undeniable,
Matchless and bountiful
To waken us to life You came,
Matchless and bountiful
To waken us to life You came,
Yes, You came!
And now our way is certain,
Our souls in You secure.
Through every pain and struggle
Your victory endures.
For You are true, You are right,
Your victory endures.
For You are true, You are right,
Death is broken, You are alive!
(Repeat Chorus)
The love of God is greater
Than we dare to hope or dream! (2x)
The hold of God is stronger
The hold of God is stronger
Than we dare to hope or dream! (2x)
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Benediction
“But you
are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own
possession, that you may
proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light.”
– 1 Peter 2:9
Next liturgy post: Sunday, January 18, 2014 – Serve Hard and Live Free: How to Thoughtfully and Trustfully Persevere for the Sake of Others | 1 Peter 2:13-25; Acts 14:19-23
– Sully
