Build This House part 2

Build This House part 2

From New Birth to New Identity

1Pe 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exo 19:5-6]

1Pe 2:10 Once you were NOT A PEOPLE [at all], but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. [

God is building a spiritual house through His people, and each believer is called to grow, align with Christ the Cornerstone, and live out their identity as a chosen priesthood.

Last week in chapter 1, Peter reminded us of our new birth through the imperishable Word of God. He urged us to live with hope, holiness, and love in the face of suffering, knowing we are chosen and protected, even in the fire.

Peter shifts from individual salvation to corporate identity. God is not just saving people—He is building something. A house. A holy nation. A priesthood. And every one of us is a living stone in that structure.

Clear the Site – Remove What Doesn’t Belong

1Pe 2:1 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech;

Spiritual demolition: “Get rid of” what’s corrupting the foundation.
These are not just private sins—they’re community destroyers:
- Malice – the desire to harm others.
- Deceit – hiding truth for personal gain.
- Hypocrisy – performing holiness but living in compromise.
- Envy – resentment of someone else’s blessing.
- Slander – tearing others down to lift yourself up.

You can’t build God’s house with rotten materials. You can’t walk in unity with hidden jealousy, offense, or double-mindedness.

“Don’t ask God to build something beautiful through your life while you’re still holding onto what He told you to throw away.”

Feed to Grow – Crave the Word

1Pe 2:2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],

1Pe 2:3 if in fact you have [already] tasted the goodness andgracious kindness of the Lord

Growth requires nourishment. You don’t mature by time alone; you grow by feeding on truth.

If you’re not growing, check what you’re craving.

“You can’t crave the world and expect to grow in the Word.”

Align with Christ

1Pe 2:4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God.

“As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him…”

Christ is the living Stone, the cornerstone—the first and most important stone in any building.
Though rejected by the world, He is chosen and precious to God.
Everything in your life must align with Him—your values, decisions, relationships.

You don’t fit in the world because you were made to fit in Christ.
The world may reject you—but you’re being built into something eternal.

You Are Living Stones – Built Together for a Purpose

1Pe 2:5 You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

We are not isolated bricks—we are living stones, joined together in unity and purpose.
God’s house is not a place—it’s a people.
You are both the temple and the priest: offering your life, your worship, your obedience.

Spiritual Sacrifices

Praise (Heb. 13:15)
Doing good (Heb. 13:16)
Generosity (Phil. 4:18)
A holy lifestyle (Rom. 12:1)

“You’re not just in the house—you are the house. God is building through you.”

A Chosen People with a Calling

1Pe 2:10 Once you were NOT A PEOPLE [at all], but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE; once you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Peter echoes Exodus 19—language once used for Israel is now applied to the church.

Chosen – handpicked for purpose
Royal priesthood – sons who serve
Holy nation – set apart, not blended in
God’s possession – you belong to Him
To declare – we have a message: light has come

You are not anonymous. You are not abandoned.
You were once in darkness, but now you’ve been brought into the light—so walk like it and speak like it.

“God didn’t just bring you out—He’s building you up.

This is not just about individual holiness—this is about collective identity.

God is building a spiritual house—and He’s using you to do it:

He clears what doesn’t belong.
He nourishes what needs to grow.
He aligns you with Christ the cornerstone.
He places you with others as a living stone.
He calls you to shine and declare His goodness.

You were born again (ch. 1)
Now you’re being built up (ch. 2)

Build This House part 2

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