(I Peter 2:4-10)

What do you think would be your favorite object lesson if the Lord Jesus named you “Peter”?

Peter is petros which means “rock”.

One of my favorite object lessons to do is with a rock. This is because it is one I take directly from Scripture.

To do this I need one of my rocks (I like rocks).

I need some of my play dough.

And I need my trusty rubber mallet (still the favorite of my tools).

Jesus said that the house that is built on the rock will survive the watery tests; the house built on the sand will fall – and great will be that fall.

Built upon the Rock – Matthew 7

Placed my feet on the Rock – Psalm 40

Moses hides in the cleft of the rock - Exodus 33:12-22

“You are the Christ, The Son of the Living God” and upon this rock I will build my church – Matthew 16

What rock?

Peter tells us in I Peter 2:4-10.

Petros takes his namesake and gives us a marvelous picture of the two key ingredients to why we are here today.

I. Jesus Christ – the rock upon which the church is built.

· Living Stone (vs. 4).

· Precious Stone (vs. 4)

- Precious to God (4-6)

- Precious to us (vs. 7)

· Chosen Stone (vs. 4)

- Why chosen Stone? Peter loved to use this term chosen – let’s learn from it, not fight it.

- Did the Father choose the Son to be the Living Stone that would be rejected by some but chosen by others?

- Did the Son choose to be the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world?

- How you answer these profound questions is also how you will answer this debate for us.

(Second key ingredient)

II. The Church – many rocks which make up the church.

You didn’t have to come to this building today in order to see the church.

I saw the church yesterday out on Zippel Bay.

I saw the church in several intimate conversations held outside these buildings.

I saw the church in the Roseau Hospital this week.

The Living Stone – makes us into living stones.

The Precious Stone – make us into precious stones.

The Chosen Stone – makes us into chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people belonging to God.

What a marvelous object lesson.

I live and breathe object lessons. But Peter’s favorite I would say is also my favorite.

The next time you see the large granite rock that is like a large hill at the Zippel Bay State Park. See it!

The next time you look at Gull rock. See it!

When ever you have the chance to stand on any large rock formations. Stop and think of it!

“You are the Christ, The Son of the Living God” upon this rock I will build my living church.