1st. Peter - 2nd. "Therefore"

1 Peter - all about what He's done, doing, going to do .... for us.

The 1st. "therefore" - 1 Pet. 1:13-16 - last week

Now - 1Pet. 1:23-25 - the 2nd. "Therefore" -  seed that results in spiritual birth/life is imperishable - will not die.
1 Pet. 2:1-3 - therefores altered a bit -  example:
 This    therefore    put off This
 This    therefore    put on This
The Christian life = both!!!  If you want to grow spiritually, need "spiritual milk" - God's Word
This concept very common throughout New Testament.  As Christians, many things are to be put off, and then right stuff to be put on.
Comparison parallel -  Paul - Eph. 4:20-24

Now 1 Pet. 2:4-10
THE LIVING STONE - the One on whom the church built, our faith rests
(may be Foundation stone, Corner stone, Cap stone, Rock ...  BUT always THE ONE!!!


Note:  when ppl encounter this Stone ... either .. (1) stumble  or (2) embrace.  There is NO middle ground.
When you encounter the claims of Christ in life, these are the only two ways to go.

Stumble is more than irritation = an offense
Embrace is more than appreciation = believe, receive, accept, follow

May not be immediate response, may not necessarily be an irrevocable response - example: Paul
BUT Scripture leaves no room for a 3rd. option of indifference!!

Those who believe (accept/embrace) become part of:  1 Pet. 2:9
a) a chosen people
b) a royal priesthood
c) a holy nation - separated unto God
d)  a people belonging to God

Compare this to Israel (a) in description  (b) in purpose
Isa. 42:5-7 - God speaking to Israel - chose them to be a light to the Gentiles
1 Pet. 2:9 - what Israel used to be, you now are.  Peter not talking to Israel but to the church.  New era, new time.

You must choose to be one of the chosen!

You must choose to act like it!!!

Which leads to the 3rd. "therefore" - (implied) - 1 Pet. 2:11-12

We ought to be representing God to this world.