Stone, a Body and a House |
| Posted by Mike (mike) on Nov 20 2007 at 11:20 AM |
Peter continues to say the we as followers of Jesus are Living Stones. Now I understand that here is a bit of a joke in the greek - "living stones' would have been funny. The image that is being communicated is we are being shaped, masoned, carved and formed. That explains a lot! These days I feel like a hammer and a sharp metel object is working me over pretty good. Now I think I understand why.
A House - 1 Peter 2 continues to say that we as living stones are being built into something that has Jesus as the cornerstone. My understanding of the cornerstone is that it is foundational and sets the square, the 'tone" and integrity of the entire building. As we read in verse 5 that building is a spiritual house - a temple of God for a Holy priesthood with the purpose to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
We as living stones are being fashioned, carved and shaved to be built along with others into a spiritual house (the Church). The 'together' with other Living stones is the Church (not talking about a building) and we as individuals are described as a Holy Priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen race, a royal priesthood. The church is not about a priest, a pastor, a hired holy man, rather it is a living house of priest (all believers) who exist (as living sacrifices) to offer up spiritual sacrifices which we see in verse 9 is to proclaim the excellencies of the Father who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. To live lives of worship and praise as sons of God and together becoming the pure spotless bride. It's all connected, they don't exist exclusive od each other.
A Body
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 about gifts of the Spirit and the uses a picture of a body (another picture of a spiritual house). Here he teaches that there are many parts but still one body. Each part has a specific function within the body but Paul goes on to say that no one part (or gift) is better than the other. That all parts even the not so flashy ones are to be honoured and esteemed. The reality is that no one part can achieve all that it is called to be without the other. Paul is trying to impart that there is to be no competition within the body. In fact we are interdependant upon each other. No one stone is more important than any other in the spiritual house except, the chief corner stone.
What's it all mean?
Jesus (MT16) says that upon Peters revelation of Jesus as the Christ, HE will build HIS church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 1 Peter says we as living stones are being carved and fitted with other living stones to make a spiritual house. The Psalmist says unless the Lord builds the house, the builder labours in vain. There is a plan, a blue print in heaven and Jesus is building HIS church accordingly.
Think about the tabernacle of Moses, the temple of Solomon, the temple Ezekiel saw in the Spirit. They were given specific instructions on how to build, what materials to use, etc. So it is that Jesus is building His Temple, His spiritual house not with brick and motar but with flesh and blood and the lives of His beloved. The church has NOTHING to do with our buildings but rather everything to do with the hearts and the spiritual growth and maturity of those hearts in to a spiritual house and they are released, equipped and empowered to be a Holy Priesthood to live ordinary lives in the extraordinary of God. To proclaim the excellencies of God as He leads them, as He gifts them, not for the glory of the House but for the glory of God!
It is in this revelation that concepts such as five fold ministry and market place ministry begin to have any eternal significance. The Five fold ministry is not to govern, rule over, control and manipulate the sheep for the visions and the ambitions of the 5 fold minister but rather to equip and release the saints for ministry until they reach the fullness of maturity in Christ.
The market place is not about our personal empire, satisfaction, ambition, our finances or even to fund the ministry of the church. The market place ministry is restoring the Church to where she was always intended to exist - in the world! Not hidden away in conference after conference, program after program but rather embracing life - ordinary life in an extraordinary God!
Let us ask ourselves as christians and members of the western church; are we proclaiming the gospel of self and ambition or of the Kingdom of God? Are we bringing people into relationship with Jesus or with an instituition? Are we simply exchanging the yoke of sin for another yoke of religious slavery? Seems to me Jesus said My yoke is easy and My burden is light? Think about religious slavery again!
Back
