1 Peter 2:4-8 | Living Stones: Jesus, The Church, and You

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Daily Decisions00:52 Significant Life Choices02:12 The Most Important Decision: What to Do with Jesus03:05 Scriptural Insights: 1 Peter 2:4-504:44 Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices08:23 The Importance of the Church Community10:50 Commitment to Jesus and His Church23:02 The Precious Cornerstone: Jesus Christ25:46 The Honor of Faith Amid Trials26:51 Holding Fast to Jesus: A Tag Analogy27:38 Peter's Message to Political Exiles28:33 Challenges to Faith and Hope32:40 The Sovereignty of God in Salvation37:28 The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel44:15 Communion: A Time for Reflection and UnityApplication Questions Community Groups meet throughout the week and play a crucial role in our response to the preaching of the word. These groups gather to discuss the following questions as we seek to apply the sermon in community with one another. Please visit compassntx.org to join a small group near you.1. Read 1 Peter 2:4-5, Ephesians 3:8-10, and Colossians 2:15. What makes the gathering of the church different from your family reunion, or the party your neighborhood HOA is throwing, or the sporting event at the sold-out stadium, or the weekly practices for your kids' soccer team? How does your weekly participation in the gathering of the local church testify to the importance and power of the gospel?2. Read 1 Peter 2:4-5 and Ephesians 2:19-22. Why is your consistent church attendance so important? How does the body suffer without you there, even if you're not officially serving? What are some valid reasons for missing church?3. Read 1 Peter 2:6-7a, Hebrews 3:6, and Hebrews 10:19-25. As you think about doubling down in holding fast to Christ, how does being a part of the "spiritual house," i.e., the local body of Christ, make that more attainable? How have you been blessed during times of difficulty by brothers and sisters who have come alongside you to strengthen your faith?4. Read 1 Peter 2:7b-8 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. How many times did it take for you to respond to the gospel, and what changed for you to respond in faith? How does that encourage you when you consider the people in your life who don't know Jesus and may have already rejected your attempts at sharing the gospel?5. Memory Verse: This month, we will be memorizing 1 Peter 2:2-3.