ARM Prison Outreach International

  "Ministers’ Minute"  Volume VI  Number 4

LIVING STONES IN GOD'S HOLY TEMPLE!

Editor’s Note: This "MM" is an email sermon, the 4th of 2007 --64th overall-- in a series we are sending as an encouragement to preachers and Christian workers around the world.   This message is a lesson on the first part of I Peter 2 -- it is mostly an outline.  This may be a bit late for Resurrection Sunday, but it could apply.  It is my prayer that this message will encourage you and honor God.  Use it as a devotional, edit it, share it, use it or components of it!   May God bless your labors!   -- Rod Farthing, Development Director

ARM QUICK FACT:

Plans are being finalized to build a SECOND house on the Rapha House compound in Battambang, Cambodia.  This will increase our capacity up to 100.  We have had as many as 60 girls in the home built for 48.  The staff has been preparing in every way possible to be able to care for the additional girls; we hope to begin construction soon.  About $55,000 will be needed for this expansion. 

ARM is ministering to needy girls in Battambang, Cambodia, through the Rapha House. These girls have been victimized in the human slave trade.  Some are as young as 5 years of age. As the number of girls grows in our new building, we will need more operational support. Thanks!

Gifts of any size may be sent to ARM Rapha House, Rt. 5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560.
LIVING STONES IN GOD'S HOLY TEMPLE!

1 PETER 2:4-8

1. LIVING STONES!  The dead come to life as they come to the Living Lord!

1 Pet 2:4   And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, 5  you also, as living stones....

Strongs 2198 "zao"  -- 'to live' (KJV)  Here is how that word is translated in seven instances in 1 Peter:

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (KJV)

1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (KJV)

1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (KJV)

1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (KJV)

1 Pet 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (KJV)

1 Pet 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (KJV)

Christians are privileged to be "living stones" and "priests" sending spiritual sacrifices to the Holy God thru His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest.

We were as "dead as a rock" in our sins, but now are ALIVE AND PRACTICING PRIESTS!  LIVING STONES WHO ARE A PART OF THE ETERNAL AND LIVING TEMPLE OF OUR GOD!

We are transformed by "the Touch of the Master's Hand."

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND

'Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer thoughtit scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the violin, but held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who will start bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar" -- then, "Two! ...Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars once; three dollars, twice; going for three" -- but no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet as sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "What am I bidden for the old violin?" and he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice; and going, and gone!" said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply: "The touch of the masters hand."

And many a man with life out of tune, all battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on.
He's "going" once, and "going" twice, He's "going" and "almost gone."

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

-- Myra Brooks Welch

2.  THE STONE HOUSE -- We get to be part of God’s Family!

1 Peter 2:5  "... you are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  (NAS)

Eph 2:19-22

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.4.

3. THE CORNERSTONE!   The Lord Jesus is the foundation of all life!

1 Pet 2:5-7
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone."  (NAS)

Ps 118:22-23

22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Matt 21:42   Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

4.  STUMBLING STONE — To fail to believe and obey is to stumble -- to be lost!

1 Pet 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (KJV)

Matt 21:42-44

42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

This is also found in Mark 12:10 and Luke 20:17 --- ALL 3 OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS!

Paul found it very important, too!

Romans 9:32-33

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV)

Will you stumble on this stone?  Or build your life on the Lord Jesus, the Cornerstone of God's Living Temple?   He has done His part .. it's up to you!