Already Not Yet

Message Title: Already Not Yet
Theme: Living the Resurrection
Season: Easter
Main Text: 1 Peter 2:1-10
Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
RCL Scripture: *Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Focus: Peter highlights the process of salvation.
Function:  To recognize our work-in-progress status
Other Notes: CINDO DE MAYO// COMMUNION

Blessed Be the Tie: “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above”

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

I take refuge in you, Lord.
    Please never let me be put to shame.
        Rescue me by your righteousness!
² Listen closely to me!
    Deliver me quickly;
        be a rock that protects me;
        be a strong fortress that saves me!
³ You are definitely my rock and my fortress.
    Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name!
⁴ Get me out of this net that’s been set for me
    because you are my protective fortress.
⁵ I entrust my spirit into your hands;
    you, Lord, God of faithfulness—
    you have saved me.

… ¹⁵ My future is in your hands.
    Don’t hand me over to my enemies,
    to all who are out to get me!
¹⁶ Shine your face on your servant;
    save me by your faithful love!…

Recap: Last week we discussed the source of our suffering – is it consequences of our actions or the darkness resisting our faith in Jesus? A call to analyze our suffering (and fighting against the generational pains as they come up) and to remain faithful.

If you remember, last week we read the end of chapter 2… now we’re reading the beginning.

INTRODUCTION: (Swear words, bullies, …?)

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT:  What is the most entertaining bumper sticker or car decal that you have seen?
   1. Gump wiper
2. Bumper stickers – Christian concert festival called Life Light. Vendor booth with free will bumper stickers
   1. https://lifelight.org/sffestival
   1. “God loves you and I’m trying”
   1. “In case of rapture this car will be unmanned”
   1. “next time you think you’re perfect try walking on water”
3. I remember at the time thinking those bumper stickers were HILARIOUS but now I wonder…. What message am I sending about myself and about Jesus here?
   1. Tuna-shamed à(cross) unashamed
      1. Sends a message we (Christians) are out of touch

TRANSITION:

MAIN TEXT: 1 Peter 2:1-10 Therefore, get rid of all ill will and all deceit, pretense, envy, and slander. ² Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, ³ since you have tasted that the Lord is good. ⁴ Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. ⁵ You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed.^[a] 7 So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. ⁸ This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. ¹⁰ Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Vs 2 – milk nourishing us to salvation || Paul – 1 Cor 3:2 milk à meat
2. Vs 3 – tasted that the Lord is good (hunger/craving for God’s design)
3. Vs 5– being made into a holy priesthood
4. Vs 8 – the end to which they were appointed (light/dark last week)
5. Vs 9 –
   1. Have become this people –
6. Vs 10 – now you have received mercy
   1. Being made holy but have already received mercy
   1. …Some things are done and somethings are in the works…

INTERPRETATION: Let’s sort through some of the complex language here:

1. Conversation with Josh:
   1. Texas gun violence – children
      1. how can God be good when hurt people hurt people? Holy Parent please step in!!
2. Teachings on salvation: — DRAW OUT EXAMPLES
   1. Did you know that not every Christian denomination teaches the same thing about salvation?
      1. An event occurs and salvation is imparted:
         1. Some teach that your salvation is tied to baptism
         1. Some teach that your salvation is tied to a prayer of dedication
      1. Process: Some teach that our salvation is a work in progress our whole lives
         1. Marriage & love
      1. In God’s hands:
         1. Some teach that you have no control over your salvation and it is entirely in God’s hands
         1. Some teach that only a select few are saved (even down to only 144k).
         1. Some teach that eventually all people will be redeemed and saved.
   1. For the most part, they all agree that Jesus is the path of salvation but the more words you add to explain it—the more Christian denominations you have. (Even some would resist “the path” of salvation and say “a path” … but let’s not split any more hairs.)
3. Our passage today gives you hints at a few different beliefs…we are one church…. So naturally we probably represent all of them – lol.
   1. Unpopular Baptist Pastor opinion – I struggle with the “event” salvation beliefs. I think “event” salvations put too much power in my hands and ignore the work that God has been doing since before time.

APPLICATION:

1. I lean on the Already Not Yet
   1. I have already received mercy
   1. I’m not yet perfectly holy
   1. I’m a work in progress
2. Back to intro:
   1. Loppy Rae’s Sensitive driver bumper sticker – lately, I’ve loved bumper stickers more real to life.
   1. AUDIENCE JOKE: Little experiment – which of you is REALLY a work in progress?
      1. Church bumper stickers
      1. Church decals – you can’t drive like a jerk and have this on your car…

CONCLUSION: Work in porgress; already, not yet – not all will be understood now.

COMMUNION