From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Sep 12, 2023 at 5:35 AM

Subject: 9-12-23 THOUGHTS

9-12-23   THOUGHTS

The Church, the saints, are described as “living stones” below.  We are “ being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  We are said to be like infants who want milk!  For us, it is the pure milk of God’s Word, and the result is  growth in respect to salvation!   We are exalted to be “A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION”!  Exulted language is used in this passage area.  Verse 11 is a simple reminder of “the fly in the ointment”!  We are not to live lives of the flesh, but of the Spirit!  It is the war of eternity!  May we “keep on considering” Jesus!

1Pet 2:1-11   Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2  like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3  if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4  And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,  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 WILL 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," 8  and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.  9  But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  10  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.  11  Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
Heb 3:1    Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;    

My Prayer:
As we read this morning, O God, we are awe-struck by the position You have put us in through Christ Jesus.  Sober us to a proper level of understanding.  May our hearts be thrilled by the vision of eternity.  Keep us from casual glances at the things that matter.  May the heavenly calling beckon loudly and clearly.  May love and a disciplined abstaining lead us to new heights in spiritual living.  May we proclaim Your excellencies in heart, mind and life.  We desire eternity with You.   In the name of precious Jesus,       Amen.