Let's Rock!

Well, let's rock! You know, there are many references in the Bible to rocks, but I couldn't find one joke, so I thought I'd make up my own. You probably don't know why rocks do so well in school. Do you know why? Because they don't take anything for granted. Okay, you could do that a little louder. Oh, yeah, okay, all right. Now, somebody asked me the other day if they should get into a business of selling Egyptian rocks. I said, oh, I don't think I'd get into that. That sounds like a pyramid scheme.

Yeah, there's a multitude of rock jokes, too, but I think I better move on from there. When I say, let's rock, what do I mean? I'm sure there's all kinds of interpretations out there, but I'm going to go with what Google says. When you do a search on Google, it'll say, people ask. People also ask this. And so what does Google say when you type in, what does let's rock mean? Google says it means to do your best at something, especially in an activity or an event. Or if you don't like Google, you can go to Reddit. Reddit says, let's rock means let's do it. Let's go. It implies tackling an activity or a project with passion and enthusiasm and gusto. And so let's go with that definition today, because the Bible talks about the fact that we need to rock in that very fashion. A good example of this is when Jesus first meets Peter. And so if you'd like to turn with me over to John 1, verse 41, because there's something interesting that happens here. As the Messiah comes on the scene, people start hearing about Him. And sure enough, if Andrew doesn't hear about the possibility of the Savior coming on the scene. And so the first time we find Andrew's brother meeting Christ, Jesus says something very unusual to Him. In fact, unique. In a way that doesn't happen to any other individual. You won't find another example of this in the New Testament. So Jesus does something a little different to Andrew's brother than He did to anyone else in the New Testament. So if you're over at John 1, verse 41, here it tells us He, talking about Andrew, first found his own brother Simon. And said to him, We found the Messiah. We found the anointed one. We found the Christ. Verse 42, And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, he said, You are Simon, the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas. Or some translations say Peter, which is translated stone. Now that's the Greek word petros. But if you can put yourself in this position, you're meeting somebody for the very first time, and he changes your name. He changes your name from Simon to Rocky.

Well, for today's purposes, we'll go with that. To Rocky. Why? Why would he do that? Especially first time meeting this... And think about the kind of person that Simon was.

When you think of Simon, you know, probably words like rash come to mind. A brash, fisherman. Oftentimes his mouth and his choices got him into trouble. So why call him Rocky?

Well, following the story of Peter, did Simon actually become Peter? Could we say that he became rock solid? A rock solid apostle of the first century church. Could we say he became a healer of the sick and the lame? Could we say that he stood for God's way in some of the most difficult times ever? In fact, he wrote a couple of the books in the New Testament. And when we look at the end of the story, here is a man who is fearless unto death. Did Simon become Rocky? Well, when you think of what Jesus did, why did he call Simon Rocky? This impulsive, volatile person? He changes his name to Rock? Now, I may not know exactly, but it seems that Jesus makes us what we're not. Jesus can make us what we are not. And when you consider that, I wonder if Peter grasped the significance of that. Did he really get it? I mean, in a way, Christ is saying, let's rock! Let's get going! I got an exciting job for you, and you better deal with it with passion and enthusiasm. Now, can you think of another name change in the Bible? We're going to come back to Rocky, but there's also another name change. If we turn over to Romans 4, we'll stay in the New Testament. Romans 4, verse 17. Here we find really the first name change in the Bible, but we'll read about it in the New Testament. And this man's name was Abram. And Romans 4, 17 gives us a little insight into Abram and his name change. So Romans 4, 17, it says, as it's written, I have made you a father of many nations. God changed Abram's name to honored father, that's what Abram means, to a father of many nations. And he goes on and says, in the presence of him who he believed, God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. Things that don't exist, God sees it as though it does. Did Christ see that in Peter? Did God see that in Abram and changed his name? And of course, in Abraham, we get an idea of what faith actually looks like. Here, the apostle Paul is referring all the way back to Genesis 17, where God appears to Abram and he makes a covenant with him. And when Abram was 99 years old, God changed his name. Man, he's almost lived a hundred years. And as an honored father, had that even been fulfilled yet?

He had no children. His name is honored father and he's got none? Not a single kid, zero children. But God changes his name, not only to a father, but to a father of many nations. Did God see things that didn't yet exist and recognize this is what's going to happen? And so even though Abram, now Abraham, was childless, he was to become the father of a multitude of nations. The father of a multitude. And so imagine that. Imagine if this happened to you. God changed Abram's name so every time someone said his name, he had to make him stop and think, I'm the father of a multitude? Really? Is that right? I mean, he evidently and blatantly had zero children. And so here God is causing Abraham to literally call those things that be not as though they were, every time he heard his name. Every time. So in a way, God's telling Abraham, let's rock. Let's rock. I've got a job for you. And you've got to be passionate about fulfilling this. And by faith, you can accomplish the tasks that I've set before you.

Now, of course, Abraham's not the only one in the Old Testament with a name change. Can you think of another?

How about Jacob? God changed Jacob's name. And if you remember what Jacob literally means in Hebrew, remember he was the second twin to come out, but he didn't want to be. So he tried to grab his brother by the foot. So they called him heel catcher. Or literally supplanter. supplanter. Trying to take the place of another. That ever happened in Jacob's life? Well, he wasn't the firstborn, but boy, did he want the blessings of the firstborn? Oh, he was ready to take his place. No doubt. Oh, I didn't get the kind of sheep I want, so I'll manipulate this whole situation so I get what I want. Yeah, he was known for that. He definitely fulfilled the meaning of his name. Even to take things by treachery is what that supplanter word can mean.

Pretty good description of Jacob, wasn't it? Yet God changes his name to Israel. Israel. Israel, which means God prevails. God prevails. And if you remember the situation of when God changed his name, that's when Jacob was wrestling with the pre-incarnate Christ. And it wasn't much of a wrestling match. Christ could have put him down at any moment. In fact, Jacob comes to realize that, and he realizes he better just hang on for life. Because that's his only hope. And so Jacob's success wasn't the result of his own strength. He didn't win that match. It was because he was desperate enough in weakness to hang on to God no matter what, until God blessed him.

And so he hung on. He clung to Christ. And so it's a reminder, we want to hang on. We want to be strong and we want to prevail. And ultimately, given that name, reminded him constantly that it's only through God that we can prevail. It's the only way. And so hopefully we begin to see maybe a pattern kind of coming to mind. What happened with Peter? What happened with Abram? What happened with Jacob and their name changes? Some significant things going on when this happened.

Let's rock. Let's go back to Rocky for just a moment. Go back to Matthew 16, verse 13.

Now earlier we talked about the first meeting of Jesus Christ and Simon, who becomes Peter, becomes Rocky. Jesus says, you shall be called Peter. But do you know how many times throughout the New Testament Jesus actually is recorded as calling Him Peter?

He hasn't called Him Peter for a couple of years in Scripture. It's not there. Simon, you hear Simon mention, you hear him referred to Peter over and over and over, and others seem to refer to Him as Peter. Yet in Scripture, we don't find Jesus calling Him Peter until this event. He always calls Him Simon, seemingly for at least a couple of years. And then Matthew 16 takes place. In verse 13, it tells us, Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi. Significant? Absolutely. Absolutely significant. This is the area of Mount Hermon, the gigantic mountain that supplies all the beautiful water for that northern part of Israel. And even though it is lush and abundant in its crops, Caesarea Philippi was known for a massive rock wall. Massive. Absolutely massive. Over 100 feet tall. And if you can imagine this, not only was it 100 feet tall, it was like 500 feet wide. So it was just huge, huge with this city, Caesarea Philippi, on top of that mountain. So here they are in that area. And Christ poses an interesting question. He asks the disciples, say, what do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? And so they started to answer, verse 14. Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said to them, but who do you say I am? Guess who immediately jumps in? Simon. Simon Peter, verse 16. Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responds, and He said, bless are you Simon Bar-Jonah, Simon the Son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Verse 18, and I also say to you that you are Peter. And on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

So interesting scenario of where this takes place, and then the words that are said, and then Christ reaffirming Simon's new name. After seemingly not saying it for a couple of years, now He comes back to it. What does it mean? Is Christ going to build His church on Peter? No. They're standing before this massive rock, if you can imagine that. And Christ uses a metaphor. Peter, you're a rock. You're rocky. But wait a second. I'm this giant bedrock foundation of a rock. And when we read through Peter's own interpretation, you can't get it wrong. Peter's very own words show us that he understood what Christ meant without a doubt.

And so the whole Roman Catholicism idea of what this means is in error. The church is built on Jesus Christ without a doubt. So as you keep this phrase in mind, this passage, we'll come back here in just a little bit. But for the moment, let's rock. Now there's a critical passage that relates to this in 1 Peter 2, verse 4. So if you turn with me over there, we'll spend a little bit of time right here in 1 Peter 2. Because I think it's a critical rock passage.

And it's crucial because it talks about who we are. It defines relationships. It identifies who we are and what is our relationship to the rock. Let's notice as we begin 1 Peter 2, verse 4. We'll see it begins to define our relationship to Christ. Notice this, 1 Peter 2, verse 4. It says, coming to Him as to a living stone. What's the focus? Jesus Christ. Coming to Him as a living stone. He's described not as a stone like a pagan idol.

There are plenty of pagan idols made out of stone. But this one is different. It's a living stone. It says, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. In fact, a little farther down in verse 6, it says, it's also contained in Scripture, behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious. And He believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore to you who believe, He is precious. And so here's Jesus Christ described as not just any old stone.

In fact, right here, it's interesting. This is not a petros, like Peter, the name Peter. It's not petra, like a giant crag of a rock. The word here is lithos. Lithos is a whole different word for a stone or a rock.

Because that implies a rock that a builder would use to fit into place as he constructs a building. And so that's a rock that has to be hewn and worked with, carefully selected for the place that it's going to take in the building. And so the implication here is Jesus Christ has been carefully selected by God Almighty. He has been perfectly fitted, specially laid in that foundation in the work of the building. Of course, what building are we talking about here? The church. The building of the church here.

And so as you consider this importance, we know Peter is writing this letter. He's not writing this letter to a bunch of newbies. These aren't new converts that he's writing to. We'd say today he's writing to the old timers.

These are converted Christians from old, you might say. They progress. They've grown. They're near to Christ. They understand the gospel. And yet what's Peter saying here when he says, coming to him? Coming to him? He's saying, well, it doesn't matter where you're at. Okay, you're near to Christ. But Peter's actually writing here. You can get closer if you try.

In fact, how much better would it be for you to be closer to Christ? And so he begins to define that relationship that we all should have with Christ. It's our duty. It is our hope to continually...coming is an action word, continuous action, that we're continually trying to come closer to Christ. Perpetually making that effort to be closer. Having a passion for God in His way. It's reflected in the way we live and it's reflected in our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Because we're given that very thing, that we have a living Messiah. We don't have a dead Savior. We have a living stone. We have a living foundation whom God raised from the dead. And so that coming to Him really begins to show that this is the basis for everything. Our continuous action, our thoughts, our purposes should continually line up with the mind of Christ. His desires, His hopes, His will, His love. Isn't that what we're supposed to be about?

Aren't we supposed to submit our will to the will of God? Of course, that means, yeah, we follow His commandments. And in everything we obey. Of course, we know we don't. We don't. And so we look at our lives and we identify, where do I need to draw closer? How do I need to come to Him and continue to do that?

He is living and waiting for us. We should be daily coming to Him. And so when we recognize how Peter defines this relationship we should have with Jesus Christ, we recognize none of us are so close that we can't be nearer. Now, Peter doesn't stop there in this crucial rock passage.

He in a way says, all right, let's go. Let's turn on the enthusiasm and the passion for spiritually drawing near to God. And so then he begins to show how it not only defines our relationship with Jesus Christ, it also defines our relationship to His church, to His church through Jesus the rock, the stone.

Look at verse 5. 1 Peter 2 verse 5. Because Jesus is a living stone, He says, you also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. And so Christ, as that anchor stone, sets the blueprint for the entire building, and it's going to take more rocks, it's going to take more stones to build this kind of spiritual building. And so He gives us that responsibility. He gives us that duty. And in fact, He even tells us why people reject Him, why people persecute the church and persecute Christ, why people resist.

Verse 7, He says, those who are disobedient, that stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Now that's a reference all the way back to Psalm 118. Psalm 118 tells us that as well. It also tells us in verse 8 that stone of stumbling...we already know this stone He's talking about is that living stone, Jesus Christ, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.

That's Isaiah chapter 8 refers to Christ as that. And so it says, they stumble, being disobedient to the word to which they also were appointed. So they stumble. They don't want a part of the rock. They don't want a part of the building. They want to do their own thing.

But Christ is that spiritual cornerstone, that foundation, that first rock that was set that had to be so that the building could even be built. And so when we look at Peter's words, he bases it on the promise of the Messiah to come. He bases it on the living stone, the elect. He calls it precious. And so when we look through these verses, especially in verse 4 where he says, Christ is choice, precious, and is this stone...all of those references are actually found in the book of Isaiah. Might just write down Isaiah chapter 28. Isaiah 28 refers to the Messiah with those same terms. And of course, it's interesting as Isaiah prophesies, he tells them, you can't stay the way you...you've got to change because they had become removed from God. They weren't obedient to God. They weren't relying on God. But they were okay. We're okay. We're surviving. We're just fine. And so he rails in Isaiah 28 about how foolish they were in relying on their own powers. Oh, our city is so secure. We couldn't possibly be invaded. That can't happen. But you see, God tells them, wait a second. There's no security. You reject the stone. You've stumbled. You have stumbled. And ultimately, he says, there's a terrible fate ahead. And so he points out the fact no one can stand against the storm of destruction if they ignore the living stone. And so God's building, God's church has to be established on that sure foundation. And so that's the picture that Christ painted to Simon when they were there at Caesarea Philippi right before that giant crag of a rock. Christ said to him, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church. There is no force that can overcome the church. The church is going to break down the gates of hell because hell can't stand. These people can't stand that will not come to Christ. And so you read through what Isaiah says in chapter 28, what Peter refers to here in verse 7 and 8. When people trust the world, they trust in others, they trust in other nations, in their alliances, their treaties. He says, that's all going to fall apart. They will be put to shame. But on the other hand, what are we told here? We trust in Him. We put our faith and confidence in Him. We will not be put to shame because we recognize Christ is the only foundation stone. He is the only cornerstone. And He is, as it implies here in verse 4, He is the living stone. He is the source of life. How much is that on our mind? Do we really live by that perspective? That Christ is our source.

All right, let's rock. Because as we look at this section of Scripture, we also see we need to have a passion for our identity, for our identity. Here in this section, it also defines our relationship as the Israel of God. We are to be a spiritual nation. Look at verse 9. First Peter chapter 2 verse 9. Notice what it says here. You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. Now you might read this and think, well, that's talking about blessings or privileges that were given. Okay, in a way, yeah, that's true. But what do those privileges bring? Responsibility. Responsibility. And so it's interesting that as Rocky kind of spells it out, Peter spells it out here. We're to be living stones. Christ being a living stone, we're to be living stones. And not lifeless objects, just taking things for granted, just going along with the flow, being ambivalent, being lethargic. Can't be that. I mean, when you look at the word usage here, people of God, chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people for God's own possession, the people of God. You want to know something interesting about each one of those phrases?

They're all collective descriptions. Not individual. They're all collective. It's this corporate concept. Not corporate like business corporate, but we're talking about a joint effort. We're talking about shared responsibility. We have a mutual connection as people of God, as the chosen race, as the royal priesthood. That's saying we've got a new identity. We've got a new identity. And at baptism, you become a part of a people, not just an individual thing. We are a part of a body of believers. And as a part of this body, we have the privilege. In fact, we have the duty and a task that's given to which we are called. There's a job to do. In a way, God's reminding us, let's rock. There's a task at hand. And it's one we need to be passionate about. He's saying it's not just an individual thing. Yes, individually, we better draw closer to God. Individually, no doubt. He just got done talking about that in verse 4 and 6. But here we see a united responsibility. Collectively, as the body of Christ, there is a mission to accomplish. And we can't do it on our own. It's impossible. And so because Christ is the living stone, He makes it possible. If we become living stones, we can have this new identity and the power through Him to accomplish His mission. His mission. In fact, it's interesting. If you hold your hand right here, we're going to come right back to Rocky here. But I want you to take a quick look at Ephesians 2, verse 19. Ephesians 2, verse 19. Here we find the Apostle Paul describing much the same perspective that Peter has been giving us. In Ephesians 2, we'll start in verse 19. And we'll see the same metaphors being used going back to those same Old Testament passages that pointed to the Messiah and then ultimately our part in the plan of God. Notice what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2, verse 19. He says, "'Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners.'" Okay, that's what we were. Pre-Baptism? That's who we were. No identity. We're listless. Don't know. What's the purpose? What's the plan? What am I doing? What's life about? You know, most of the world lives like that. But we're not like that anymore. He says, "'Now we're fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.'" There's those collective words again. Corporate words, joint words, united words, fellow citizens, members of the household. Verse 20, he says, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. "'In whom the whole building being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.'" And so we see this individual responsibility to answer the call and continue to draw closer to Christ, to put on the mind of Christ, to put on His character, to be more like Him. But we also see this joint unified responsibility. So collectively, the church needs to be this dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Are we fulfilling that responsibility? Is that how you would describe the United Church of God? That's the goal. That's what we're striving to draw nearer to. In fact, we're even given the motivation to do that. If you skip back to 1 Peter 2 once again.

1 Peter 2, verse 10. Here we see we're given motivation behind this whole concept of being those living stones. You know, we've been given this wonderful calling. We've been the recipients of what is just an awesome, awesome future. And here in 2 Peter 2, verse 10, He tells us, We who were once not a people, but now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. And so when you consider this great, marvelous calling, why? Why are we the recipients of these amazing blessings? Why do I have the opportunity for eternal life as a child born into the divine family of God? Why do I have that responsibility? Why do I have that calling? Well, He answers it. It's all on the basis of God's grace. It's all on the basis and the result of His great mercy. And Peter reflects that from what was originally written in the book of Hosea. This is a phrase that's taken right out of Hosea. And in the book of Hosea, Hosea is prophesying to Israel. And because of their sin and their rebellion against God, they were the people of God. But now, you guys are going into captivity. You will not change. You will not see God's will in your life. You're going to go into captivity. You're no longer the people of God. And so Hosea actually quotes that. Well, maybe we should take a quick look there. So hold your place here in 1st Rocky. And we'll head over to Hosea. Hosea 2. Notice verse 23.

Hosea 2.23. We'll see these familiar words that Peter used in this description and this really motivating section of Scripture. Hosea 2.23. Here, remember Hosea prophesying to rebellious Israel. He says, what's going to happen? He says, Then I will sow her for myself in the earth. So they're going to be sown. They're going to be planted. And of course, to get a field ready, you got to rip it up and kind of get the land ready. Well, they had been rebellious, but is that their continual state? Well, here's what Hosea says by God's inspiration. God says, I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy. Then I will say to those who were not my people, you are my people, and they shall say, you are my God. There's this beautiful connection to what we read in 1 Peter. Why was the nation Israel chosen? Why was Israel set apart by God? Why did God start using them? Because they were so good, so talented, so wonderful. They were just people that God had to use just because they were that good. Wrong. We know why was God choosing Israel? Why did He set them apart? Because of His grace, because of His mercy, because of the mercy of God. That's why He chose them, because that's what He wanted to do. They left Him, but God had mercy on them. And when they came back, they were His people, and they were, or God was, their God. And so when we recognize this, Peter talks about the same challenges today. People reject Jesus Christ. They reject the truth. They reject the commandments. They reject God. And what lies ahead? Well, same thing as for Israel, destruction. But we recognize as the building that God is constructing can only be established on that sure foundation of Jesus Christ. And so Peter's reminding us, we're this people. At one time, we weren't God's people. We weren't close to God. We weren't converted. We didn't have God's Holy Spirit. But now, we have obtained grace and mercy. And so what a beautiful picture that shows how much we have to be reliant on Christ. And if we're not, what kind of structure can be built? Well, not one that's going to stand. In fact, maybe we can rock by going back to that passage in Matthew 16 for a moment. Matthew 16, verse 18. We read it a little earlier. Here's Jesus and the disciples standing before that gigantic rock at Caesarea Philippi. And let's recall those words that Jesus said to Peter a couple of years after initially saying, you will be called Peter. Notice that phrase again, Matthew 16, verse 18. Here Christ is talking and He says, And I also say to you that you are Peter. You're rocky. And on this rock, Christ says, on the rock of Christ, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And so we are built on that huge foundational bedrock, that rock-solid substructure on which the church stands. And that rock is the living stone, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. And He's emphasizing that very point, that there is no other foundation. There is no other possibility. In fact, the Apostle Paul says that in 1 Corinthians 3, There is no other foundation anyone can lay that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. That's it. No wonder he says the gates of hell won't prevail. The gates of hell can't hold up, in other words. They're going to be knocked down. God's plan and purpose will come about. God will establish His kingdom, and those gates that this world thinks it can erect against the Almighty God are going to be brought to absolutely nothing. And so, consider Rocky. It is interesting, if you think back to Christ's original name change for Peter. He said, you are Simon, the son of Jonah. You shall be called Peter.

Interesting that perhaps, what's literally written there in John 1.42, Christ may be saying, you will be called Peter. Maybe more of a prophetic statement. You will be called Peter, rather than an immediate name change. I can't help but think that here's Christ seeing the potential in Simon.

Because throughout his ministry, how did Simon act? Pretty impetuous. Sometimes going off, chopping guys' ears off, getting carried away with all kinds of things, right? But yet, Jesus is willing to work with this fallible human being.

How long did he work with him? Until Simon could be Rocky. Until Simon could have that rock-solid character developed in him. And I think, in a way, he's telling us the same thing. He's telling us the same thing. That we need to form that rock-solid character. Because when we turn to the book of Acts, the New Testament church begins, what's Peter doing? He's getting up in front of all kinds of people and preaching and teaching. And he begins to fulfill that full potential as a strong, reliable apostle and representative of Jesus Christ. Phenomenal change. And so it's such a reminder that what we are now can't be what we once were. What we are now can't be what we once were. And what we are now is not what we will be. It's not what we will be. And so as we contemplate the multifaceted lessons that are involved throughout 1 Peter 2, I think it leads us to ask ourselves, am I really living up to my full, godly potential?

Am I fulfilling my purpose in serving God and serving his people? There's a collective responsibility. Am I fulfilling God's purpose in serving the church and serving his people? And when it comes to living every single day of my life, how tuned in am I? Am I really fine-tuned into God's will every single day? I mean, am I really genuinely making an effort to listen and to learn and to grow in the character and the fullness and the stature of Jesus Christ?

And like the song said, I'm not there yet. Not where I need to be. None of us are. But am I moving forward? Am I accepted this calling that God has given me and passionately striving to develop that full potential that God sees in me? Am I excited about it? It's not just pull up your bootstraps and let's go. It's not just let's rock like the world with it. No, we have a passion for God's spiritual calling. It's not just a rah-rah, but having that deep-seated passion that despite the rough edges that we have, do we see the potential in each other? Or do we just put others down? Are we patient enough the way Christ was patient with Rocky? Are we patient like Christ? Are we determined enough to even help each other to grow into solid people of faith that God expects us? I guess in a way you could sum it up by asking, what's been our response to the grace of God? It's the only reason we're here. What's been our response? Well, when we follow the life of Rocky, it certainly produced a spirit of humility and gratitude, and it showed in his passionate action. He trusted the rock, the ultimate rock, that spiritual rock. And so when we look at this, we see it's not just about the blessings God pours out, but it's about God. It's about our Savior Jesus Christ. It's about His glory, the honor that's due to Him. And it's our duty then to obey and grow and ultimately proclaim His praises, is what Peter said, show His excellent work by who we are and what we do and how we live our lives. And so we're moved to action. We have to be moved to action if we're truly the people of God. In fact, Peter summed it up beautifully. If you just turn back to 1 Peter, instead of chapter 2, in the middle of chapter 1, 1 Peter 1, 13, I think this is a beautiful summary of our response to the name changes, to the calling that we have, and this new identity that God has given us as we continually strive to draw closer to Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1 is where he describes, in a way, a summary of these various thoughts for the day. 1 Peter 1, notice verse 13. It says, therefore, gird up the loins of your mind. Odd way of saying things, isn't it? So I had to pull out the message translation. Look at verse 13 again. Here's what it says in the message. Roll up your sleeves! Get your head in the game! Be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Yeah, he's coming back. Are we going to be ready? Middle of that verse. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then, but you do now. As obedient children, verse 14, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life. A life energetic, a life blazing with holiness. God said, I am holy. You be holy. Verse 17, you call out to God for help? What's he going to do? He helps. He's a good father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible father and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

Verse 18, you're not redeemed with corruptible things. Here it's describing the path. So in the message, verse 18, it says, your life is a journey. You must travel with a deep consciousness of God. God is continually in our hearts and in our minds. And as we journey through life, he's there every step of the way.

And then it describes, it costs God plenty to get you out of that dead-end life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood. He said he died like an unblemished sacrificial lamb. This was no afterthought, even though it was only lately, at the end of the ages, become evident. God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah whom God then raised from the dead and glorified that you trust God. And that you know you have a future with God. Yeah, what a beautiful summary. This just points so specifically to the fact that our life has to be God-centered. And because Christ is the One, He is that living stone. He is our Savior. He is the Anointed One. He is the Messiah. He is the only way to eternal life. He is precious in the Father's sight. And despite the fact that we're sinful and we're defiled and we fall short, His Son is precious. And so we can obtain grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. And you know what we can look forward to?

It's not just Simon, not just Jacob, not just Abram. They're not the only ones. We're going to receive a new name. We'll receive a new name. Isaiah 62, verse 2 reminds us of that fact. It tells us prophetically, "...you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will come." He'll name us. The mouth of the Lord will name us. We'll be called by a new name. And so when you think of the implication of that, receiving a new name, that declares the fact that we are overcomers. We are drawing nearer to our Savior. We are set apart. We are looking forward to ultimately being glorified and being ready to continue to serve God Almighty and Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God for eternity. Because the good news is that we belong to Him. We are His possession. He owns us. He's not letting us go. So don't shake free of God. Let's be sure that He is a part of every aspect of our life. And so let's do it. Let's go. Let's grow spiritually. Let's put this job first and tackle the calling that God has set before us with enthusiasm and spiritual passion. And let's determine to never, ever take our Savior, Jesus Christ, for granted. So let's rock!