Living Stones and Chosen Exiles: Building Community and Faith from 1 Peter

In this episode of Sermon Notes, Brian Ball and Brandon Abbott explore one of Scripture’s most vivid metaphors for the church in 1 Peter: believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house. They highlight how Peter’s message isn’t abstract theology—it’s a practical call to build your life on Christ, the cornerstone. When Jesus is the measure and the level, the “house” holds steady; when he’s removed, the structure collapses—personally and corporately.

The conversation also challenges the way we can confuse tradition with faithfulness. From buildings and pews to the subtle “rules” we absorb over time, Brian and Brandon point out how quickly good practices can become ultimate practices. The invitation is to refocus on what God is actually doing: shaping a people, fitting them together, and forming a community where the presence of God is made visible through love for one another.

Finally, the episode turns outward. Peter’s language—chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation—doesn’t inflate the ego of believers; it sends them on mission. As those who have received mercy and been called from darkness into light, we proclaim the excellencies of God with both our lives and our words. The result is a church that doesn’t just gather, but shines—helping a stumbling world see the cornerstone clearly.