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Park Family Focus (1 Peter 2:9-12)

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MOTIVATE

Most people have a key chain in their pocket/purse. It is typical to have several keys on a chain with each key designed to open a specific lock. Many people have multiple keys for their house, 1-2 keys for vehicles, and then likely one or more keys for work related purposes. Some keys are larger or smaller, but each one is uniquely shaped for a specific purpose.

Spiritually, Jesus is the master key who opens everything. But God has uniquely shaped every believer with specific gifts for how He wants you to generously serve inside the church and display His glory outside the church.

EXAMINE      1 Peter 2:9-12  

Review

  • Jesus invites us to come [continuously] and taste the Lord’s goodness.
  • Jesus is building a spiritual house from us living stones with Himself as the Cornerstone.

Gather in faith / Grow in hope … working and waiting for the Lord’s return / Going in love to display and declare

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In vv.9-12, Peter provides a profound and powerful identity for believers and the NT church. The blessings of the old covenant have matured and multiplied into the new covenant of Jews AND Gentiles. The NT church is the “Israel of God,” with the titles, privileges, and responsibilities applied to Christians.[1]

First, the church is a chosen race. Peter’s not referring to ethnicity, but that Christ transforms believers into a new people that is composed of every ethnicity. The church as a chosen race is not defined by color or culture but by creed. We are citizens of a holy nation.

The church as a chosen race is not defined by color or culture but by creed.

This is astounding because once you were “not a people,” but are now “God’s people” (cf. Dt 7:6-8; Hos 2:23). Previously, you were unfit but in Christ and with His church you are qualified and belong to God.

Illus[2]: Recent game between Bal Ravens & Cle Browns there was a brief video scene from a players mic between Ravens offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten and Brown’s star defensive lineman Myles Garret. Rosengarten approaches Garret and says, “I know I’m a nobody, but could I get your jersey after the game?” Garret responds, “Hey, you’re in the [NFL], your team is playing great. You ain’t never a nobody. I got you.”

And this is how God sees us in Christ.

  • You do not measure up, but in Christ you are enough.
  • The world will neglect and discard you, but in Christ you will never be abandoned or rejected.
  • God has chosen you, but you must hear and heed the good news.
    • If someone buys me a dozen of variety donuts. All are chosen and good, but if I don’t eat and either allow to go stale, toss in garbage, or give to someone else, then that donut was not good news to me. We need to eat and enjoy.

Next, the church is a royal priesthood. You[3] is plural, indicating every believer. So, you might be an analyst for security or business, an architect or in construction, an accountant into financial planning, a lawyer, or a teacher of some sort… but you’re also a priest.

We touched on this briefly last message, but Protestants believe in the priesthood of all believers. In other words, yes we uphold the offices of Pastor/Elder and Deacon but we also uplift the office of Church Member. Overall, the separation of spiritual estates is foreign to Peter and NT writers.

So, a priest had at least 3 main roles[4]

1) Priests relate self to God [with their sacrifices].

NT churches are not offering sacrifices. Yet, the sacrifice that believers offer is their bodies as a living sacrifice (Ro 12:1). Whether you’re a church member or ministry leader, the basic requirement and qualification for you is to be devoted to God; having integrity of heart and faith.

Illus Batman Quote adapted for understanding in context:[5]
“My outside reputation is not what defines me, but what I do and how I live when no one is looking.”

2) Priests reflect God to the people.

In the OT, God ordained priests to be from the tribe of Levi. They were responsible for temple worship with sacrifices, as well as teaching the people to follow Yahweh’s commands (Lev 10:10–11; Dt 33:10). Priests were God’s messenger of instruction, warning, judgment, hope/restoration, and blessing.

3) Priests represent people to God

The priests were a bridge to mediate people to God. At God’s instructions, they made sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin of the people (Heb 2:17; 5:1; 8:3). They made many intercessions of prayer (Ex 17). And today Jesus lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25) — Isn’t that fascinating that Jesus is praying for us!?!

*And now, God calls us a royal priesthood, to relate to God on our own, to reflect God to others, and to represent people to God by praying and seeing the potential for God to work in their life.

The church is a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.  Earlier in the opening of the letter, Peter describes his audience as strangers/foreigners/exiles in the world. παρεπίδημος = to live alongside a demographic… Christian growth is learning not to be possessed/owned by our stuff or surroundings. Christians do not occupy a single nation or home, because we come from every nation and we belong to a greater kingdom. We are citizens of heaven, and this world is not our home.

Peter’s description of Christians as a holy nation is rooted in OT Israel designed to be a nation set apart and distinct as followers of God. God called Israel to be a light and blessing to other nations (Gen 12:2; Dt 28:12; Isa 49:6). Israel was to have influence in the world for the fame of God’s name not their own. Israel was chosen in God’s mercy, not because of their merit (Dt 7:6-8); they were weak and few in number, but one plus God is always a majority.

Christians do not occupy a single nation or home, because we come from every nation and we belong to a greater kingdom. We are citizens of heaven, and this world is not our home.

Much more could be said about what it means that Christians are a holy nation and citizens of the kingdom of heaven but in brief it means there’s a responsibility. Just like citizens of an earthly nation have the patriotic responsibility to…

  • Follow the laws of the land
  • Pay taxes
  • Serve jury duty as called upon
  • Vote
  • Serve in military if drafted/necessary
  • Promote the good of our nation and reprove those who do it evil.

As Christians, Peter says the Christian’s responsibility is to “keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles/unbelievers & declare God’s praises” (2:9-12). More about this next message!

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

A few years ago, there was an organization called LifeLock.[6] It was identity theft prevention software to protect your name, SSN, bank accounts, credit debt, and other identity information so that others are not misusing or maligning your name and financial status.

The challenge was LifeLock promised 100% guarantee, so much the CEO advertised his own name and SSN, yet promising criminals wouldn’t be able to break the LifeLock. As you might guess, he had 13 acts of identity theft, and the company came under investigation and legal punishment for false advertising. In subsequent years, LifeLock servers have suffered multiple data breaches.  

The world around us is frequently trying to steal or spoil our identity. But God wants us to understand our identity so that we have confidence to live life to the fullest. Yet, too often people have substandard lifestyles because they are not grounded in God’s word.

At SPBC, we gather to ground ourselves in truth so that we are protected from the struggles and storms of life. We do not need to be a people who drift by circumstances, but we can live by design  with Christ as our cornerstone and God’s word as the blueprints for life.

  • It’s one of the reasons why the conclusion of our worship gatherings we have a GOSPEL Blessing. We want you to fully comprehend, deeply cherish, and confidently live by God’s design.
  • Further, we believe that identity informs activity. What we truly believe influences how we totally behave.

Identity informs activity. What we truly believe influences how we totally behave.

So, let’s briefly reflect upon our GOSPEL identity as we finalize today’s message.

GOD: We are worshipers of Jesus Christ.

  • Come expectant. Arrive early / Linger late
  • Read bible passage in advance / subscribe
  • Greeting Compass N-E-W-S
  • Gather consistently

1 Pet 2:9-12 emphasis of plural “Y’all”

  • A chosen generation (not individual).
  • A royal priesthood (not priest).
  • A holy nation (not citizen).

Lonewolf Christianity is dangerous. Private discipleship is a contradiction to Jesus’ teachings. A building has bricks. A flock has sheep. A vine has branches. A body has its member parts. And a child belongs to a family. Christians are better together.

OTHERS: We are family.

  • High 5 each month beyond 506. Go beyond your normal tribe…
  • Connect in a group

SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We are thermostats.

  • Become a member
  • Be special somewhere… serve!
    • Mar 30 last Sun fellowship & ministry fair
  • Give financially…  

PRAYER: We are warriors.

  • Pray through directory
  • Prayer events: J25 / Good Friday / School prayerwalks
  • Communicate with elders…
  • Prayer emails

EVANGELISM: We are sent.

LEGACY: We are growing godly generations.

The fires in California are devastating.

  • Loss of priceless possessions
  • Loss of place with memories & refuge
  • Loss of people communally
  • In the months and years ahead, individuals and communities will discern how to rebuild from the ashes.

And they’ll need the help of many others.

You may not experience raging wildfires, but all of us face trials and tragedy that will surprise and overwhelm. And in that moment, Peter says, such moments occur so that your faith of greater worth than gold, may be proved genuine and may result in praise and glory to Jesus Christ.

Will you give your life to Jesus?

[1] Cf: Ex 19:5-6, Dt 7:6-8; 14:2; Isa 43:20-21; Hos 2:23; Ro 4; Ep 2:11-22; Titus 2:14; Gal 3-4; 6:16. Sam Storms, “1 Peter,” in Hebrews–Revelation, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XII, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 316–317.

[2] https://fb.watch/w_lmMrySgq/

[3] https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_peter/2-9.htm

[4] Adapted from sermon by J.D. Greear, “Who We Are, Where We Come From and What We Do” 1Peter 2:8-12 from series I Am an Alien.

[5] Original quote: “It’s not who I am underneath the mask but what I do that defines me.” He’s speaking about his reputation as Bruce Wayne that is hidden by his Batman mask. As Batman, he is a hero based upon his aim for justice and helping others.

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LifeLock

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