Church Is Bigger Than You Think
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Last week, we closed up the thought of “The Progress of a Healthy Christian” - We concluded by talking about the importance of Church in the life of a growing Christian.
That talk about the Church is going to spill over into tonight’s message as we focus on verse 9.
Who is Peter talking about in these verses? He’s talking about the Church!
For the most part, our view of the Church is too small...
Juan Sanchez, in his commentary of 1 Peter writes,
“Just think about why we “go to church.” For some, church is nothing more than what we grew up doing; it’s our tradition. Some parents go to church because they think their children ought to be raised the “right” way. Maybe you go to get a weekly pep talk that gets you through your work week, or a pop-psychology chat that helps you become a better person. It’s possible that you attend church because of the wonderful relationships you’ve built over the years or because you like the teaching or the ministries. In essence, we can boil all these reasons down to one word—consumerism. When we think of the church, we think of what it can do for us (ever found yourself saying or thinking after going to church, I just didn’t get that much out of it today?). And whenever and whyever we adopt a consumer mindset, it reveals and reinforces a view of the church that is too small.”
If we really understand what God has called the church to be and do, we will never look at it the same way…Why is this? Because the Church is bigger than you think. That’s the subject of tonight’s message:
Let’s go back to verse 4-8 for a moment:
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
As we all know, at least if you were listening last week, Peter describes the construction of the Church...
Christ is the living stone, we are the lively stones, and with Christ as the cornerstone, we make up a spiritual house; the Church!
The church is not incidental to God’s plans—it is central to them.
He has not given you the church to fit your plans and priorities; he has given you to the church to serve His plans and His priorities.
Look at verse 9, and notice:
Our Position
Our Position
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
The first thing I want you to notice about our position is:
We are Privileged
We are Privileged
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 ...ye are a chosen generation...
In thinking about salvation we need to understand that there wasn’t anything good in us to make God choose us.
It wasn’t our outstanding upbringing, our good looks, our morality, or anything else that got God’s attention. God chose us out of His love and compassion for us!
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
When we were separated from God we were sought by God. We are a chosen generation.
We have been adopted into God’s family with all the privileges thereof! Family members always have privileges that a guest knows nothing about. If you came to my house as a guest, I would not expect you to open the closets or look in the drawers of my desk. But as a member of my family, I have access to everything in the house.
It is a privilege to be part of God’s family.
We are a Priesthood
We are a Priesthood
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 ...a royal priesthood...
In the Old Testament period, God’s people had a priesthood; but today, God’s people are a priesthood.
Each individual believer has the privilege of coming into the presence of God.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
As the family of God, we can go directly to Him in prayer, without the need of a confessional booth or a saint, or a priest...
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Because Christ is alive in glory, interceding for us, we are a priesthood!
We are Purified
We are Purified
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 ...an holy nation...
As the people of God we learn that we are a separated people. The word “holy” indicates our separation from worldliness, ungodliness, sinfulness. We are called out by God, cleansed by God, and are to be controlled by God. We are His people that reflect His holiness in the world. Every child of God is placed into the family of God when they are born again. We are made holy by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are not only made holy, but we are also to live holy lives on the earth!
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
You think about the holy nation for a moment; this nation has:
The Lord Jesus as King
The Bible as its rule and authority
Holiness as its flag
The Spirit of God and the armor of God as its defense system
Preachers, Evangelists, Pastors, and lay men as its diplomats
The world as its mission field
The Father as its Protector, Provider, and Deliverer!
Is under constant attack from the enemy, spiritual terrorists, insane rulers who wish to destroy this nation. This nation will never crumble, be overtaken, or be destroyed!
This nation will last forever!
As God’s holy nation we are to faithfully support that nation, stand up for its Leader, stand strong for its principles, be counted in the work, and be active in the fight defending the nation.
We are Peculiar
We are Peculiar
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 ...a peculiar people...
Now, we see the word peculiar and in our culture, and it usually means “strange or odd, unusual” - and Christians are to be distinct and different on purpose.
We are to stand out in the world!
As far as the world goes, what used to be wrong behavior is no longer considered wrong, and things that we know of as right, is looked down on by the world, but as Christians, we are to stand on the Word of God, and if God says it’s wrong, it’s wrong, and if God says it’s right, then it’s right; it doesn’t matter which direction the world is taking...
We are in the world, but not of the world, so it makes sense…as the world moves farther away from God, we should be moving closer to God!
...BUT this word peculiar, used in this verse, doesn’t mean “strange or odd, unusual” - it means something bigger!
The Greek word used here is peripoiesis (per-ee-poy’-ay-sis) - it means, acquisition (the act or thing) by extension preservation…To obtain…
Let me give you some other ways it’s translated in our Bibles: purchased possesion, saving, to obtain, obtaining…
This word literally means “to make around.”
It means to make something and then to surround it with a circle indicating ownership. Peculiar, like I mentioned a moment ago usually means “odd, or strange,” but the Greek word speaks of the unique, private, personal ownership of the saints of God.
We are God’s unique special people.
We belong to Him and He has bought us and He owns us!
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV 1900)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (there’s the priesthood), which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: (we have been obtained, we are peculiar) therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Church is bigger than you think!
Our position as the Church is
We are privileged.
We are a priesthood.
We are purified.
We are peculiar
Knowing these things should encourage us like nothing else...
Knowing these things should give you a bigger view of Church!
I think we will stop right there for tonight, and pick up verse 10 next week...
How’s your view of Church? I promise, it’s bigger than you think...