You Are

1 Peter 2:4–10 NIV84

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Today we will talk about one of the most important aspects of our lives - our identity. As children of God, our identity is rooted in Him and understanding it is crucial to living a meaningful life.

1. You are a Chosen People

Our first point is that you are a chosen people

This means that God has specifically chosen you to be a part of His family

You are not an accident, but a deliberate creation of God

Ephesians 1:4-5 “4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—”

Sub Point 1: Your Identity is in Christ

Your identity is in Christ

You are not defined by your achievements, your past mistakes, or your circumstances, but by who you are in Christ

Galatians 2:20: “20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Sub Point 2: You are God’s Masterpiece

You are God’s masterpiece

He has created you with a unique purpose and plan for your life

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Sub Point 3: You are a New Creation

You are a new creation in Christ

Your old self has passed away, and you have been made new

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2. You are a Royal Priesthood

This means that you have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence

Hebrews 4:16 “16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Sub Point 1: You Have a Personal Relationship with God

You have a personal relationship with God

You do not need a priest or mediator to approach Him, but can come to Him directly

Romans 5:1-2 “1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Sub Point 2: You are Called to Serve

You are called to serve

As part of a royal priesthood, you have a responsibility to serve others and share the love of God with them

1 Peter 4:10 “10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Sub Point 3: You have Authority in Christ

You have authority in Christ

You can use the power of His name to overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes your way

Luke 10:19 “19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

3. You are a Holy Nation

Our third point is that you are a holy nation

Nation: Ethnos - a body of persons united by kinship, culture, and common traditions

This means that you are set apart for God’s purposes and called to live a life of holiness

1 Peter 1:15-16 “15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””

Sub Point 1: You are Called to Purity

You are called to purity

As a holy nation, you are called to live a life free from sin and impurity

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;”

Sub Point 2: You are Called to Righteousness

You are called to righteousness

As a holy nation, you are called to live a life of righteousness and justice

Matthew 5:6 “6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Sub Point 3: You are Called to Love

You are called to love

As a holy nation, you are called to love God and love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 22:37-39 “37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

4. You are God’s Special Possession

Our fourth and final point is that you are God’s special possession

This means that you are valuable and precious to Him

Isaiah 43:4 “4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.”

Sub Point 1: You are Valuable

You are valuable

Your worth is not determined by your accomplishments or possessions, but by the fact that you are a child of God

Luke 12:7 “7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Sub Point 2: You are Precious

You are precious

God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Sub Point 3: You are Secure

You are secure

As God’s special possession, you are secure in His love and care

Romans 8:38-39Romans 8:38-39 “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Your identity is rooted in Christ

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession