Hope and Hostility - 1 Peter 2:9-10

Last Week: Christ is the “living stone.” Rejected by men and chosen by God.

The church is comprised of living stones set firmly and snugly together. Set apart as priests to offer sacrifices of praise.

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race,,, a royal priesthood,, a holy nation,, a people for his possession,, so that you may proclaim the praises,, of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Rangers vs. Astros 9/4,5 (Someone needed to bring encouragement)

Peter is reminding Christians who they are.

1. Christians are a chosen race.

Jews were taught their entire life of their “chosen” status.

Membership by birth. People of Abraham.

God has chosen a new race of people.

Not by physical descent, but by coming to Christ (v. 4) and believing in Him (v. 6-7).

Western culture defines value by status, influence, and outward appearances. Thus, many fall victim from the temptation to “do” things to find value.

In Christ, you are valuable because of who you are.

2. Christians are a royal priesthood and holy nation.

Two phrases are quoted from Ex. 19:6 and 23:22.

Through God’s promise (covenant), Israel had special status.

They are now a new spiritual nation which is now now based on ethnic identity or geographical boundaries, but rather on allegiance to their heavenly King, Jesus Christ.

The gospel is capable of transforming enemies into family.

In Christ, you belong to the people of God.

3. Christians are people for God’s possession.

From Isa. 43:21 - The people were in Babylonian captivity.

God forgives and redeems people for his own sake, so his glory might be proclaimed.

The people were in darkness (sin) and God redeemed them and called them into His light.

God’s purpose in redeeming us is not simply for our own enjoyment, but that we might glorify him.

Redemption is 100% God centered.

According to a model developed by UCONN researchers in 2016, most pyschologists who study the “meaning of life” agree that people believe their lives are meaningful when 3 aspects are in place:

1. They feel their life makes sense.

2. They are directed and motivated by meaningful goals.

3. They believe their existence matters to others.

* As for sources of meaning, they fall into two categories. Meaningful relationships and meaningful occupation.

Reread verses 9-10. We know who we belong to and know what to do.

In Christ, you have meaning.