Assurance / Identity

Thrive in ‘25

Everytime of revival or Renewal in the Old Testament was accompanied by an increase of giving or restoration of tithing. - David Campbell

We Need First Peter

The world we are living in is quickly becoming much like the world of 1 Peter

I need 1 Peter’s teaching on how to respond to difficult situations and environments.

I need his hope in the midst of the sufferings for Christ.

I need to know how to thrive in the midst of whatever challenging place I find myself in.

We need to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit through the apostle Peter and embrace this life unfolding through these pages.

1 Peter 3:10–12“For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””

The Setting

Consensus sees this letter written in the time of Nero (there are also arguments for later dates under Domitian or Trajan)

The kind of leader Nero was:

An orater of a later time described the terrible times of Nero as “slavery”, grateful not to have lived in those days.

Marcus Aurelius lumps Nero with wild beasts as a puppet of his desires.

His attack on Christians

A great fire broke out and burned for 9 days in July 64, it destroyed 14 divisions and severely damaged another 7. Nero’s estate remained unscathed and he was slow to organize assistance to put out the fire. The people began to blame him… He had an urban renovation plan and the fire burning was all too convenient for his desires.

Tacitus, a Roman Historian, tells that Christians became Nero’s scapegoats because the fire did not reach where most Christians lived - in the poorer neighborhoods

Not only were they being blamed for the fires but the Jewish community had worked hard to distinguish themselves from Christians. The Jews had an exemption which allowed them to worship more and meet more than once a month and did not have to worship in the Roman temples, this then left Christians unprotected and scrutinized. And it’s not much different today.

Though not widespread throughout the empire, Tacitus suggests that hundreds and even a few thousand Christians were executed from this.

Whether this was going on, had gone on or would happen in the future, the point remains from Peter in this letter, there is hope (a great Expectation)!

Look back at the great salvation God had accomplished for them

Look forward to the future inheritance that awaits them

Persevere, living holy and Christlike in response to wickedness and be a witness to the unbelieving world.

1 Peter 1:1–12 (NIV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Recap:

Exiles

Called / Chosen / Foreknown / Sanctified

Born again

Great expectation of a priceless inheritance that never fades

Protected by Gods power

Assured of salvation

Joy

Even joy in troubles

We always win and come out better

Jesus is our desire, our love, and our joy

This is something all angels and prophets longed for.

Identity

Exiles: these are people whose commitments to the lordship of Jesus Christ have led their transformed life and behaviors that places them on the margins of society.

Their allegiance to Christ resulted in animosity, scorn, and vilification. Based on historical Roman records they were strange misfits worthy of contempt.

Exiles: “For Christians are no different from other people in terms of their country, language or customs. Nowhere do they inhabit cities of their own, use a strange dialect, or live life out of the ordinary.… They live in their respective countries, but only as resident aliens; they participate in all things as citizens, and they endure all things as foreigners. Every foreign territory is a homeland for them, every homeland foreign territory. They marry like everyone else and have children, but they do not expose them once they are born. They share their meals but not their sexual partners. They are found in the flesh but do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth but participate in the life of heaven. They are obedient to the laws that have been made, and by their own lives they supersede the laws. They love everyone and are persecuted by all. They are not understood and they are condemned. They are put to death and made alive. They are impoverished and make many rich. They lack all things and abound in everything. They are dishonored and they are exalted in their dishonors.” Epistle to Diognetius

The primary application of these verses, is, the importance of establishing our identity on the basis of who we are in God’s family rather than who we are in social perceptions.

Here they are called, exiles (aliens and strangers) but Peter is reminding them of something greater.

We [they] can thrive because who they are socially has no bearing on who they fully are in God’s estimation which is true reality! We are the elect, chosen, fully known from the foundation of the world.

Elect, foreknown, sanctified, called, sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and possessors of his grace and peace.

These verses are formative for who we are.

Identity (We can’t thrive trying to build our own identity)

Sin is building your identity on anything other than God.

Expressive Individualism- discovering our deepest desires and longing and then do all we can to realize them.

The amazing thing is that much of this is actually rooted in Christianity where the thinkers of classical antiquity taught self reflection and examination of our emotions in order to be redirected towards God.

Today, instead of redirecting them, we enthrone them!

Played out perfectly in Disney’s Frozen, “Let it Go” no longer be the good girl i always have to be, no right no wrong no rules for me, I’m free.

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried Don't let them in, don't let them see Be the good girl you always have to be Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know Well, now they know

Let it go, let it go Can't hold it back anymore Let it go, let it go Turn away and slam the door I don't care what they're going to say Let the storm rage on The cold never bothered me anyway

In our search for identity there is also the “Need for Recognition”. We desire and look for the approval of others. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing… we were created with this need for approval, the danger is from where you look for it.

As you grow up then, the danger is that you begin to find out what others like and what they don’t like, or rather what they approve of and you begin to live for the applause of others. And we end up building an identity that is dependent on others.

The question of identity is not “who am I?” but “whose am I?” Our hearts, our security, will be in the hands of wherever we seek acclaim and accreditation. We will belong to them.

So we must perform, and our self-worth is then dependent on our performance. We become slaves of others.

And it is in this, this performance that we draw our identity and self-worth from. We think, “I am somebody special because of xyz”.

In secular culture, its 3 main things: Money, Status, and Power. Modern Society puts great pressure on individuals to prove their worth through personal achievement

We are ultimately trying to “Make a Name for ourselves” essentially constructing our own identity. This becomes our way of distinguishing ourselves from others to prove to myself and others that I am something special.

“…Pride is essentially competitive by its very nature… Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others.”

This is the way to perpetually live in guilt because that identity we pursue includes a standard to live up to and we will fall short.

Then after people turn to God for freedom, they find more slavery by working to build our identity on a Christianized form of religion, where we build our identity on our moral achievements and what we have done for the Lord. We can begin to trust in our own goodness rather than in Jesus for our standing with God.

Identity theft from the enemy

Taking the identity of someone or something else that isn’t you.

The enemy, satan is the original thief of identity.

He tries to convince you and persuade you that you are what you have done.

You are what you think

You are not what has happened to you

You are what others think of you

Peter is saying that though you may be exiles, the pariah of society, there is a greater identity you possess. You will thrive because you have been chosen by God, known from before the earth ever was, created, and designed by your Father and washed with the precious blood of Jesus, more valuable than Gold!

The greatest identity you could ever achieve with all the money, power, and status pails in comparison with the Identity the Father has given you through birth.

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The finish line of all that we would strive for has become our starting line!

Colossians 2:10 “and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

God could have simply sent Jesus to die for our sins and forgiven us. He didn’t stop there with blessing.

He birthed us… What that means.

He is your creator and Father, it is his responsibility to establish your identity. To tell you who you are.

Thriving requires receiving your identity rather than trying to achieve an identity.

It is full of a record not of my own making and from my own performance but rather from the performance of another - Jesus Christ.

Our inheritance is guarded, not by our performance but by God’s great power.

And because we are in the family, to rule and reign with him, with an inheritance that cannot be taken or removed we have this expectation that affects our daily lives.

Instead of being slaves to others and their approval, we have become slaves to God, not looking for his approval but because we have his approval in Christ.

This campaign is about God Thriving in Us

And Thriving Through us - this is about building his kingdom.

We are church that isn’t looking behind but a church that is looking forward. and excited about what God is going to do in us

Tithe / Offering:

Every time of revival or Renewal in the Old Testament was accompanied by an increase of giving or restoration of tithing. - David Campbell

Exodus 35:20–21“Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”

Hearts were willing

Hearts were moved

We are in building mode. This last year has only been a small taste of what are future looks like.

We will continue to build momentum in reaching those near and far with gospel by investing in the present with our eyes on preparing for the future.

I believe God has wonderful plans for us, our church family, our present church facility and future building.

May the Lord move on your heart and be one of the 50 pledges we are believing for.

Tithes sustain the work

These pledges increase and expand and build the kingdom. In 5 years from now, our goal is to purchase our own building and it begins now.

Its equal sacrifice not equal amount.

Baby Dedication

What Baby Dedication is.

It is a commitment for the family to pursue God (this is not salvation)

Every parent has it within themselves to protect their child and ask God to bless them.

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NKJV)

As Parents we take the loving responsibility to raise our children in the way of the Lord, these children belong to him and we are blessed to teach them the ways of God.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV): 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Introduce the family

Why do they want to dedicate their child.

Speak to the parents about their commitment to their child

1. Do you receive ____________ with gratitude, as God’s gift to you and your family?

2. Do you commit to each other as parents, to create a stable environment in which _______________ can mature?

3. Do you commit to live a faith-filled life that honors God as an example to ____________?

4. Do you commit to be parents that will walk in love and patience with _____________ and each other?

5. Do you commit to raising _________________ in the way of the Lord?

6. Do you commit to promote the way, the love and the word of God in your home?

7. Do you commit to leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance, direction and wisdom on how you should raise each of your children?

Anoint the child with oil:

In the name of the Lord Jesus I speak blessing over you ___________

• May you be blessed following and submitting to your parents

• May you be blessed as you are trained in the way you should go

• May you be blessed in your education

• May you be blessed in obeying the laws of the land

• May you be blessed in your future occupation

• May you be blessed in your family and the family you will make some day

• May you be blessed in following the plan of God for your life

• May you be blessed with health

• May you be blessed with long life

• May you be blessed with wisdom

• May you be blessed with understanding

• May you be blessed with provisions for life

• May you be blessed with knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior at an early age.

Pray for the parents