Untitled Sermon (18)

Not of this world - Different, On Purpose

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-12

We are set apart for a purpose: to display God’s character and declare His praises in a world that needs hope and truth, encouraging believers to live authentically in alignment with their faith.

Happy 250th... plus one day, America!

Think about everything that's happened in just 250 years.

We won our independence. Expanded across a continent. Ended slavery. Became a world leader in medicine, business, and technology. Put men on the moon. Helped develop things like GPS, the internet, and countless innovations that changed the world.

Not bad for what historians have called "The American Experiment."

When the Founding Fathers left England, they wanted something that had never really existed before—a nation where people could worship freely and govern themselves instead of living under a king.

Even they weren't completely sure it would work.

Think about it... what king willingly gives up power?

So they launched this grand experiment of self-government.

And here we are 250 years later... still governed by the people.

And have you seen some of the people lately?

Anybody else just a little nervous? (laugh)

But speaking of experiments...

America has become fascinated with another question.

Are we alone in the universe?

Over the past few years, you've probably noticed the headlines.

The government has released videos of what they now call UAPs. Congress has held hearings. People claim the government has recovered things they can't explain. Scientists debate the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Even celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg have said they think aliens have been here for a long time.

We've always been fascinated by the idea.

Remember V from the 80s? That show terrified me.

Then there was The X-Files... Men in Black... Transformers...

People love aliens.

But this morning...

What if I told you there really are aliens living among us?

Don't worry... I'm not talking about little green men.

I'm talking about Christians.

According to Jesus... according to Peter... according to John...

We are the aliens.

Not because we're from another planet...

But because our true home is another kingdom.

Listen to what Jesus prayed before He went to the cross.

Read John 17:14–16.

Then, standing before Pilate, Jesus said:

"My kingdom is not of this world..." (John 18:36)

That's the big idea this morning.

If you belong to Christ, you're living in a country that is not your permanent home.

You're here.

But you're not from here.

You are, spiritually speaking...

an alien, a stranger, a soujourner

This morning’s text is going to be in 1 Peter

1 Peter 2:9-12

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. 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. 

1. More than strangers - Chosen for a Purpose

1 Peter 2:9 “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.”

You were called out of the darkness, and into his Marvelous light - Walk to the light.

And because you are in the light, you are God’s - He is the perfect light, and in him is no shadow

And you are cared for by Him - you are chosen by Him

A royal Priesthood - We are royalty in Christ - and we are mediators (Priests) who represent God to the world

A Holy Nation - A Unified Global community, set apart for God’s purposes

We are Not Americans

We are not Texans

We are not Houstonians

Maybe as defined by the world

We are a Holy nation, unified with Christ Followers across the world

Christian Chinese

Those in Russia

Southeast Asia

Nigeria and the Sudan - Where our brothers and sisters are being killed at staggering numbers

A people for his own possession

As a Nation, we have 1 purpose

Our purpose is to proclaim his Excellencies

We need to embrace this identity

It’s so easy to be proudly American, or proudly Texan

Our identity is in Christ

2. Transformed by Grace

1 Peter 2:10

How amazing is it, that you were not of a people

And then you were chosen to be a part

Only by the Grace received through Christ

And because of the Grace given to you, you want to give to others.

I envision a person being swept away by a flood. Out of control. Chaotic. Going under, popping up. Like the movies

And down the river there is a line stretched a cross the river

You are headed to certain death

Just as you pass under that rope, a hand reaches down and grabs you, pulling you to safety

You easily could have died, but you are alive

And you look up, and see others coming down the river

And now you are ready to go do the same with others

To share that same Grace you yourself just received

We should be living in a gratitude fueled action mentality

Sharing with others without knowledge

3. Aliens in the World

1 Peter 2:11

Living as 'aliens and strangers' calls believers to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul

English Standard Version Chapter 8

Romans 8:5–8

4. Shine Before Others

1 Peter 2:12

But just because we are in this Holy Nation doesn’t mean life will be perfect

Anything but that

But we are to walk in Love and Integrity

Providing a gateway for Christ to encounter Christ because of our actions or response

We are to let our light shine

English Standard Version Chapter 15

John 15:19

We are Not of This World - But that doesn’t mean we are not to be in it.

John 17:14–16

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

"In the world": Jesus acknowledges that believers live on Earth and must interact with human society, engage in work, and build relationships

"Not of the world": Jesus asks God to protect his followers from the "evil one". In this context, "the world" refers to the system of cultural values, beliefs, and practices that operate contrary to God’s kingdom

This world is ready to distract us

Shiny objects - Oh man. I gotta have that.

Coveting - Oh man, you have that? I need that - Work harder and bury my head in work for what?

Work Stress - No matter the job - we all feel the pressure to perform - Emails meetings deadlines

Chaos of the world: Wars, Earthquakes, Politics, Constant bad news, Economic uncertainty

Fear of the unknown - Lost job, get sick, the future?

Got to get through this period of life - Once I graduate, buy house, Just have to retire

Entertainment - streaming, social, gaming

Pursuit of success - money, status, power, adda boys

Approval of others

(Seems like Satan throwing everything at us)