Living Differently Part 4 - 1 Peter 2:9-24
Living Differently in a World that is Not Our Home • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Series: Living differently in a world that is not our home.
Although 1 Peter is addressed to “God’s elect exiles” (names some) it is a “General Epistle.” Intended for the whole church.
“sojourners” or “strangers” … reminds them … this world is not your home!
Chapter 2 … a lot packed in to one chapter … Jesus the Living Stone … builders rejected … Cornerstone
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans 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.
Last week … Living Differently in an Unholy Culture
“With minds alert and fully sober … Do not conform … Be Holy!
This week …
Different Calling in a Dark World
Different Calling in a Dark World
One word Peter used frequently - Call, Called, Calling
When you have a Calling—Emboldens, Encourages, Empowers!
Example: (Team Captain of the Jonestown Orioles)
The Three Callings of Every Christian
An Eternal Call to Christ
A Temporary Call to an Assignment
A Daily Calling to a Different Standard
Many Christians - What am I called to do?
God will call you to a WHO before a DO!
God will call you to a WHO before a DO!
God is more concerned with who you are becoming than what you are doing.
When you know who you are, then you will know what to do.
Peter writing to persecuted Xians
Superstitious—Miracles—Magicians—Jesus head magician.
Incestuous—Agape Meetings (Love Feasts)—Brother and Sister
Cannibals—Take and eat my body.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Chosen people” - Isaiah prophesied God’s blessing on those He called “my people, my chosen.” Just as the nation of Israel have been God’s chosen, Christians have become God’s people, not by physical birth, but by spiritual rebirth.
“Royal Priests” - (1st) At Mount Sinai when the nation recieved God’s laws, Moses told all Israel: “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). 1st Century Christians would have understood this. (High honor for believers)
“God’s very own possession” - This phrase is more literally translated “a people for his possession.”
Similar language found in …
5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.
Peter continues this thought as he uses the world “called” on again …
10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Peter uses wording from the book of Hosea … God rejected the people of Israel because of their sinful behavior but later restored them due to repentance.
Paul uses this as well …
25 Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.” 26 And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ”
You once had no identity in Christ but now you do … so let’s start to live like it!
Unfortunately today … Most don’t think we are Superstitious—Incestuous—Cannibals …
Self-righteous—Judgmental—Intolerant bigots.
Some (so called) Christians—Unfortunately earned these titles.
Christ is calling us to a different standard!
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Peter called these scattered believers “dear friends” or “beloved” … describes the love he had for these brothers and sisters in the faith.
Peter did not know each personally … loved them all “deeply, from the heart” … mutual bond in Christ
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
Next … Peter—Not going to try to convince unbelievers to believe like we believe.
Followers of Christ … show them what we believe—by how we behave.
Problem: Known for what we are for—Not against! You don’t have to be defensive.
Best defense is a good offense (Super Bowl Champs Chiefs)
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.
*The foolish are the unbelievers who speak about and act in ignorance towards Christians … “silence” is more literally “to muzzle” … shut them up with the intent to convince them.
Example: Scott Fritz (big dude, truck driver, pro wrestler) – family church / mad – BTSB – Cotton Candy - Saved
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
“He is your example”
“suffering” … “just as Christ suffered” - not dying on a cross (Peter & Andrew) for sins of the world, instead complete peace and trust in God’s plan … We are called!
When Jesus was treated harshly … Remained Gentle
When Jesus was rejected … Remained loving
When People sinned … He forgave
What was he not—Proud, Arrogant, Condescending, Defensive, Hateful!
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
Peter continues: we’re called to be more different than you can imagine!
Normal: Curse those—Curse! Hate those—Hate! Revenge—Wrong
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
No Bible verse explicitly says “hate your enemy,” the Pharisees reinterpreted a couple verses in Psalms where is speaks of God’s hatred towards the wickedness done by His enemies … should only love “neighbor” … hate all others.
18 “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
We are called to a different standard… Different Calling. We are called to go the extra mile! (Matt 5 - Jesus gives us a whole new standard to live by)
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Jesus leaves us with no more excuses … We are called to live differently!!
Pharisees later asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor” (Luke 10:29) … Jesus told them the parable of the good samaritan. Followers of Jesus … show love to all kinds of people, no matter faith, nationality, or personality, enemies included.
If you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, you truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life!
Chosen by God—Royal priest—Holy Nation—People belonging
CALLED to Love. Serve. Give. Blessing.
Different Calling in a Dark World!
**Transition into communion!!!
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.