Declaring and Displaying the Excellencies of Christ
1 Peter 2:9-12
God redefines our story in Christ and then commissions us to declare and display the gospel
1 Peter 2:9-12
October 14th, 2018
I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country & to help others to do the same - C.S Lewis
Main Idea: God redefines our story in Christ and then commissions us to declare and display the gospel
I. OUR STORY REDEFINED (2:9A, 10)
Peter quotes a series of different OT texts that were originally used to identify Israel and now applies them to the church.
The church is identified as:
1. A chosen race (Isa. 43:20-21; cf. Deut. 7:6-8)
2. A royal priesthood (Ex. 19:5-6)
3. A holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6)
4. A people for his own possession (Ex. 19:5-6)
5. God’s people who have received mercy (Hos. 1:6-10, 2:23)
In Jesus Christ, the true Bridegroom, our true husband, God came into this world and entered the marketplace of the world and bought us, not with money, but with his own blood, not at the cost of emotional pain, which is what Hosea did, but at the cost of infinite suffering on the cross. That’s your wonder. There’s your identity - Tim Keller
God names people and then conforms them to this new name. We are being shaped to our new name in Christ. - Russell Moore
II. DECLARING THE GOSPEL (2:9B)
The purpose of our salvation is that we may proclaim the “excellencies” of the one who has called us into salvation. The church is a royal priesthood that declares, meaning that the prophet, priest, and king roles see in the OT and in Jesus himself is now expressed in the church.
We are naturally wired to be a “proclaiming people:”
What are we proclaiming and celebrating with others?
Does this fit with our story being redefined by the grace and mercy that God has shown to us in Christ?
The church collectively is called to be a proclaiming people. All of God’s people have a role to play as we are commissioned to declare the gospel and to make known the excellencies of Christ.
III. DISPLAYING THE GOSPEL (2:11-12)
As “sojourners and exiles,” our lives should reflect our true country and or true home. Therefore, as we await our true home, Christians are to:
1. Abstain from the passions of the flesh (lit. "over-desire") because they wage war against our soul
2. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles (unbelievers) honorable ("attractive" or "beautiful")
Peter assumes that we will be accused of being “evildoers” who will be mistreated and misrepresented. The way to overcome this is by living exemplary lives that are attractive to unbelievers.
Peter expects that our displaying and displaying of the gospel will result in unbelievers being drawn into the good news of the gospel, leading them to glorify God when Jesus returns. Peter calls for a hopeful expectation in this life of the gospel going forth and bearing fruit.
An Enduring Church
1 Peter 1:22-2:8
The Word of God is both the source and the strength to our growth together as the church.
1 Peter 1:22-2:8
October 7th, 2018
Main Idea: The Word of God is both the source and the strength to our growth together as the church.
I. THE SOURCE OF THE CHURCH (1:22-25)
Christians are called to love all people, but they are especially called to love their brothers and sisters in the church. Jesus indicates (John 13:34-35) that our love for one another will bear witness to him.
It is only possible to love one another earnestly from a pure heart because we have been born again by the imperishable seed of the gospel as contained in the Word of God. We draw from the same source of the Word of God to cultivate this love.
We cannot drive a wedge between God and His Word; they share the characteristics of being imperishable, living, and active. It reminds us that we love because God first loved us (cf. 1 John 4:19)
II. THE STRENGTH OF THE CHURCH (2:1-3)
We are called in the church to “put away” (like taking off clothes) sinful attitudes and desires that will poison our community.
The metaphor of longing for milk speaks to both our dependance and our enjoyment of the Word of God.
The Word of God is our strength as we “grow up into salvation,” as we continually taste and see the goodness of the Lord to us in Christ.
Visit many good books, but live in the Bible - Charles Spurgeon
III. THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH (2:4-8)
The Church is rejected by the world but chosen by God, following the pattern of Jesus Christ, who is the cornerstone of the body of Christ.
Jesus Christ is the “living stone” because of his resurrection; we too are made into “living stones” in the new spiritual temple of God.
The church is not only built up as a spiritual house, but we are also a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices through Jesus Christ, our great high priest (cf. Heb. 4:14-16).
Peter emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the enemy in order to encourage these persecuted Christians. God is sovereign and in control over all things, even over those who oppose his people.
Hope and Holiness
1 Peter 1:10-21
In response to being recipients of salvation promised in the Scriptures, we are called to live in holiness through Christ.
1 Peter 1:10-21
September 30th, 2018
Main Idea: In response to being recipients of salvation promised in the Scriptures, we are called to live in holiness through Christ.
I. A CALL TO BEHOLD (1:10-12)
1. The Bible is one unified story
2. The Bible is centered on Jesus Christ
3. The Bible is illuminated by the Holy Spirit
4. The Bible is for us
The cosmic sweep of God’s redemption is all centered in Christ, whom we know and love. The petty dreams of earth’s little tyrants shrivel before the majesty of the kingdom of God, ministered by prophets and apostles, but now realized for those who know Jesus Christ - Ed Clowney
The angels are literally “obsessed” and “stooping down” or “straining” to see this story of redemption. Are we doing the same? Are we reading our Bible this way?
II. A CALL TO HOLINESS (1:13-16)
“Therefore” reminds us that the indicatives of the gospel always come before the imperatives. What God has done for us in and through Christ always precedes what we are called to do for him in response.
“Being “holy” includes the sense of belonging to God, a people marked off and separate from the world by their way of life.” ~ I. Howard Marshall
Our motivation for holiness is the very holiness of God himself, which we have experienced through the work of Christ.
In Leviticus, the holiness of God is dangerous, because the people of Israel are unholy and sinful. Jesus comes as the fulfillment of the message of Leviticus by transferring his holiness and his purity to us.
III. A CALL TO FEAR (1:17-21)
Peter sees the “fear of God” and the “Fatherhood of God” as being completely compatible. The “Fear of God” is a reverent awe and respect for God who is omnipotent and omniscient.
But God is also our Father- the one who loves us and whom we must give an account. This is all meant to be an incentive toward holiness in our lives.
“Ransomed” literally means that we are “bought-back.” This is not by silver and gold, but by the precious blood of Christ. His blood is our redemption.
When we are tempted to return to “the passions of our former ignorance,” we are commanded to remember our ransom; we have been bought with a price, which means we are not our own. We belong to God, our Father, who through Jesus Christ has made us believers and given us faith and hope.
A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:1-9
God has caused us through Christ to be born again to an inheritance that provides unshakeable hope and joy.
1 Peter 1:1-9
September 23rd, 2018
Main Idea: God has caused us through Christ to be born again to an inheritance that provides unshakeable hope and joy.
I. A TRIUNE INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)
Redemption is ultimately a Triune activity.
1. The Source: The foreknowledge of God the Father
2. The Seal: The sanctification of the Holy Spirit
3. The Purpose: Obedience to Christ, because he has shed his blood for us.
Living as elect exiles (or as citizens who are strangers) should produce a hopeful realism in the life of a Christian.
A Christianity that is without friction in the culture is a Christianity that dies… a Christianity that is walled off from the culture around it is a Christianity that dies… Our call is to an engaged alienation, a Christianity that preserves the distinctness of our gospel while not retreating from our calling as neighbors, friends, and citizens - Russell Moore
II. A HOPEFUL INHERITANCE (1:3-5)
What does it mean to have a “living hope”? It is a conviction that something will happen in the future. But there has to be some kind of basis to assume that something will come true.
The inheritance of our salvation is “imperishable” (durability), “undefiled” (purity), and “unfading” (quality), because it is kept in heaven for us and is being guarded by God’s power.
Not only is our inheritance kept for us; we are kept for our inheritance.
III. UNSHAKEABLE JOY IN SUFFERING (1:6-9)
Peter notes three ways that we can have an unshakeable joy in the face of suffering and trials:
1. Suffering strengthens our faith
2. Suffering gives us a proper perspective
3. Suffering leads us to joy and glory.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world - C.S Lewis