READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l In our pilgrimage, it is always important to know who we are and not be distracted by voices telling us who we should be. We are sons and daughters of the Living God. God has chosen us and made us holy. We are His possession. When we arrive at Heaven’s Gate, the Angels will ask, “Why aren’t you who you are, called to be by God?”
Peter wrote to the Christians to encourage them to bear their identity. They were living in trying times, being persecuted. They are to stand firm amid trials and to stand firm against the voices of people. It is like having an anchor in our life, we know who we are, and we stand firm for what we believe in. Who are we that God gave up His divine life to die for us, to resurrect for us and to glorify for us, so that we can go to Him? We are only a creature of God’s creation, yet God provides the way to salvation to redeem us because in His mind, He is Father God. His heart is always big for His people. He created the world to love it, yet we rebel against Him. We are privileged to be loved by God, so we owe it to God to live a transformed life.
In v15, Peter reminded his readers to be holy in their conduct. Our faith must be strong in Christ for us to be resilient in the face of trials. We are born again with a new life and received a new identity to be children of the Living God. We no longer conform our lives to the evil desires of this world; instead, we are separated unto God to live His glory.
To be separated unto God involves 2 things:
1. To be pure
Perfect and incorruptible are two traits in God’s character because God is perfect.
2. To be set apart
Consecrated articles set apart for God’s use only.
Romans 12:1-2 reminds us of what Christ has done for us. Therefore, do not conform to the patterns of this world but be renewed in our minds. As we present ourselves as the living sacrifice before God, we are consecrated for Him, chosen by Him and belong to Him. We are CHRISTians belonging to Christ. The call to holiness cannot be attained by sheer human efforts. The word of God says to us, it is lived inside of us, and we know who we are. When we do not bear the identity, we tend to look to the world for solution than to God for life’s guidance. Our motivation to live a holy life comes from the motivation knowing we belong to God.
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Peter specifically declared 4 important characteristics:
1. We are a chosen people
God chose us and is mindful to pick us amongst many people.
2. We are a royal priesthood
The priest is allowed to go into the inner court and can approach the throne to intercede, pray and encounter God. Christ has reconciled us to God and made us accessible to Him.
3. We are a holy nation
We are sanctified by Christ, and He knows us. When we sin, come back to God quickly through repentance. God is always teaching, guiding, and showing up for us.
4. We are a people belonging to God
Ask God to give us the desire to always make Him first. Practice the presence of God all the time because we are children of God with a loving Father. When we pray, we believe God hears our prayers and is doing something about our prayers. We may not see the answer, but it will come soon.
The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Jesus said where our treasure is, there our heart will be. What is our treasure? If we do not keep our hearts in tune, we will lose our way. It is important who we belong to and what we are becoming. “Be holy for I am holy.” When we bear that identity, it will show strongly in our lifestyle. If we soak in scripture, it will form us. Listen to our own prayers. How we pray, how much we pray, tells about our intimacy with God. Whoever wants to follow Jesus must deny himself, carry the cross and follow Him. We must die in the flesh to become alive in Christ.
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you through the preaching of God’s word?
- How would you summarise the message of this section or story?
- What are the implications for us through this message?
- What are the personal implications (for you)?
- What are the communal implications (for our gospel community)?
- What are the missional implications (for those we want to reach for Christ)?
