Living As Exiles - Week 3
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
For the next few weeks we will be taking this book, a little bit at a time, attempting to discover what God’s word has for us. There will be times through this book that we will just be learning, and there will be times where there are calls to action as God’s word instructs us and corrects us.
Before we get into the word, lets pray together.
PRAY
There are only two books in the Bible that we attribute to being written by Peter. He wrote two letters, meant to be circulated throughout the church and we have those recorded in scripture as 1 and 2nd Peter.
I have titled this study - Living as exiles, taken from the first verse of this book as we learn from Peter how we aught to be living this life - away from our home, away from our Lord, far from the things that are comfortable to us. Make no mistake - we are exiles. Our home is in HEAVEN. Our promises are THERE. Our treasures are THERE. Our eternity is THERE with our Lord.
RECAP:
So far, we have gotten through chapter 1 - in my last message, we discussed the definition that Peter gives to those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. He calls us Redeemed. He calls us purified, and he calls us Born again. Then we saw at the start of chapter two, these instructions that are given that call us to action.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.
Sermon:
WHO ARE YOU!
Time after Time Peter makes a point to describe to these believers and to us, who they are in the Lord. He has already given several descriptions at this point in the letter as to who you are, in the introduction and the first chapter, but he goes on in chapter 2, identifying us further
We get wrapped up in a lot of things. These identifiers - should replace some of those things.
Peter makes a point to describe who we are as believers for a reason.
We forget.
We get so wrapped up in the world that we lose our identities and become one of them.
Confronted with truth.
Last week we traveled to men’s retreat, we got to drive the amish route - two lane highways most of the way there, and we would have taken that way back if Robert could handle doing something differently once in a while.. but as we were driving, especially in our trucks - we didn’t take the church van this year - it was really easy to go faster than the posted limits. Just cruising along, it was easy to creep up on 70,75 miles per hour, in that 55 mph zone.
until you saw a white suv or sedan in the distance.
What happens when you see what you think is a law enforcement vehicle off in front of you?
Your right foot switches pedals, and your eyes check the speedometer 17 times. And then as you go past, if you are me, your eyes change directions and check the mirror 32 to see if that car is turning around. All trying to determine just how much this trip is going to cost.
It isn’t that the world changed, or the rules changed at all… The speed limit was the same. The difference is that you were suddenly confronted by the truth. The truth is, its 55. Not 56, not 58. Certainly not 73.
When we are reminded of that, by the light bar on top of that Ford Explorer - we shape up. We correct ourselves.
In this letter to the church, Peter confronts us with some truth. He reminds us of who we are, and who we are supposed to be.
As I read through this chapter, I jotted down the different descriptions of who we are that I see Peter giving. See if you can follow...
Living stones
A spiritual house
Being built – Part of what God is doing, In progress
Holy priesthood – people set apart, for the specific reason of worship
Honored – valued
A chosen race – New people, new identities.
A royal priesthood – A reminder of HIS position as King and Lord, and ours as his special servants
A holy nation – Identity and purpose, not alone
Praise proclaimers – Our job, our title and responsibility
Called out of darkness – Redeemed.
God’s people
Receivers of mercy – Already and not yet In a much better place than we were, forgiven.
Strangers and exiles. – Not from here.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter calls us Priests twice.
He gives us this identity, from the Lord - but it isn’t new.
Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine,
and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood,
and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Priests were responsible for the worship of the lord, and the encouragement of one another. They offered sacrifices among other things.
“When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army.
He is to say to them, ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them.
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’
Peter reminds us that we are God’s people, and in that way, we are PRIESTS.
Peter also reminds us that we are honored by God. The position that we are in, we did not earn - we did not deserve. It is given to us by grace.
I couldn’t be here on my own. The thoughts in my mind even this morning disqualify me.
We are held in a position of honor by the Lord. God has chosen, and set apart you and I, as special.
Bask in that for a moment. Sit in that for a moment. The Lord loves you. He honors you.
As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—
So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone,
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
And, we are reminded that we are in fact - Exiles.
We aren’t from here any more. We aren’t supposed to attach ourselves to this world.
1 Peter 2:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.
We are separated for His glory. His purpose. His will. A people for his possession. A new nation.
Remember that part I said earlier about being confronted with the truth - here’s another one.
There are others out there. That are destined for disobedience.
Peter takes time during this letter to describe the ways of the unbelieving as well. The unbelievers don’t have all of those other characteristics.
If we were to do a vin diagram - you know, the two circles that overlap so that you can determine what is the same and what is different about the two things titled in the circle… the only thing in the middle section where it would overlap for believers and unbelievers would be -
There are people who will not come to know the Lord as Lord in this life and because of that they will be separated from Him and from you and I for eternity.
Peter says that they fall because of Jesus.
And that is where he repeats himself in vs 9..
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once Peter gets through this section, calling out your identity, reminding you of who you are in the Lord… there is a call to action.
Just like a pastor to say a bunch of flowery stuff and then tell you to get up and do something about it.
Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.
Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.
This section of scripture goes on, there is really too much here to cover in one sitting - next week we will discuss all of the things that we are called to here in 11-17.. but for now we will look at just 11 -12.
Abstain from sinful desires.
Sinful desires wage war against the soul.
He gives a warning here… There is so much at stake. Don’t get careless about it - abstain from it. Stay away from it. Get outta there!
Conduct yourselves honorably.
Do not expect special treatment from the world.
They gonna slander you if you are a believer.
When God comes back, they will glorify him.
Do good works.
I have said a few times recently - the Bible is one message, connected and repeated and restated. This idea of doing good works is perfect proof of that.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work.
As we go out into the wold this week, and really for the rest of our lives, we should find ourselves confronted by some truth.
Our identity in Christ, is that of priest in exile.
Our identity in Christ is different from the world. We were called out of darkness
Knowing that - we should be doing good works in the world.
And confronted with those truths, straighten up!