1 Peter 2: 9-10 - Identity in Christ

Identity in Christ
 1 Peter 2: 9-10
Pankaj Macwan

Exodus 19: 5-6

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19: 5-6

What separates believers from the worldly people?

We are separated from the blessings and privileges we have through Christ

Peter is writing to the church when he declares that they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.

Who you are in Christ:

1. You are chosen: You don’t have to earn to be chosen, it is not based upon performance, it’s free
2. Royal Priesthood: In the Old Testament priest came from the lineage of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. This must have stood out to Peter’s Audience. Now Peter is saying that because of our relationship with Christ, we have the authority to minister to people.

Christ sends the disciples out to minister in his authority. Christ commissions them, saying, “All authority has been given to me, therefore make disciples” (Matt 28:18).

Authority and Privileges of a Priest: But, we are also called priests. One of the unique roles of the priest was to have an intimate relationship with God. The high priest was the only priest who could enter into the presence of God once a year on the Day of Atonement. No other person could do that.

What distinguishes us as believers is the fact that we can walk and live in the presence of God.

But not only that, the priest would pray on behalf of the people for the forgiveness of their sins and bring their requests before God.

The priests were also called to teach the people

3. A Holy nation and belonging to God: People of Israel were chosen to worship Him and to serve Him. In the same way we are chosen and set apart for His work. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10).

God is preparing us in a unique way to serve Him

4. His Possessions: We are not only to serve, but to recognize that we are here on this earth for His pleasure.

Psalm 147: 11     “but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love”.

We were not only made to enjoy God.  We were made so God could enjoy us too.

5. You have received mercy: We did not get what we deserve, meaning instead of condemnation, we received His grace.

What do we if we are in Christ:

Because what Christ did on the cross now God has transferred these privileges to the church, and with the privilege comes the responsibility of bringing the light of God to the world.

Our identity in Christ leads us to our destination, which is to proclaim His excellencies to the world not on the basis of our accomplishments but based upon our relationship with Christ.

What are we to tell the world:

God is Love:

1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love”.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”.

God Forgives our sins:

Psalm 103:10 “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities”. 1 John 2:12 "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."

Hope in Christ:

John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.

How do we apply this in our life and in our church:

Are you encouraged or challenged by understanding these blessings that are given to you as the people of God?

How can we apply these truths in our lives as well as in our community?

Audio:

John 17:12-21: You Are Called To Heaven

SERMON OUTLINE 1-24-16

Title: "You Are Called To Heaven"
Scripture: John 17:12-21

You are in this world, but you are not of this world.

--The Reality of God (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 20:26; Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 1:12)

--The Reality of This World (Galatians 1:4; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31)

--The War Within (Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 7:15; Romans 4:1-4)

--How does this work?

1.  The "Either-Or" Solution

--The Isolated church (James 5;19-20; Hebrews 10:24-25)

--The Isolated Believer (Proverbs 18:1)


2.  The Choice to "Strike-a-Balance" (Proverbs 11:1)

--Distraction (John 8:34)

--Avoidance (Colossians 2:20-23; James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:4-11)

--Tolerance (1 Corinthians 5:9-10; 15:33)

--True Balance (Matthew 6:33-34; 2 Peter 3:17; Romans 12:2)


3.  The "Go" Mission

--Our Flesh (Mark 12:31; 1 John 1:9)

--Our Relationships (Matthew 6:14-15)

--Our Spiritual Calling (Matthew 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:4)


Audio

Philemon 1: Gospel in Action

Philemon chapter 1: Gospel in Action

A:  Characteristics of a Christian (4-5)
 Change in lifestyle is visible
 Other people notice an outward change in your life and attitude towards others
 Your lifestyle gives encouragement to other  believers and church leaders

B: Encouragement to Christian (6)
 Continue Sharing of faith
 Faith should  become effective
 Sharing of faith will produce full knowledge

C:  Fruits of Faithfulness to Christ (7)
 Brings Joy to the saints
 Provides comfort to the saints
 Refreshes Hearts of the saints

 D: Christian life in action (8-25)
 A Loving appeal is better than an authoritative command
 Believers must face consequences of their actions committed before they were saved
 Paul’s promise of restitution towards Philemon reminds us what Jesus has done for us
 Forgiveness  brings joy  and refreshes hearts of others


Audio (Wrong Audio Title):

John 12:20-26 - Resolved to Follow the Savior (Part 1)

SERMON OUTLINE 1-10-16

John 12:20-26

"RESOLVED TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR"

John 12:24 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

1. When you are compelled to know what God is doing, look to Jesus. (John 12:20-22)

     --A group of Greeks came looking for Jesus.

     --Phillip and Andrew went to Jesus.

     --We need to go to Jesus when we are curious, confused or bruised.

2. Jesus responds to what you need to know over your immediate circumstances. (John 12:23-26)

     --All the dots of Jesus' life and purpose are connected. (23-24)

     --Not only does Jesus connect the dots of His life and purpose, Jesus connects the dots for your life and purpose. (25-26)

3. We need to resolve to be telling our stories. (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:2)

     --We're wired for story.

         Times of Crises (Acts 21:12-13)

         Day to Day (Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

     --Basic Story Telling, Witnessing Guidelines:

         Resolve to remember that You are not the main character of your story. (Jeremiah 17:9)

         Resolve to not be embarrassed, or ashamed to testify to the truth. (2 Timothy 1:8)

         Resolve to tell your eye witness, first person account. And use your words. (Acts 26:16)

         Resolve to follow through. (John 1:45-46)

I Am Resolved

I am resolved to go to the Savior,                    

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One,

He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,

He is the living Way.

I am resolved, and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay,

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Refrain:  I will hasten to Him,

                Hasten so glad and free;

                Jesus, greatest, highest,

                I will come to Thee. 

Ezekiel 33: 1-20 - God’s Promise of Restoration (Part 1)

God’s Promise of Restoration
Ezekiel 33: 1-20

A. Prophet as watchmen:

• The word “Watchmen” can be translated as “to look out” or “look about”
• Watchmen are supposed to look out for danger and warn people 
• The Prophet Ezekiel was asked to warn people of danger

B. Role of watchmen:

• God is using humans to communicate His message to His people
• Warning comes from God to bring people to repentance

C. How can we apply this in today’s church?

• The Role of a Pastor 
• Preaching and Teaching the Word of God 

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching”.
D. The Role of the Church

• The church is the Body of Christ, doing work for the purpose of glorifying God
• The Church has to seek the lost 
• The Church should be faithful to the Word of God
• The Church should be faithful to go, teach, and Baptize and teach those who are Baptized, Matthew 28;19-20

E. The Responsibility of a believer to his family

• Parents must teach the commandments of God to their Children, Deuteronomy 6: 5-7
• The Disciples knew the importance of teaching God’s commandments to children, Acts 28, “ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
• Prerequisite for someone to become a spiritual leader in the church is to be an effective spiritual leader in their home, 1st Timothy 3:1-7, 
• Titus 1:6. “if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination”.

F. Why does this matter

• God has promised that the sins of the wicked shall not be remembered against him, Ezekiel 33: 16
• This is amazing promise of forgiveness 

Audio: