I. Introduction
A. Nicknames
B. Background
1. Peter is writing to the brethren who would experience suffering for their faith.
a. In chapter one, he reminds them of their birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ (1:3).
b. They have been called to live holy lives as those who have been born of an imperishable seed. (1:23).
2. The encouragement continues in chapter two with a few metaphors that are meant to help them understand the difference living holy lives can make in this world.
a. In verse 9, the KJV uses the phrase, “…a peculiar people…”.
b. The Greek term used in this passage, περιποίησις (peripoiēsis), means that something has been acquired, obtained, or saved.
3. Peter tells us that we a people that have been acquired, obtained, and saved. But what does that mean? Why does God paint this image of the church in our minds?
II. A Peculiar People
A. (9-10)
1. God
has made it possible for anyone seeking to Him to be His child.
2. Four metaphors of Christians are expressed in qualified nouns:
a. Chosen – those who accept the call are chosen (Acts 10:34,35).
b. Royal – we are a priesthood in service to the King
c. Holy – now you are God’s country
d. Peculiar people- God has saved us for His purpose
e. All of these descriptors applied to Israel under the old covenant, but only to Israel. Now, that is available to all who will choose to follow God.
f. Each of these metaphors speaks of the of being God’s people.
g. We find similar statements by God in Exodus 19:5.
3. God desires to have a treasured people. For those who belong to the church, we are those people.
B. , not (vs 11-12)
1. Even though they had grown up in these cultures, they were now aliens, strangers, and sojourners.
a. He especially exhorts them not to engage in “passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul.”
b. Romans 12:1-2
2. We
are called to be a people who allow God to and us, not the world.
3. Don’t expect the world to conform to the model of Christ. That’s not how it works.
4. If
we are living as we should, there will be times we feel like , strangers,
and .
5. Peter tells us that the responsibility that comes with understanding the privilege we have is to proclaim it (1 Peter 2:9).
C. People (v 9,12)
1. We are called to live with a purpose beyond .
a. Ecclesiastes 12:13
b. Matthew 12:37-40
2. Sometimes, we are so wrapped up in “self” that we miss the service we are called to.
3. Notice that we are to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness and into HIS marvelous light. We
should live so that people see the in us.
a. Peter expected Christians to be aware of the way their behavior appeared to the pagan culture that surrounded them.
b. This means we are to live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-12).
c. Illustration: The Newport Church of Christ.
4. Our reflection of Christ is not just for us; it’s for the benefit of a dark world that needs light.
5. We are not to be those who blind others with the light. Paul describes us as stars in the nighttime sky. We are to stand out against the darkness in a beautiful way. (Php 2:15)
III. Conclusion
A. Strange People
1. We may be a strange people in the eyes of the world, but to God, we are His people.
2. We are chosen, transformed, and purposeful.
B. Invitation
1. God is the One who transforms.
2. Will you allow Him to transform you today?