1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Our spiritual identity

• We are a chosen people –

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

• We are a royal priesthood – we have been born again into new people and connected to a new family, a kingdom of believers.
• We are a holy nation – We represent God to man and intercede for man to God.
• We are God’s special possession – God’s desire has always been to use people set apart for Him to reach people.

Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV) Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Our purpose as the Church

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

• We exist to make much of the One who has chosen us, forgiven us and redeemed us.
• We are to declare the goodness of God in words and deeds.

How we are to live as God’s holy nation in 2022

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

• Remember our citizenship and identity –
• We are to abstain from sinful desires –
• We are exhorted to live good lives among the world –

• We are to submit to human authority for the Lord’s sake –
• We are to pray for our authorities –

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

• We are to be ambassadors of Christ –

2 Corinthians 5:18 -21 (NIV) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

• Ambassadors represent the values, policies and leadership of the nation they come from.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

• Who needs your compassion and not your judgment?
• How will you show kindness to the person in your life who is most difficult?
• How will you be gentle and patient with someone who disagrees with you?

For Small Group Discussion:

1. Do others see you as set apart for God?
2. How do you declare the praises of God who saved you?
3. In what relational sphere are you being used as an ambassador?
4. What kind of character are you clothing yourself with?
5. When you vote next week, what will your attitude and witness be?