1 Peter 1:18-21-For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

REVIEW

Week 1- A Holy Nation

Week 2- A Royal Priesthood

1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[g] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Priests

What they were to do:

• Offer Sacrifices for the people
• Teach the law and truth
• Intercede for them
• Shepherd them and show the goodness of God

Jesus as our High Priest:

• “Father forgive them they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
• He stood silently and gave his life (Isaiah 53:7)
• Lamb, Scapegoat, High Priest
• Hebrews 4:14-16
• Grace- Undeserved favor- (A gift we DON’T deserve)
• Mercy- Not giving us what we DO deserve

A Royal Priesthood

What we are to do:

•  Show the goodness of God
• Live righteously in front of other believers
• Show others they can come to God

1 Timothy 2:1-6 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. 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. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

• All People, All Kings
• He wants all to be saved and all to understand the truth
• We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-210)
• Walk according to God’s Design
• In each sphere
• Romans 2:4
• 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

CLOSING

Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are you hearing about Jesus and what he has done for you today?
2. Did you know we are all his Ambassadors (priests and priestesses?) How has your understanding changed?
3. Have you been doing life alone? If so, what is your next step to get connected?
4. DO YOU NEED JESUS? Talk to us!