1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

This passage is amazing in a couple really cool ways… 1) It summarizes the whole narrative of the Bible.

• God CHOSE the people of Israel to be His people from whom the Messiah (Jesus) would come.
• He established a covenant with a man named Abraham and promised Abraham that through his seed all the people of the earth would be blessed.
• Abrahams family ends up in Egypt as slaves, and God delivers them through a man named Moses.
• Moses leads the people of Israel (known as the Hebrews at this time) out of Egypt to Promise Land.
• On the way, God is teaching them what it looks like to worship and obey Him, so He gives the people His law to obey Him.
• He has them set up a tabernacle (which would later become the temple) to give them a place to worship Him and He then gives them PRIESTS to show and teach them how to obey and worship.
• After 40 years of wondering around in the dessert God finally delivers them into the Promised Land and establishes them as a NATION.
• God did all of this so that the nation of Israel would be a nation that would tell all the other nations about THE GOODNESS OF GOD and how he delivered them from the DARKNESS of slavery and brought them into the LIGHT of freedom

This scripture outlines exactly what God did for the Israelites in the Old Testament.

2) It speaks directly to our identity.

1 Peter 2:10a (NLT)

This sermon series is all about who we are, who God has called us to be and how to act with that calling.

Political Tension

• Scripture also says to love your enemies…no matter what side of the political isle they are on.
• Our ultimate goal as Christians is not to lead people to a different political view…but to lead people to Jesus
• In this series, we are talking about our identity in Jesus and how that shapes how we act in the world around us.

Royal Priesthood— (1 Peter 2:9)

The priests in the Old Testament had some very specific and some very interesting roles and responsibilities.

What were the major responsibilities of the priest in the O.T.?

Deuteronomy 33:10 (NLT)

1. Teach God’s Word

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)—2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

2. To Burn Incense

Exodus 30:1-19 (NIV)—Revelation 5:8 (NLT)

• Our prayers are a sweet aroma to God that ascends to Him continually

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

• Never stop praying.

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)—Psalm 141:2 (NIV)

What kind of prayers do we pray?

• Supplication
• Thanksgiving
• Intercessory
• Lament
• Love

What was the role of the great high priest? How did Jesus fulfill that?

• Entered into the presence of God (High Priest)
• Jesus is the high priest; we are not

Are you teaching others about God and how to live through your words and actions?

Are you praying? Are you offering your life as a living sacrifice?

Scriptures

• Hebrews 4:14-16-Jesus, the great High Priest
• 1 Timothy 2:5-Jesus role as the High Priest
• Matthew 27:51-The veil was torn

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What’s your favorite piece of clothing or thing to wear? Why?

Main Point: As God’s chosen people, we are set apart by Christ and we should reflect Christ to the world.

Read/Tell the Story: Exodus 19:3-6, 28:1-5; Colossians 3:5-17

Questions:

1. Read Exodus 19:3-6. In this passage, what was God asking His people to do? What did God promise that the Israelites would be?
2. Read 1 Peter 2:9. How do these verses relate to the picture from Exodus?
3. Why does God want us to be a royal priesthood, according to 1 Peter?
4. Read Exodus 28:1-5 & Colossians 3:5-17. The priests from the OT were meant to be set apart & recognizable by their priestly garments. What should it look like for us to be set apart in today’s culture?
5. What do you need to “put off” or “put on” in your life now?
6. For homework this week – ask a friend ‘What is something they see in you that reflects Christ?’
7. For the bold – ask, ‘What is something they see in you that doesn’t reflect Christ?’

Supporting Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10, Psalms 4:3, Romans 1:1